Yountville has always been a perfect jumping-off point for exploring Wine Country, with a plethora of great options for dining, drinking, and luxuriating.
But if you haven't been lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that, without much fanfare, the town has ushered in some new and notable spots in the last year or so, including RO Restaurant & Lounge and Clementine.
This weekend itinerary will give you a taste of what’s new alongside some of our tried-and-true Yountville favorites.
Friday Lunch: The Restaurant at RH Yountville
(Courtesy of RH Restaurant)
If you get into town early enough for a late lunch, The Restaurant at RH will definitely put you in vacation mode. The dining room, which blends live, gnarled olive trees with chandeliers, is the epitome of Wine Country glamour. Splurge on caviar and chips, or indulge in the kind of food that would be at home on a ritzy country club menu, such as a petite lobster roll, Chinese chicken salad, or classic Caesar.
// 6725 Washington St., rh.com
Friday Afternoon: Check in to North Block or Napa Valley Lodge
Truth be told, it's hard to go wrong when it comes to accommodations in Yountville. It's all sophisticated and luxurious yet unpretentious. We love both Napa Valley Lodge and North Block because they offer so many wonderful added touches, including bicycles to borrow, outdoor pools, wine or bourbon tasting in the lobby, and ridiculously bountiful breakfasts that go far beyond the typical continental fare (waking up to make-your-own mimosas should be de rigueur).
North Block welcomes you with homemade cookies and features pretty Spanish architecture, large bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, a beautiful pool, and a lively happy hour at the restaurant's bar. The welcoming staff and spa make this a top pick. // 6757 Washington St., northblockyountville.com
Surrounded by vineyards, Napa Valley Lodge may be the only hotel in Wine Country that lets you borrow a bicycle built for two—and has rooms with cozy fireplaces and a generous noon-time checkout. You'll get a text when cookies are in the lobby, or you can head across the street for Honor Market’s famous hot dog, or perfect afternoon pick-me-up, an affogato. // 2230 Madison St., napavalleylodge.com
Friday Evening: Dinner at RO Restaurant & Lounge
(David Escalante)
The most exciting new restaurant in Yountville is also the least well-known. Even the locals we spoke to were only vaguely aware of it. Under the leadership of Jeffery Hayashi, (who served as head chef candidate for Team USA 2023 at Bocuse d’Or), the former caviar-and-bubbles lounge has transformed into something infinitely more impressive: a contemporary Asian restaurant that reflects his time at top restaurants in Hawaii.
Because this is a Thomas Keller restaurant, you'll want to start your meal with Bouchon Bakery milk bread served with koji-cultured butter. The French Laundry culinary garden tempura is a great way to experience the exquisite produce grown on the property, right across the street from the famed restaurant. Choose from a relatively tight menu of sushi, sashimi, vegetable, and rice dishes, along with a few cooked fish and meat dishes. The exquisite black cod and Snake River Farms Wagyu beef feel like they could be equally at home on The French Laundry menu. End your meal with the rich and creamy shio koji ice cream served with caviar and miso caramel or the lighter RO Dreams of Citrus, a refreshing marriage of an orange popsicle and shave ice.
// 6480 Washington St., rorestaurantlounge.com
Saturday Morning: The French Laundry Culinary Tour
(David Escalante)
Even if you're not dining at the famed French Laundry, you can enjoy a VIP tour of the restaurant's sprawling three acres of gardens across the street from the restaurant. The tour starts with coffee and pastries, then meanders through the property, picking and nibbling what is in season while discussing the hundreds of varieties of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and herbs growing there. You'll hang out with the chickens, learn how the gardeners work with the restaurants, and get the best garden advice ever. At the end of the tour, there's the option to see the restaurant, and you'll leave with a few surprise treats. A seasonal experience, the French Laundry Culinary Tour runs from spring through fall.
// 6640 Washington St., frenchlaundryculinarytour.com
Saturday Lunch: The Kitchen at Priest Ranch
(Courtesy of Priest Ranch)
This casual spot, under the direction of Michelin-pedigreed chef Dan Solomon, offers affordable yet elevated dishes that satisfy. The menu is divided into three sections: all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and big salads. In addition to Caesar and wedge salads, there are always seasonal offerings such as a roasted Brussels sprout salad with mixed lettuce, fromage blanc, tamarind vinaigrette, and pepitas. A crispy chicken sandwich, an outstanding smashburger, and creative dishes like breakfast gnocchi with seasonal vegetables, fried eggs, pickled onion, and Calabrian chili aioli are all under $20 and, of course, pair beautifully with Priest Ranch sauvignon blanc, rosé, and cab. Check out their secret menu before you go.
// 6488 Washington St., kitchenatpr.com
Saturday Afternoon: Bike or Walk Yount Mill Road
(Amy Sherman)
Something of a local secret, this scenic rural route has no bike lane, but frankly, it doesn't need one. It's a quiet stretch perfect for cycling or walking, running somewhat parallel to Highway 29 as it wanders past vineyards and picturesque rural farms, roams under towering oaks, and meets up with the Napa River in places. The curvy road does not pass by wineries, but offers wonderful views and a quiet, peaceful experience. Find Yount Mill Road by heading north on Yount Street and continuing north past Yountville Cross Road.
Saturday Evening: Mad Fritz Tap House
(Amy Sherman)
After lazing by the pool or exploring the valley, take a break from wine at a local tap room. While the brewery is located in St. Helena, Mad Fritz opened this funky tasting room in Yountville next door to Jessup Cellars a year ago, featuring naturally fermented barrel-aged ales and lagers. A couple of local winemakers make the small batch beers from craft-malted single-variety barleys, locally grown hops, and local water. A tiny spot, it has a turntable with a tastefully curated vintage record collection, cozy bar, and living room vibes that encourage lingering.
// 6720 Washington St., madfritztaphouse.com
Saturday Dinner: Clementine
(Joseph Weaver)
One of the newest restaurants to open in Yountville, Clementine has a Cal-Med menu and clubby Riviera feel, with pretty watercolor paintings and mainly outdoor seating set among the olive trees at The Estate Yountville. The least fussy dishes are some of the best things to order here. By all means, start with the wood-grilled oysters served with charred clementine-chervil butter: They are juicy, buttery, and positively irresistible. Hearty, larger-format dishes like the pork porterhouse chop and charred asparagus are also standouts. Finish your meal with the luscious clementine meringue tartlet, which is sure to become a signature dessert.
// 6525 Washington St., clementineyountville.com
Sunday Morning: Brunch at Chandon
(Courtesy of Chandon)
The perfect finish to a weekend in town is at Chandon, the first winery to open in Yountville in 1973. Makers of sparkling wine in the méthode traditionnelle, they are situated on particularly picturesque grounds with curvy barrel-shaped buildings and dramatic landscaping. The Sparkling Sunday Brunch is a three-course meal with an elegant version of "chips and dip" to start, a fig and goat cheese salad and sweet potato hummus with flatbread to share; and then a choice of main course such as a Benedict, frittata, cured Mt. Lassen trout "lox," or wild mushrooms and sunny-side-up eggs—each paired with a glass of bubbles. It's an hour-and-a-half experience that will make you forget all about Monday morning.
// 1 California Dr., chandon.com
