- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Auberge Du Soleil
Rating Details »
180 Rutherford Hill Rd
Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 963-1211
Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 963-1211
Heart and Soul Valentine's Package
Auberge du Soleil has created the ultimate Valentine's package:
http://www.aubergeduso...
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
179 reviews for Auberge Du Soleil
WOW - WOW - WOW!!! I wish I had more stars to give to teh Auberge!
The hotel is stunning. The views are stunning. The staff is the ultimate in friendly and professional. The food is very nice. DId I say that the service was stunning too? YES!
Our room was the nicest that I have stayed at .... ever! Beautiful in all regards. Save your pennies and stay here! It will be a memory that will stay with you forever! And, in case your memory is poor, make sure that you take your camera so that you can savor your time spent in a place in the foothills of Napa and real close to heaven!
As far as accommodations go Auberge Du Soleil is a taste of true luxury. The rooms are by far the nicest places to stay, I wouldn't mind moving into one to live. The views are spectacular looking over Napa Valley. To see the sunrise from your room after a nice run, workout or swim is incredible. They also have tennis courts, a hot tub, walking paths with a sculpture garden and yoga classes.
Order room service and sit out on your deck to enjoy it. We had our wedding here and it was so nice spending two nights in such a lovely place. If we're lucky would love to spend our anniversary weekend here.
As for the wedding itself, Casey was a joy to work with and very detail oriented. She made the day so much more smooth for us and was a pleasure to work with. Our guests had a wonderful time! For some strange reason 4 rows of seats were reserved (and there were 63 guests) so that was the only odd thing, walking out as the bride to find mostly empty front rows, move up people!!! The pictures make it look like no one was there. The food for the wedding itself wasn't quite as consistently good as what we have had in the restaurant (the apps and one of the mains were okay but not over the top amazing).
The lamb was delicious and the wedding cake was oh so good. It worked out well anyway because the portions were just right and saved some room for the fabulous desserts! Make sure to get the filo dough wrapped chocolate - it is a house specialty and the best words to describe it are rich & decadent (in a good way if you are into chocolate at all).
Surprisingly the wedding w/the food and beverages is a reasonable cost if you are having an afternoon event (when compared to other Bay Area/Wine country venues). Our only sadness was we wished we'd had more time, the day truly does fly by as everyone warns you in advance. Overall I do recommend.
I found myself pleasantly surprised after dining at Auberge Du Soleil. The dining room reminded me very much of Meadowood and the food held up very well to the standards set by every 2-star Michelin rated restaurant in the Bay Area. I think Auberge is very, very close to earning 2 Michelin stars, but has a few obstacles in its way.
First, the restaurant serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I think it's difficult for a restaurant to achieve the level of focus required to rise to that level while having to deal with anything but dinner. This showed in it's cuisine which, while very competent, lacked some of the creativity and riskiness evident at restaurants that have earned 2 Michelin stars. I felt the food to be very, very good, but a bit on the "safe" side.
The service was also competent, but lacked a bit of polish and emotion. Our food runner was extremely personable, confident and knowledgeable. We had made an immediate connection with her and very much enjoyed our short conversations with her.
Our captain was more of an order taker and very reserved. I barely knew who he was by the end of the meal. One interaction that stood out was with wine suggestions. I struggled to avoid the pairing, yet find a bottle that would work well with some of the disparate courses we would be offered with the tasting menu. Rather than send the sommelier, our captain meekly attempted to suggest broad wine types rather than specific bottles. After several awkward moments, I asked for the sommelier, who turned out to be as difficult to get information out of as the waiter. He was friendly enough, and probably competent, but he failed to engage us with his wine list, nor did he go into any depth at all about what he was pouring, it's history or attributes.
Our back-waiter was obviously an immigrant who was competent, but apparently scared to death to talk. Being an immigrant is not an issue other than the expectation that a back-waiter is probably going to have the most interaction with the table and should probably have a good understanding of the language and an ability to connect with guests. She was a pleasant lady, but offered little more than going through the motions of setting up our table and pouring water.
The lack of polish with the service came out when food was being delivered. Appropriately, two runners would arrive with each course for a table of four, but their approach was clumsy and uncoordinated. It would have taken very little effort to avoid interfering with each diner's space and place each course down simultaneously rather than one at a time. I'm nit picking here, but it's an easy fix and shows the restaurant's overall commitment to service excellence.
