CA Trip: Napa Valley Day 3

Our third and final day at Napa…

On this morning, we woke before the crack of dawn to get ready for our hot air balloon ride. Unfortunately, the ride was moved to another location because of wind conditions.  We chose not to do it at all if we couldn't fly over the wineries and grape fields. We ended up walking around Downtown Napa instead and taking pics…

We then went back to the hotel and crashed for a couple of hours.  Lunch was at the Oxbow Market. 

We then went to Hess Winery so we could check out their art collection and get another wine tasting in before leaving to San Francisco. The drive up to the winery was beautiful.  I could imagine Edward from Twilight running alongside in the woods...

No picture taking allowed in their gallery but I did manage to get this shot of Treslyn looking out the window. LOVE the composition and lighting! Doesn't it ALMOST look professional? That's good enough for me!

Afterwards, we decided to do a wine and cheese pairing outdoors under the arbor. THIS was how I pictured all the tastings in Napa would be like. Wine paired with food, seated at tables, having a leisurely chat with my friends. Instead most are standing at a bar and no food.

Dinner that evening was at Ad Hoc, a Thomas Keller restaurant. A budget friendlier alternative to French Laundry. In this shot, Im trying to be artsy-fartsy and get a picture of my reflection in the door. Soon as I snapped it, the manager came walking out to tell us our table was ready. So much for trying to look cool and hip!

Dinner was served family style: Asparagus and Radish Salad, Grilled Beef Flank Steak, Landaff (cherry compote and toasted mixed nuts), Chocolate Panna Cotta. Yuuummmmmmm!

The chocolate panna cotta was a luscious, creamy grown-up version of s'mores. If we could have gotten our mouths in the cup, we would have licked it clean.

Afterwards, we drove around looking for French Laundry. It took a lot of back-tracking to find it! Very unpretentious cottage for a restaurant with a waiting list a mile long and astronomical price tag. Well at least I can now say that I've been there… even though I never stepped a foot inside!

Across the street is their garden lot. It was a beautiful, idyllic location. Perfect for a late afternoon stroll. 

Goodbye Napa, I have very fond memories of you!

Tomorrow, we'll be going to Muir Woods before driving to San Francisco.