Showing posts with label Californian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Californian. Show all posts

Monday, May 7, 2012

Redd


Last year Reid and I dined at Redd for my birthday. It was one of the best meals I've ever had - no exaggeration. Since then, I recommend Redd to anyone and everyone venturing to the Napa Valley to wine and dine. I love the modern, minimalist décor (think Room & Board) and if the weather is nice, you can sit on the patio, near the fireplace (Romantic? Yes.).
Thus, when I asked my mom to meet me for lunch in Napa, it was any easy decision. Let’s go to Redd! She had never dined at this culinary hot spot so she was definitely excited, especially after I had hyped up the restaurant. To make the most of our experience, we opted to share multiple appetizers so we could taste a little bit of everything. And of course, ladies who lunch can’t lunch without a glass of champagne! A glass of Schramsberg Brut Rosé, anyone? While sipping champagne, we started with the asparagus soup with lemon cream and a petite smoked salmon Gruyere panini (the restaurant split the order into two servings - the presentation was impeccable). The soup and panini: delicious, rich and creamy! 
Next came the yellowfin tuna and hamachi tartare, with avocado, chili oil, fried rice and cilantro. I think this was my favorite of the three dishes just because I love tuna tartare. 
We finished the meal with lettuce cups filled with stir fried chicken, eggplant, and scallions.
The lunch was obviously delicious; more than satisfying the taste buds, just as it had done a year ago. So try Redd or try their new sister restaurant, Redd Wood, an upscale pizzeria located on the Northern end of Washington Street. Redd Wood combines one of my favorite restaurants with my favorite food (pizza, of course!) – what could be bad about that? These restaurants are culinary staples in the Napa Valley dining world.  Be sure to try one or both next time you’re in Yountville. I swear you’ll fall in love!

Redd, 6480 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Luella


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I love, love, love Luella! It’s definitely one of my top 10 favorite restaurants in the city. I feel like it’s an untapped gem in the San Francisco restaurant scene. I constantly recommend this restaurant to people looking for a low-key evening with good food and good wine because every time I dine here, I’m never disappointed. Reid had never eaten at Luella so I was dying to take him - my treat! We walked into Luella and instantly Reid said, “I like this place.” It just has a warm vibe and just like Bacchus, not ostentatious at all. We wanted to try almost every appetizer on the menu but settled for two: the ahi tuna tartate tacos with lime vinaigrette and mango salsa (I’ve never not ordered these…they are amazing!) and the burrata with wildflower honey, toasted hazelnuts and grilled bread (who can pass up fresh burrata?).  
Ahi Tuna Tartare Tacos via Luella

Polenta Fries via Luella
Lasagna via Luella
Entrée choice for me: Roasted polenta cakes with wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan, arugula and champagne vinaigrette. If you love polenta, I also recommend the crispy polenta fries with spicy tomato vinaigrette - pure polenta deliciousness. Entrée choice for Reid: Short rib lasagna with Parmesan béchamel and tomato puree. Reid will never pass up lasagna. It’s one of his favorite dishes (of all time) and we all know I’m not whipping up any gourmet lasagna at home so he had to take advantage of the option.  No dessert for us, we were way too full.


Luella, 1896 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.