The Grill at Meadowood – At the Resort in St. Helena
Posted on January 3,2012 By John and Linda Compisi
The Restaurant at Meadowood Resort and Spa is world-famous but, alas, it is undergoing a much awaited renovations that will run from 1 January until 11 March 2012. If you are anxious to experience the evocative creations of Chef Christopher Kostow you will have to wait until the Spring. In the meantime, the Grill at Meadowood, reflecting the style of Executive Chef Victoria Gusman, is a very choice setting occupying virtually the same space (a couple of levels down) overlooking the same world-class links at the Resort.
At luck may have it, January is Restaurant Month in Napa Valley. In light of this celebration, The Grill at Meadowood is featuring a three-course lunch with Napa Valley wines paired for $38 per person or a four-course dinner with Napa Valley wines paired for $68 per person. This excellent value and opportunity to experience a wider range of the Grills offerings will be running throughout the month of January 2012.
At the Grill, Chef Gusman specializes in casual fare in a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes golfers, hikers or all sorts of guests and visitors. Despite that casual air the tables are covered with white linen and the napkins match. The big windows open onto the golf course which is surrounded by a very picturesque forest setting.
View from the Grill (Linda C)
The daily menu features ingredients fresh from Meadowood’s own garden. The menu and style, like the golf course and forest surroundings are light and healthful to match the food and the natural ingredients.
The Grill Interior (Linda C)
The three courses enjoyed on this excursion were exceptionally and each was paired with a perfectly selected and sized 3 oz pour.
Beginnings:
The Tiger Shrimp Escabeche was lush and flavorful. It was prepared with Avocado, Radish, Cilantro in a perfect and delicate combination that worked very well with the Albarino, “Hendry Ranch” from Hendry.
Equally flavorful was the Baby Chioggia Beet Salad. Artisically arrayed with which Grapefruit, Watercress, Hazelnut and paired with the 2007 Stewart Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, this combination was creative and colorful.
Beet Salad and Tiger Prawns (Linda C)
Midway:
A perfect way to keep it light but provide a healthy protein, the Flank Steak Salad prepared with Romaine Lettuce, Sesame, Peanuts was a home run. The hot and cold temperatures combined with the asian influence virtually teased ones taste buds. The 2008 Rombauer Napa Valley Cabernet completed this wonderful flavor profile.
For the burger lover, this Wagyu Burger prepared medium rare and served with your choice of one of several cheeses and French Fries (or a Garden Salad) was filling and flavorful. Pictured below with the Fries and Gorgonzola Cheese. Hmmn, Hmmn, Hmmn!! Making the offering complete was the very nice Orin Swift 2009 Prisoner.
Flank Steak Salad and Wagyu Burger (Linda C)
Dessert/Endings:
This very creative and seasonal Pumpkin Pot de Crème with a wafer thin Cardamom Cookie and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds may have walked away with the biggest surprise and new favorite award!! It was paired with a delightful Sauterne complementing the perfection of this combination.
Many prefer a cheese plate instead of sweets after a gorgeously designed and executed lunch. The Artisan Cheese selection (Cow, Goat and Sheep Cheeses) at the Grill served with pickled red pepper relish, minced pair and prunes and paired with Taylor Fladgate 10 year Tawny Port was a perfect savory ending to this afternoon delight.
Pot de Crème and Cheese Plate (Linda C)
The Grill is open daily serving Breakfast 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Dinner 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reserve a table you can call (707) 968-3144 or do so Online at OpenTable.com.