My weekend plan was to go running and get some R&R at home on Saturday. But then my weather app told me it would rain. The weather doesn’t permit for me to work out so it’s okay that I decided against it, right?
I woke up on Saturday at 11am on a cloudy day, and spontaneously screamed, “OMG let’s go to Napa!” With that I woke up MG, texted my roommate to get ready, made pancakes for breakfast, and we left for Napa Valley within 2 hours of waking up.
Are you one of those that can make last minute plans like this? I know some people don’t enjoy it, but I love it! It’s so exciting, an adventure ahead. I am so lucky to live in the Bay Area and simply get to Napa Valley by a 1.5 hour drive. Our Napa trips always consists of food in Yountville, 2 wineries, and a trip to Oxbow Market.
For this specific trip, MG and I took our roommate Jess and her boyfriend, Dan. (Maybe you’re wondering why I have a roommate. She needed a place to stay for a bit so we offered our downstairs to her. Simple story). Jess told me that she had never been to Napa before! Whenever you tell me “you’ve never ever…” I decide it’s my duty to take you to experience it (this applies very much so to food). Off to Napa we went!
First stop – Bouchon in Yountville. It’s a must if you love macrons!
Macrons, macrons, make me so happy!
Chai tea and coffee
Macrons, macrons, make her so happy!
Mind blown!!! Chocolate covered macron ^^^
With some food in our stomachs, we set out for some wine tasting! First we went to V. Sattui. The picnic area is fabulous! The oak trees give the winery a grandeur feeling, and it was so lovely on a cloudy day. Not to mention, this winery has a deli with some great eats. Afterwards, we went over to the Napa Cellars Tasting Room for another tasting and to purchase Ménage à Trois wine. Ménage à Trois has a great taste for the price, and their moscato is crisp without too much sweetness – yum. This tasting room is fun because it has a grassy area where you can drink, listen to music coming from these garden rocks, and play ladder toss! The employees aren’t pushy, which makes for a nice, relaxing environment.
And finally, Oxbow Public Market to snack and buy dinner!
I’m typically terrified of oysters (because of a bad experience one time. Ask me in person and if you’re lucky you’ll get all the details). But for some reason, when in Napa and at the Hog Island Oyster Bar…
Kumamoto oysters are so sweet! I can definitely get into oysters again because of these little guys
MG usually dislikes oysters (that’s an understatement cause he hates them) but he truly enjoyed them!
MG and I discovered dry-aged bone-in rib eye at a place called Five Dot Ranch. We call these steaks, “marshmallow meat.” We buy 2 steaks at $22/lb, get some hickory salt at Whole Spice, and we call that dinner!
^^^ Yup, made some sangria and drinking it now as I’m posting. My legendary steak recipe here
Charcuterie from Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant
A glorious meal indeed! Instead of working out and saving some money by staying at home on Saturday, we spent the weekend opposite of what was planned. Good laughs, great friends, macrons, cheese, wine, steak, and oysters all equal a magnificent Saturday! An awesome trip, yet again!
What are your favorite wineries? Have you been to Napa Valley? What’s on your must do list?
What did you do this weekend?
Jay
Looks like a delicious weekend! 🙂 Any other suggestions for places at Oxbow? How are Pica Pica, Kitchen Door and Gott’s? We’re going later this month and it’ll be our first time visiting Oxbow!
Hi Jenny!
Pica pica is also in the city so I always pass it up at Oxbow. As for the restaurants, I never end up going because we go to Oxbow late and typically make steak at home for dinner after our Napa trips. If you’re there for lunch, I would definitely suggest Bottega (Italian) or even Addendum (Thomas Keller’s famous fried chicken). V. Sattui also has a great picnic area with BBQ served in the afternoon. Hope that’s helpful!
Have fun! You have to let me know how your trip goes!
Thanks Jamie! Super helpful 🙂 We’ll try to check some of these places out!
what a lovely weekend! spontaneous adventures are the best. i also like oakville grocery for sandwiches to go (they also have a small picnic area in the back to eat).
I need to check that place out next time! Thanks Grace!