Well the season has changed. The leaves are golden yellow and red smeared together over the gentle rolling hills of the Napa Valley. Typicall Napa style we went from 82 degrees on Sunday, Monday was magnificent, to a cooling trend and now we have some moist drips of rain. We live in a great area.
The holiday season is upon us and the calendar reflects this sentiment. It is a great time to come to the valley. We are in full crush mode. The cellars are abuzz with activity. There are many new restaurants to enjoy.
Restaurant Pick of the Week: ZuZu's on Main Street, Napa CA
Located on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Napa, ZuZu offers a cozy dining experience in the heart of the newly burgeoning historic Old Town district. In addition to the traditional offering based on recipes from Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean region, Proprietor Mick Salyer and Chef Angela Tamura have developed some uniquely Californian versions of tapas as well as incorporating taste elements from Central and South America.
Salyer and Tamura insist on using only fresh, seasonal, locally grown, organic ingredients, which lends an excuse to even the most health-conscious patrons to indulge in her delectable concoctions. "I love the palette of flavors and ingredients that is Spanish cuisine," says Tamura. "The concept of tapas, which allows the diner to order at a whim, makes for a spontaneous adventure in the kitchen that I find challenging and tremendous fun."
Menu items include Spanish Tortilla ($6), "Queso Frito" Manchego Cheese with Roasted Poblanos and Guajillo Salsa ($7), Moroccan Barbecued Lamb Chops ($13), Seasonal Ceviches ($7), Mini, Individual Paella ($9), "Boniato" Mashed Cuban Sweet Potatoes ($6) and Argentine Marinated Flat-Iron Steak with "Chimichurri" ($9)
Map of downtown Napa: https://napi.net-flow.com/napadowntown.com/documents/Downtown%20Map%202008.pdf
Calender provided by the Napa Valley Marketplace, the one stop magazine with all the cool goings-ons in Napa.
November 6-22: Dreamweavers Theatre presents ìOver the River and Through the Woodsî by John Di Pietro Nick is a single Italian-American guy from New Jersey who sees both sets of grandparents every Sunday for dinner. When Nick is offered his dream job it means moving away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. Thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick at home. $20/$18 255-LIVE
November 6: Wine Train Vintners Lunch - Larkmead
This historic vineyard in the northern part of the Napa Valley is known for world-class Cabernet Sauvignons, Bordeaux blends, and Sauvignon Blanc. Their wine is a Robert Parker favorite and pairs outrageously well with Executive Chef Kelly Macdonaldís cuisine. $154 (800) 427.4124
November 6-15: Napa Valley College Division of Fine and Performing Arts presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin This long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. 259-8077
November 6: Wine Train Murder Mystery Dinner
Theater Performing Arts, Dining: The Napa Valley Wine Train is pleased to announce a new Murder Mystery play centering on the clandestine world of the gum shoe. Come prepared to mix and mingle, dress the part, or just get down to business and solve the murder. $135 (800) 427.4124
November 6: Charter Oak Bank Presents Its 2nd Annual Community Shred Day
Charter Oak Bank invites the community to protect itself against identity theft. A Shred Solution truck will be onsite from 11am to 3pm to securely dispose of your unneeded confidential documents. Shredding paper positively affects the environment. The paper is milled and turned into various paper goods and for every ton of paper shredded, it saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 81 cubic feet of landfill space, 3 barrels of oil, and 4,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. 253-0868
November 7: Presbyterian Women Gift and Collectible Sale
Annual fundraising event: Many collectible items, Christmas decorations and gifts, jewelry, homemade baked goods, jellies and handmade items for sale. Also, a ìKitchen Cupboardî with new or gently-used kitchen items. 9am-3pm. Lunch of homemade soups and desserts will be served from 11:30 to 2:00 for a donation of $5.00. All profits go to local and national mission projects. First Presbyterian Church 224-8693
November 7: Passion for Life Auction
Auction, Benefit: An evening to celebrate...silent and live auction, wine tasting, hors díoeuvres, and live music to benefit Napa local Rich Marsh and his continuing fight to recover from a debilitating stroke. Held at Artesa Vineyards & Winery. $50/$60 258.6378
November 7: Carolina Chocolate Drops
Live Music: The Carolina Chocolate Drops, returning to Napa Valley Opera House after their popular performance in 2007, are a group of young African-American string band musicians that have come together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolinasí Piedmont. $30 / $35 226.7372
November 7 - 8: St. Appolinaris 15th Annual Angel Bazaar St.
