No Dining Out for Life in Napa, again

photo by brandi666

In the Napa Valley--a world class dining destination--HIV/AIDS charities are sitting at a dirty table yet again.

For some reason, for yet another year, no Napa Valley restaurants are participating in the Dining Out for Life event this Thursday, April 30th. I wrote about this last year--Dining Out for Life is a special event, pairing restaurants of all tastes and sizes with people who want to support a worthy cause.

Locally, San Francisco and the East Bay are hosting this Thursday, April 30, Sacramento held their event last Friday, April 24, and Sonoma (for some weird reason) holds theirs in December each year.

It's not like we don't have a worthy cause: the Queen of the Valley's CARE Network reported at last month's Unity League Mixer and shared that at any moment there's an average of 70 or 80 HIV/AIDS patients in the Napa Valley receiving their support... And it's not like restaurants don't need a great reason to get their tables filled...

What gives, Napa? If any restaurateurs are reading this, start planning now for next year... OR, better yet, use the comments of the tipline to let us know that if we go out at your restaurant THIS YEAR that you'll donate 25% or more to the CARE Network.

St. Patrick's Day Local's Night @ Taylor's

Tonight, the Unity League of Napa Valley is having an informal gathering at Taylor's Refresher for Local's Night. We'll be there from 6:30 until about 9 pm. The line for Local's Night is usually long anyways, but with St. Pat's it's hard to say if it will be longer or not. I'd say come at 6:30 and stay for the fun--meet some people while you're in line and plan to stay a while. Or not. Just come say hello! (And make sure to wear green, some folks are a little pinch happy.)

Local's night at Taylor's has shifted its deals a little within the March and they might even change a little bit for tonight. They'll probably have:

• A beer, a red wine and a white wine for $3 ea.
• Three other menu items for 50% off (Lately it's been a cheeseburger, a garden salad, and garlic fries.)
• Who knows for St. Patrick's Day. Rumor is: Paddy Melts and Mint Shakes will be our special treats, and maybe even green beer.

Click here to visit the Unity League's Facebook event page for tonight.
Taylor’s Refresher is located at 644 First Street in Napa. We've covered them before.

Black Bear Diner coming, new Napa "bear" hot-spot?

Illustration from "Things Bears Love":



I've heard little tidbits lately that are both food and gay related.

Firstly, the Register reports today that the "Black Bear Diner" is taking over the old Baker's Square spot next to Umpqua Bank near the Target/Home Depot plaza in South Napa. Might this become the new, bear, dining hot-spot in Napa? Not that there has been any other bear dining hot-spots that I know of. (For newbies to queer lingo, go here for our explanation of what a bear is.)

Secondly, I've been hearing rumors that the Soscol Cafe is some sort of queer, truck-stop-dining mecca. Any details? I've been there a few times, but don't recall any bleeps on my gaydar. Maybe I was too distracted by the amazingly delicious (and only slightly greasy) burritos, breakfasts and sandwiches that I've enjoyed there.

Plus, no one was wearing ass-less chaps. I did see some flanel...

Making gay news in Calistoga: Advocate says Solage the place to honeymoon

This blurb came from The Advocate online, in an article titled "The Honeymoon Phase" about great getaways to compliment your same-sex marriage. Calistoga gets the shout out this time. Thanks, Rick, for the heads up:

NAPA VALLEY -- EPICUREAN PARADISE
Calistoga, Calif.’s Solage is Napa Valley’s latest hot spot. With the largest champagne list in the area, the hotel’s restaurant, Solbar, is an ideal place for newlyweds to toast their nuptials. The simple but stylish 89-room resort feels relaxed and sexy, with young guests biking to the pool in bikinis, meandering to the spa in robes, or nibbling on fruit and toast poolside.

The free bike rentals make exploring the town -- prized for its healing spa waters -- a breeze. Don’t forget a visit to Copia, the nearby educational center devoted to winemaking and the culinary and visual arts (www.copia.org), where you can check out a myriad of herb, fruit, and vegetable gardens or the revolving cultural exhibits on food lore and history. [From, The Advocate, September 23, 2008]

I'm not sure about how they're recommending bikes for Calistoga and a trip to Copia in the same breath--that's a 28.5 mile bike ride! I'm sure some of us gays could handle it, but it's not exactly "breezy" as claimed. ;) Stick to bikes in town and tour the valley in a rental (or heck, go big and get a limo!).

