Whether one lives in the region or is considering Napa Valley as a spot to spend the holidays, there is truly no place better to be during Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or ringing in the New Year. Napa Valley is all about indulging and celebrating with gourmet food, world-class wines, and exceptional hospitality. And Napa Valley Restaurants do not disappoint, going all out to create a merry vibe with delicious seasonal menus and festive décor.
Here’s a non-secret for those from out of town: Yountville wins the prize as one of the most festive spots to visit—almost like being on the North Pole, except with a Mediterranean climate. The town’s resorts go all out for the holidays with special amenities, entertainment, and room specials. Yountville’s Bottega and Lucy Restaurants offer exceptional holiday menus, and when reservations are made well in advance, they can accommodate larger parties. Bistro Jeanty is a local favorite for holiday cheer. Along with a rotating brunch and seasonal menu with “merry surprises,” they are also open on Christmas Eve, a hot ticket for the lucky patrons who reserve a table in advance. // www.botteganapavalley.com // www.lucyyountville.com
For those in search of a stress-free option, Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc Restaurant, which is conveniently open on every major holiday, offers a Christmas carry-out menu that includes prime rib, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and roasted carrots, rounded out with persimmon pudding and one of their special pies. // www.bistrojeanty.com // www.thomaskeller.com/adhoc
Photo courtesy of Silverado Resort
Many local restaurants add seasonal flair to their menus for the Holiday season, however, for a complete holiday experience, look to some of the valley’s award-winning resorts. A favorite holiday hub is the Silverado Resort. From their tree-lighting ceremony at the end of November through their New Year’s Eve celebration, the resort packs it in.
This year, they will have a Santa Train and breakfast with Santa, specials menu offerings for Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s at The Grill, a seated Hanukkah dinner with rack of lamb and latke, to-go Christmas Eve dinners with glazed ham and sides, and a New Year’s Eve bar, buffet, dancing, and ball drop in the Silverado Ballroom. All season, the resort is festively decorated, and bar offerings include holiday flourishes. // www.silveradoresort.com
The Meritage Resort is also great for a bit of relaxation and fun with its ‘Merry Meritage’ program. An area attraction over the holidays the resort is known for its outdoor ice skating rink, igloos, and firepits, and holiday dining experiences include a Christmas Day brunch with gourmet food stations at the resort, a New Year’s Eve 5-course Winemaker’s Dinner, a New Year’s Eve dinner at the acclaimed Ember Steak Restaurant and a 4-course New Year’s Eve dinner at Olive & Hay. For the party-goer, don’t miss the annual New Year’s Eve fête with bar, live music, and balloon drop. // www.meritageresort.com
Four Seasons Winter Chalets at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar
The Four Seasons Napa Valley has its own variation on the season, with cozy chalets and glamping with firepits, seasonal cocktails and food, and dining in the festive domes at the Auro Restaurant, which includes a 7-course dinner prepared by Michelin-acclaimed chef Rogelio Garcia. The resort also offers special classes, such as cookie decorating, a charcuterie building, and a truffle-entrée making class. Truss Restaurant offers a special holiday dinner menu on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. // www.fourseasons.com
For a gourmet family-style holiday dinner prepared by top chefs, FARM at the Carneros Resort has the perfect option for both the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For New Year’s Eve, FARM offers four or five-course tasting menus, thoughtfully crafted to celebrate the delightful flavors of the season. Post-dinner is an “All that Glitters” afterparty celebration at the Carneros Hilltop Lawn featuring an open bar with signature cocktails, grazing tables and late-night snacks, a DJ, and dancing into the New Year. // www.carnerosresort.com
For those who prefer to stay home to host their own holiday dinners and parties, the valley is full of exceptional options for grazing table components, fully prepared dinners, cheese and charcuterie boards, appetizers, and sweets.
Try Sunshine Foods Market, Fatted Calf and Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant, and Whole Foods for a great selection of menu ideas and appetizers. All have excellent cheese and charcuterie selections, crackers, bread, and antipasto, which can be customized to create beautifully done trays and boards for easy pickup.
Fully prepared holiday meals simplify life with delectable menus available to order from most of the local markets. Whole Foods offers full holiday dinners with roast turkey or chicken, other roasted meats, including BBQ tri-tip, and standard sides and salads. With its ultra-premium meats, poultry, and seafood selections, Brown’s Valley Market has some of the best holiday dinner fare, with every favorite holiday side dish available.
For an Italian twist, North Napa’s Food Shed has wonderful, seasonal contorni, braised pork, chicken cacciatore and parmesan, beef cannellini, assorted lasagnas, crispy fresh salads, and housemade bread. Genova Deli carries hot foods to go, a sumptuous antipasto bar, frozen lasagnas, focaccia and homemade pasta, Italian gelato, and an impressive selection of imported Panettone.
And when asked to “accept all cookies,” be sure to say “yes” — a thumbs up or subtle nod will do. Napa Valley is well known for its exceptional confectionery. Each sweet tried will be better than the last, whether from Bouchon, Buttercream and Model Bakeries, Sweetie Pies, Vintage Sweet Shop, Anette’s Chocolate, Kollar Chocolates, Woodhouse Chocolate, or Earth & Sky Chocolates.
Outstanding holiday desserts include Sweetie Pies’ Buche de Noel, a flourless chocolate roulade filled with ganache and whipped cream and adorned with fudge frosting, and Model Bakery’s colorful and deliciously buttery frosted shortbread and gingerbread cookies. Buttercream Bakery offers holiday cookie trays with a wide assortment of favorites — perfect for large family gatherings.
Sweetie Pie’s famous Buche du Noel
Finally, if throwing a larger bash, consider hiring one of the area’s top food trucks. Especially festive is Pizzeria Azzuro’s portable pizza kitchen and Napa Valley Lobster Company. Round out the offerings with a licensed beverage caterer — the end-of-evening cleanup will be a breeze.