One of the courses served was a foie gras torchon. Two of us did not care for that preparation and didn't finish the portion. The restaurant become very concerned about this and repeatedly ask if anything was wrong and if they could substitute another course. It was made clear that there was nothing wrong with the preparation, it was just a matter of preference. A few minutes later, two portions of seared foie arrived. This unsolicited offering was some of the best foie gras I have had.
I've been nit picking about Auberge throughout this review, but it's only an attempt to understand why such a great restaurant lacks 2 Michelin stars. I believe they'll achieve that if they tidy up their service a bit and add just a touch more creativity to the menu. Michelin stars or not, Auberge is a fantastic restaurant well worthy of an out of the way journey.
A few suggestions to the restaurant:
1. Ask your captains to engage their tables. Make that personal connection that turns the evening into more of an experience than a dinner.
2. Ask the sommelier to spend a little more time learning about the table's experience with wine, its preference and goals. Spend some time going over the list and then detail several bottles that meet the table's expectations.
3. Find a more engaging back-waiter who can relate better with the table. Spend a little more time at each table offering personal attention and conversation about the food, the restaurant and the region.
4. Choreograph service a bit better so it appears a bit more coordinated and refined.
5. Try to achieve an ever so slight bump in creativity. Try to be just a smidgeon more bold. This is tough to qualify because the food is very, very good. I think the problem here is that it has all been done elsewhere. Every restaurant with 2 stars has something no one else does.
My g/f brought me here for a bday breakfast and OMG it was so amazing. I have never had an egg white omelet that was melt in your mouth delicious!! I plan on going back for many more experiences. They are first class all the way!! Everyone should try them at least once!!
We came here for what I hope will be a new family tradition: Christmas lunch.
The view is spectacular. If you can, sit outside on the veranda to fully appreciate it.
The food is good. You're gonna get a high price tag just because of the name of the place and the location, but the chefs are actually keeping up. My advice is to try and get something that was locally sourced, they go out of their way to provide it.
Our service was top notch. The sommelier was very helpful, and the rest of the staff, from host on down, was on their game.
Next time I'd like to have a drink or two in the bar, possibly by that fire place. Again, I wouldn't mind taking that libation out to the balcony and soaking up the view of the valley.
I can't believe I have not reviewed this place yet. Especially since It is one of my favorite places in the WORLD.
The experience beings long before you arrive. The drive here is stunning. (It's California wine country so get that convertible top down.) As your car pulls in, valet service jumps to attention, attendants sweep you into the the front lobby. Then BAM, your perched up atop your wine country aerie dinning on Michelin rated food.
If you believe..............keep your fingers crossed that there is a Auberge Du Soleil in the afterlife.
We had our wedding at Auberge in October, so this review is for the service and food related to weddings - we have not eaten in the restaurant.
Our main point of contact was Casey - she was absolutely amazing! She was always on top of every little detail, great at communicating with us, and (most importantly) we had absolute trust in her for the wedding day. This is really important for any bride and groom - there is so much going on that day, and if you can trust the coordinator completely, you are taking a lot of stress out of your lives. Another major benefit was that, when faced with a choice on how we wanted something, we (having never been married before) often asked Casey for suggestions. Based on her experience, she was able to tell us what is normally done, or what other couples like us have tried, etc. Extraordinarily helpful.
The view from the deck is stunning. Unfortunately it was pouring on our wedding day, so we went with the alternative of having the wedding indoors. The room came out beautiful - we could not have asked for a better indoor wedding.
The food and drinks were top-notch, as is to be expected. If available for your wedding menu, I highly recommend the fleur de sel chocolate caramel tartlets for dessert. Also, the french onion soup (under a much more elegant name, but I forget it right now) was a huge crowd pleaser.
We set out to show our guests an amazing time at a wine country destination wedding, and Auberge was the perfect place for it.
Went for brunch and the menu was extensive and tasty. Will definitely have to go back for dinner, especially during the summer when you can sit out on the beautiful patio overlooking the valley.
The view is perhaps the best in the area! Service--ehhh. Food--pretty good.
This place had come highly recommended to us by friends, while we were out in Napa. We were unable to book a reservation, so we decided to at least just go for drinks and grab a casual lunch. Upon arriving and waiting in line at the hostess stand, we were skipped, as the host approached the couple standing behind us and sat them. No big deal. Once he returned he then came to us, noticing we were at the front of the line--but really? How many stars does this place have?
