Now, there's a relatively new place in Calistoga with a very similar up-scale, trendy, and chic (or, what I call "Calistoga Cool") vibe: BarVino.
BarVino is located right on Calistoga's main street. It's a small place with the bar the main emphasis (in the middle) and tables around. I love the cool decor and, especially, the 10-speaker sound system. Nice!
While Upper Fourth tends to focus on high-end well drinks, BarVino is all about, of course, food and wine. Executive Chef Dominic Orsini has a small but enticing list of pastas and entrees, including: pumpkin risotto, Spanish bouillabaisse, and steak Florentine. I've been in several times and am now hooked on the Vino Fries--delicious spuds with Sicilian spiced sea salt and chianti ketchup.
The wine list, of course, rocks, with a rock star-like listing of high-quality Napa Valley wineries featured. My personal favorite to date? Mmmmmm... I'll save that for my next post. (Sorry!)
Anyway, check out BarVino in downtown Calistoga as quick as you can.
1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga
P.S. And if you happen to be in when a tall brunette is bar tending/hosting, DON'T bet her a glass of wine that she can, serving a volleyball, knock a glass off the end of the counter at 30 paces. That's Aja, and she's Sonoma State U vb player, and well, let's just say that anything having to do with a round white ball that she can kick our a** and leave it at.
