Relaxing in Calistoga

For Inna's birthday, I decided to treat her to a weekend of relaxation at the delightful Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga, California.

Due to the limited availability of dining options, Inna and I made the following restaurant reservations:

• Friday, February 25, 19:45: Dinner at Evangeline, Calistoga
• Saturday, February 25, 09:00: Breakfast at Solbar, Calistoga
  
• Saturday, February 26, 13:15: Lunch at Bouchon Bistro, Yountville
• Saturday, February 26, 19:00: Dinner at Morimoto, Napa
• Sunday, February 26, 09:00: Breakfast at Solbar, Calistoga
• Sunday, February 26, 13:15: Lunch at  House of Better, Calistoga
  
• Sunday, February 26, 14:43: Wine Tasting at Castello di Amorosa

Friday, February 25, 2022

After a long drive from San Jose, we arrived in Calistoga around 19:43, just in time for the 19:45 dinner reservation at Evangeline Cajun/Creole restaurant. 

After sitting down outdoors (thankfully, there were plenty of outdoor heaters), we looked at the menu and ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Bread & Butter
  
• Boris: Butternut Squash Soup, Shrimp Etouffee
  
• Inna: French Onion Soup, Liberty Farms Duck Leg
• Drinks: Hot Tea
  
• Dessert: Tarte Tatin
  

I enjoyed my Butternut Squash Soup and the Shrimp Etouffee (though it was not as good as the one at Pappadeux's in Houston, Texas). 

Inna also enjoyed her French Onion Soup and Liberty Farms Duck Leg (though the Duck at Asa Los Gatos was better).

After dinner, we drove half a mile to Indian Springs Resort & Spa and checked into room #303 on the first floor. It overlooked the beautiful waterfall.

The horrible war in Ukraine was on our minds, and we needed to get away from all of the terrible news. When we finished arranging to unpack our suitcases, we strolled to the nearby hot-springs pool and enjoyed a pleasant evening swim!

We returned to our room at 23:30 and decided to sleep.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

In the morning, we woke at around 08:30. After showering and getting dressed, we drove to our favorite Solbar, in Solage Resort.

After sitting down indoors, we looked at the menu and ordered the following breakfast items:

• Boris: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Extra Fruit, Coffee
• Inna: Lobster Omelet

I really enjoyed my Lemon Ricotta Pancakes! I have been waiting for over 7 years to eat them again! 

I wish there was another restaurant nearby in San Jose that could make them to this level of finesse. Inna's Lobster Omelet was also divine! We really enjoyed our breakfast at Solbar! What a way to start the morning!

We returned to our Indian Springs Resort & Spa and played ping-pong and a few other games on the property.

At around 12:30, we started our drive to Yountville for lunch at our favorite Bouchon Bistro. When we arrived, our table was not ready. However, after 15 minutes, we were seated inside. 

It was deafening (like the old days), and we looked at the folder napkin for our menu.

• Boris: Soup du Jour (Carrot),
  
• Inna: Soup a l'Ognion
• Entree: Croque Madame, Salade Maraichere au Chevre
• Dessert: Profiteroles
  

I enjoyed Carrot Soup (Soup du Jour) and the Croque Madame. Inna really loved her French Onion Soup. The Profiteroles were also fantastic.

After a beautiful lunch, we drove to the nearby V. Sattui Winery. However, it was hectic, so we purchased a few wine bottles instead of wine tasting. Then, we returned to Indian Springs Resort & Spa, where we sat, rested, and enjoyed our time outside.

At around 18:30, we started our drive to Napa, and I made dinner reservations at Morimoto. We arrived at 19:19, 5 minutes late for our 19:00 dinner reservation. 

However, we were offered an outdoor table around 19:30. Morimoto seemed like a trendy date spot, as I saw many couples.

After reviewing the exciting menu, we ordered the following dinner items:

• Appetizer: Spicy Tuna Taco, Green Tea
• Entree: Ish Yaki Buri Bop, Chef's Choice Sushi
  
• Dessert: Lime Ganache
  

We liked the Ish Yaki Buri Bop (fresh fish fried in a 450 Fahrenheit bowl with delicious rice). The Chef's choice of sushi was also quite tasty. The Lime Ganache was exquisite!

After dinner, we returned to our Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga and swam in the hot springs pool.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

In the morning, we woke at around 09:00. After showering and getting dressed, we drove to our favorite Solbar in Solage Resort.

After sitting down indoors, we looked at the menu and ordered the following breakfast items:

• Boris: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Coffee
• Inna: Eggs Benedict, Grapefruit Juice
  

 I loved my Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, and Inna's Eggs Benedict was also exceptional. After breakfast, we packed our suitcases and swam at the Indian Springs Resort & Spa. We first tried the main pool and the somewhat more relaxed adult pool.

At around 13:30, we returned to our room. We must change our swimsuits and get ready to check out the hotel. 

Once we checked out, we played pinpong and relaxed by the fire pit. Then, we decided to explore downtown Calistoga.

We stopped by the House of Better for a small lunch, ordering the following items:

• Pies: Apple Pie, Pecan Pie
• Entree: Avocado Toast
• Drinks: Mocha,Kombucha

We liked the pies - especially the Pecan Pie - and Inna enjoyed swinging on the swing. 

 

After lunch, we drove to the Castello di Amorosa Winery for wine tasting. We enjoyed touring the Castle grounds - the castle was built using European stones and looked quite authentic. After exploring the grounds, we stopped by the tasting room to sample some wines. 

Inna and I selected 6 different wines, and we tried them, starting with whites, going on to the reds, and finishing with dessert wines.

Of all the wines we tasted, we liked La Fantasia - the most and purchased 3 bottles.