Manhattan, New York

There is an infinite number of things to do, see and eat in New York City, here are our top picks. 

RESTAURANTS

West Village (my hood!)

• Red Farm - One of my favorites. We are there almost every other weekend for brunch. They serve beautiful, high-end contemporary Chinese food, including some dim sum. They do not take reservations, so we get there just before they open for brunch at 11am on the weekends to be sure of a table. They do have a wait list you can put your name on. Favorites: Soup dumplings, shishito poppers, spicy crispy beef, steak, snow pea shoots, any rice or noodle dish. Cocktails are great too. They have a second location in the Upper West Side. 
• Spotted Pig - Cool bar and restaurant with delicious food and a great atmosphere. They do not take reservations and often have a line out the door. We opt for weekend brunch, so we get there just before they open at 11am. Favorites: Burger and fries (the burger and fries are equally amazing), dutch baby, ricotta pancakes. If they have a morning bun special, get it.... amazing! 
• Takashi - a very special tiny little Japanese BBQ joint. The food is amazing, the service is great and it is just an all round special  experience. Be sure to get the Bakudan rice-bomb with your meat, they are so good! I like the seaweed version so I ask for all seaweed and no pickled sesame leaf, which they are happy to do. Otherwise, you get mix. The homemade softserve is also amazing. 
• Barbuto - Amazing simple Italian food. Famous for their roast chicken, though I usually opt for pasta or risotto. 
• Cafe Cluny - Super cute little West Village cafe with good food though mediocre service.
• Little Owl - Another sweet little spot. Make a reservation ahead of time, otherwise it will be almost impossible to get in without a long wait. I love going there for brunch. The pancakes are amazing and the sausage is the best I have every had. 
• The Clam - Tasty clam inspired menu, though they also have non-clam options such as an amazing burger. We used to frequent The Clam after our daughter's Sunday soccer lessons.

Chelsea/Meatpacking

• In Chelsea Market
  • Cull  and Pistol - Amazing fresh seafood prepared in both traditional and new ways. Best to book ahead.
  • Los Tacos - Simple, delicious Mexican small dishes. Strickly take out so you'll need to find a spot to eat, if there is no where in Chelsea Market, you can always try the Highline. 
  • Bar Suzette - The best crepes I have found in NYC, and I have tried a few! I'm a traditionalist when it comes to crepes and always go with just butter and sugar or lemon, butter and sugar. Perfection. They offer many other options, including savory ones. If you are a crepe fan you must go here.
• Tipsy Parson - The menu here is delightful and the space is cute. 
• The Standard Grill @ The Standard Hotel, Highline - Dinner is pretty good, brunch is very good. Note, even though they are open earlier, the brunch menu is only available after 11am on weekends. Be sure to get an order of donuts for the table, they are made to order and served still hot with a wonderfully pillowy bite.
• Terroir High Line - Only open in the summer, this is a fun pitstop while exploring the High Line. they offer small bites, salads and sandwiches along with a large selection of beer and wine. I recommend the risotto balls - yum! 
• Del Posto - Special occasion place with a heft price tag but worth it if you feel like splurging. The food is truly amazing and the service refined yet more relaxed than other ultra-high-end establishments. Think French Laundry or Eleven Madison Park but with cozy Italian food.

Union Square

• Ippudo - The best ramen ever. If you like ramen you have to stop here. The noodles and broth are like a loving hug. My favorite is ramen the Akamaru Modern. If you want some more protein with it, get the Shigureni topping (pulled pork Chashu). For appetizers, the chicken wings are delicious as is the Japanese cucumber dish (Yamitsuki Kyuri). They have a second location in mid-town but this one is my favorite. They do not take reservations and there is usually a line before they open. We often head over a few minutes before they open to be sure we get a table. 
• ABC Kitchen - ABC Home is a well-know home furnishings store. It's restauarant, ABc Kitchen, is a treat. The setting is beautful and the food is light and delicious. The desserts, not so light, but also stand out.  

Flatiron

• MariVanna - Amazing Russian restaurant with great food and ambiance. The decor is super kitschy in the best way. They have many infused vodkas, some are tasty, some not so much but fun to experiment. Favorite dishes: Veal Pelmeni (Russian dumplings - my absolute favorite!), Tapaka chicken, Olivier Salad with chicken and the Vinegret Salad. Desserts: Medovik (Honey cake), Blinis with condiments, Onegin, Napoleon. If you like tea order some with your dessert, it comes in special cups and with jam to sweeten as they do in Russia.

Multiple locations

• Ootoya - An really wonderful Japanese restaurant serving unique and delicious food. I am actually obessed with their grilled fish entrees - so simple but done to perfection. Take a look at their menu and your mouth is sure to water - Menu. They have a few locations in Manhattan so look up the one most convenient to you.

