Napa Valley Restaurant Month Returns January 1-31, 2013

  • December 11, 2012
Napa Valley Restaurant Month Returns January 1-31, 2013
Savor exotic bites such as sea urchin carbonara at Morimoto Napa, smoked trout Lyonnaise at Fish Story, coq au vin at Bistro Jeanty, or sweet, crispy pork belly at Cindy Pawlcyn's new Wood Grill and Wine Bar.

Throughout the Napa Valley, from Downtown Napa to Calistoga, wineries will offer tastings of decadent reds and whites, the boutiques and galleries that line each town's charming main streets are open for those in need of retail therapy, warming geothermal spring waters are at the ready for refreshing mind and body, and the miles of hiking and biking trails are accessible for adventurous outings.

Many of Napa Valley's hotels are offering special lodging packages, making it easier for guests to enjoy the region's “Cabernet Season” including the Harvest Inn in St. Helena with its country estate-like accommodations, Mount View Hotel & Spa, which is located in the heart of the spa town of Calistoga, and the Inn on First, a quintessential Napa B&B experience. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to book special hotel offers, click here.

After harvest, when the wines are safely aging in barrels, the pace slows as the weather cools and the Napa Valley's chefs cook heartier seasonal dishes that pair beautifully with the region's famed Cabernet Sauvignon and other great red wines – hence the moniker “Cabernet Season.” From late November through April, the Napa Valley's hills are carpeted in vibrant green grasses, and the brilliant hues of yellow wild mustard flowers, purple lupine, golden California poppies, and crimson clover are scattered through the vineyards and along country lanes. It's a time to relax, savor and restore. For information on special lodging packages that make it easier to stay longer, go to VisitNapaValley.com.