December in Napa

A new place to eat and stay and a sneak peak of our January launch

December started in Napa working on a project I am very excited to share at the beginning of January. It was especially gorgeous with peak fall colors, green grass in the vineyards, and full sun.

I was invited to eat at Ro Caviar Lounge + Restaurant. It is under the Thomas Keller restaurant group umbrella and it really was a delight. It is in downtown Yountville steps away from The French Laundry. The menu consists of asian-inspired dishes with seasonal California ingredients. It has a great cocktail menu including an “Oysters and Pearls Martini,” served with 3 grams of caviar on a mother of pearl spoon (see below). The Caviar Tasting is an indulgent treat. Other favorites were Hokkaido Uni Toast, Hokkaido Scallop Cured in Kombu, and the The French Laundry Culinary Garden Tempura. Everything was really great and I will be back.

Downtown St. Helena was bustling with busy shoppers and weekend visitors. I always like to stop into a few shops with my favorite being Carter and Co. They always do beautiful seasonal window that is unexpected.

Frogs Leap Vineyard was a place I stumbled upon on a drive one time. I have visited a few times but never have had an official tasting. It is a really beautiful property with organic gardens and fruiting trees. The owners really care about sustainability and their employees. It is an incredibly pleasant to sit out on the farmhouse porch. Come summer, I would like to join their wine club to sit out in the garden.

For this quick trip, I stayed at the new Le Petit Pali in St.Helena. It was very cute with all of the charming details that the Pali hotels are known through. It also is a great location if you are visiting the area.

Shoot Day with my girl Maddy Pease behind the camera.

Lastly, a sneak peak at our January launch. I am very excited to share more.

I hope you enjoy your holidays and get some time to see the people you love, do something you love, take a rest, be outside, have something delicious, and I will see you in the year. Thank you for all of your support you have shown me over the years!

All my love, Caitlin