Major closings, gluten-free go-tos, and other news 🍞❌
issue 037
NEWS (TO US)
All the latest scoops
The River Club. Open now
Cool new riverside tasting room by Paper Planes & Belong Wine Co. We don't always report on wine stuff, but we always report on river stuff.
Oke Poke. Open now
You do the oke poke and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about. Well, that and the fish.
La Michoacana Plus. New ice cream parlor
Now open next to Right On! Records.
Napa General Store. Closes after 22 years
Sad. What's next for this amazing space on the river?
Flower Thief Farms. New in-town flower stand
And just in time for dahlia season sorry-I-forgot-our-anniversary season.
Apero Wine & Spritz Bar. Opening soon
Mommenpop x Tansy Wines, and rumor has it... bites from A16.
The Art Nest. Art classes for 1-5 year olds
PLUS Summer Sunday classes (10a-12p) at Juniper Station through August.
Auenuenue Shave Ice. Now open at the outlets
It's just like you're on a tropical vacation. You know, except for the sand, the ocean, and all the relaxing vibes.
Gone Leather. New small batch leather crafter
Perfect, just in time for the Folsom Street Fair (NSFW).
Chispa. "Taco Chronicles", monthly taco pop-ups
With everyone's favorite moustachioed gentleman, guest chef, Eddy Balbuena. Kicks off this weekend (Aug 18) with Al Pastor.
Rory's Bakehouse. Retail expansion plans
Any future vision that includes giant chocolate chip cookies is alright by us.
The Fink. Debuts the Captains Quarters
Private parties and social shenanigans? We're in.
Sonoma International Film Festival. Monthly films at the Sebastiani
Did you know they do this? We didn't! On August 20, catch "My Old Ass" with Aubrey Plaza. If you volunteer with SIFF you get a discount and some wine!
Napa Bookmine. Bookstore Romance Day, Aug 17
Blind date with a book? Sure, why not. Can't be any more cringe than the blind date your well-meaning co-worker set you up on.
Napa Valley Coffee Roasters. St. Helena location closes after 33 years
Sad! That was a good sittin' place. We need those.
Valley Cafe (St. Helena). New-ish cafe
In the former Caffe della Valle location. I guess this is where we'll be sittin' from now on.
Costco. Opening Oct 18
So we're told. I guess we'll be running our car on fumes until then.
Be Bubbly. Monday Industry Nights
Spritzers, cocktails, bubbly BTG, and... board games?!
Over the Hill
Laso (American Canyon). Reopens
Beloved Nepalese-inspired cuisine reopens in AmCan.
Canteen Meats (Petaluma). Whole hog salumi courses
Learn how to cure your own meat -- and come home with a Canteen tote filled with $60 of product!
Goatlandia Kitchen (Sebastopol). New plant-based restaurant
Every time a BBQ restaurant opens in Napa, a plant-based restaurant grows in Sebastopol.
Sonoma Tuesday Night Market. Zucchini Races, Tues Aug 20...
There's a joke in there somewhere, right?
COMING IN HOT
Events and happenings
Featured Event
Aug 22: Iron Shaker Cocktail Competition. CIA Copia, $65
It's back on! Recovering heroically from their recent fire, the fine folks at Napa Valley Distillery have moved the event to Copia (nice assist, Copia!). In their words: "We're taking our favorite parts of Chopped, Top Chef and of course THE IRON CHEF and combining them with our love & passion for fine cocktails to craft one of the most unique cocktail competitions in the North Bay!" Go cheer for your favorite bartender and support Napa Valley Distillery!
