Dear Kitchen Goddess... Please don't let me catch my kitchen on fire or poison my friends!: Napa, Napaland and the epicurious empire that surrounds it.

Once upon a time...a short, short time ago and not so far away,

two princesses who refused to be grown up for a 6th day in a row escaped their hectic lives for a slow paced weekend in Napa, Napaland.

Our demands (okay, not so much demands as hopes) were small...

#1 A Bathtub.

Avia ~ Napa, CA

Gorgeous, isn't it?

It was a weekend almost entirely unbooked. Aside from our first night, an incredible dinner at
Michael Chiarello's Bottega ~ Yountville, Ca

which requires a post of it's own.

#2 Fireplace(s).

Avia's Petaluma Free Range Chicken Hash.

#3 Delicious food.

Quite amazing...I've been craving it ever since!

#4 No rushing.

Day two, breakfast and off to Calistoga.

Just in time for the Mustard, Mud & Music Jazz Festival

While window shopping we crossed paths with the

"Mobile Man Cave"

It's pretty incredible inside but I wouldn't last 5 minutes in a van filled with cigar smoke.

Now a Mobile Martini Cave with finger foods and Mad Men/Pan Am playing over the flat-screens would be my home away from home!

We popped into a couple galleries, a wine shop and a funky little consignment store, bought Girl Scout cookies out of a little red wagon and had a lovely chat with the local Special Olympic super star before resting for a bit at Brannan's Grill for some Hog Island oysters, a bowl of clams & some Napa Smith Pale Ales while jazz floated in through the windows.

I love this town.

After a stop at Tomey Cellars' tasting room we hit up
the Culinary Institute of America for second lunch.

Today's Temptations: The Chef's Choice

Students hard at work.

After a long bath and a short nap it was 10pm and time for dinner.

Oenotri came highly recommended, the ambiance welcomed us in like a sideways grin from an old friend. It was ridiculously good and allowed us the perfect a slow finish to a long day. We left our order in the extremely enthusiastic and capable hands of Damian who took us on a guided tour of as he put it "save my life good" food.

Asparagus & Kumquat Salad.

WILLIS FARM PORK SAUSAGE WITH SAN MARZANO TOMATO, ONION, HOT PEPPER
AND STAR ROUTE FARMS WILD ARUGULA PIZZA

And round two...

MARGHERITA PIZZA: MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA WITH SAN MARZANO TOMATO AND FIRST OF THE SEASON TOMATERO FARM BASIL WITH CALABRIAN CHILI. IT'S CRAZY HOT!

Pinkus...we were introduced to an insanely good beer in wine country.

Mini whoopie pies for the short walk across the street.

Day three

local paper by the fire...

a light breakfast,

and a trip to Oxbow Public Market.

I have never heard of this place before but I will never forget it. The O.P.M. will be a part of every trip to Napa I make from here on out. Just so you understand the greatness of this place it'd be like going to San Francisco without cruising through the Ferry Building or going to Boston without visiting Faneuil Hall!

So many cheeses to choose from.

There is so much to see...

More oysters!

A glorious cove of spices.

1800's English Motar & Pestle.

More spices!

How cute are these cards fruit cake?!

I want this burl wood bowl so badly!

Now those are knives!

Five Dot Ranch ~ Bloody Mary NY Strip!

C Casa

Seasoned buffalo and rotisserie duck tacos.

CUPCAKES!
(Be warned, Kara's gives Sprinkles a run for their money!)

Kara's Cupcakes

They make minis too! Road trip goodies. :)

Don't forget to visit the shops outside!

The Model Bakery.

The plan was to grab some bread for chocolate bread pudding but it barely made it home.

The Fatted Calf.

By far my favorite spot! Like a kid in a candy store, I could have spent all day in here. They are so helpful and extremely knowledgeable. I got a lesson in meats and now know who to call with any questions! (Probably even ones that have nothing to do with pork, beef or foul...that's how wise these guys are!)