I've also heard that Lavender Hill Spa is amazing, although I have yet to experience a treatment there. What other great honeymoon spots do you recommend in the Napa Valley?

At least one of 'em stuck with us

image by berbercarpet

Way back when this blog started I went around town (and some friends helped) and we asked kind businesses (or asked our buddies who worked there) to post up cards to help us get the word out about The Valley's Other Fruit. Luckily, more than a handful of businesses agreed and we got our cards up at the college at coffee shops and some other gay friendly places.

As far as I know, only The Smoking Cat.Cafe (now Cafe Revolution) has kept our little flyer up. Even after their makeover (you should go check it out!), so I know they're showing us some love... they pulled down all the announcements and ours was one of a few that is still up.

Please show them some love right back and give them your business. (Also, let them know that you read about them on this blog!) Napa screwed them over with regulations and pretty much made them shut down in the early evening instead of allowing them to realize their vision.

Cafe Revolution is on the corner of Main and Napa Streets in downtown Napa (just North of St. John's School). They serve coffee, deli sandwiches, smoothies and more, are reasonably priced and taste great. Also they sometimes play Saturday Morning cartoons! Cafe Revolution is not a "gay cafe" but is for sure gay friendly and supportive of the community. It's only right that we support them back.

Seen any other rainbows or Valley's Other Fruit flyers around town? Let us know who's down, and we'll thank them generously.

Queer chef love for Ubuntu

This is hilarious (to me) because this place does get so much acclaim... I completely LOVE IT (and savor it and relish in the delicious non-carnivorous creations), but another foodie friend of mine finds it completely overrated. I think she's just pissed because the portions are smaller than Claim Jumper...


photo by jshyun

From our tipline (thanks, Rick from Napa!):

Here's an item I saw in the most-recent issue of Out Traveler -- in an article entitled, "Most Memorable Meals," in which LGBT chefs, TV "foodies" and restaurateurs were asked to describe their all-time favorite dining experiences from across the globe

"Ubuntu, a vegetarian restaurant and yoga studio in Napa, Calif., serves shavings of white chocolate on a pea salad and a fabulous deconstructed cheesecake in a jar layered with cherries and cheesecake crust." --Chef Pichet Ong, P*ong and Batch, NYC

Here's a link to the magazine's site:

http://outtraveler.com/features.asp?did=1098

We're famous!

Now, if only Napa's "queer scene" would catch up with Napa's food and wine scene... ;)

Thoughts? Experiences (foodie, queer or otherwise)?

Smaller, front, night-time photo of ubuntu by Fenchurch!

A little taste of the Castro in Napa?

So don't get too excited, yet...

True, I'm talking about a new food place coming to town--and one that it's other outpost in SF's queer mega-capital, the Castro. But, this is Napa, and seemingly most people (and businesses) shake off their fairy dust when crossing the toll bridges.

Firewood Café has opened in Bel Aire Plaza (tucked in the back corner east of Copperfield's) and is definitely the Napa Valley version of this small chain.

"Pizzas are excellent... People are lining up to eat here, but the line moves quickly, and the food doesn't take long to reach the table." ...fresh Mediterranean and Californian dishes...relaxed, healthy and affordable dining experience... [SF Weekly and Firewood Cafe]

The Castro spot is exactly that...PLUS the friendly and openness and GAYness of the Castro (not over-the-top rainbow flags gay, but guys-holding-hands without getting gawked at, gay). When I stopped in to check the place and the menu out today it was Napa's main crowd: older, white, hetero- couples. Only horrible cuz it's more of the same. I really hope they don't kill the "good, fairly quick, really fresh and delicious food, not too expensive" scene before we gays get to it...

Honestly, we need to start creating some great gay gathering spots in town. Maybe this new opening of Firewood is our chance. Other ideas?

Firewood Café is located at 3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa.