SPECIALTY SHOPS

A FEW THINGS TO DO

• Broadway Shows:
  • Amazing shows: Matilda, Wicked, Book of Mormon, Lion King, Avenue Q
  • Note on Avenue Q: It is very entertaining, a little more affordable and low key. I think you can get good seats for around $100. It is very funny but not for the faint of hear or easily offended. Near here, is a restaurant called VYNL, which is cool and has great unique food - I’d recommend for a pre-show meal.
• Museums: The new Whiney Museum is really great from the exhibits to the building itself and the great views it offers. I’d highly recommend checking it out, especially if you like contemporary are. 
• Winter: Ice Skating at the Standard Highline - if you want to skate, it is a tiny rink. The real draw is the fun experience and the fact that they serve drinks and food out there too. Fries are great, as are their Moscow Mules. 
• Walk: Walk down the Hudson River from the West Village. Walk all the way over to the river, it is a nice walk if the weather is good. 
• Touristy but worth it: The new World Trade observatory is actually really cool. There is a bar up there too where you can grab a drink and/or snack. If you have not done it and are up to it, the reflecting pools at the 9/11 Memorial are amazing, the museum is also amazing but very sad, I cried when we went through. 

Palo Alto, California

We spent 3 years living in lovely Palo Alto, CA before moving to our next home in NYC. I thought I would would share all of my favorite finds in the Palo Alto/San Francisco area.

Below you will find a wide range of recommendations from restaurants, favorite local artisanal foods, where we got our fresh produce, pasture chicken and pork to local services like dry cleaning, dog resources and notes for families! Something for everyone. To be honest, aside from restaurant recommendations, this is more of a guide to anyone moving to Palo Alto or one of the nearby towns! 

FOR FOODIES

Restaurants

• Evvia – (Downtown Palo Alto) Make a reservation! Open for lunch only week days. Amazing Mediterranean food.
• Reposado – (Downtown Palo Alto) Higher end Mexican food – everything is really good…even the simple grilled shrimp Caesar salad. While there is a bit of an after work scene at the bar, they accommodate kids well in the dining room.
• Maru Ichi – (Castro St in Mountain View) Super Asian noodle shop. But note they only take cash! And skip any of the sushi…stick with noodles. They have a bin of Kim Chi on the table, of which I add copious amount to my noodles.
• Mayfield Café – (Palo Alto, at Town and Country) Lovely restaurant. They can get really busy for brunch so make a reservation. Good for any meal. Nice place but good for kids too…they have paper on the tables which is fun to draw on.
• Calafia – (Palo Alto, at Town and Country) Good, well soured food. Lots of vegetarian options.
• Asian Box – (Palo Alto at Town and Country) A takeout place, though they do have some seating. You build your “box” by picking what starch you want (rice, noodles..), protein, sauce and toppings. Really tasty and all the food is well sources and a bit healthier. Drinks are yummy too. My favorite combo: Jasmine Rice, Chicken, Steamed Veggies, All the toppers except jalapeño and egg, Peanut Sauce. The beef pairs well with the tamarind sauce.
• Palo Alto Creamery – (Downtown Palo Alto) Nice diner with pretty good food. Gets very busy on the weekend for brunch.
• Fraiche Yogurt – (Downtown Palo Alto) They make their own yogurt and frozen yogurt. The frozen yogurt is really yummy and much healthier than more standard places, which usually use powder to make froyo. They also have great toppings, though I always get plain frozen yogurt with freshly shaved chocolate on top.
• Coupa Café – (Downtown Palo Alto) Now famous for being in The Social Network movie. They have pretty good food, but what you have to go here for is their Spicy Hot Chocolate – so yummy!! Though I warn you, it may become an addiction.
• Ritz Carlton – (Half Moon Bay) The most decadent brunch ever! Expensive, at $99 per person, thoughkids are half and kids under 5 are free. My daughter’s favorites were the olive tapenade and chocolate truffles. I probably ate enough caviar to cover the cost of everyone at our table! I was in heaven. The hotel is right on the water and you have lovely views out the windows for when you do look up from your plate. I suggest skipping the actual breakfast food though, it seemed a bit standard. They excel with everything else. Much better to fill your belly with the fresh sliced meats, risotto, caviar, shrimp, crab, cheeses, charcuterie, sushi, etc. My strawberry mimosa was also delicious.
• Gott’s Roadside – (SF Ferry Building, Napa, St Helena) Great burgers and other offerings where all food is sourced very well.
• Fish – (Sausalito) A bit of a drive, just a few minutes over the Gold Gate, but well worth it. Their crab sandwich may be the best sandwich I have ever had. Everything on their menu is fantastic. They are also right near the Heath Ceramics factory which is fun to shop in and if you can, they do tours! Here’s my blog post about it with more details.
• Ferry Building on Embarcadero in SF. We love the Ferry Building! Lots of shops with great products (cheese, bread, meat, pottery, gardening…) and great restaurants. It does get every crowded on the weekends, so go early or try for a weekday. If you have never been there, it is much like Chelsea Market in NY. If there happens to be a short line at Blue Bottle, get one of their fresh made mini waffles…so good. I also love to get Honk Kong Milk tea from the Out The Door counter.
• Check out my Napa notes below for more great places in Napa!

