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John Conover, a partner of acclaimed Cade winery, and Philip Kendall, a resident of St. Helena and the vice president of Carneros Inn and Plumpjack resorts, share their favorites in Napa.

PHILIP KENDALL

What are your favorite Napa newcomers in recent years?

I am a fan of 750 Wine Shop in St Helena and the Oxbow Market in Napa. In terms of winery news, there’s Cade, Alpha Omega and Kenzo Estate Wineries. And newish restaurants I like include Farm, Morimoto and Redd.

What do you consider the top restaurants?

For a local scene: Boon Fly Café, which is excellent for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vercelli, a little pasta place in St Helena, Genova Delicatessen for the best deli sandwiches in the valley and the Rutherford Grill, for their martinis and ribs.

For a hip scene: Morimoto, Cheers St. Helena, Bottega, and the great bar area in Redd

There have been lots of changes in Napa Town: do you think it’s transforming into a destination of its own?

The resurgence of the Riverfront area in downtown Napa is very exciting. The diversity and quality of the restaurants and shops makes this a great destination for both locals and visitors alike.

What are your five musts/not-to-miss in the valley?

Eat breakfast at *The Boon Fly café (you never know who will show up) Drive the length of the Valley in a convertible, and at some point stop and picnic with artisan breads, cheeses and cured meats supported by a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc *Relax poolside at Carneros Inn *Visit three wineries: one that you know and love; one that is unfamiliar to you but has a great reputation for making your favorite varietal; and one that has a crazy, no-holds-barred winemaker *Have dinner in a different place every night; some of the best food in the world is served in the Napa Valley.

JOHN CONOVER

What are your favorite Napa newcomers in recent years?

Norman Rose Tavern* in downtown Napa. I love its design and the relaxed atmosphere. Cheers! St. Helena is a great new community event. It’s a fun way to explore downtown St. Helena and to shop, taste wines and mix and mingle with the locals. Book a hotel room in walking distance to town the first Friday in June, July, August or September and treat yourself to a great party from 6 to 8 p.m. Then have a good meal at Cook, Market or Villa Corona. The next morning grab an egg sandwich at Model Bakery and take home a bag of their famous English muffins for the freezer. Even if you’re not in the mood for sweets, stop at Woodhouse Chocolate shop window. The owner is a true artist. And if you want something really nice for your wife, go to Palladium. They’ve made me a hero on more than one occasion.


What do you consider the top restaurants?

The Restaurant at Meadowood debuted a new design, menu and staff four years ago and has been topping the charts with respect to food and service ever since. The fact that it earned its third Michelin star last fall is a testament to the passion of three young superstars: chef Christopher Kostow, restaurant director Nathaniel Dorn and sommelier Rom Toulon

There have been lots of changes in Napa Town: do you think it’s transforming into a destination of its own?

Absolutely. There are so many great new things to explore that I am always behind. The new art installations on the River Walk are great and all the new restaurants. Discovering all the great shops and cafes in Oxbow Market alone takes more than one visit! And the new Napa Valley Welcome Center on Main Street is beautiful and a great resource for guests to the area.


What are your musts in the valley?

Mustard Season, from late January to mid-March. The colors are unreal, the roads, restaurants and tasting rooms are quiet, the locals are relaxed. Napa Valley hospitality is legendary, but it’s at its very best, I think, during this season.

Napa is increasingly becoming more “green.” Trend or mainstay?

Absolutely. Green is here to stay. It’s the future and our children’s future. Does it cost a little more? Yes. Does it take a little more research, planning and due diligence? Yes. But it’s a proud legacy we’re forging and one we’ll never regret pioneering.