California is largely known as the food and wine center of America. For good reason, especially on the wine side where America’s two most important wine regions, Napa Valley and Sonoma are located only a stone’s throw from the city of San Francisco.
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Of course, some restaurants in the Golden State are more interesting than others for food and wine, so we thought a short list of our favorites might be helpful.
The Girl & The Fig:
An interesting and eclectic restaurant on the Sonoma Square (where the state of California became a Republic originally and now happens to be home to at least 30 wine tasting rooms) the Girl & The Fig is notable here for one simple reason. For years, well before it was fashionable, it stocked only Rhone varities of wines. There is no Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay on the menu at the Girl and the Fig, only Syrah, Greanche, Mouvedre, Roussane and Marsanne among others.
Frances:
There is a movement within the food culture of San Francisco, for smaller, local, fresher and cheaper restaurants. For years we saw the progression, great cooks would learn at world class culinary institutions like the CIA at Greystone in Napa, then take a job as a Sious Chief at a high end hotel or restaurant. After a few years of experience they would try and find investors in order to create their own first restaurant, usually high end in price and complexity and usually located in tourist neighborhoods like Union Square. Frances has helped to usher in the new age of San Francisco dining. Great chief’s opening world class restaurants in local neighborhoods, with menu’s that change based on not only the season, but what is freshly available. Frances is a challenge for a Sommelier or wine curator simply because there is literally no set menu, but with a reservation list at least six months long, every winery in the world would love to send them some wine. Of note, their wine list is generally stronger on the French side than the American side, which is unusual given their location in San Francisco.
French Laundry:
Thomas Keller is a star among stars when it comes to the culinary side of Napa Valley for good reason. French Laundy might be the most exclusive and best restaurant in the world today and it is relatively affordable. As you might expect given its location French Laundry boasts a virtual who’s who of Napa Valley and California wine, but it also offers one of the strongest international wine lists anywhere on the planet. There are first growth Bordeaux options as well as Champagne houses, which are not imported to any other wine store or restaurant in America.
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I hope you have enjoyed your look into my three favorite wine restaurants in California. It shouldn’t surprise that those restaurants located closest to Napa Valley and Sonoma are able to offer the best and most unique selections for their customers!