Bakeries/Baked Goods/Specialty

• Monique’s Chocolates – (Downtown Palo Alto) Delicious and beautiful single source chocolates made on site. Fantastic treat for yourself of gift to someone special. They sometimes also have Smore Bites, which are amazing! A small portion of their own marshmallow with a graham cracker base covered in delicious chocolate. Wish I had one right now! They also use their chocolates to make chocolate drinks, hot or cold! A must try if you love chocolate.
• Mayfield Bakery – (Palo Alto at Town & Country) Yummy breads and other treats. A few sandwich offerings, which are always tasty. My addiction there is their ham and gruyere croissant.
• Black Jet Backing Co – (Ferry Building in SF) the best pumpkin pie I have ever had, from filling to crust. I’d pay good money for the recipe. Hoping there is a cookbook in the works and they share their crust and pie filling recipe. They have many many other super yummy items too.

Local Cheese/Dairy

• Point Reyes Blue – A little on the milder side, super creamy. Our favorite blue cheese now. Available at local Whole Foods and other cheese shops.
• Cowgirl Creamery – Yummy, rich local cheeses. They have a store at the Ferry Building and are sold at other places like Whole Foods, and have a stand at the Sunday California Ave Farmer’s market in Palo Alto.
• Straus Family Creamery – They make the best organic milk, which is non-homogenized…i.e. healthier for you.
• Goat Milk Cheese – There is a stand at the Palo Alto Farmer’s market which sells goat milk products, their cheese is wonderful! Stop by and ask for a sample.

Local Meat

• Fiesta Farms – Pastured Chicken CSA. You sign up for the CSA and get one or more fresh whole chickens every 2 weeks during the season. They are pasture raised and given lot of organic vegetables to supplement. Really nice couple running the farm. The chickens are great, so so much nicer to work with than any other chicken I have seen. I like that you get them fresh (not frozen) so I can break them down into parts to use right away of freeze for later since we don’t often use a whole chicken at once. The chickens are easy to break down and if you vacuum seal them they will stay good in the freezer for a long time. You can also get eggs through them, although we didn’t because we had backyard chickens. If you use them, just note the chickens are so fresh, you want to wait 3 – 5 days before using them to let them rest and become more tender. I honestly have a hard time working with other chicken, even organic chicken I get from Whole Foods, it just doesn’t compare to farm fresh pastured chicken.
• Wind Dancer Ranch – Heritage Pasture raised hogs. The best pork you will ever taste!! The hogs are raised well on pasture and never leave the farm during their life. If you are up for it, this is the best way to secure pork for you, the land and the animals. You do have to buy at least half a hog, but you specify how you want it cut and it is cut, packaged and frozen for you. More details on their site. You could find a friend to split the half with you to give it a try. We did that our first time, and then went all in and got half just for our family. We did get a freezer for our garage to have room to store the pork, but we needed room for the pastured chicken as well. The garage freezer ended up being super helpful to store the meat, as well as to freeze fruit when I could buy in bulk at peak season to use later in baking or smoothies and to store leftovers when we make big batches.
• Fatted Calf – Butcher in SF and Napa Valley. Great selection of well raised meats and nice other items gourmet items.

Seafood

• Cook’s Seafood – (Menlo Park) Fish monger with a great fish selection. In the winter, during crab season, I suggest getting .75 – 1 Dungeness crab per person, melting some ghee/clarified butter, putting paper down on your table and having a crab feast! The crab is to die for. On the side have some bread or fries (you can get bread there and order fries at the attached restaurant), and a veggie…though it will be hard to not eat only crab! So fun and so good.
• Palo Alto Farmer’s Market – (Downtown Palo Alto) There is a seafood stand that always has great seafood…we’ve enjoyed scallops, wild salmon and tiger shrimp from them.
• Sustainably Caught Salmon Buying Club – If you are interested in joining a sustainably caught salmon buying club let me know and I can connect you.