Best bets for Sat night, May 24: drag show, lounge, food and parking

The Valley's Other Fruit gladly got in touch with the folks at Napa Billiards and Cuvée to see what grand plans they had for this big gay softball weekend. We highly recommend checking both of them out on Saturday... (and we'll probably grab some quick bites at the Tacos Michoacán truck on the way between the two)

Best bets for Saturday night:

• Napa Billiards (& Special Drag Show!) 988 Lincoln Ave, Napa
  Cinco de Mayo sealed our recommendation--we went and had an amazingly fun time. What's not to love? Good people, friendly bartenders, mixed crowd, fabulous female impersonators and drag show, go with some friends and have a blast. Pool tables, beer, jukebox and a full-on special presentation drag show (to welcome our softball playing gays, 'natch) at 11pm. You're sure to run into a latin hottie.
  
  
  click image to enlarge or print
  
  
• Cuvée Lounge (with DJ!) 1650 Soscol Ave, Napa
  And you thought the food and ambiance was good in the restaurant? Cuvée is "rolling out the rainbow carpets": reserving a room and brining in a DJ...grab some drinks from the full bar, chat, flirt, dance and gay it up. Depending on the time you arrive, you could even order a bite to eat If the weather's warm, the outside patio will be perfect.
  
  
  

Late night eats:

• Nations Giant Hamburgers (1441 3rd St., Napa)
  Open til 2am on Sat. Huge, delicious hamburgers (ask them to go easy on the mayo), inexpensive menu, breakfast served all day. Pies and desserts.
  
• Cafe Cicero (1245 1st St., Napa)
  Open til midnight on Sat.
  
• Tacos Michoacan (Soscol @ 1st St., Napa)
  Open til 10pm-ish, great mexican taco truck, located downtown location on Sat. night.
  

Parking in downtown Napa:

• Parking isn't horrible in downtown at night, there's usually something relatively close by whatever your destination. Cuvée and Napa Billiards have parking lots (Napa Billiards is smaller, but overflow could be at RedRock across the street or along Lincoln). For downtown, try the garage on 2nd (at Main) or sometimes you'll get lucky at Wells Fargo at 1st and Main (but this is NOT public parking during the day) or across the street next to Downtown Joe's in the public lot. If you park downtown, Cuvee and Napa Billiards are less than a 15 minute walk.

Honorable Mentions:

• Stave Wine Lounge (1149 First St, Napa)
  32 wines on enomatic "tap", sparkling, beer, cocktails, FREE nibbles Sat. night for artist show opening, "Memories to Share" Dean Brittingham. Show/nibbles 6-9p, lounge open until 10p.
  
• Billco's (1234 3rd St, Napa)
  Regular old pool hall, but with 30+ beers on tap: Pliny the Younger, Franziskaner and all kinds of other yummy beers.
• Henry's (823 Main St, Napa)
  Local dive, cheap drinks.
  
• Downtown Joe's (902 Main St, Napa)
  Napa's microbrewery on the river.
  

Click here for a link to a map of these businesses and our other "Best of" recommendations for 2008.

The Other Fruit Recommends: for our softball visitors

[This post is written as a special welcome for the thousand+ softball players and supporters that will be in town on Memorial Day weekend for the Golden Bear Classic tournament. This guide is not sponsored in any way, and is purely our compiled opinions from the editors, readers and friends of The Valley's Other Fruit.]

So you're gay, you're a softball player, and you're visiting the Napa Valley for Memorial Day Weekend. Napa doesn't really have any gay-only establishments. However, we do have gay-owned and gay-friendly...and God knows that us gays love art, wine, food, and anything over-the-top glamorous. Here's what we recommend...


View Larger Map

(bold = must go, the rest are additional recommendations)

For Breakfast/Brunch:

• ABC (Alexis Baking Company)
  Bright, cozy, delicious breakfasts, lunches, baked goods, slightly pricey but worth it.
  
• Gillwoods
  Excellent brunch and huge variety on the menu for breakfast and lunch.
  
• First Squeeze
  Relaxed, friendly, casual style, smoothie, juice bar and deli, great service, specials (and free coffee with the combos!).
  

