Veraison: change of color of the grape berries.
I saved one of our favorite Napa experiences for last: Veraison. Dan Kaiser, Owner/General Manager would bring us out a dish with a glass of accompanying wine, explain what made it unique then pour us a taste to try with each bite. After our meal, I felt more knowledgeable about the basics of food and wine pairing and of Kaiser’s lifelong knowledge and passion for an outstanding meal.
Though this was a rather unique experience, the dishes and wine selection were outstanding! For anyone staying in the Calistoga area, I would recommend everything we tried. From light bites to dessert, we savored every indulgent bite.
The Dining Experience
The quaint environment gave me the same at-home feeling as our favorite street front restaurants in Boston’s North End. There were just enough tables to make the service feel personal and not overwhelming and they were comfortably spaced. We had the lovely round table by the windows that looked out onto Calistoga’s main street.
To the back wall of the restaurant, there is a long bar where hotel guests, locals, and visitors to the area can pop in for a drink. It was the type of bar I love, chic and welcoming with a touch of formality that makes it feel just a bit luxe. The cocktail menu was impressive (especially if you are ready to switch from the many glasses of vino you’ve been drinking!) but the wine menu was most impressive.
The Bite
What excited us the most about Veraison was the variety of meats to try. They had duck, chicken, venison, pork, scallops, mussels, shrimp, salmon, and calamari. It is not every day you see an option like venison on the menu! Paul, being the meat-lover of the two of us, was eager to try a few of these options.
Everything was so flavor-packed it was unbelievable. I was very impressed by the quality and mix of farm to table ingredients that were in each dish. A few of the seasonal options we tried included the avocado toast, a kale salad, and the scallops. Their menu has changed since we visited and I already want to go back for another taste.
We were introduced to a Kaiser Family Winery (from their own vineyards) 2011 fortified wine that was a sweet touch to the simple and creamy dessert.
The Full Package
If you are staying at the Mount View Hotel & Spa then Veraison is a definite must. Even if you are not in Calistoga, this should be a restaurant you consider visiting during your trip to Napa. It was one of our favorite overall experiences while in the area. I would recommend making a reservation and asking for that coveted table up front!
Learn more about Veraison by visiting their site HERE.
Read about our stay at Mount View Hotel & Spa HERE.