Farms/Veggie and Fruit CSAs

• Full Belly Farm – Fantastic organic produce and nice people! They have a stand at the Palo Alto farmer’s market on Saturdays. They also offer a CSA, where you can pick up your box at the market or other locations. They have the best carrots around! And you can get fresh pomegranate juice from them which is amazing in smoothies or in adult beverages. You can also get farm fresh eggs through them. We signed up for the CSA and loved the produce along with the service.
• Frog Hollow Farm – if you are a fruit loving family they offer up a CSA of their fantastic fruit (peaches, cherries, pears…). We did it for one year, but it was too much fruit for us to get through each week so we did not continue. But their fruit and other products like jams are really great. When we were members we had the chance to go to the farm for a tour, lunch and cherry picking. It was so much fun! Farmer Al took us on a tour, we got to pick cherries and then enjoy a fabulous meal.
• Full Circle – Veggie and Fruit CSA where you can add on products each week like honey, eggs, sometimes pastured meat, etc. Great service and you get to pick which veggies and fruit you want each week online.
• Real Food Bay Area – Another great source for local and/or well sourced food. Not really a CSA, but you join for free and then when you want you place an order for pick up at one of their drop points.
• If you have an edible garden or bee hive or chickens and sometime have extra to share, there is a monthly gathering where folks bring their extras and take home something from the shared bounty. It is really something special. I wrote about our first time at the garden share where you can learn a little more. If you would like to get connected, let me know.

Local Jams/Preserves

• Inna Jam – my favorites are their Flavor King Pluot and Spicy Fresno.
• Happy Girl Kitchen – at the California Ave Farmer’s Market in Palo Alto. If you are into food preservation, they also let you buy in bulk from sources they find of top notch, ready to use products to make jams, pickles, etc. I got apples once and made great apple sauce and cherries which I pitted and froze for smoothies.
• Masa Organics – they make the best almond butter! They also sell organic brown rice and almonds. Another bonus is that their products are peanut free! So our daughter who is allergic to peanuts can still enjoy almonds. You can buy it at Fatted Calf (mentioned above), they also have a stand at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.

LOCAL COMPANIES

• Heath Ceramics – They make gorgeous ceramic home goods. You can visit their factory and store, or just shop at their locations in SF.
• Abode – (Half Moon Bay) I love this little shop. Every item in the store seems special. On our last trip to the shop we left with a side table made from steel that used to be part of the Golden Gate Bridge! We had to get in, especially since we were leaving the area.
• Peace Industry Felt Rugs – handmade felt rugs made from 100% lamb’s wool and natural dyes. They are hand-made in small batches (in Turkey) insuring that each piece is unique and exceptional in quality. They are earth-friendly, chemical-free, and fair trade. Custom colors and sizes are available. One bonus to their rugs is that they are great for kid’s play areas, they are tough and even stand up to play dough, just let the play dough dry and you can pick it out. What more can you want from a family rug?

EXCURSIONS

Napa Valley

For all the delicious details, check out my in-depth journal: Napa Valley, California.

Hawaii/Maui

We’ve been to Maui and I can honestly say, it is Paradise! If you are looking for a great, easy vacation where you can either relax the entire time or mix in fun activities it has hard to beat. An easy 5 hour flight from SFO and there are often airfare deals. Here's my Maui Travel Journal.

FOR FAMILIES

Kid Classes

• Palo Alto offers lots of classes and camps and they are open to non-residents as well. We did music class and ballet through them.
• Menlo Park has classes too. Their gymnastics program is amazing and inexpensive. I love that they have a viewing area for parents to sit and watch their kids (or catch up on email). Lots of kids also take their swimming classes.
• Tiny Treks – they offer a class where you meet up at a different location each time, go for a walk, exploring along the way, do an activity and have a snack and story. It is a fun easy class that is a nice way to gain exposure to places you might want to visit again.

More Fun

• Palo Alto Junior Museum – a free museum which is small but has some fun activities for kids and an little outdoor zoo.
• Lots of libraries
• Many parks! You’ll find lists and maps on each town website. We lived down the street from Johnson Park which is a really nice park, with lots of green open space for picnics or kicking a ball around.
• Happy Hollow (San Jose) – An amusement park for young kids. My daughter loved it! Little kid rides, a petting zoo where you can feed goats, see sheep… and a small zoo.
• California Academy of Sciences – our favorite CA museum.
• SF Aquarium on the Bay (SF Fisheman’s Wharf) – a nice, small one, good for little kids.  You can also walk down one of the piers there to see the sea lions…always fun.
• Hidden Villa – (Los Altos Hills) A farm with animals that you can visit.
• CuriOdessey – a small museum/zoo. Picnic area out front.
• SF Zoo – word of warning, it can get very cold in the summer! We went once in July or August and had to change plans as it was too cold for us in just shorts.
• Oakland Zoo
• Webb Ranch – for berry picking, fall pumpkin patch, horse riding
• Stanford Red Barn – I heard you can have a picnic on the lawn and watch the horses
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve – check the tide charts and plan a visit at low tide to explore the tide pools. Once we were lucky enough to also see a large group of seals nearby with pups! Time things right and you can head to lunch right before or after. Sam’s Chowder House is always fun (though best to make a reservation if you’re there on the weekend).

