Vincent Vitale
There is no scarcity of locations in Napa Valley that promote their pairings, that delicate dance between meals and wine that someway highlights the very best qualities of every. However most of the pairings are decadent, thrown collectively to showcase the richness of the meals and (maybe) the price of outdated wine.
Turning that on its head, we challenged eating places in downtown Napa to pair wine with their more healthy choices — any time of the day or evening.
Brunch
Winston’s Cafe and Bakery – 1517 third Road, Napa
Paul Brown, who beforehand labored in effective eating eating places in Philadelphia and New York Metropolis, says he got here to Napa for a change of tempo. In doing so, he discovered a brand new love within the science of baking, beginning with baking. Now, Brown is dealing with menu and bakery growth at Winston’s.
Individuals learn too…
Dish: Avocado Bread ($14)
“Avocados are an amazing supply of wholesome fat,” says Brown. “We eat them even higher with an arugula pesto made with additional virgin olive oil, toasted hemp seeds, radishes, and mustard greens. It is a full meal that has every thing you want.” Taste notes.”
You’ll be able to order a bagel extract to cut back your carbohydrate consumption or add an egg or smoked salmon to extend your protein consumption.
Pairing: 2021 Cantina De Pra ($35 bottle/$12 glass)
Prosecco has a crisp style whereas on the identical time highlighting the distinct flavors of avocado and pesto – the lightness of the drink pairs completely with the scrumptious style of the toasted bread on this dish.
This mix is ideal for a weekend brunch or the proper base layer for a day of wine tasting in Napa. Whether or not you are a neighborhood or a customer, your physique will thanks by beginning your day in Napa with this dose of wholesome macros.
lunch
Scala Osteria & Bar – 1141 First Road, Napa
Minta Scala and her husband, Giovanni, have owned and operated Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa for years. This yr they launched Scala Osteria, a downtown restaurant serving conventional, seafood-focused Southern Italian recipes to share with household and mates in a full of life and welcoming eating room.
Dish: Tuna Salad ($20)
“This Italian tackle tuna salad will be loved as a salad to share or as an appetizer for one, and is very excellent for lunch or a light-weight dinner,” says Minta Scala. “It has Italian tuna (in olive oil), white beans, celery, radishes, Castelvetrano olives, arugula, and chicory, and is completely seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. And whereas the tomatoes are nonetheless in season, it additionally has cherry tomatoes. It is full of rather a lot Wealthy in veggies, protein, and wholesome fat, it is one thing Giovanni and I really like — in truth, it is one thing we make at dwelling on a regular basis.
Pairing: 2022 Domaine Zafeirakis ($60 bottle/$15 glass)
The Assyrtiko grape is native to Santorini, Greece. They’re grown in volcanic soil and produce uncommon and distinctive wines. This leads to a wine that’s crisp and filled with flavour.
The serving dimension of Insalata di Torno is giant, has a variety of complicated flavors and textures, and when paired with Assyrtiko, provides you the texture of a European brunch right here in Napa.
A light-weight snack earlier than dinner
Zozo’s – 829 Predominant Road, Napa
Mick Salyer based Zuzu over 20 years in the past.
“I imagine in placing out a superb product,” he mentioned. “We’re all in regards to the substances and the way they pair and work collectively. That is our focus. Small plates for sharing.”
Dish: Stable Trout Tartare ($18)
Salyer grew up fishing for trout on the Rogue River in southern Oregon. At Zuzu, they use entire fish in numerous dishes. The trout itself is natural and filled with protein and wholesome fat. The mix of harissa and avocado mousse creates a scrumptious gentle rice that melts in your mouth. The dish makes use of natural substances and is served with pickled cucumbers and slices of toro chips.
Pairing: 2022 Jessamy ($52 bottle/$15 glass)
“A brilliant wine, made in a dry type, means it is a good wine with good acidity that pairs properly with the style of the trout,” mentioned Salyer of Jessamy, an organically made white wine.
The dish is gentle but filled with flavour. The whole lot is natural, together with the wine, and when consumed collectively, it makes for an satisfying expertise.
Appetizers with dinner
The Pub – 815 Predominant Road, Napa
Stroll previous Zuzu, and you will find La Taberna, an establishment Salyer has owned for almost a decade. The top chef, Armando Ramirez, “began at Zuzo’s 21 years in the past as a dishwasher,” he mentioned. As we speak, it helps transcend the wholesome seafood and scrumptious dishes you normally eat overseas.
Dish: Japanese Purple Snapper – Sea Bream Tiradito ($18)
In La Taberna, Ramirez mentioned, “There’s a weekly custom of creating a tiradito from a scrumptious fish.” Tiradito is a Peruvian sashimi dish, normally served with a spicy citrus sauce. Sea Bream is served with a citrus sauce made with lime cucumber, pickled shallots, child coriander and chili oil.
Pairing: 2021 Txomin Etxaniz ($52 bottle/$16 glass)
Txomin Etxaniz is an natural wine made in a fishing village north of Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
“It is food-friendly and designed to pair with fish,” Salyer mentioned.
The fish is gentle and virtually melts in your mouth. The wine is scrumptious and pairs completely with the seafood, simply because it was initially envisioned.
in late Time of evening
Chespa – 1500 1st Road, Napa
Whereas Napa’s nightlife is consistently bettering, the selection of the place to eat after 9pm continues to be restricted. Chispa, Napa’s new tequila-themed cocktail bar, is altering that.
“Just like Cadet, Chespa was created as a gathering place for our area people and those that go to to take pleasure in agave spirits together with scrumptious meals,” mentioned creator and proprietor Aubrey Bailey. “Chef Mac DeChavez and Sous Chef Quinn Ayildez’s menu is actually Californian, with taste influences from all over the world.” “We have discovered that our friends order rounds of meals as a lot as they order rounds of drinks, and that is precisely how we hoped the Chespa menu could be obtained.”
Not solely does Chispa provide late-night “bar buddies” (snack pairings), however there are additionally some wholesome choices. This tropical fruit and selfmade pickled vegetable salad is scrumptious, however the ceviche steals the present.
Dish: Seafood ceviche
Their seafood ceviche consists of a number of contemporary fish, together with scallops, shrimp, and octopus, in addition to the same old ceviche fixings, together with cucumber, onion, and avocado. The dish is served with very skinny taro chips. The mix of seafood and avocado provides you a dish that incorporates a considerable amount of protein, in addition to providing you with important fat. Skinny taro chips provide you with a guilt-free method to eat a wholesome late-night snack.
Pairing: 2021 Chispa Glowing Albarino ($68 bottle/$17 glass)
As a former French Laundry sommelier, Billy is conversant in pairing meals with wine. “The Chispa Glowing Albarino by Carboniste was created with Chispa’s multi-culturally impressed delicacies in thoughts, in addition to our love of partnering with native winemakers, which has at all times been essential to us,” mentioned Bailey.
Albariño grapes are very fashionable in Spain and Portugal, and infrequently have a citrus flavour. The restaurant’s glowing Chispa Albarino pairs splendidly with their ceviche.
