Napa Valley is renowned for its wine and fine food, and there are many excellent restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines. However, those with a taste for French cuisine are among the luckier visitors, as the Napa Valley French restaurants are world-class. Many have Michelin stars, and all promise delicious food and a memorable dining experience, resulting in several strong contenders for the title of best French restaurant in Napa.
One of the first Napa Valley restaurants to take note of is The French Laundry. The French Laundry in Napa is undoubtedly many people's pick for the best restaurant in Napa. However, despite its name, the menu is actually contemporary American cuisine with French influences. Two nine-course prix fixe (fixed price) menus are offered daily, a series of small courses in which no ingredient is served more than once. Reservations are extremely difficult to obtain and are accepted two months to the calendar date before the desired meal. The food and service are both exceptional.
One of the popular Napa Valley French restaurants is Bouchon Bistro in Napa. Among the several Napa Valley bistros, Bouchon is rated by some visitors as the best French restaurant in Napa. Bouchon takes its name from a type of neighborhood bistro that originated in nineteenth-century Lyon, serving traditional, simple cuisine in a homey atmosphere. The Bouchon menu features entrees such as steak frites, pan-seared tuna with ratatouille, crispy pork belly, and croque madame; oysters, salads, and cheeses are also on the menu, as are simple desserts such as profiteroles and a lemon tart.
Another of the excellent Napa Valley bistros is Bistro Jeanty. Charming and romantic, this fine French bistro has been awarded one Michelin star. Seasonal menus serve homey French bistro fare, from tomato soup in puff pastry for starters to entrées such as a cassoulet or coq au vin, to crepe suzette for dessert. Both indoor and outdoor patio seating are available.
Anther of the excellent Napa Valley French restaurants is La Toque, in the city of Napa. Ken Frank's La Toque is located in the Westin Verasa Napa and features an elegant, open floor plan with patio seating. The constantly changing menu showcases seasonal ingredients, and wine pairings are suggested for each dish. Foie gras, frogs' legs, and quail might be on the menu, but so might tomato soup, Alaskan halibut, and prime Angus rib-eye, so all kinds of diners will have something to enjoy.
Yet one more choice among the great Napa Valley bistros is the intimate, casually elegant Angele Restaurant, also in the city of Napa. The warm, relaxing, and rustic environment is a perfect setting for enjoying a meal of French country foods and wines. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and brunch on Sundays.
Beginning or ending a day of wine tasting with a delicious meal is an essential part of any Napa vacation, and the dining options in the area do not disappoint. With so many exceptional restaurants to choose from, its no wonder there's no consensus on what the best French restaurant in Napa Valley is. The solution? Start making reservations and decide for yourself. Bon appetit!
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