Farmer’s Markets

• I love bringing kids to farmer’s markets! There is usually music to entertain and an easy healthy snack, or not so healthy snack to be found. I always let Sofie pick something out. Sometimes it is raspberries or blueberries, sometimes a cookie. The markets are great for grown-ups too. It’d be great to be within walking distance of one as parking can be tough. The downtown Palo Alto market is my favorite, a great vibe and mix off vendors. There is an all year long market on California Ave on Sundays which is larger.

Preschools

• Bing Nursery School, run by Stanford. This is an amazing school. It is where Sofie went, and we were sad to leave. The classrooms are fantastic, made up of a large indoor classroom with different areas for play and exploration plus an enormous outdoor space with various play areas. While it is a play based program, the teachers are very mindful to set up different and exciting areas/projects for the children to explore and learn while having fun. They know each student very well and kids feel safe and happy. My daughter was sad on the days she didn’t have school! It is hard to get into though with the high demand and the fact that they give alum priority. But it is worth applying, you may get lucky –we did!
• Edgewood House School. A really nice, small school in Palo Alto. I toured and had Sofie spend a few hours there to get a feel for it. I like that it has a homey feel yet dedicated teachers focused on helping kids learn through play and experiences.
• Other schools I have heard good things about: Friends Nursery School, Casa Bambini, Ventura, Discovery Montessori.

Doctors

• Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). They have a number of locations which each have a bunch of departments like family medicine, pediatrics, Sports med, allergy…etc. And onsite services like blood tests. We like that you can go and if you need tests done, they can be done at the same location. There is also an online site where you can view test results, email your doctor, request refills, etc. You can even sign up to have the same for your child that you can access. It is all so easy! I believe their biggest location is in Palo Alto – which we could walk to.
• I have also heard good things about Welch Pediatrics.

FOR DOG OWNERS

• Dog Groomer – We like Bow Wow Meow for grooming in Menlo Park,. We used Ashley and she always did a good job. Seb, our Kerry Blue Terrier, was always happy to go and happy when we picked him up.
• Vet – We like the Animal Doctors. Always nice, pretty easy to get appointments. 

MISC FOR RESIDENTS

• Dry Cleaning – Purple Tie worked really well for us. You set up an account and then can go online to request pick up and drop off. They come and pick your bag up which you can just leave outside, and then drop it off 2 days later (one day later for an extra charge). Easy!
• House Cleaning – we used a service called Simplify Home Solutions which after you pay a membership fee ($75) they can help you arrange services to make your life easier, such as house cleaning. A few nice things is that they ensure anyone you hire through them is legit and paid fairly, they manage all of the billing for all services, they also come to your house to help get quotes when appropriate, etc.
• Town and Country is great to check out. Lots of places to eat and nice shops.
• University Ave in downtown Palo Alto is also great to walk down, has many restaurants and shops. We were happy to live just 3 blocks of off University so we could just walk to go out to eat, walk to the farmer’s market, get haircuts…etc.
• Stanford Mall is also nice to walk around even if you don’t have shopping…open and airy…always lots of dogs and fountains which kids love. Sprinkles Cupcakes is there too, and I have to say, their cupcakes are pretty darn good…just do not eat the decorative “dot” on top, those are terrible.

Napa Valley, California

There is so much to love about Napa Valley - the scenery, visiting wineries, eating amazing food and exploring fun shops. There is something about the refined yet chill atmosphere in the Valley that really helps you relax. 

About staying Napa: If you’ve been to Napa in the past you, like us, probably skipped over the city of Napa itself and focused on Yountville, St. Helena, the myriad of wineries along the main strip (Highway 29) and nestled elsewhere in the area. In fact, I didn’t even realize there was a Napa city until a year ago! I had thought Napa just meant Napa Valley. But after some research for a trip one time and reading about Oxbow Public market, which is line with artisanal food purveyors, and Gott’s Roadside Diner I decided we had to spend some time in Napa the city. There has clearly been a lot of investment in downtown Napa and foodie entrepreneurs are flocking in. What I love is that you can stay at a number of hotels (the Westin is easy and great with kids) and be in walking distance of Oxbow, regular food trucks, great restaurants and a few interesting shops. A few streets away you’ll also find a Whole Foods and a Safeway, which is handy when you want to pick up some staples to have around. All that, and you’re only a short drive from Highway 29 and all the other more typical Napa Valley activities.