Our waitress seemed really uncomfortable and not once cracked a smile.
Food was decent--nothing to rave about, but I would love to come for dinner, if Im ever in the area again.
Enjoyed New Years Eve night at Auberge! The accommodations, service were over the top. Our room was upgraded with terrific view, and breakfast was served on New Years day. All extras which were complimentary. Several areas of the hotel are being upgraded now which should make my future stay even more glorious. If you have an extra special friend or want to treat your spouse to a memorable hotel stay, I encourage you to consider Auberge! Expensive but well worth the extravagance.
Having dined at Gary Danko for our 5th anniversary, I thought I'd just update this to say we enjoyed Auberge a bit more. The service was a smidgen better at GD, but the food and setting at Auberge was more interesting for a similarly-priced meal. Auberge was more like 4.75 stars, GD more like 4.5.
Since our anniversary meal last year, we've been back to the bar at Auberge once and had yummy drinks and light (if spendy) eats. I look forward to going back again sometime soon!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/30/2008
My wife and I dined here for our wedding anniversary blow-out meal this year. We did the regular… Read more »
This was my first visit and we had a great time. The view is mesmerizing and spectacular. The service was fantastic and super attentive.
The brunch was so much fun. We started off with a Kir Royale and the most amazing bread and muffins. I had the heirloom tomatoes and burratta, which was so delicious. The entree was Seared Ahi Tuna, Crispy Soft Egg, Savoy Spinach, and Tapenade. The presentation was amazing and it was all super tasty.
We shared 4 different deserts and they were all great, especially the peaches and cheesecake.
I can't wait to come back!
Must come here for lunch and sit in the balcony area, the view is spectacular! I recommend this to every person that visits Napa. Very romantic and soothing. I recommend the Potato Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Pea Shoots, Parmesan Nage,
Seared Ahi Tuna, Crispy Soft Egg, Savoy Spinach, Tapenade and the
Day Boat Scallops, Sweet White Corn, Snap Peas, Vanilla Nage, Crispy Onions
I would have given this place 5 stars but the last time I was there it was a bit disappointing. There was some construction work going on so it was a bit irritated having to listen to the hammers and drills.
Hands down one of the most romantic spots with the most breathtaking views...that along with impeccable service earns 5 yelping stars!
So, we went here on Super Bowl Sunday and thank grapes we did! Otherwise, who knows if we would've been sat at a table overlooking the Napa Valley, immediately upon arrival. Now, everyone's raved about the view, so I won't waste my time re-hashing it, so I'll move on to the food.
My friend and I decided to stop there on our way home for a lite lunch. We had the smoked salmon pizza and the mushroom pasta. Now, I know what you're thinking - how much different can a smoked salmon pizza and mushroom pasta be from place to place. Let me tell you!
These guys had the best quality smoked salmon (wouldn't put it past them if they house-smoked it, but it wasn't detailed). It was a cold pizza with lavosh as the "crust", layered with arugula, the heavenly salmon, capers, super thinly shaved red onion and a drizzle of lemon aioli. IT WAS THE BEST!
The mushroom pasta was wonderfully seasoned and not over-salted (which is how most places turn out mushroom pasta). The noodles were slightly al dente +, which is exactly how I like my pasta and the mushrooms were the best variety.
Can't say any more about this fabulous place, other than, I can't wait to come back for a full dinner experience!
Woke from the wine/food coma around 10 and headed up to Auberge du Soleil around 11:30 for lunch. Made reservations for the terrace (highly recommended, incredible view looking west above Silverado Trail @ HWY 128). Only people midweek. Great bar menu we looked at while waiting for the restaurant to actually open, will have to go back just for that. Started with a white peach bellini, endured mocking from the wife, but it was worth it, very tasty. We opted for the 2 course lunch because we are hog asses.
Him:
Starter: Sautéed Foie Gras, Cherries, Pain Perdu, Pistachio, Foie
Gras Torchon, Hibiscus Gelée
- I am an unapologetic foie gras slut and this was a great
dish. The hibiscus gelee was a perfect ballance to the
foie gras.
Second: Seared Ahi Tuna, Crispy Soft Egg, Savoy Spinach,
Tapenade
- Seared perfectly, the egg and spinach were great
company for the ahi.
