Yellow and Gray - Napa Valley Mustard

One thing I look forward to every year around this time of year is the beautiful fields of wild mustard that sprout up all over the vineyards of Napa Valley. Just as the holidays are over and the cold, wet, rainy season is settling in, things seem to be a little drab... not much sunshine, not much warmth, not much livelihood in the valley, and not much festivity, either, with the winter holidays recently ending...

But then these tiny, vibrant yellow buds start to sprout between the leafless brown vines. From the wet winter mud sprouts a field of sunshine, like little constellations of bright yellow stars that suddenly bloom and proliferate, in some areas completely blanketing the ground. It's just a nice sight to see -- life when all seems lifeless, color when everything seems gray. It perks me up every time, and is one of my favorite times to just drive up and down through the valley, looking out the window.

These shots were taken in the vineyards off St. Helena Highway / Highway 29, next to the Whitehall Lane winery (which, by the way, I tasted at once... and to be honest, I think their wines are pretty awful.)

During this mustard season (late winter to early spring), there is also a Napa Valley Mustard Festival. I have never attended any of the events for this festival (some of them, like the opening gala and the grand dinner, are pretty expensive) but I'm thinking this is the year I check it out and see what it's like.

Strolling Through Downtown Napa

Well, the weather has cleared up and it was a beautiful day today! Some puffs of clouds here and there, but sunny and relatively warm (well, "mild" would be the term, I suppose.)

Would have been a great day for a hike -- but I woke up too late. Would have been a great day for wine tasting -- but I wasn't in the mood.

So I decided to "run recon" and scout out what's available in downtown Napa these days. It's a travesty that I spend nearly zero time downtown, despite the fact that are a few great restaurants and some interesting shops, the Opera House and some wonderful Victorian architecture.

Sarah (my girlfriend) couldn't come with me today, so I wasn't planning on eating at a restaurant or anything... I just went to enjoy the sights and take note of things I might want to go back and partake of some other point this year.

Well, it's a weekday... in the middle of winter... and it's no longer a holiday. So, as you might imagine, downtown Napa was somewhat empty and tranquil. I walked down past the Opera House (but forgot to check the calendar of upcoming shows)... and past the Downtown Joe's brewery, which is always enticing...

Nearby is "Bounty Hunter" -- I ate there once. Good bar-b-que sandwiches and an interesting atmosphere, with some decent wine flights, as well. The sandwiches were reasonably priced, but the service could certainly stand to be friendlier and more attentive, and some of the wine prices were ripoffs.

Overlooking the Napa River is (what else?) The Napa Riverfront, which is a newish section of built-up condos and commercial spaces, mostly for upscale restaurants. I've eaten at Celadon and really enjoyed the experience, but haven't tried the other restaurants I passed by today, including two I am curious to try -- Angele and Fish Story --as well as Rotisserie & Wine (from what I could tell through the window, that's just what it sounds like! Rotisserie chicken and glasses of wine, overlooking the Napa River), Silo's, and a few others in the area. [EDIT: I read some reviews of Rotisserie & Wine, and it actually sounds much more interesting than I had, at first, presumed... sort of an upscale/fusion take on country/comfort food, run by TV chef Tyler Florence and ex-Ubuntu chef Jeremy Fox]

I've never tried any of the small bars, bistros, or Asian restaurants in the area, but the stretch of Henry's, Asia Cafe (with its neon "Chop Suey" sign) and Zuzu Tapas & Wine always looks tempting.

These are located right next to the attention-grabbing empty shell of Fagiani's -- this bar was the location of the brutal stabbing murder of Anita Andrews (who owned and ran the bar along with her sister) in 1974, which happened in broad daylight but within the dark confines of the bar. Needless to say, the bar closed down for a while, and it's been pretty much vacant ever since. Currently, there are attempts to revive it, but they are being blocked by the City Council due to the schizophrenic nature of the building -- the top stone facade reveals its early (1908) origins, while the bottom is covered in 1950's blue and magenta ceramic tiles, making a two-tiered (and chronologically incongruous) facade. The current owner wanted to add to this yet a third, craftsman-style balcony to the mix, and that was too much for many members of the City Council to handle.

Anyway, a nice little stroll downtown, and I'll definitely be coming back for, at the very least, some food and some beers! (and probably some entertainment at the Opera House, as well)