Appolinaris Catholic Church, Office of Religious Eduation, presents our Angel Bazaar. We feature handcrafted gifts & baked goods. Funds raised will be used for the religious education of our Parish children. Church Hall, 255.7200
November 7: Red Cross Harvest Night
Please join us for a unique and fun evening with the Napa County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Red Cross Harvest Night, benefiting the Napa County Chapter of the American Red Cross, will be held at Castello di Amorosa and feature a silent & live auction, hors dí oeuvres, and elegant sit down dinner. The Napa County Red Cross depends entirely on the generosity of the community, our only source of funding. $195 256.3200
November 7: An Evening of Wine and Song
Performing Arts, Benefit: Napa High Choral Boosters inviteís you to an Evening of Wine and Song at Silverado Vineyards. Join us for food, wine, silent auction, and singing by Napa Highís Vocal Workshop and Chamber Choir. Food by Fume Bistro. All proceeds benefit the Napa High Choir. 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa Fee: $75 253.3705
November 7 - 8: Calistoga Downtown Jazz Festival
Festival, Live Music: Downtown Merchants hosting live jazz & wineries pour their outstanding wines. Music continues through the night at participating restaurants. Downtown Calistoga 942.6333
November 7: Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation Dinner
Benefit, Dining: The 40th Anniversary Annual Dinner is an evening of celebration as QVMC Foundation presents awards to four individuals for their contributions to the Napa community. The event, held at the Silverado Resort, begins with an elegant cocktail and hors díoeuvres reception. Wines, provided by premium Napa Valley wineries, are paired with culinary delights while you enjoy an evening of dazzling entertainment. 257.4044
November 7: Calistoga Blues Festival
Festival: Live Music fills the street ala Memphis in May! Enjoy fine wine, merchants specials and music from some the Bay Areaís finest blues musicians. Select hotels will be offering special packages for the weekend and music will continue into the night at participating restaurants! 942.6333
November 7 - 8: Silver Pass Weekend on Silverado Trail!
Pass Holders will enjoy current release tastings at each of the participating wineries along with barrel samples, food pairing, special discounts, library wines, and more! Each wineryís actual offering will vary. Proceeds from pass sales will be going to the Child Development Centers of the Napa County School District. 963.3235
November 7 - 15: Napa Valley Museum
Call for Entries to Miniature exhibition, open to all California artists. Donate a miniature (less than 8î x 8î) for the exhibition, ìTake a Chance on Miniatures!î November 28, 2009 to January 10, 2010. 944-0500
November 8: Blues In the Vineyards
Live Music: On Sunday, the music goes out to the wineries for Blues in the Vineyards. Take a free shuttle to Dutch Henry Winery, Envy Winery, Lava Vine Vineyards, Madrigal Vineyards and Silver Rose Cellars where youíll be able to taste their fine wines while listening to hot blues bands. $35/$50 942.6333
November 7- 8: 15th Annual Holiday Angel Bazaar
St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, Office of Religious Education, is sponsoring our 15th annual CRAFT FAIR & SWEET SHOPPE, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 8th, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. this event will be held in the Church Hall and will feature handcrafted gifts, sold by the artists. All funds raised during this event will be used to further the religious education of our Parish children. 255-7200
November 9: Look GoodÖFeel Better
This free American Cancer Society program will be held on Monday, November 9 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Queen of the Valley Community Outreach, Napa. Specially trained, licensed cosmetologist work with women to address changes due to treatment. Receive free products and advice in a supportive environment. 1-800-ACS-2345.
November 9 - 14: Wild Game Week at Hurleyís
Hurleyís most popular annual event! Itís a WILD time when Chef Bob features game delicacies from around the world. Menus change daily and may include Venison, Grilled Sailfish, Buffalo Rib Eye, Wild Boar, Rabbit, Caribou, Ostrich and more... Reservations are recommended
Scenery, music, food, good people and fun weather. When you come to the Valley shoot me a call or email and I will see what I can do to get you wine passes and restaurant recommendations.
Stefan C Jezycki, in the Napa Valley, CA
