This post was originally written in Mar of 2012, but has been revised just for you!
The beautiful Napa Valley was where my husband Adam and I spent our birthdays and our anniversary this past week!
We stayed at a friend’s guest house right near the beautiful Auberge de Soleil Hotel; and even in the off-season; the weather was gorgeous!!!
The first place I want to share is one of the most beautiful, magical restaurant I have ever seen! In fact, the minute we saw it ,
we decided to have lunch and dinner there the first full day we were there!
At first we saw this beautiful stone building!
Stunning Entrance!
charming sign!
then the garden gate….leading to the courtyard
in the courtyard we discovered
this bench which says “fresh water pure wine all together”
and this one next to it which says “Where we Feel Hard Bread”
and on the wall “Is!, is!, is!)
I love this light fixture!
this is for private parties!
and the wine bar is downstairs!
this great seal was imbedded in the courtyard
this lovely terrace is in the courtyard as well
the outside terrace
the old signs preserved!
another fascinating old sign.
I love the color and the hinge!
through the curtains!
There he is again right over the entry door!
The most glamorous bar!!
a lovely open kitchen!
I love the ceiling molding detail!
the dining room exquisite!
The courtyard was fascinating!
They grow their own vegetables!
the vines in the summer!
the artichokes and veggies!
the courtyard with vegetables!
here is the same arch in the summer!
the vineyard at the side
the same arch again!
the arch again!
a fascinating fountain!
The mood and atmosphere was exquisite !!! I’ll be posting a few pictures taken later that evening!!!
Till the next post!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
It looks like the castle from Beauty and the Beast. Magic.
There was still a lot of charm, deserted and in winter. It must be truly delightful in the summer.
I’d love to be sitting in that courtyard on a beautiful summer evening! They’d have to kick me out when the restaurant closed! Such detail and character.
Cheers,
john
Tra Vigne is one of my favorite restaurants. We don’t get over to the Napa side much anymore since buying our home in Sonoma Valley. Heading up to Healdsburg this morning. Wish Tra Vigne was there, we would so stop in for lunch! Happy Birthday and Anniversary!
As I open this new post I found a familiar “taste”… are you sure you weren’t in Tuscany, or somewhere else in the countryside down to Rome?… (the same sky too!) Happy birthday Penelope, happy holiday, happy everything… Bettina
When my husband was alive, we used to go to the Napa Valley every year. We discovered Tra Vigne on one of those visits and ate in the restaurant three nights in a row…it was that good.
The atmosphere is so welcoming and so European in its ambience and beautiful appointments. Michael Chiarello owned it then. I don’t think he still does, but I hope the food is still wonderful. Have a great time.
Best…Victoria
Tra Vigne is so marvelously delicious, I only wish my tummy could hold more food. Come by and visit Hutton Wilkinson’s fab new house in L.A. I’m obsessed!
Best,
Liz
Oh, I am obsessed as well! I somehow missed my evite to that Sunday tea; and was just so disappointed! I saw it being built; so I simply must get there. He and Ruthie are such a team….and I loved your post on the whole thing!
But Penelope, Penelope, how was the food?! 🙂 Oh my I loved this post but you design folk really are so fun, losing the forest for the trees, if I may say! I hope that you had a truly wonderful birthday and all around celebratory week!
Oh!!! I forgot to say! It is the best food I have ever tasted in my life!!! The lunch salad was unusual and delicious; all the fresh greens grown right there; cheese from some organic nearby farm; the absolute best!
And on my actual birthday, we had dinner at the “French Laundry”; from which I am not fully recovered!!
That isn’t really “dinner”; it is the “Circque de Soleil of food!!!”
A post on that!
Really , beautiful pictures Penny! I wondered about the food too, if it lived up to the wonderful exterior! Ha!
Kathy
Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary!! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration.
You share some of the most spectacular locations. Thank you.
via email:
“These are gorgeous. What did you have to eat? What is the railroad track? Teddee”
I think I get the big “F” grade for food reporting! I have tried to add…..we had the best salads for lunch……the most wonderful homemade bread; and for dinner the most wonderful roast chicken; and pasta with wild mushrooms and truffles…….
Lordy!
For dessert; the pane cotta with caramel sauce that you could drown in!
When all my senses are overwhelmed with beauty and patina…….I just forget about the food! The food was equal to the environment!
Now about those tracks…….those are old railroad tracks. I think during “the season (starting March 1) I think there is a wonderful-sounding “private rail car train” that goes through here…….and takes you to wineries and through the Napa Valley for lunch or dinner tours!
that is why I left those tracks in the pictures! Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
It sounds delicious, your description made my mouth water Penny! There is nothing quite as satisfying as having a meal on a beautiful terrace, the vegetables just picked from the field still warm from the sun, surrounded by all that natural beauty, it sounds like a dream come true!
xox
Kathy
Kathy is such a great friend! She does the most amazing things with old textiles….and makes the most beautiful pillows……and she completely “gets” me when I have some random rag……she creates a lovely artistic creation with it!
Happy Anniversary and Birthday. What a beautiful area to celebrate in. We were in Napa for a wedding 2 years ago and had the good fortune to enjoy lunch at this wonderful restaurant. The whole area is as close to paradise as it gets as far as I’m concerned. My blood pressure drops when we arrive each and every visit.
Karen
I laughed when I read Heather’s comment!
I’m sure I would have written a similar post… forgotten the food completely.
It looks like you had a spectacular birthday, Penny.
Happy Birthday and Anniversary wishes to you and Adam.
xo
Brooke
How wonderful is this friend? I don’t need to say one more word! I am so lucky! and blessed!
Thank you ,Brooke!!
via email:
“Beautiful, beautiful!
Isn’t it wonderful living in California!
All of it!!!!”
from my friend Bob Schulenberg!
It is indeed! (from Penelope)
Reply to Victoria Athens:
I love your comment…..and that is just what we do! when something is that wonderful; back we go! Some call it a “rut”!
We love it! The last time we were in Paris; we had lunch at “Deux Magots” every day for five days…….(no matter where we were!)
the “Shepard’s salad is my favorite thing on earth!!!
Penelope
ps I am so sorry you lost your husband; It is obvious how close you were!
Penelope,
A belated Birthday and Anniversary!! An enchanted, gorgeously detailed site for a very special restaurant. Thank you for sharing…
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
The 2012 Artist Series
The summer images you added are spectacular.
Hope you have more to share!
Happy 4th!
Cheers,
John
Thank you for posting the great content … I was looking for something like this … I found it quiet interesting, hopefully you will keep posting such blogs …. Keep sharing.
Sarah Kensington
So enjoyed your tour of this beautiful establishment in the California wine country. Even off season, it still radiates warmth and charm, and I’m sure the food was delicious, as you wrote in your comments. Thanks for sharing!
Poppy
P.S. Thanks for all your lovely visits to Poppy View. And, best of luck to your beautiful Poppy in this school year!
I just cant believe the photos from the fire!!! It’s like an atomic bomb went off. It’s the saddest thing. Just horrific.