The Oxbow Public Market is situated in the Oxbow District of downtown Napa, along the Napa River. The market brings together a diverse group of quality food vendors under one roof. Founder and CEO Steve Carlin has done a great job here. Steve’s background includes over 20 years with Oakville Grocery Company, a leading Northern California specialty foods retailer, and Project Manager of the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace. Oxbow Market is a great spot for locals and visitors alike. Here is our complete market rundown.

Restaurants: Taylor’s Refresher, the cult burger stand begun up the road in St.Helena is the most visible and crowded restaurant in the market. Other places to eat in include Pica Pica Maize Kitchen with many interesting “corn centric” Venezuelan dishes. Rôtisario features superb naturally raised roasted chicken. Make sure to try the rosemary fries here! Also in the main Hall, Folio Enoteca & Winery small plates paired with tastes of wine. They also operate a Micro-winery on site… Expanding in the near future, they offer a variety of gourmet foods to take out, or eat in.


Hog Island Oyster Company has a branch here, with some of the freshest and most succulent oysters to be found on the left coast. 

Hog Island OysterWine: Another large tenant is the Oxbow Wine Merchant, offering a fine selection of wines from Napa Valley and around the world. You can sip a glass on the spacious outdoor deck or compare tasting notes around the central bar.

Gourmet Foods and Specialties: Highly recommended by our staff is the The Model Bakery, as well as the outstanding “whole hog” purveyor The Fatted Calf; with is varied selection of artisanal charcuterie and butcher shop meats The Fatted Calf also sells eggs from Soul Food Farms and Artisan Beans from Gordo as well as many other great speciality food products.

Seafood needs are met as well with Santa barbara based Kanaloa Seafood Market offering fresh crab, lobster and the finest in sustainable and ecologically farmed fresh seafood. Other shops include Oxbow Cheese Merchant with one of the best selections of cheese in the Napa Valley. Fine produce and grocery is here as well; as is Five Dot Ranch offering natural grass fed beef. 

Need a cup a joe, Ritual Roasters of San Francisco has you covered, bringing you the finest hand selected and roasted coffee beans as well as exceptional coffee drinks. Try a coffee made just for you… ask for a “clover”. Spices from the Whole Spice Company; chocolate from Anette’s; olives and olive oil at The Olive Press; and specialty tea shop The Tillerman Tea Company are here as well. Great ice cream from Three Twins Ice Cream is organic and addictive. Also you can fulfill any cupcake dreams, or desires at Kara’s Cupcakes. Lot’s of fun, and great eats for the whole family. 

The Oxbow Market 
644 First Street
Napa, CA
707.226.6529

+ Market Photography: Kathryn Bryan

The Bardessono Napa Valley is an instant OTV top pick. These are luxury accommodations with a twist of green. Designed to be the most environmentally and technologically green luxury hotel in the United States, this 62-room property is located on six acres of what was once the historic Yountville Bardessono Farmstead.

Developer Phil Sherburne and architect Ron Mitchell sourced materials locally and built a team of 

to create a modern Pacific Northwest aesthetic. Attention to detail here could go unnoticed, yet it is that deft melding of style and substance that offers a whole much greater than the sum of its parts.

The rooms are thoughtfully equipped, all with outdoor patios or decks. Italian linens and towels, 42-inch flat panel monitors, 24-hour room service, spa butlers and in-room spa services, a selection of loose leaf teas from Modern Tea, Blue Bottle Coffee, filtered water, and artisan-crafted bar mixers are but a few of the amenities offered. A beautiful second story swimming pool with outstanding views to the Stags Leap Mountain range offers poolside service, spa, and private cabanas.

© starchefs.comThe hotel’s restaurant is headed by Executive Chef Sean O’Toole (Michael Mina) who offers a seasonal menu to please even the most die hard 

Reservations: (877) 932 5333

6526 Yount Street
Yountville, CA

 Stopped by for a late December lunch on a wine tasting junket to the Napa Valley at Chef Philippe Jeanty’s iconic bistro. Opened in 1998 to much acclaim, (nominated as a James Beard best new restaurant in America award) Bistro Jeanty has a loyal and large following for a reason. This place seems the very definition of the French Bistro in the Bay Area like few others. Reminds one of Roland Passot’s “The Left Bank” or “Absinthe” (both a bit more Brasserie in concept) only more intimate and warm.

Honest, traditional and well prepared properly seasoned dishes shine here. I saddled up to the bar and enjoyed a nearly perfect rendition of the simple Salade de Laitue. Tender, barely handled butter lettuce dressed with a lovely, delicate mustard vinaigrette. I was at that moment transported to a Parisian Bistro…

As an entree I tried the bartender recommended Cassoulet. This rustic dish (served in it’s traditional deep round earthenware) is one have always loved. Served pipping hot with a whole duck leg confit, saucisson blanc, white beans and smoked bacon, topped with herbed bread crumbs and parsley, this is as good as itgets! I enjoyed a 2006 Côte de Rhone from Kermit Lynch which paired well with this dish from the south of France. Bravo. - jas

(0 to 20) otv rating

food: 17+
service: 15
vibe: 18
price: $$ to $$$

Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street

Yountville, CA
(707) 994-0103
online