Her:
Starter: Potato Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Pea Shoots, Parmesan
Nage
- Incredible mushroom aroma, the parmesan added just
the right salt kiss.
Second: Basil Crusted Rabbit, Farro, English Peas,
Broccoli Rapini, Red Wine Jus
- Sooooo jealous of the wife for this one. Lucky she shares.
Go for the view, and a drink if nothing else but the food is definately worth checking out.
*Review for the bar/bistro only.*
So I'm spending the day in Napa with a friend and we are already all the way up to Rutherford, when we need some lunch. I didn't want to head all the way back downtown, and a restaurant in the area had been recommended to me by winery staff when I was visiting last year.
I thought I remembered where it was and that led me here. Turns out I was wrong -- they had suggested Rutherford Grill -- but no matter. We really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into until we reached the door and I spotted the Relais & Chateaux monogram, at which point I thought "Oh, sh*t." We weren't exactly prepared to splurge on lunch, but we had already handed over our car to the valet, so we headed inside.
After looking over the menu and deciding we could split an appetizer and that's about it, we asked for seating and discovered there is also a bistro with a lighter-fare menu. Thank the lord!
We were seated right away on the amazing patio overlooking the valley, and from that point on had a fantastic experience. They brought us water (much needed during a day of wine) and a plate of olives. We weren't super hungry, so we decided to split a burger ($18).
They brought it out after only 10-15 minutes, perfectly cooked, very well-seasoned and they even split it for us on two plates and gave us our own fries. And they didn't charge us extra to split it, either! Some places do that.
So I think it's important for people on a budget to know that it's possible to visit this place without blowing the bank. We walked out with a $22 check, plus a few more for the valet, and the great food aside, the view was totally worth every penny :)
We had been told about Auberge before we left Portland so after leaving Domaine Chandon, we make our way to the Silverado Trail. As we get close to the Trail we can see the Inn on the side of the hill. Complimentary valet parking took care of the car while we ventured inside.
The restaurant had just closed so we made our way to the bistro/bar. Hoping to sit outside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes. No worries...we would just sit at the bar and have a drink. We took our seats, ordered drinks and an appetizer and before anything even arrived were told our table was ready. The views are amazing!! You can see for miles.
Normally when frequenting a place that charges $15 for a margarita, I feel like I'm way in over my head. But I didn't here. Sure, the food and drink was expensive, but it was worth it. The servers were great and I didn't feel like they were looking down their noses at us.
The $74 tab for two drinks and three appetizers was much more than I would have paid elsewhere but the stunning views from the balcony and the unpretentious service was well worth the cash.
The View: 5 stars. The restaurant sits on the side of a hill and therefore allows for an amazing view of Napa.
The Service: 5 stars. Absolutely top notch. Very attentive without being too intrusive. Friendly and personable.
The Food: 4 stars. It was good, really good in fact. Expertly prepared using the finest ingredients. Every bite would melt in your mouth.
The Price: $$$$. Yeah, thank god hubby and I are seasoned professionals making a decent buck. And even then, the bill still took a bite out of our wallet. Ouch!
Overall: 4.5 stars. Yeah, a must visit if you are in the Napa area and feeling a little spendy.
Auberge is a beautiful, quintessential Napa Valley hideaway and restaurant. The accommodations are plush bungalows scattered along the side of a hill and the main building, which houses the restaurant, looks down on a scenic portion of the Napa Valley. If you want a view with lunch or dinner- THIS is your spot.
The last time I was here, Auberge was renovating certain parts of the hotel, including the pool. Although the resort is nice, the renovations were somewhat necessary as parts were getting outdated. I imagine the construction is slowing down by now, if not over.
I've known multiple people who've gotten married here- it's definitely a popular spot. The wedding needs to be small, but I've heard they're wonderful about working with private parties. Also, there's a great little art gallery and gift shop in the main building, which you can come check out after lunch. Auberge is classic Napa Valley, so if you want to stick with a traditional vacation experience and are willing to part with at least $500 per night, you'll probably like it here.
NB. The food at the restaurant is good, although lacks consistency. It's best to come here for the view and be pleasantly surprised by your food, rather than the other way around.
This has to be the most swank (or what I like to say BOOSHI) resort that I have stayed at. It's ridiculously expensive, but you get what you pay for. Everything is pretty much provided for you when you walk into the room, so if you forget to pack your toiletrie bag, you're good.
