Alexis Baking Company

1517 3rd St, Napa, CA 94559 707-258-1827

Description: NAPA. ABC, as locals know it, is a friendly, streetside cafe and bakery in downtown Napa where chef and namesake Alexis Handelman regularly wows patrons with baked goods and hearty breakfasts. Of course, the true menu stars are sweets, and few could argue against the virtues of a homemade French tart, German torte, or even a traditional American fave like carrot cake or a chocolate-fudge brownie.
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Della Santina's

133 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476-6709 707-935-0576

Description: SONOMA. With its palace-like, quarried stone exterior and wrought iron gate, this attractive trattoria offers an escape from the activity of downtown Sonoma. While the Tuscan-inspired patio offers an idyllic setting for a romantic dinner or peaceful lunch, the intimate main dining area provides a cozy backdrop when the weather turns chilly. Aside from a stalwart wine list, Della Santina's features impeccable Northern Italian fare ­ highlights include rotisserie rabbit, fresh seasonal vegetables, and unforgettable, Old Country-style gnocchi. Reservations recommended.
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Gary Chu's

611 5th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-526-5840

Description: SANTA ROSA. Understated and without pretense, Gary Chu's has been recognized by the local press as one of Sonoma Valley's top Chinese eateries. The restaurant's gourmet menu includes pot-stickers, Mandarin spareribs, and Szechwan lamb and pork in spicy plum sauce. The subdued atmosphere, with soft lighting and stark white walls, does nothing to detract from the restaurant's true star ­ the food. Professional, friendly service and an extensive list of Sonoma wines add to the dining experience. Reservations are suggested.
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Napa Valley Grille

6795 Washington St, Washington Square, Yountville, CA 94599 707-944-8686

Description: YOUNTVILLE. Pale gold and pastel tones lend a refined touch to this romantic restaurant's dining rooms. The New American fare, infused with a heavy dose of Californian flavors and ingredients, isn't cheap, but diners rave about the combination of consistently excellent food, attentive and friendly servers, and a marvelous wine list. Menu items are seasonal; favorites include braised Mountain Meadow Farms lamb shank with saffron risotto and caramelized onions, or savory huevos rancheros, served at Sunday brunch.
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Red Rock Cafe & Back Door BBQ

1010 Lincoln Ave, Napa, CA 94558 707-226-2633

Description: NAPA. Conduct a survey for top restaurants in Napa, and don't be surprised when this rustic cafe shows up. Its kitchen serves everything from excellent burgers to fish-and-chips, and of course, no self-respecting local would stop by without ordering an oak-pit BBQ dinner. How does this sound: a slab of spareribs flanked by heaping servings of baked beans, homemade potato salad, and from-scratch corn muffins? If pork isn't your bag, opt for the half-chicken or a sirloin tri-tip. The Back Door also offers take-out ­ it's especially great for picnicking.
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Taylor's Automatic Refresher

933 Main St, St. Helena, CA 94574 707-963-3486

Description: ST. HELENA. Selling hearty burgers, crisp fries, and creamy milkshakes for over half a century, Taylor's has continuously pleased patrons by clinging fiercely to the basics. Though the menu has expanded in recent years to include upscale eats like fried calamari and mahi mahi fish-and-chips, the simple hamburger on a toasted egg bun remains the most frequently ordered item. A secret special sauce adds zing to the affair. Brightly painted picnic tables, each topped with an enormous white umbrella, offer customers the opportunity for alfresco communal dining.
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Tuscany

1005 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 707-258-1000

Description: NAPA. Relaxed, casual, and priced to please your wallet, Tuscany is quickly becoming a Napa standard. Known for great seafood, the spot also serves unfussy eats like oven-baked subs. Herbed flatbread and seasonal crostini appetizers are hot and tasty ­ perfect precursors to braised Sonoma duck, sliced veal roast, and vegetarian dishes. Ask for a table near the open kitchen so you can see all the action going on over the place's three cooking fires.
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Uva Trattoria & Bar

1040 Clinton St, Napa, CA 94559 707-255-6646

Description: NAPA. Aspiring to be a friendly neighborhood gathering spot, Uva lures folks with affordable, hearty Italian fare, live jazz on Saturday nights, and a hip bar scene. Framed photographs clutter dining room walls, creating a casual, comfortable ambiance. Food offerings include pizza and pasta, as well as beef, poultry, and seafood. Many entrees are available in half-portions, but you'll be compelled to eat all of ones like cannelloni ai gamberi ­ pasta stuffed with shrimp and scallops and baked in a tomato cream sauce.
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Villa Corona

3614 Bel Aire Plz, Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, CA 94558 707-257-8685

Description: NAPA. Casual and unassuming, this small local chain has steadily gained recognition in recent years for its heaping portions and small prices. Menu choices are standard ­ burritos, enchiladas, and chimichangas ­ but all are well-made and packed with delicious ingredients. In fact, regulars have singled out the burritos for special kudos. Breakfast finds similarly large helpings of various combinations of eggs and meat. Families appreciate the unpretentious, kid-friendly atmosphere.
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Vintage Caffe

2522 Mankas Corner Rd, Fairfield, CA 94534 707-425-3207

Description: FAIRFIELD. This charming spot in the picturesque Suisun Valley recalls cafes in the European countryside, replete with a lovely, greenery-draped patio and both formal and more relaxed dining areas. Delicious Italian fare populates Vintage's menu, and a welcome dose of American classics is thrown in as well, all for reasonable prices. Eggplant parmigiana and a fried fish panini are popular entrees, and burgers, fish, 'n chips, salads, and pasta dishes are also on offer.
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