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This is more than an eatery, a diner, or a once-upon-a-time
general store (circa 1876) turned into one of our favorite stop-offs
in all of Napa Valley. This is a home-away-from-home and Sally
Gordon, the proprietor, is a once-upon-a-time, home cook who
has come to Napa Valley to share her charm, food and warmth.
And lucky are we who live here to enjoy all of it.
Breakfasts are legendary — several times anointed for
serving the Best Breakfast in Napa Valley by the Napa Valley
Register. Also honored for Best Breakfast in Napa Valley by
ilovenapa.com. We send ALL our visitor friends who don’t
have a complimentary breakfast package at their hotel or B&B
to Gordon’s for “brekkie.”
The lunches are just as alluring. We often stop for one of the
stunning, tasty, filled-to-overflowing sandwiches; turkey with
cranberry relish is one of our present favorites. The house-roasted
roast beef also gets nods of support from those who wolf it
down and whose mouths are so filled they can’t utter more
than a grunt of utter satisfaction. Plenty of other lunch choices,
too, including fresh salads, soup and a wickedly good frittata.
Dinners are only served Friday night and reservations are required
because the small eatery only holds 50. Sally serves a prix
fixe dinner for $45 that is tongue-flappingly fantastic.
The short, but well focused wine list features wines from Gordon’s
retail shelf; you pay retail for your wine, not restaurant-marked-up
prices. Which means, in our case recently, we sucked down a
gorgeous, silky, 1999 Havens Syrah for $25.
Everything they make in the kitchen is visible from the casual,
almost saloon-like, dining area, which is elevated from stage-coach
station era to fine-dining chic on Friday nights with the introduction
of table linens and fine stemware.
We are always awed by the changing pastel images hung on the
walls, the work of artist Steve Gordon, Sally’s husband.
Steve’s valley images are so lifelike, you’d swear
they were photos – but they’re pastels.
If we gave four stars for our tippy-top Best of Napa Valley
favorites… Gordon's would get five!! It's that original,
funky and tasty.
Gordon's
Cafe and Wine Bar, 6770 Washington St. at Madison
St, Yountville. 707-944-8246. Open for breakfast daily from
7.30 am. |
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