Saint Helena Restaurant Tips by karenincalifornia Top 5 Page for this destination

Taylor's Refresher: Roadside Hamburger Joint, Napa-style

Taylor's Refresher is an institution in St. Helena, and has been ever since 1949. It LOOKS like some run of the mill roadside hamburger drive-in, but take another look, and you'll see the long line in front of the order window at any time of day. This is the type of burger drive-in you can find only in the wine country. In addition to burgers, you can get chinese chicken salad, sweet potato fries, tacos, fish n chips, gazpacho, pattie melts, fried calamari, assorted milkshakes, wine and beer. This is VERY popular, and the food is exceptional, so no matter how long the line is, the wait is worth it.

Favorite Dish: The sweet potato fries. Hands down. They are flavored with a spicy chili-cumin powder, and who knows what else. They were so very, very good!

Address: 933 Main Street, St. Helena

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: On the main drag in St. Helena.

Phone: 707-963-3486

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Autogrill/Rest Stop

Terra: Terra in Terroir

This upscale restaurant is located in a 100 year old stone house one block off of the main street running through Saint Helena. It is self-described as a "New American" restaurant, which I found to be fusions of American, Italian, French and Asian cuisine. The ambiance is intimate and the food is delicious. The wine list is outstanding and extensive with many old and new world wines. Not open for lunch.

Favorite Dish: The menu had very few vegetarian dishes, but the mark of an excellent restaurant, in my opinion, is one that can create an excellent vegetarian dish not on the menu. (I am one of those people who constantly is ordering "off" the menu.) The chef created a wonderful plate for me that was a collection of 6 side dishes. (See picture.) Everything was fabulous!

I ended my meal with a blackberry pie with buttermilk ice cream. Not too sweet....just perfect! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Address: 1345 Railroad Avenue, Saint Helena, CA

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Located just east of Hwy 29 running through the town center, south of Adam Street, north of Pope Street. Across the street from Safeway.

Phone: 707-963-8931

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.terrarestaurant.com/

Taylor's Refresher: Extensive wine and beer list

Like I say, ONLY in Napa. This dive burger drive-in, has a wine-by-the-glass list that looks like the wine list from a 5 star restaurant. Even the beer list looks out of place with its choice of microbrews. Take your meal out to the back of the drive-in and enjoy the Napa Valley sunshine on one of the picnic tables.

When we visit the wine country, we have usually packed our own picnic lunch. No more. I'm stopping here for the picnic lunch when I come back!

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Autogrill/Rest Stop