18 Ways to do Napa (Vegas style) and other news đ˛đ¸đŻââď¸
issue 024
NEWS (TO US)
All the latest scoops
Habaneros Taqueria & Cantina. New place by the Los Agaves folks opening soon
In the old "Asian Fusion Cuisine LLC" space.
Rory's Bakehouse. Now selling dough in beautiful packaging
A development that promises to make my own packaging much, how you say, fatter.
Downtown Napa Association. Napa now has an app
Poll: Does VV need an app?
Lencho's. Outlets location no longer open...Â
Hunan China Express is hanging in there, though.
CIA Greystone. Student bakery to re-open
More like GreySCONE! Am I right??
Armistice Brewing. Trivia on Wednesdays
"For all the points... define 'armistice'"
Zeppelin Comics. Closing...
But perhaps will be taken over by new owners?
Over the Hill:
The Sardine Can (Vallejo). Why have we never heard of this place?
I blame YOU, reader.
Â
COMING IN HOTÂ
Events and happeningsÂ
Feb 1-4: Yountville International Short Film Festival. $20+
Feb 2: Screening: Groundhog Day. Napa Yard, free with purchase
Feb 3. Open Art Studios. 100 Coombs, free
Feb 4: Coffee, Community & Running. Napa Valley Wine Trail (Sonoma Valley Runners), free
Feb 5:Â Teach Truth Book Club: The 1619 Project. Napa Bookmine, free
Feb 7: Winter of Love Valentine's Celebration. Blue Note, free for locals
Feb 7:Â Publishing Seminar with D. Patrick Miller. Napa Bookmine, free
Feb 8: An Evening with Fran Lebowitz. Copperfield Books (Santa Rosa), $39+
Feb 8-10: 24 Hours in Mexico City with Guest Chef Diego Isunza Kahlo. Compline, $125+
Feb 9: Lia Ices. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $35
Feb 9: Flow & Mixer. Yoga West, TBD
Feb 10: Slippery People (DJ & Live Music). The Garden, $10
Feb 10: Napa Lighted Arts Festival Lantern Parade. Napa Parks & Rec, free
Feb 10: Lunar New Year Celebration. Napa County Library, free
Feb 10: Journalist Ben Westhoff, Author of Fentanyl Inc. Yountville Community Center, free
Feb 10: Valentine's Thai Massage Workshop. Yoga West, $60+
Feb 13, 14: Boss Burlesque Babes. Starling, $40
Feb 18: Salty Sundays "Queen of Hearts: Underworld Ball". Calistoga Depot Distillery, $70+
Feb 18: Winston's 2nd Anniversary. Winston's, free
Advance Notice:
Feb 24: HBD Latte Art Showdown. Naysayer Coffee (more info forthcoming)
Feb 28:Â Let's Talk About Sekt Baby! German Sparkling, Pretzels & Brats. Be Bubbly x LovePark, $35
March 7: Grace Potter. Uptown Theatre, $40+
March 16: Fire Resources Fair. Napa Valley Grapegrowers, free
May 18: Gipsy Kings. Meritage Resort, $?
May 19:Â Dwight Yoakam. Meritage Resort, $?
June 2: Thievery Corporation. Meritage Resort, $?
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18 WAYS TO DO NAPA, VEGAS STYLE
What happens in Napa, stays in Napa
One of our editors spent the week "working" from Las Vegas. While working is certainly the operative word, he did manage to send us a short list for how you can re-create the quintessential Vegas experience right here at home.
Try to tackle them all in one action-packed bender of a weekend or parse them out, perhaps starting next weekend with the Superbowl (coincidentally, in Vegas). No matter how you like to do Vegas, we've got a suggestion for you.Â
If your favorite thing about Vegas is....
1. General Vegas debauchery
Grab a ticket to the next Salty Sundays event "Queen of Hearts: Underworld Ball", or maybe take a curious stroll through Pleasures Unlimited.
2. Live entertainment
The Hollywood Room is chock full of entertainment shows of all types:Â music, stand-up comedy, dancing, karaoke, and maybe, if you're lucky, even magic tricks illusions.
3. That O.G. Vegas / off-strip vibe
Step back in time with the "best prime rib" Napa (err, the world) has to offer at Trancas Steakhouse.
4. GamblingÂ
It may seems like the obvious choice but Ace & Vine is probably the way to go.
5. Strip clubs
While the nearest strip club falls outside VVâs jurisdiction, The Boss Babes Burlesque shows at Starling are a far classier alternative.Â
6. Pool parties
Though it's unlikely Tiesto or Calvin Harris will make an appearance, drop some molly and spend a day lounging poolside with a day pass at Dr. Wilkinson's in Calistoga. Or, become a club member at Ashes & Diamonds and gain exclusive access to pool reservations at Stanly Ranch and Carneros Inn. #yourewelcome
7. Fancy dining
Enjoy dinner at Morimoto where, on any given night, you'll likely see no less than three dishes set aflame around the dining room. Dinner and a show.
8. Expensive cocktails
If you enjoy great cocktails and think "the more expensive the better,"Â we suggest ArBARetrum.
9. The spectacular neon lights
Good news, the Napa Lighted Art festival continues for another few weeks. Check it out!
10. All-you-can-eat buffets
Giant endless skewers of meat served tableside at GalpĂŁo Gaucho. Enough said. Be sure to wear your stretchy pants.
11. ClubbingÂ
Karma Lounge seems like it would scratch that itch. Of course, that itch could be caused by something you picked up at Karma Lounge, so proceed with a bit of caution.Â
12. Late-night drinking
Depending on the level of debauchery you crave, we'd suggest you start at Billco's for that "it's only midnight" vibe, continue on to the The Green Door for that "it's 2am, I really should go home" vibe, and round it out at Stone's Sports Bar for that "how is the sun coming up already, and where did my pants go?" vibe.
13. The tourist activities
Imagine you're in the Venetian imagining you're in Venice, and take a ride down the beautiful Napa River in a gondola.
14. The VIP exclusivityÂ
The first rule about Sidestreet's private member's only lounge is you don't talk about Sidestreet's private member's only lounge. Oops.
15. Watching the game
Sidle up to the bar at Palisades Saloon or NapaSport and root for your favorite team â The Raiders.
16. Shopping for things you can't quite afford
Outfit yourself for a night out on the town at Elyse Walker in St. Helena.
17. The indelible smellÂ
Add one part sunscreen, one part floor polish, and a heavy dash of Eternity by Calvin Klein, then spend the evening lighting up and getting lit at Napa Cigars.
18. Leaving the city
While it's not the Hoover Dam, venture outside Napa city limits to catch a glimpse of the Monticello Dam while hiking around Lake Berryessa.Â