Napa: The Thomas does it right

Here's a quick glimpse into one of the best appetizers I had while visiting Napa. It's the Wild Mushroom Mousse with Whiskey Jelly at the newly opened The Thomas on Main Street in Napa.

OMG.

I absolutely love pate. Not the country, chunky kind, but the smooth, velvety delight that spreads like satin on toast. However, I know it's so unhealthy and I can only get it here and there so I don't indulge often.

This is the best alternative I've ever found. The Wild Mushroom Mousse is silky smooth, rich in both taste and texture and it will have you scraping the jar clean. It is topped with an odd jelly that almost looks like aspic (ick), but once you get past that thought and combine a bit of the mousse with the jelly on the toast, it is sublime and addictive.

The jelly is a bit sweet and smokey and combined with the somewhat earthy mousse, it has a balance that is heavenly. It arrives in a little glass jar with some grilled sourdough bread. Combine with a glass of red or white and enjoy.

I miss it already.

Harvest Restaurant Review: Tucson loses another good one

Used to be great; now Harvest is a MESS

I literally live around the corner from this place and was so glad to be so close. However after visiting it and loving it a couple years ago it is now a real let down.

We have ordered burgers (carryout), which were quite burnt and thrown together. Yuk.

We then again and got the gnocci, which stated that it was homemade. What an outright lie. This gnocci looked like it was from a box and tasted like it, too. Bottom line, we won't bother again with this place until it can figure out how to make the fresh and unique food it used to serve.

Calling Gordon Ramsey to help what used to be a unique and fresh "harvest" restaurant. Now it has new owners who obviously couldn't care less about real food.

Tucson Resturant Review: Best Pasta in Tucson

This is my opinion, but I love the pasta at Tavolino. This place has the most authentic I can find (so far) in the Old Pueblo. I love the Ravioli al Caprino (homemade beet pasta with goat cheese). So light, but so rich! I crave this dish. Also, the burrata mozzarella is wonderful. Check it out: http://www.tavolinoristorante.com/dinner.html

Check out our site at Tucson Life and Style for more goodies about Tucson! http://www.tucsonlifeandstyle.com/

Summer In Napa, CA...Eating downtown: First Look

I'm in Napa, CA this summer. I know, rough life, right? :) I am working while here so it's not a total vacation!


Anyway, here's a nugget of reviews from the food I've discovered. We are downtown in Napa, so that's where I'll start:


Where to SKIP:


Tuscany...skip this! It's a large, nice looking restaurant in downtown Napa, but it's what I call "tourist Italian." For those who feel most comfy at the Olive Garden. It's not good.


Another SKIP: Ca Momi at the Oxbow...the pizza anyway. After being spoiled by our delish pizza in Tucson (who'dda thunk it?), I was MAJORLY disappointed in the canned mushroom Funghi pizza and horrible Quattro Formaggi. Yikes! The crust was pretty good, too, but the toppings really let us down. Badly done pizza is a crime. My theory? If you just don't know what you're doing, don't do it!


Where to GO:


Zazu...I love tapas and this place is small and wonderful. Very intimate, very friendly and very good. While we were standing on the street checking out the menu, two passersby (different people, not couples) said "Great food!" as they walked by. Two unsolicited great reviews? So glad we tried it. Will go back!


Angele...Very nice, very popular. I had a great burger and fries, but this is NOT a burger joint. The lady next to me had a wonderful looking chicken cassoulet and my hubby had deeply rich risotto. Will go back!

Goose and Gander in St. Helena: Had my first taste of pork belly here. To some that may be old news, but I hadn't tried it. Very nice. Great patio and lunch. The only complaint? Waitress brough appetizers with the meal. This is a no-no, but the food was good enough to recommend.

More to come...:)

Best Pizza in Tucson, Arizona

Yum, who doesn't love pizza? I'm a bit of a pizza snob and will always try to search out the best in whatever place I'm in. So while Pappa Johns and Dominos are OK for some, give me Patsy Grimaldi's (amazing brick oven flavor), Veros Italian Kitchen (very light and easy), Pizzeria Vivace (so good it is addictive) and Zona 78 (great, great, great). These are all really good. Also, Sauce is a good choice for a light 'za and truly good and consistent salads at Casa Adobes.


Grimaldi's has one of the best pepperoni pizza's I've ever had. The only caveat is to not load it up with too many toppings. It gets soggy. With just pepperoni and mushrooms, it's heavenly. Great brick oven taste. Too bad there is only one here in Tucson. Patsy...give us another one up north near Foothills area!


Vivace's is probably my favorite all-around. Super nice service, great flavors and salads. Love this place. I like Veros at Dove Mountain. Good and light and what I would consider authentic pizza. Not too much sauce or cheese or anything. And Sauce is great for a wafer-thin crust, delicious toppings and the best salads. Zona makes one of the best caesar salads in town and their pizzas are the perfect mix of not-too-thin, not-too-thick. They are always busy.


If visiting Tucson and salivating for pizza, try one of these. Even the most jaded will be happy (especially Vivace...delicioso!).

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