“Top of the Valley” is what locals call Calistoga, the northernmost town and wine region in Napa Valley. During a recent visit to attend the annual Calistoga Harvest Table September 9-10 we had the chance to experience the town from end-to-end and sample many of the locally produced wines at a hosted wine tasting presented by Visit Calistoga and the Calistoga Winegrowers Association.
Some of our favorite dining picks are all within walking distance of each other: We tried four places and recommend them all: Brannon’s Grill, Calistoga Kitchen, Evangeline Napa, Veraison. And that’s just a small sampling! We celebrated a friend’s birthday at Evangeline Restaurant’s southern brunch which made this Tennessee gal a happy camper. Chef Gustavo Rios, our guest on The Connected Table LIVE! September 20th, surprised us again with his versatility at his Harvest Table dinner with a menu that simply said “wow!” We’ll post event photos at our blog on TheConnectedTable.com. Or check out Instagram@theconnectedtable
Evangeline opened in 2015. The menu is French country bistro using the local bounty which you can experience firsthand at the weekend farmers markets a short stroll from the restaurant. The weekend brunch has a decidedly southern accent: saucer-sized fluffy biscuits, chicken and waffles, various takes on popular creole egg dishes, shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes with house -made pimiento cheese. Cocktails, of course, are aplenty at the brunch and not to be missed.
Chef Rios has a culinary background that includes working in the kitchens at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, The Peninsula Beverly Hills Roof Garden and the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia (truly one of the nation’s finest gems of a restaurant). He seems to have found his soulful home on the kitchen at Evangeline Napa.