Where to stay

Where to eat

• Farmstead (St Helena)
  One of my 2 favorite restaurants in the area. We go at least once every time we are there. Great local and sustainable food. The cheddar biscuits and honey butter are a MUST! 
• Bistro Jeanty (Yountville)
  The second of my 2 favorite restaurants there. The food is amazing, full flavored and comforting. The atmosphere is great, a relaxed french bistro. Cocktails are delicious. Reservations recommended. 
• Bouchon Bakery (Yountville) 
  Definitely worth a stop but go early as the line gets long. Even if you live in NYC where they have outposts, the one in Yountville is far superior. I have always enjoyed the TLC cookie but my new favorite is the cinnamon bun, it is to die for. The bread has a perfect luxe texture, the amount of cinnamon is perfect, it is sweet without being too sweet and the frosting is the perfect complement. Warning that the coffee is not the best, at least the drip and Americanos, too bitter. They also offer sandwiches and a range of drink options. 
• Bouchon Bistro
  Another Thomas Keller place. A nice French bistro with the usual offerings, all yummy. If cauliflower soup is on the menu, order it - amazing!
• Farm at the Carneros Inn (Carneros)
  Farm is a pretty fancy restaurant but still with that laid back Napa vibe; we ate there when we stayed at Carneros Inn. It was very nice to get dressed up and walk over to dinner. I wanted to mention it in case you were traveling with friends or family and have a chance to sneak out for a grown up dinner, or if you have a very well behaved child. Service, atmosphere and food are really great. I had the best pork chop dish of my life there.
• Gott’s Roadside  (Two locations - Napa and St Helena)
  Gourmet hamburger place with great menu options for all (fish tacos, salads…). Good for takeout too if you are staying nearby. 
• Market (St Helena)
  Delicious, modern American Food in a very easy environment.
• Dim Sum Charlie’s (Napa)
  It’s a food truck that services Dim Sum! Fun place to try out. If you don’t find anything for your kids, you can always pick something up from Oxbow Market a couple doors down.

Cheddar Biscuits, Farmstead

Bread, Bouchon Bistro

Bloody Mary, Farmstead

Salad, Bouchon Bistro

Cinnamon bun and Cheddar Scone, Bouchon Bakery

Wineries

When visiting wineries with a toddler, I would recommendation you test the waters to see how many wineries your child will tolerate each day and to pick wineries with something fun for them too. For instance, the cable car ride at Sterling is lots of fun for families. Young children might only be able to manage one winery if you plan to be there for a while, older kids (4 and up) can likely easily manage 2 and even 3 wineries a day. Good snacks for the kids will make the experience much more fun for everyone.

In the last couple years more and more wineries have started requiring reservations, many can be booked online. So if there is a winery you really want to visit, be sure to see if reservations are required. 

• Darioush – Currently our favorite. Excellent wine. Great tasting experience. Beautiful grounds. Juice for kids. See Rick for your tasting if you can, he’s great. They also have a retail shop with interesting, albeit, expensive home goods. Fun to poke around. The pistachios they serve with tastings are addictive. Reservations required. You can make one on the spot but might have a wait. 
• Cakebread Cellars – one of our favorite wineries, they seem to really care about their craft. We served one of their wines at our wedding! Reservations required. 
• Sterling – Has cable car which is fun for all, young and old. Great views. Juice for kiddos at the last tasting. The wine is just ok but the cable car and views make it worthwhile.
• Provenance – Juice for kids. Large lawn out front for running around on, great leaves to play with in the fall.
• Chateau Montelena – a bit further north but worth the drive. The grounds are really beautiful (bring your camera) and the wines are lovely. No special offerings for kids except to enjoy the outdoor space, including a koi pond. We joined their wine club and have not been disappointed.
• A few other wineries we like there are: Frank Family, Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Stagsleap, Opus One (fun to visit at least once), Domain Chandon is nice to visit to learn about Champagne/Sparkling wine and enjoy and outdoor sculpture garden, Whitehall lane, ZD makes wonderful wine and can be harder to find in stores.

 More kid-friendly activities

• Yountville – nice outdoor space to walk around,  lots of fun sculptures to check out, great places to eat and quirky shops.
• Napa River – great to walk along
• Old Faithful Geyser of CA – geyser and a few animals to visit
• Playground Fantastico (Napa, CA)
• Napa Farmer’s market – while I haven’t been, I am sure it’s a good one. Check out their site for details on when they are open. We have always been wine tasting and missed it.

