(Note: What follows is a list of the in the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country restaurant that were awarded stars in the October, 2006 Michelin Guide. The brief comments that follow each listing are not from the Guide, but are included to give an additional perspective on the restaurant.)
Three Stars
The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street
Yountville, Napa Valley, California
707-944-2380
(Reservations are accepted two months in advance, and are extremely difficult to obtain. You will have a memorable, although quite expensive, dining experience. This is one restaurant that you should not miss. Good luck, however, in securing a reservation.)
Two Stars
Cyrus
29 North Street
Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
707-433-3311
(Cyrus is a relative newcomer to the Wine Country restaurant scene, and right from its opening about two years ago it was clear that it was shooting for the stars. Attentive and formal service, delicious California/French cooking, and relatively easy to reserve when compared to the French Laundry. If you are staying in Napa Valley, please be advised that the restaurant is approximately an hours drive, a substantial portion of which is on windy local roads.)
One Star
Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
707-963-1211
(Elegant dining, in a beautiful setting, with spectacular views that match the high quality of the food. This would be the perfect setting for that special occasion dinner. Probably the most “romantic” restaurant in wine country.)
Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street
Yountville, Napa Valley, California
707-944-0103
(Tasty French bistro cooking in a relaxed atmosphere. Prices are quite reasonable when compared to some other one star restaurants. Along with the restaurant Bouchon it is one of two excellent bistros in the small town of Yountville.)
Bouchon
6534 Washington Street
Yountville, Napa Valley, California
707-944-9037
(Thomas Keller, the owner and chef of the French Laundry owns this restaurant. Enjoy delicious French bistro cooking in a dining room that could easily be located in Paris. Yountville is fortunate to have two one star French bistros, but if time is limited, you might make this your choice.)
Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley, California
707-431-0330
(Located just around the corner from two-star Cyrus, this restaurant was opened by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, several years ago. It continues to serve superior California cuisine in a modern setting. If you are staying in Napa Valley, please be advised that the restaurant is approximately an hours drive, a substantial portion of which is on windy local roads.)
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Road
Forestville, Sonoma Valley, California
707-887-3300
(Take a trip to the Russian River region and enjoy relaxed but refined dining in a country inn atmosphere. If you are staying in Napa Valley, please be advised that the restaurant is approximately an hours drive, a substantial portion of which is on windy local roads.)
K & L Bistro
119 South Main Street
Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California
707-823-6614
(If you are touring the Napa wine country, this will be somewhat off the beaten path as Sebastopol is located nearly 45 minutes from Calistoga. However, the award of a Michelin star for this restaurant’s French Bistro cooking will probably encourage many (including myself) to make the trip.)
La Toque
1140 Rutherford Road
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
707-963-9770
(Elegant and somewhat formal California/French cooking that occasionally reaches the level established by the French Laundry. Reservations are much easier to come by than at the French Laundry, and prices, although quite high, are not as astronomical. )
Terra
1345 Railroad Avenue
Saint Helena, Napa Valley, California
707-963-8931
(This is one of our favorite restaurants in Napa Valley. Lovely and romantic setting compliments the delicious California Pacific Rim cooking. It could easily be argued that Terra deserves a second star. You will not be disappointed.)