Aug 17: First Annual Oxfest (Oxbow district festival). Various locations, free
Aug 17: Art Along the River (monthly series). River Terrace Inn, free
Aug 17: Climate Ride Wine Country Edition (fundraiser). Kendall-Jackson Winery (Santa Rosa), $50
Aug 17: Friends of the Napa Library Book Sale. Napa County Library, varies by book
Aug 17: Tomatoganza! Taste Off. CIA Copia, $17
Aug 17: Napa Valley Vine Trail Community Celebration. At various points along the new trail, free
Aug 17: Papa Joe & The New Deal (live music). The Garden, $10+
Aug 17: Earth Night Festival. Connolly Ranch, $5+
Aug 18: Salty Sundays: Rhinstone Cowboy Pool Party. Triple S Ranch (Calistoga), $105
Aug 18: La Cosecha Grand Tasting. di Rosa Center, $210
Aug 18: Heritage Fire Live-Fire Cooking Event. Charles Krug (St. Helena), $125+
Aug 18: Vintagelandia: Garden Groove (Vintage Market). Napa Yard, free
Aug 18: One Year Anniversary Party. The Fink, prices vary
Aug 24: Babe (film screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $5
Aug 24: One Year Birthday Party. The Quarters Coffee House, free
Aug 24: Summer Marketplace. Napa Valley Museum (Yountville), free
Aug 24: Zero Proof Summer Dance Party. Southside, $15
Aug 24: Michael Leonardi Foundation Music + Awareness Concert. Napa Yard, $20
Aug 24-25: Groove Summit (music festival). Meritage Resort, $99+
Aug 25: 4 Year Anniversary Party. Be Bubbly, $40
Aug 25: The Fancy Savage, Pizza Pop-Up. Benevolent Neglect, prices vary
Aug 27: Stoop Supper Club: Tomato Girl Summer. Private residence, $150
Aug 29: Napa Humane Community Mixer. Gott's Roadside (St. Helena), prices vary
Aug 30-Sep 1: The Black Radio Experience (music festival). Meritage Resort, $499+
Aug 31-Sep 1: Open Studios: Sirima Sataman & Barry Ebner. Blackberry Farms (Bolinas), free cover
Sep 1: Sam Clam's Disco: Stud Country Queer Line Dance Social. Valley Swim Club (Sonoma), $20
Sep 2: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. The Meritage, $79+
Advance Notice
Sep 3-5: Ghosts of Napa Valley (film screening). Cameo Cinema (St. Helena), $20
Sep 7: Dock of the Bay (music festival). Mare Island (Vallejo), $120
Sep 7: Napa Saints, Parents Night Out. Jax White Mule Diner, $60
Sep 7: Susu (live music). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $30
Sep 8: Cat Video Festival (film fest). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $11
Sep 8, 14: Aeternum Choir Performance: Echoes of Light. Mont La Salle Chapel & Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, $25
Sep 12-22: Twelfth Night (theatrical performance). di Rosa Center, $25
Sep 13: Frankie Quiñones (comedy). Uptown Theater, $55+
Sep 15: 2nd Annual Chili Challenge. Cline Cellars (Sonoma), $55
Sep 21: Labyrinth (film screening). Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $5
Oct 5: Garden Gala. Sonoma Botanical Gardens, $275
Oct 5-6: Mictlan: A Theatrical Exploration Of The Aztec Legend. Sebastiani Theatre (Sonoma), $20+
Nov 7: Richard Thompson (live music). Uptown Theatre, $60+
VILLAGER HACK OF THE WEEK: 12 GLUTEN-FREE GO-TOS
This week, VV recruited Maura Postlethwait (follow her HERE on IG) to be our emissary to all things free of gluten. With 15 years of experience in hospitality, 8 years living in Napa Valley, and 12 years managing Celiac Disease, Maura is passionate about making travel and dining enjoyable for everyone. She is on a mission to showcase the restaurants that are excelling in hospitality and offering options for those with dietary restrictions. Take it away, Maura!
Ad Hoc: Their menu changes daily but you just have to let them know you have Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance and they will make sure your meal is modified to perfection! Plus, they have gf biscuits that are craveable.
Angele: Honestly, you can’t go wrong here especially with their salads, but I love their lettuce-wrapped burger, and fries. Don’t skip out on a glass of wine too!
Bistro Don Giovanni’s: Lamb gnocchi made w/ gluten-free pasta or the Salmon entree + Off menu Italian Greyhound cocktail to start 😉
Bottega: Pesce crudo special, burrata, brussel sprouts salad (IYKYK), Rigatoni al Coniglio (rabbit ragu).
Bouchon Bistro: They will help make modifications, I recommend sitting at the bar ordering the French onion soup (ask to be made gf) + truffle fries with garlic aioli and goat cheese -basically all dipping vehicles for the fries - you will thank me later.
C Casa: This restaurant is 100% gf, so get whatever your heart desires! YAY!
Charlie’s: All but the kielbasa pretzel can be made gluten-free, even the flatbread and fried chicken - everything here is SO good.
Gott’s Roadside: Texas Avocado Burger on gf bun with garlic fries (don’t skip on the house-made ranch).
La Calenda: Tacos al pastor - majority of their menu items are gluten-free, so have fun!
La Cheve Bakery & Brews: Best brunch in Napa and gf! Chilaquiles, add chorizo, you’ll thank me later - let them know you have Celiac.
Los Agaves: Enchiladas, Veggie Tacos, or Birria Tacos - only a couple things on their menu aren't gf so choose your fav Mexican go-to.
Torc: Best gf happy hour because of their dedicated gf fryer, get the sweet potato pakora.