the best of napa valley life featuring BRAD FARMERIE executive Chef, The Thomas (and Fagiani’s Bar at The Thomas) by Sharon ufberg • BeST NAPA VALLey VIeW Prepare for shameless self-promotion: I think that the rooftop of The Thomas is an amazing quilt of mountains, river, bridges, and downtown life. When we first walked up to the roof of the old Fagiani building we were in awe of the interesting vantage point over the area, and we all were in love with the building and the view and were excited about what we could do there. With a Negroni in hand, it looks even better! • BeST FARM FReSH eGGS No contest – Taramasso Ranch! • BeST PRodUCe STANd You can’t make me choose just one—there are so many that deserve a shout out. BOCA Farm for insanely good veggies and a good cause; Big Ranch for a wide selection of seasonal veggies and some of the organic starter plants that we planted in our restaurant garden; Matthiasson for peaches/plums and other fruit tree gems; and Rodriguez for berries. • BeST WoRKoUT As soon as I got to Napa I bought a bike and spent many hours a week forgetting that it was actually exercise. I love climbing up Coombsville • BeST PLACe To UNWINd familiarizing myself with the incredible scenery up and down the valley, Road to Wild Horse Valley Road to get above and away from it all, or Home! In the backyard with my kids. going from my place in south Napa along Old Sonoma Road for really • BeST HoMe-CooKed MeAL in your hand, knowing that there is a seat outside waiting for you whenoIdTUy/SReALL GRTASTBe•Ma(i)sonry is fun for noncommittal art browsing with a glass of vino magnificent flashes of nature with vineyard views and eucalyptus in the air. My secret simple indulgence is the delicious fresh pasta from Pasta Poetry you’re done and blankets for when the sun goes down. (Napa Farmers’ Market) with nothing more than fresh tomatoes from the sun-dried chili flakes (from Wholespice in the Oxbow Public Market). • BeST BAKeRy garden, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, Maldon sea salt and a pinch of Aleppo • BeST BeST NeWLy-TASTed WINe Pies for chocolate cake, and always at least one totally indulgent pain auWhen it is time to celebrate birthdays in our house we hit up Sweetie Being new to the area I found a lot of wines that I fell in love with, chocolat if we are anywhere nearby. my tipple of choice throughout the summer and had its own spot reserved • BeST BooK (FoR CHeFS) especially the unique white varietals like Truchard’s Roussanne, which was in my fridge at home. Like many summer romances I got my heart broken On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee. when I found out that they run out every year. • BeST FILM • BeSTPeNde FodAy SdI KReTHLACPo ST Cool Hand Luke or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for the classics, The Bourne Ultimatum for something a bit newer and action oriented, Memento “Scientopia” – If you’re local or visiting, leave them at Scientopia summer for a movie I have been meaning to watch again now that I know the plot and holiday camps so that you can enjoy Napa without kids while your kids twist, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for something completely ridiculous that I enjoy Napa without parents! It’s such a loving and fun environment that my have seen about thirty times. kids can’t wait to go back. 80 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E M A g A z I N E . C O M
NVLife_NovDec_2012
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