Food & Drink

The Farmer and The Fox : A St. Helena Gastropub

The Farmer and The FoxThe Farmer & The Fox
3111 St. Helena Hwy North, St. Helena, CA
Dinner nightly: 5-10 PM
(707) 302-5101

Update Spring 2016. The Farmer and the Fox is temporarily closed. We understand that the culinary talents  previously at Tra Vigne are cooking up some great new dishes for a reopening later in the year. We will post a new review once they open.

We emigrated from England many years ago and absolutely love living in the beautiful Napa Valley, but one thing that we miss is a good pub meal. Naturally, we were very excited when we heard that a gastropub was opening just 10 minutes down the road. The Farmer & The Fox is located on the Cairdean Estate in St. Helena, right off Highway 29.

The menu takes a Napa Valley approach to classic Scottish pub fare. It is reasonably priced with entrees ranging from $12-25. Be sure to start your meal with one of their deliciously creative cocktails, and there is no corkage fee so you can bring one of your finds from your days’ tasting to enjoy!The Farmer and The Fox review

Their indoor seating is casual and comfortable with bar seating available as well. We enjoyed our meal on the outdoor patio, a perfect way to dine on a mild summer evening.

We tried a variety of items to begin our meal, starting with the popovers. These are what we would call Yorkshire Puddings and are served with a sweet fruity sauce.

The Farmer and The Fox menu

 *Kite family tip: Ask for the peppercorn steak gravy instead to enjoy with these yummy  morsels. This is the more traditional savory serving.*

Our favorite starter was the smoked duck wings, perfectly crispy and very moist. The Scotch eggs and beer battered pickles were other highlights along with the typical British pub fare, potted shrimp.

Moving on to the mains, the game pie had a nice flaky crust with deliciously savory gravy and meat filling. The lamb tartare was a very generous portion and came with curry brioche and fried shallots. For the more adventurous eaters, the special that evening was a “tete de porc,” which is FrenchThe Farmer and The Fox pub food headcheese. It was delicious! The Farmer and the Fox also offers a nightly roast dinner special.

Veggie lovers will delight in the vegetable offerings. Our picks were the sweet peas with burrata and mint Scottish Pub in Napa Valleyand the roasted baby eggplants with raisins.

If sweets are your wheelhouse, their desserts are creative and unique. Pairing flavors you may not think to match, but somehow they work! Roasted peach rice pudding with cardamom spiced fresh doughnuts and granita was so refreshing and the butterscotch mousse cake with homemade coconut ice cream was to die for!

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at our new local gastropub and we hope you can try it out soon on your next stay at our Calistoga bed and breakfasts.

All Seasons Bistro :: A Napa Valley Restaurant

allseasonsbistrobistroAll Seasons Bistro is just a 5 minute walk from both of our Napa Valley inns and is a must see when visiting Calistoga. Featuring bistro style dishes such as burgers, banh-mi, seafood risotto and lobster bisque, All Seasons has something for everyone! I was greeted very promptly by Krista and chose to sit right in the front window so I could look over the town. The intimate feel of the restaurant makes it an ideal location for a romantic dinner or lunch. I chose to have the French dip sandwich which was served with French fries, beef jus, horseradish incredible Napa Valley restaurantaioli and caramelized onions. The dish as a whole was extremely flavorful and left you wanting more and more.  The restaurant offers an extensive wine list which Gayle & Alex (the owners) have worked on for several years. The list features wine from all over Napa & Sonoma counties, Spain, Italy, France and more. Gayle & Alex have just celebrated their 40th year in Calistoga, making it one of the longest operating restaurants in town! Visit All Seasons Bistro every day except Monday for lunch from 11:30am or for dinner from 5:30pm to 11:30pm.

1400 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA, 94515

(707) 942-9111

Dining at Roadhouse 29

If you’re around Napa Valley anytime soon, you must try the unique newly-redesigned restaurant, Roadhouse 29, along St. Helena’s highway. This casual barbecue eatery offers up tasty sides that perfectly complement their large variety of delicious smoked and grilled meats.

We were highly impressed during our latest visit to the popular restaurant. Shortly after placing our order from the carefully curated list of barbecued and grilled meats, platters of flavor arrived in abundance. The Berkwood Farms St Louis Pork Ribs and the 42 hour American Wagyu short rib steak are both smoked over California oak & Freemark Abbey Cabernet barrel staves.

The ribs fall off the bone effortlessly and have captured the rich smoky pork flavors in its delicate fat. The marbled beef melts like butter but doesn’t lack in its absolutely tender flavors whatsoever. Each are served with complimentary warm King Hawaiian buns, their signature Roadhouse 29 slaw, and Sonoma Brinery pickles.

From the grill, the 2 lb. Marinated Tri Tip has a robust meaty flavor that is served with roasted mushrooms and its signature toasted garlic. For sides that round out the meal, you’ve got to try the whole roasted cauliflower covered in a light pesto with roasted almonds and golden raisins, and the traditional warm buttered corn bread.

Be sure to check out this great restaurant during your next visit to the area! If you’re looking for the perfect lodging option during your trip, book your stay at one of our Napa Valley Inns.

Three Days of Fun in the Napa Sun

 

Day 1: Grape to Glass

Welcome to Napa. Now that you’re here, you can take in all that the area has to offer! You’ll be needing a home base for your adventures, and our comfortable rooms provide an ideal launching point. Start out by exploring one of the many nearby wineries. Napa is famous the world over for its wines after all, and being in the valley provides a rare opportunity to go right to the source! Sip a delicious vintage while out amongst the vines, and who knows, you might just gain new insight into how that wine goes from grape to glass. End your day on a high note with a visit to one of area’s best Calistoga restaurants. Bring depth to the taste of wine with a food pairing and enjoy a pleasant evening as the sun sets behind the rolling hills.

 

 

Day 2: Explore and More

A day out exploring Napa deserves a strong start, and what better way to do so than with a full breakfast at the inn? Made in-house from innkeeper Gillian Kite’s own cookbook recipes, they’re sure to delight the palate and provide much-needed energy for the full day ahead of you! If you’re heading out, take the opportunity and enjoy a leisurely walk around downtown Calistoga. Have a bite at one of the local eateries and take in the beauty of the town. Afterward, take a chance on the experience of a lifetime and go up in a hot air balloon! See the whole valley spread out below you and take it all in, the perfect way to end a day while watching the sunset from high in the sky.

 

 

Day 3: Distinctly Napa Experiences

Feel like going back in time? Would your Napa getaway benefit from a bit more of a medieval touch? Well then, you’re in luck! Only 2 miles from the inn is the beautiful Castello di Amorosa. Built to resemble ancient Tuscan style, a visit to the castle is like a step back into the past. Enjoy food and wine events in the “Castello Style” in the Great Hall or take in the fresh air up on the Terrace. For those interested, we’ve got you covered with our specially curated package.

Want to stay active and see all the natural beauty Napa has to offer? Rent a bike or join a Sip ‘N Cycle Wine Tour of Calistoga, where our guests receive a $10 discount. End your day with a visit to one of the area’s premier restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a delightful romantic meal or simply need a bite to eat, you’re sure to find the perfect meal.

 

 

With all these incredible options, The Valley is the perfect place for any kind of getaway your heart desires! If any of these activities have stirred up a desire for beautiful sunshine and Napa wine, then let us be the home away from home for all your Napa Valley adventures.


Three Night Romance Special

Book a romantic three or more night stay with arrival before June 30th, 2024, and receive our complimentary bubbles and chocolates to enhance your stay.

Good for any October 2023 reservation. All other reservations must be made 1 month in advance to be eligible.

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