Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, Napa Valley California
Napa Valley, California is one of my favorite destinations for a culinary vacation. Sure, you know the wine lists are going to be amazing at practically any restaurant; this makes sense, seeing that Napa is America’s premiere wine making region. With all those famous local wineries supplying bottles of superb, top-of-the-line wine, the restaurants strive to live up to those high standards. And many restaurants in Napa Valley do just that – for lunch, none better than Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.
Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen is in the Napa Valley town of St. Helena, which is convenient: St. Helena has the best shopping (with the most charming stores) of all of the Napa Valley towns, so lunch here makes for the beginning of a lovely afternoon. The ambience here isn’t as sophisticated and refined as, say, Bouchon or the restaurant at the Auberge hotel – and for lunch, it shouldn’t be. A homey, welcoming decor, along with a friendly staff, almost guarantees that lunch here is going to be a relaxed, highly enjoyable one. That staff, by the way, is also skilled at wine-matching. Their advice is impeccable, should you be uncertain as to what to order with your meal.
Every menu item is fresh and delicious here, but frequent guests know that a first-timer can’t miss the crispy flatbread appetizer. I also recommend the roasted artichoke appetizer, if you’re willing to get a little messy. If you’re planning a big dinner and want a light lunch at Cindy’s, the avocado and papaya salad fits the bill. Otherwise – if you have a wine-tasting tour in the afternoon, and want more padding – try the spice-rubbed quail, steak frites, or Backstreet Burger. All are simply delicious. If you like comfort food for lunch, along with a friendly atmosphere free of pretention, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen is the perfect Napa Valley restaurant choice. Oh, and don’t forget to order the Campfire Pie for dessert! This Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen version of a smore is an excellent way to end one of the best lunches in the wine region of California.
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8 Responses
It has been too long since I drove up to wine country. I have a feeling I will try out St. Helena and stop at Cindy’s next time I go!
I’ve always wanted to visit this part of the country. It sounds wonderful. And I would definitely need the staff’s wine-matching skills because I do NOT excel in that area. At all.
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Rheas last blog post..A Mama Lion’s Pride
Speaking as a true chocoholic, I can’t believe I missed the Campfire Pie on the menu! Guess I’ll have to go back for lunch. I went there for dinner and it was great. This is THE place to rub shoulders with the locals and specifically, the local winemakers.
Did you know Cindy Pawlcyn is also the owner of Mustards Grill in Napa? Another good dining choice in the wine country.
Nancy D. Browns last blog post..MacCallum House Inn Mendocino California Bargain
The Campfire Pie is so amazing, Nancy. You’ll be full from lunch, but the “marshmallow” is a marshmallow merengue, very light and surprisingly delicate. Not as caloric as a smore, with all the yum.
I really hope all you culinary fans get a chance to eat at Cindy’s. It’s just great.
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