The standard rooms are HUGE, beddings are plush and super comfortable, and the turn down service.. who does that anymore?
Can't ask for a better bathroom! I felt so "Godfather-esque" chillin' in the over-sized tub (for two) with a swivel TV to keep me entertained. All I was missing was a cigar.
This place is top notch!
Auberge du soleil is yet another of those high end Napa restaurants associated with a resort/hotel. The view from the restaurant terrace is sufficiently spectacular to make a believer of a confirmed atheist. You will be hard pressed to find a more lovely dining destination. Service is professional, spot-on and helpful. I was permitted to eliminate dessert from a four course dinner in favor of an additional appetizer.
I started with white corn soup with chervil oil that was poured over rock crab. The star of the plate was the crab as the taste of corn in the soup was elusive. As second appetizer of generously portioned lobster over white asparagus was nice, but here it was the taste of the nicely poached lobster that was somewhat elusive.
Things picked up considerably with onion crusted halibut accompanied by english peas in a fava bean sauce. A complex and tasty plate that was assertively spiced.
A generous portion of bacon wrapped veal was served over three foie gras filled ravioli and mushrooms in a salty reduced sauce. The veal was tender, the foie gras ravioli oh so rich, and the sauce allowed one to salt the meat as desired.
This place will treat you like the king or queen you are.
Worst Bloody Mary EVER. If I wanted to drink ketchup I wouldn't have paid $16 for it. It really isn't hard to make a great Bloody Mary, or even an average Bloody Mary, especially if you are charging $16, but this one was HORRIBLE! I was extremely disappointed. I understand that they can charge the prices they do because of the outstanding view, etc. but it is really disappointing that they don't go the extra mile to make the drinks worth what you're paying. It isn't that hard.
In addition, my boyfriend (an excellent bartender and wine enthusiast) ordered a glass of Zin...I might go as far as to say that he was even more disappointed than I was. After all the delicious tasting we had done throughout the day for much less, he was beyond disgusted that he was paying $14 for a below average glass of wine. It's inexcusable.
We would have been more than happy to pay $40 for two outstanding drinks, but instead we paid $40 for a glass of ketchup and a glass of wine no better than Carlo Rossi.
Over the past twenty years, hotels in the Napa Valley have zoomed up into the sky in terms of design, amenities, restaurants, service, and finally, price.
Auberge is the king of those hotels because it can boast a long history. I have always loved Auberge because it is simply beautiful. There are Tuscan colors everywhere and the whole resort is beautifully landscaped. You actually feel warmer and like you're in the middle of Italy somehow.
In recent years, Auberge has been overrun by celebrities and young people with cash to burn. As a consequence, there are weddings going on every weekend and people lounging around the pool with cosmos in hand. All perfectly fine. Auberge has become its own tourist destination.
I highly recommend this place because there is simply no hotel like it in the Napa Valley. It will dazzle you. It is peaceful and beautiful. For first timers, it is ideal. For Napa Valley regulars, it is somewhat passe. If this is your first time in the valley, by all means, go to Auberge even at their steep prices. It's a great introduction to wine country lifestyle. For regulars, try the newer hotels like Meadowood and even Bardonasso (which I'm dying to try out). Life is too short not to explore.
What can I add to the 141 reviews of Auberge? My 2 cents - skip dinner and go for appetizers and wine on the deck at sunset.
But since we spent over $300 for dinner not writing about it would make me sick...so here we go.
First course - Corn & lobster soup with table side presentation. Seasonal and strong balanced flavors.
Second course - Rock crab salad with tomato gel. I would rather have gel in my hair than on my salad - very unappetizing to the eyes and the palate.
Third course - Halibut on a bed of beans with green puree. Simple and good. The tomato risotto on the bottom was a little heavy on the tarragon.
Fourth course - He had the prime rib that had a unique Asian twist. I had the lamb with gnocchi that was well cooked.
Dessert - Chocolate dumplings with vanilla ice cream and lemon cake with huckleberries.
Although the service was exemplary (they offered me a pashmina, showed me a photo album of the grounds); it was a little too pretentious for me. There was no music and we had to whisper when we talked (very hard for me after a glass of wine).