 Shopping

• Oxbow Public Market (Napa)- similar to the Ferry Building in San Francisco and Chelsea Market in NYC. Interesting specialty shops and restaurants. Including  Whole Spices Company where you’ll want to buy more spices than you’ll ever need, Three Twins Ice Cream selling scoops and pints, Hog Island Oyster Company, The Fatted Calf (around the corner), Ca’Momi with amazing cream puffs (my favorite is the vanilla one)
• Fatted Calf – artisanal charcuterie and butcher shop at Oxbow. If you drove to Napa, bring your cooler; you will want to take some meat home. They have the best bacon for making my lentils and sausage dish. They also have great picnic items like olives, pates and salami.
• Dean and Deluca (St. Helena) – fun for any foodie. Nice place to grab picnic items as well. It can get very busy/crowded, especially around lunch time. 
• St Helena Olive Oil Co (St. Helena) – really fun place to visit since you get to taste everything! They have amazing olive oils, vinegars, pasta sauces, salts and many other fun specialty foods items. They also have fun antiques and home items. While both fun, the store in Napa is bigger, brighter and has a bit more to offer. My first visit to the Napa store in 2004 was when I saw my first olive tree up close and fell in love with their beauty. 6 years after that we have moved to California and within the first 3 months had an olive tree planted on our backyard! 

Honestly, this it just the tip of the iceberg. So many more amazing places. Really there is so much to do but some of the fun it just being there, driving around and taking in the peaceful beauty of Napa Valley. 

Maui, Hawaii

[Updated June 2018]

While on the West Coast we were fortunate to discover the paradise that is Maui. Vacationing there is just too fantastic to not write about! I am delighted to share all our favorites with you.

We stayed in a area called Wailea which is picturesque, calm and claims to have the best weather of the island. It is a great spot to make your home base where you can relax with the beach, pools, hotel amenities, shops and many great places to eat all nearby. From there you can make many fun excursions too. I do suggest getting a rental car as you’ll want to drive around and explore. We were also told that further north tends to be very windy – good for surfing, less great for young families.

QUICK SUMMARY

I have included a ton of information below, which might be overwhelming. So here is the one minute summary of the key things and my favorites: 

• Rent a car
• Stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani 
• Eat at Monkey Pod, Mama’s Fish House, Gazebo Restaurant, Fours Seasons for weekend brunch, and the Kei Lani restaurants (good and easy!). Those are my top picks.
• Go to a luau once (the one at the Grand Wailea is super close to the Kea Lani, pre-book tickets)
• I'd say relaxing, enjoying the ocean views, soaking in the weather and eating great food should be your top priority. 
• For a daily schedule, I suggest, breakfast at the hotel, then out on an excursion and back to the hotel mid afternoon for some pool and relaxation time before dinner. 
• Submarine tour out of Lahaina or a snorkel trip to Molokini 
• Look out for wild chickens... so fun to spot.

DETAILS

WHERE TO STAT

There are many lovely parts to the island, but our favorite is Wailea. It reportedly has the best weather on the island (for instance, the northern sections tend to be windy) and has what we feel is the best ratio of natural beauty/calm and things to do/places to eat.

• Fairmont Kea Lani – The Kea Lani is just great. They have a variety of room options to choose from, from a regular basic room to one bedroom suites with balconies that look out onto vast ocean to 2 and 3 bedroom villas with private terraces that include a plunge pool and grill. When my sister joined us on a trip, we stayed in a 2 bedroom villa which was fantastic. The other times, we always get a Deluxe Ocean Front one bedroom suite where the bedroom is really separate and the sofa pulls out to make a nice bed for our daughter. We splurge on the ocean front view, because to me that is one of the main reasons to go to Hawaii - that ocean view. And that is where the rooms can trump the villas, being higher up the views are better. The hotel and grounds are beautiful, clean and service is stellar. You can walk to the beach from the hotel, or take advantage of the pools. There is a large pool with a slide, with a small 1 foot deep kiddie pool nearby. There is also an adult only pool but views are not as nice from there! Lots of options to eat right at the hotel (kids under 5 eat free) or nearby places, including the other excellent hotels. The hotel is kid friendly, which a kids menu at each restaurant. There is a kids club though we have not tried it yet. Sign up for their free membership as you get some nice perks right away, like free wi-fi and notices of sales, which are sometimes very good.
• I have heard fantastic things about the other 2 large hotels there as well, the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons. If you are up for it, many people also rent out their condos in the area, which might get you a bit more space and probably a kitchen, but you won’t get hotel amenities.
• For a splurge/larger gathering, look into renting a villa. We celebrated some significant family birthdays a couple years ago and rented an fantastic ocean front house that had 4 bedrooms, and every convince of home you could think of, plus a gorgeous pool. Your own private ocean front home experience is hard to beat. Happy to share details on how we found ours with anyone interested.

