Chef Christopher Kostow helms the kitchen at this delightful restaurant in St. Helena. Kostow is the Three Michelin Star and James Beard award winning chef who ran the kitchen at The Restaurant at Meadowood before its devatating fire closed the restaurant in 2020. While the Meadowood restaurant is planning its reopening, Chef Kostow has created a wonderful casual restaurant in a warm and inviting setting that makes you want to linger long past when you have finished your meal. This is a place for celebrations.

The menu is simple and approachable, featuring grilled meats, produce from their 3.5-acre farm and local wines. Some menu highlights; you have to try the Charter Oak bread with house cultured butter; Stuffed Squash Blossom, chicken sausage. mustard vinaigrette; Daylily Salad, succulents. grilled potatoes. pole beans. aged ham xo; The Cheeseburger is ti die for; Hearth Grilled Chicken, fat drippings. cilantro. papalo. negi; Klingman Ranch Pork Chop, red chimichurri

The wine list is fantastic, albeit a bit pricey. There are, however, plenty of choices under $100. About 24 wines by the glass including some “cult” favorites at $30-$100 per glass. Great opportunity try some great wines without having to break the bank for a bottle. Saw something similar at Boulevard in San Francisco. For $100 you can try three amazing wines. What makes the rest of the list fun is that even with some wine knowledge, there will be much here that you have never heard of. The sommelier can help here.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

Inside is dark and sexy. Outside is equally conducive to long conversations.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…

“This place is absolutely beautiful and posh, making it an ideal stop between tastings. The tomato salad here is to die for… every bite is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors” Tripadvisor