Mexican Food:

• Taquería La Playita
  Always full of latino families and delicious mexican food. catch a novela or soccer game on the TVs.
  
• Tacos Michoacán
  Best taco truck in town, usually on Salvador @ ByWayEast OR Soscol @ 1st St.
  
• Villa Corona
  More americanized than La Playita, but amazingly delicious food (my favorite: special chile relleno burrito, also try the shrimp burrito).
  

Lounge/Bar:

• Cuvee
  stylish and comfortable lounge, full bar, great patio, worthy of the gays.
  
• Silverado Brewing Company
  For when you're done with wine and just want a cold beer, friendly service.
  
• Pacifico
  Food's not the greatest, but free mariachi every Fri (and Cinco de Mayo), mostly local Latino hang out, gays at the bar.
  

Touristy (But worth the trip & time):

• Castello di Amorosa
  Over the top, beautiful style, amazing architecture, good wine. Who knew this was in the Valley? ($30)
  
• Tram ride @ Sterling
  Great views, meander the roof-top terrace as you taste the wines. Tram ride included with tour ($10)
  

Winery:

• Mumm
  Who wouldn't enjoy tasting bubbly in their beatiful hilltop solarium/tasting room? Photography exibit on site as well.
  
• Artesa
  Wine is pretty good, but the views, unique architecture and grounds are worth it.
  
• Hess Collection
  This "secret" is worth the way-off-the-main-roads trip. Good wine and free art gallery.
  

Relaxation/Spa:

• Indian Springs Resort
  After all those hard games, why not cruise upvalley and relax in the amazing waters and ambience of Indian Springs? Treat yourself and get a massage, too.
  

Foodie Find:

• Oxbow Public Market
  Napa Valley's answer to the San Francisco Ferry Building. (Not so cheap, but worth it) local gourmet from Taylor's Refresher, to Three Twins Organic Ice Cream, to RoliRoti...sip wine and enjoy a great plate of cheese, lunch or dinner on the river patio. 20+ merchants, daily produce stands.
  
• Dean & DeLuca
  Gourmet grocer features many local treats. Felicity is not currently employed.
  
• Model Bakery
  Long-time local bakery added Napa (@ Oxbow) to complement it's usual St. Helena location. Try the homemade english muffins! Or get a great lunch special.
  

Nature/Hike:

• *Napa River Trail & Promenade Downtown
  Beautiful and newly opened river walk links and opens 5 blocks of downtown Napa to the river.
  
• Napa River Trail (South of Imola)
  Eventually the River Trail will connect existing trails from Trancas (in N. Napa) to the marshes in American Canyon. For now, the most interesting part of the trail is from Imola to the South, past Napa College and out along the river and marshland out to Kennedy Park and the ball fields.
  

Coming Soon... (click here for the update)

• Best parking in downtown Napa
• Best quick bite to eat near the tournament fields
  
• Best bets for Saturday night
  

Tomorrow Night: Dining Out (of town?) for Life

With all the hoopla about Earth Day yesterday and this last weekend, I didn't want you all to forget that tomorrow night is Dining Out for Life around (most of) the Bay Area.

Use the Dining Out for Life website to find a participating restaurant which will then donate 25% - 50% of your check to a local HIV/AIDS organization.

Unfortunately, you (and I) will have to go (and spend our MONEY) out of town to participate, because (as far as I can tell) no local restaurants (except Sonoma, but is that really local?) are participating. Don't worry, we DEFINITELY will be working on getting local restaurants on board for next year. [You hear that, local restaurants?]

In fact, Sonoma County doesn't hold their night until December 4th, so maybe the Napa Valley can get its act together by then. I'm down to help promote.

Dining Out For Life: Napans left out?

This blog started as a way to do something instead of just complaining that there was no (out) gay community here in Napa. I figured where there's good food then the local gays gotta be close by. Now I'm feeling left out again...

Via some food/dining blogs friends of The Other Fruit are reading...news came in that the evening of April 24th is "Dining Out for Life". Unfortunately, it seems that our beloved Napa Valley is conspicuously absent from the list of Bay Area communities contributing to local HIV/AIDS causes via Dining Out for Life.