The food didn't wow me - it all seemed overly complicated and overworked. Nothing stood out. When I go to restaurants with this much hype I expect "I can die now" type of dishes. Didn't happen here.
It was a nice place to enjoy nature; but you can do that at a state park. Again, my 2 cents is to skip dinner and go for appetizers and wine on the deck.
I would like to give this place 3 1/2 stars because the food was okay but not great, well at least what we had.
The prices were very reasonable considering where the restaurant was. We sat out on the deck and wow what an amazing view. Loved the view.
Now the food. I ordered shrimp risotto, my husband filet mignon, and my mother had the halibut. For dessert we shared two desserts but I only can remember their signature dish - chocolate in phyllo pastry.
Mom loved her halibut. My husband said the filet, even though they cooked it like he asked (medium rare), was just okay and came luke warm. He's had better elsewhere. My shrimp risotto came hot but was too rich. They had some kind of cheese in it, parmesan on top of it and then a rich sauce around the risotto. The shrimp was slightly overcooked. There was a lot of risotto but too rich and not a lot of flavor.
Mom's dessert was good. It was some peach thing and the chocolate in phyllo pastry was very ordinary.
The service was impeccable. Since it's not our local haunt and we do have to drive an hour and half to get to it I don't think we will be back since there are other restaurants we would love to still try.
This review is for the restaurant. This was my fourth dinner at Auberge du Soleil, and I've had drinks there many times.
I had dinner there on Easter Sunday with three other friends -- one of which was a vegan. We didn't order food from the menu and just asked the kitchen to cook for us. If you include the amuse bouche and the intermezzo, we had a total of six courses. The food was great, and the kitchen handled the vegan issues exceptionally well and created a separate menu to accommodate. Chef Robert Curry is doing a great job keeping the quality and consistency of the food very high, year after year.
There are plenty of pictures of the plates here, as well as detailed examples of the dishes, so I'll skip over all of that. (Except that I WILL mention one particular dish that included dashi broth and a soft poached hen's egg was particularly magical.)
On par with TFL, the service from the captain, manager/sommelier, and food runners/backwaiters was warm and friendly and technically impeccable, down to the smallest cues.
The wine list is extensive and global in scope, and the quality of their by-the-glass offerings are a several notches above the norm. (If you're interested in a detailed description of the food and great wines we had, just send me a message.)
This is one of the few places that truly deserves their Michelin Guide and Relais & Châteaux/Gourmand status.
Wifey and i spent a day in Napa for part of Memorial Day weekend. we stayed in nearby Santa Rosa so we could hit up other cities like Bodega Bay and Sonoma. Napa can be a real clusterf*ck during long weekends, and this one was no different. Auberge was a great way balance out the gluttony from a day of wine tasting. We ate about 3 hours ago, and the post-meal contractions are still going strong!
We each went with four courses rather than the tasting menu. Among the highlights:
* sauteed foies gras (melts in your mouth - but not enough of it!);
* seared ahi tuna with glazed pork belly;
* spiced local lamb;
We also had dessert, a few glasses of pinot grigio and a bit of champagne.
Bottom line is that the food is very good, the view is awesome (if you sit outside) and great service. Sure it's a fancy place, but pricing is a bit high. Even in SF you can get food of similar quality at lower rates - and more of it! Napa winery acreage ain't cheap though, and this place is definitely worth a visit. And i shouldn't complain about portions if the blood flow to my digestion has hijacked my thinking (and typing!).
Spectacular view from the patio, well prepared food, an excellent wine list, and top notch service make the cafe here a pleasure. I can't wait to try the accommodations!
Auberge du Soleil never disappoints. I've been visiting Auberge for years. The setting is understated elegance, the food is always splendid and the service always attentive (albeit not always perfectly executed). Even if you can't afford to stay overnight (who can?), a trip to Auberge for lunch/brunch during an outing to Napa Valley is a MUST for locals and visitors alike and, weather permitting, there is nothing more romantic and pleasant than eating at a table on the deck with a gorgeous sunlit view of the southern end of the valley.
Open Table Review: 02/15/09
Was there for Valentine's with the now-ex. It's an hour's drive from San Francisco... but well worth the drive. Sure, it's in the middle of nowhere - especially when driving through rain at night - but well worth it.
Decor's nice. Well lit. Comfortable seating. Everything was well executed. Portions, textures, flavors and temperatures. Even the plates and silverware were top notch. And the wait staff take care of things before you even have a chance to ask.
