Auberge du Soleil, CA
Chef: Robert Curry
Cuisine: California, French
Neighborhood: Napa Valley
Price:$20 appetizers, $20-40 mains
Phone: 800-348-5406
Address: 180 Rutherford Hill, Rutherford, CA 94573
Hours:
Breakfast 7:00am – 11:00am (Daily)
Brunch 11:30am – 2:30pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm (Monday – Friday)
Dinner 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Daily)
So confession: We actually went to this restaurant 2 years ago (which you can tell by the presence of foie gras on our plates) and this post has been long overdue, so with the upcoming nuptials of our friends Hermielle at Auberge du Soleil, Jen and I decided to dust off the post and give a shoutout to the awesome twosome who picked such a gorgeous venue for their wedding.
Auberge du Soleil, which translates to Inn of the Sun, opened its doors in 1981 as Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant. It quickly garnered praise from food and wine lovers alike for its success in the kitchen as well as the ambiance created by the panorama of the Napa Valley. It is these lush rolling hills that actually drew the French-born Claude Rouas to open a Provençal-inspired restaurant in the area. In 1985, the inn was opened and later, the spa to create the penultimate luxury retreat. The restaurant, under the helm of executive chef Robert Curry, has continued to be lauded by diners and critics alike and has received back to back Michelin stars.
The idea behind the restaurant is to create a sun-drenched, warm, open atmosphere, and while the interior is absolutely gorgeous, it is on the outdoor terrace that all the visitors covet to dine. On a clear day you gaze over miles of rolling vineyards as you sip on wine from one of the best collections in the Valley. And the food is meticulously prepared to not only pair well with the wines, but also showcase the best that local producers have to offer. Overall, I think the food was beautifully prepared but not mind-blowing; the view, however, was unparalleled and I would definitely return for another meal on the terrace.
Sautéed Foie Gras, Poached Pear, Pain Perdu, Almonds, Huckleberry Sauce
We actually ordered two of these because a friend wanted one all to herself. She is obsessed with foie and wanted to load up before all the bans came into effect.
Cow’s Milk Burrata, Heirloom Tomatoes, Quinoa, Haricots Verts, Basil
I am obsessed with burrata, and the heirloom tomatoes were the icing on my burrata cake
Potato Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Pea Shoots, Parmesan Nage, Fresh Black Truffles
Seared Ahi Tuna, Crispy Soft Egg, Savoy Spinach, Tapenade
Caramelized Onion Risotto, Duck Confit, Arugula, Thyme Jus
Veal and Lobster Sandwich, Brioche, Prosciutto, Pickled Vegetables
Super rich sandwich, can’t really go wrong with lobster
Wolfe Farm Quail, Little Gem, Black Garlic Crouton, Bacon, Thyme Jus
Another food obsession of mine is quail, but this was a bit too fried for my taste
food comas 