The STOP AIDS Project and Wells Fargo invite you to the 7th Annual Dining Out for Life presented by La Crema, Abbott Virology, SF Weekly, and CBS 5/The CW Bay Area! Simply dine at one of our participating restaurants on Thursday, April 24, 2008 and 25 percent of your food bill will benefit the HIV prevention programs of the STOP AIDS Project.

I think this year I'll just have to eat out of town, and then work to get as many restaurants on board as I can for next year. [Either that or local restaurants should get on board, fast!] See! I turned my whining into action...

Local-ish communities participating include: Sonoma County, the East Bay, San Francisco, San José, and Sacramento. But not Napa.

So who's down to go out to eat? Where you planning on going?

Out on the scene: All's quiet at Loco's Tex Mex Grill

There must have been a mix-up somewhere, and I'm pretty disappointed.

We decided to go check out Loco's last night and see what all this "live band karaoke" was about and there wasn't any live, any band, or any karaoke...that I could tell...and Loco's isn't a big place. We showed up around 8:30, found easy parking right in front of Cole's Chop House (got lucky, cuz both Mervyn's lots where full) and walked along the creek between Cole's and the Opera House. A cute arching bridge takes you over the creek to the side of the restaurant (a much cuter entrance than cutting through the Exchange building from the front of Main).

The restaurant is small-ish and single-roomed, cute, cozy, has fairly large glass windows on two full sides and a patio overlooking the creek in downtown Napa. At night it looks pretty romantic with flamed torches flickering along the railing outside and lively latin music as a background (but not blaring).

The crowd looked disappointingly typical for downtown Napa: one or two families with a handful of children, a few groups of older people and then the rest in their 30s/40s/50s that looked like they were enjoying their dinners fine, but they weren't very lively. I couldn't tell if anyone was gay (no tell tale signs anyways), and I would've felt conspicuous "gaying it up" at all, although dining would not have been an issue.

After looking over the menu (which looked tasty, but not cheap...and thinking of how great I've heard their chips are) but still not seeing or hearing any band or karaoke still after 15 minutes, we decided to dine at Taylor's Refresher up First Street. After walking there, eating and walking back, we passed by Loco's again. I figured if the band had been at break, they'd be back by now. They weren't.

Guess Loco's will have to try again to woo us. There's always Cinco de Mayo...

Summary: Loco's Tex Mex (click for yelp info)
Genre: tex-mex, sit down
Food: n/a (we didn't dine)
Drinks: n/a (we didn't drink)
Price Range: $20/person dinner (drinks extra)
Environment: romantic, cozy, talky but quietish, indoor & patio, creekside
Gay Scene: closeted

Sat night: Live band karaoke at Loco's

Not specifically gay, but I know how us gays like the stage:

Locos Tex Mex Grill in Napa will be offering “Live Band Karaoke” this Saturday night (April 12) that features the Treatment...classic rock style...Singing starts at 8 p.m...no cover charge. “People can come in and have dinner and listen to the singing, or just come in and sing." Loco’s is located behind the Opera House off First Street. For more information call the restaurant at 251-8058. [NVR]

Anyone going or ever been to Loco's? Post comments. If I go, I'll also follow up with my thoughts this week on what the scene's like.

The Valley's Other Fruit hasn't yet dined there. Only one yelper has posted about Loco's, and apparently the "excellent food/great environment/top-notch service" aren't at rock-bottom prices. "I got...fish (mahi-mahi) tacos for $13, and...a chicken taco for $7.50" But then again, I think I'm just jaded living in a town where the mexican taquerias sell tacos for around $2.

A foodie friend of mine had a different point of view (focusing on the food and not mentioning anything about the environment or gay friendliness), saying loco's is definitely worth the price: "everything on the menu looks good...the chips are really good (I'd go back just for the chips)...it's tex-mex so it's got a little more barbecue on the menu..."

Of note, tonight is the first time Loco's is hosting live band karaoke and (according to Yelp) Loco's only serves beer and wine and does not have a license for a full bar.