Tastemaker: Greg Cole

• Where are some places our guests should go to taste local cuisine? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
  The locals favorites for breakfast include ABC (the Alexis Baking Company, which also bakes great pastries, Gillwood’s in the Napa Town Center, both only a few blocks away, plus decadent Butter Cream Bakery). Leave your diet behind if you visit there. For lunch, I’m a bit prejudiced and recommend Celadon with its global comfort food, our fusion of Asian flavors with European tradition and Wine Country ingredients. But we also like to hang out at ZuZu, a great tapas and wine bar down Main Street two blocks and Taqueria Rosita with its authentic Mexican flavors.  
  
  For a classic steakhouse dinner, I naturally recommend Cole’s Chop House – and so do the readers of the Zagat Guide. For local flavor, casual Uva Trattoria has comfortable Italian food and a hopping bar with live jazz music most nights. Pearl is just that, with Nickie Zeller turning out gems of Wine Country cuisine.
  
• Where is a great place to see and experience local architecture in your city?
  Napa has many historic buildings, but the greatest concentration is in the Old Town area south of downtown, formally referred to at the Abajo/Fuller Park District. Many of the magnificent old mansions and more most homes are on Franklin, Randolph and Coombs Streets as short walk from the AVIA. Other interesting new and old architecture abounds. Just walk down any street, but especially Main.
  
• What are some sensational shopping spots in your city?
  The Oxbow Public Market is a new treat for us here in Napa. If offers unique shopping including antique culinary implements, a special interest, gifts, and especially, a wide range of food and wine, both to eat there and to carry out for a picnic. Napa has many interesting gourmet markets, too, notably local favorite Vallerga’s Market.
  
• Where would you take your friends to experience the local music scene?
  Napa has a few gems that feature jazz and other music, but since I like classical music, the jewel-like Napa Valley Opera House is our favorite for one of its frequent concerts. You can also enjoy other finds of music, from Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson to international favorites, jazz and even an occasional opera.
  
• Where would you go to see intriguing local art?
  Napa Valley has a great deal of intriguing art at wineries, museums and galleries. We always take visitors to the amazing Hess Collection, where Donald Hess’s extensive private collection of contemporary art is on display – for free. Of course, you can also taste wine while you’re there, too.
  
• What types of family fun activities would you suggest to those you know?
  The best activities for families in Napa Valley are outside activities in the moderate climate.  We like to hike at Skyline Park in the east Napa hills and mountains, and in Westwood Park to the west. It’s pretty steep, but the views are amazing.
  
• Where would you find the eclectic, underground nightlife in your city?
  Napa isn’t the place for eclectic, underground nightlife. That’s in San Francisco!  However, many young locals like to hang out at Café Revolution downtown and drink coffee and talk.
  
• Imagine you're planning a local day trip for your friends. What would it entail?
  Don’t miss a balloon ride early in the morning, then enjoy the Wine Train, then shop and have dinner at Cole’s!  Other fun would be visiting the Oxbow Public Market, wine tasting, and catching a movie at the Cinedome multiplex downtown (or elsewhere like Jarvis Conservatory and the restored Cameo Cinema in St. Helena).
  
• Hands down, what is your favorite local event or festival?
  Napa has a great family street festival every Thursday night during the summer. It’s called Chefs’ Market and is held in downtown Napa. It includes demonstrations by chefs, food and wine, crafts and music and other entertainment. Tuesday morning Farmers’ Market during the summer is also fun, and even if you don’t need any cucumbers or tomatoes, you can enjoy pastry and coffee, listen to the music and meet local shoppers.
  
• Where in your city are you most likely to run into a celebrity?
  We run into wine industry and food celebrities all the time, and politicians, sports figures and entertainers, too. You’re most likely to see them in Don Giovanni Ristorante, Cole’s Chop House or at Napa Valley Opera House, but we try to discreetly ignore them to respect their privacy – unless they want the attention.

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