The prix fixe menu was $150 per person, without the wine pairing, which is comparable to other restaurants in wine country (French Laundry's more, but that's a Michelin 3 star restaurant - the only 3 star in California, if memory serves me correctly).
Whether it's for a special day or for a romantic night out, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
I can't believe I don't go to this place more often!!
The food is fabulous, the service is wonderful, and the view is great!!! The price for lunch is totally reasonable.
There was a wedding going on downstairs the day I was there, and it did not disrupt the rest of the diners at all.
I'll be back for sure!
Want to feel like a celebrity, or possibly the leader of a small country/dynasty/corporate entity? Auberge du Soleil is your place, my friends. I'm telling you, this restaurant (didn't stay at the hotel, which would have been only slightly less expensive for one night than a rent check) is THE special occasion place. The event locale to end all event locales. Seriously, and I shit you not, Auberge makes the Driskell look like a drive-thru Wendy's.
So my bf and I were in Napa for a couple of days for my birthday, which happens to fall felicitously on Labor Day weekend (built-in holiday for vacation - YES! Go mom and dad on that conception!) and we decide to go somewhere nice. Since I was turning 31, which I have heard described as "the Delaware of birthdays - nothing to see here, keep moving please," my expectations weren't extremely high, and I had no idea this meal would consist of the most pricey food I have ever had the good fortune of funneling into my mouth.
First of all THE VIEW, PEOPLE. It's unreal. Couched atop a steep, terraced hill overlooking the beauty of Napa, I felt whisked away to another time and place. Say, provincial Italy in the 1800s, but without all the fussy corsets or rheumatic fever. Anyway, let's just say that if you have or plan to have "f**k you" money, this would be an ideal spot for your wedding or special event. I mean.
Secondly, let's talk gastronomical delights. Now, my stomach has never greeted a great, well-prepared gourmet entree that it didn't like, but I don't think any amount of refinery could prepare it for what it got. I chose the Vegetarian menu and my bf chose the regular menu, and we both agreed that I came out on top. My starter was a goat cheese-filled beignet with crunchy vegetables in a yummy tapenade sauce. I don't even LIKE goat cheese and these little pockets of heaven blew me away. But the real kicker was my third (or main) course: potato gnocchi with black summer truffles, wild mushrooms in a creamy parmesan sauce. Gawwwwwww. By that time I had reached orgasmic food nirvana and was considering levitating out onto the terrace and over the slope into the trees below. Unbelievable quality.
For dessert, because we had called ahead and alerted them it was my birthday, my dessert - a coconut lime gateau with pomegranate sorbet - was flanked on the dish by a lovely "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate calligraphy, and a slender red candle lit when it appeared at the table. Needless to say, my birthday wish entailed packing up this restaurant and taking it with me on the plane back to Austin. Unmatched quality on every level.
The waitstaff was impeccably knowledgeable, attentive to every single need (they have the crumb scraper thingy, which I am fascinated by). Here's how peerless they are: a member of a party a table over had run to the bathroom and while he was gone, their next course was ready. The waiter, holding the plates, immediately assessed from across the room that the man was not back and actually waited until he returned to present the dishes to the entire party. Refined subtlety as I have never seen before.
On a side note, and I'm sure he'll wryly thank me for mentioning it, my bf at one point turns to me and asks with all due seriousness, "so...does auberge mean eggplant?" Trying to keep a straight face while working out the full meaning of this (his justification was that "aubergine" the color was an eggplant purple shade), I politely said, "Um..I think it's actually 'retreat' or 'inn'." So, no, honey, this place is NOT called "Eggplant of the Sun."
