Napa Valley

The final weekend of our vacation... Where did the time go? What a way to end it, in the Napa Valley where wine flows freely, not free but in vast amounts that is. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on the way here, the fog was rolling in like a river over the bridge, it was really cool to watch. I couldn't see 4 feet in front of me but as you can see from the picture the top of the bridge peeking out through the fog. We are staying at the Rancho Caymus a Spanish.Hacienda in the Napa Valley. It is a cozy, romantic with the feel of a real vineyard. The inn that makes you feel like you are in Italy, not that I  have ever been there but someday....

As you can see our room over looks the courtyard where one can sit and have a glass of wine and read a book in a cozy nook by the fountain. Each suite is spacious with a balcony in most rooms plus a wood burning fireplace.
We ate at Alex's Italian Restaurant on the premises, it just opened 9 days ago but runs smoothly like it has been here for a while. I ordered a Pinot Grigio from a local winery and when the waiter brought me my glass he passed by a couple having dinner and showed him my glass. Come to find out it was the owner of the vineyard. He came over and introduced himself then thanked me for supporting him and told me to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It was pretty cool. I had the Insalata Di Barbubietole E Arance a beet, citrus, sicilian pistachios, aged ricotta cheese and mint salad. The beets were done to perfection in a lite citrus dressing with orange slices on a nicoise bed with ricotta and mint. Then I had the Gnudi Di in Brodi Di Lambrusco ricotta and spinach in a rich chicken broth. Very tasty, the gnocchi was very thin but stuffed with spinach and ricotta. For dessert I had the Panna Cotta with pistachios and grilled peaches.  It was very creamy with small pieces of pistachios, slightly frozen and delish.  Tim mentioned it was my birthday so I got a little surprise.

The atmosphere was very Italian with white lights and a fire lit in the stone fire place. The service was superb, the staff was very attentive and all the customers seemed to be having a good time and enjoying their meals. The staff would speak in Italian then repeat themselves in English.

I would give Alex's 5 forks.