But you know what? Even if it were, I would scarcely let that detract from one of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had. Happy birthday to me and my stomach, indeed.
i cant decide between 3 and 4 stars because their arrogant, stuck up attitude really degrade the serene, calm environment provided by the luscious scenery. and the amazing food. the last few times i walked into auberge it has left a weird taste in my mouth. my first experience here, was a long time ago, but i still remember it as being the best restaurant i ever visited. the scallops mmmm. i dont know what happened.
last time we came here. we just wanted to walk around and visit the site. we drove by and i remembered how picturesque it was and wanted to show the bf. we didnt even cross the entrance when we were greeted by the manager i think. no dogs allowed and no non-guests allowed. ok fine ..
this time we came for dinner. we were early thinking, again we could walk around and take some pictures. dip our feet in the pool? dont know. but there was a sign saying private party. we asked if we could take a look downstairs. the hostess just said no. i mean it wasnt just the no's. it was their attitude. even my mom was like who do they think they are? arrogant french people?
onto the meal. we decided not to do the four course meal and just order a la carte. turns out cost was more so i would recommend just doing the 4 course. i really feel like the waiters job is to educate us on the menu and pricing. halfway into the appetizers we had to ask them for clarification. a bit awkward. at restaurants of this price point, service really shouldnt have to be thought about. or complained about.
we shared the hamachi sashimi appetizer, asparagus soup, lobster tail, and caviar. i think i missed the fine print where the caviar was an extra $150. all the appetizers were super
for entrees we had halibut, ahi, shrimp risotta, and prime rib. again everything was pretty good.
in the middle of the meal, my little sister said she was cold so my mom got the idea to move outside. i had requested indoor seating at the time of reservation. they gladly obliged and moved us outside provided we give them back the table by 8:15. since it was around sunset time. which is beautiful, ALL the bugs started coming out. i think i got bitten a good 8 times. not to mention they were flying around our food. a bit annoying.
i guess im a mixed review. the food was really good. the hostess and manager were not so much
I loved the outdoor seating on a warm summer night - great view of the sunset and surprisingly, no bugs flying around.
We each did the 4 course for $85, though a la carte is available, as well. Food was well flavored, with a variety of textures. Presentation on our dishes as a bit more traditional, but the food was very solid.
Impeccable service in a beautiful setting.
This review is for the bar only.
The view is spectacular. I'll give ya that. The service was also good.
But OY. CRAMPED. Both inside and out.
That did not add to the experience in the least.
Gorgeous, but I can't say I'd go rushing back. Maybe if it was a weekday and it was less crowded?
This place is 5 star for one reason, the view. You can lose yourself in this place and forget you are with company.
Food is pretty good. Is there better food out there? Yes. But decent food coupled with the view is mind blowing. Mushroom Risotto is superb! .
In the fall when the evenings are warm and the sun sets around 7/7:30pm there's no place I'd rather be than on the deck of Auberge Du Soleil eating french fries or charcuterie and having a martini. The view from up there is insanely beautiful. My parents live in St Helena and this is probably a 3 time a month destination for them. The service is great (usually) and you will have a relaxing time.
All that being said, the food inside in the dining room is pretty hum-drum. Without the view, this place would drop to 3 stars. The service inside is good also although the bar menu and the inside menu are completely diferent. Inside, it's prix fix with options on a 3 course meal. The options are not paired well and it makes it difficult to pair a good wine with the completely unrelated courses. The appetizer and first courses flow together but the third looks like it's been created in a vaccum.
Chef Robert Curry should take a look at overhauling the menu, getting away from the overly sweet reductions on everything and focusing on more simple food pairings where the food is the star instead of the sauce or reduction of the day. It makes the restaurant melt into every one of the other restaurants in the up valley area. Nothing distinguishing but the view.
So - my advice? If you want to go up, have some bar appetizers and a drink on the deck and experience a great sunset with good freinds, do it. If you are solely into the food experience and you can't get out on the deck, skip it.
Went here for lunch a while back and it was pretty awesome. The food was all prepared as specified and delivered promptly.
The view here is amazing and such a great low key romantic/chill spot to eat at.
If you are looking for a place to take a date for lunch whilst in the wine country .. this is it.
Everyone told me not to expect too much from the kitchen. It's all about the beautiful view (true) and outstanding service (true true).
Well, sub par food my ass!
Get the tomato risotto; surprisingly full of flavor, creamy and satisfying.
The watermelon foam thingy with the crab salad was ok, but my companion's corn chowder with a juicy lump of lobster was silk on the tongue baybee.
But Lord have mercy, the best part of the meal was the tarragon ice cream with freakin delicate filo chocolate dumplings. I didn't want to share. Hellz no~ Somethin about warm crisp chocolate, a little bit o buttah and the sweet, piquant quality of the ice cream had me moaning.
Oh, and our Pacific Islander head-server-dude is tha MAN. Perfect timing, perfect attention to detail and movement, and wonderfully pleasant.