PLACES TO EAT

Wailea (or nearby)

• Monkeypod – a must!! right up the hill from the The Shops at Wailea Mall. Great locally sourced, sustainable food that’s modern yet island influenced. Our favs: Truffle fries, Poke tacos, Saimin (w/o mint and cilantro), fish and chips, macadamia crusted fish. We never make it to dessert until our last time there when they had a special chocolate salted peanut caramel cream pie – which was amazing. I like their pina colada and my husband loves their Mai Tais..lots of good beers too. Get a table outside to enjoy a great sunset and setting. They have a nice happy hour too.
• Ko at the Fairmont Kei Lani – the lumpia (pork and shrimp) are great, as is the seafood stew (forget what it is called) and lobster tempura.
• Four Seasons Brunch – one of their brunch days they serve pina colada waffles which are so yummy. I ate way too many. We’ve been twice and once they told us there was a special brunch pricing where you get the buffet and all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys – score. You can walk there from the Kei Lani via a nice ocean side path. 
• Nick’s Fish Market at The Fairmont Kei Lani
• Humuhumunukunukuapua'a at the Grand Wailea - is known to be good and the setting is gorgeous. By the way, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a is the national fish of Hawaii. 
• Sansei – (Kihei) great Japanese food in Kihei, 15-20 min drive from Wailea. Gets really busy.

A little further

• Mama’s Fish House (Paia) – A must!! a long drive (30-40 mins), back near the airport but it is so worth it. AMAZING seafood. Make a reservation. We went for lunch twice on our last visit. My favorite on the menu…whatever fish they have prepared with the “Upcountry style with caramelized Maui onion, avocado and baby bok choy.” – so amazing. If they have the spicy mahimahi soup you should share it – really different and yummy. There is a small beach in front of the restaurant which is fun for the kids to hang at for a little bit - not for swimming though.
• Aloha Mixed Plate (Lahaina – pretty drive out there) - If you want a local plate lunch, this place is fun. A far drive though, in Lahaina. Worth it if you are going to check out Front St, which feels like a boardwalk, lots of shops and eateries.
• Gazebo Restaurant (Lahaina) -  A must!! Further out and completely worth the drive is the Gazebo Restaurant for breakfast/brunch/lunch. The macadamia nut pancakes are insanely good. Insanely good!!! The view is great. Last time we were there during whale season and had a fantastic show of whales jumping in the water as we waiting for a table. Lines do form, so get there early. It is tricky to find. It is tucked away along the water basically inside a condo complex.
• Hali’maile General Store – (Up Country) another far one, but yummy if you are up for the drive.
• Ono Gelato (Paia) – if you go to either Mama’s Fish House or the General Store you’ll drive by Ono Gelato in Paia, which supposedly is great.
• Cafe Mambo (Paia) - we have never been but it comes highly recommended.

Of of these my absolute favorites are: Monkey Pod, Mama's Fish House, Gazebo Restaurant, Four Seasons weekend brunch. Most definitely worth going, likely more than once.  

THINGS TO DO

• Beach – I suggest going in the mornings as winds get stronger midday. Polo beach at the Fairmont is a really nice beach with soft sand and tiny crabs which delight everyone young and old. 
• Pool – We went in the later afternoon into the evening (happy hour pool side!!)
• Luau – A Luau is fun. They host one at the Grand Wailea on certain nights – book your tickets ahead of time. The show is fun, the food is mediocre and the drinks watered down… but still fun to do at least once. I have heard the one in Lahaina is better but it is a long drive from Wailea and with kids we opted to stay closer and not have a long drive afterwards.
• Ask the hotel for good spots to see sea turtles. We stumbled on one just a couple minute drive past Mama's Fish House. So fun to see. 
• The drive to and view from Haleakala is supposed to be amazing, with waterfalls and other gorgeous sites on the Road to Hana along the way to see. We didn’t go as I would get too car sick.
• Helicopter tour – Pricey but amazing. Though I did get motion sick toward the end, which was less fun. We used Blue Hawaiian. 
• Whale watch – during the season. We must have seen 30 whales when we went! Including one calf who put on a great show breaching over and over again. Amazing. We booked with Trilogy and were really pleased. The boat was fantastic and they do not overcrowd it, the crew great as well serving a few snacks and drinks (alcoholic drinks available for purchase in the cabin, which is also where the restrooms are). The crew shared great information at certain points of the tour but then mostly let us relax and enjoy the views and whales. I was a little worried at first as I get sea sick, but at no point did I feel any discomfort on this boat! In fact, it felt quite luxurious to sit on the deck relaxing with the wind in my hair and the gorgeous views. I suggest brining a sweater though, in case it gets a bit chilly. You can book on their website, just print your tickets out for boarding. Update: We went on another one and the seas were rough, it you get motion sick, keep that in mind.
• Snorkeling – My husband and daughter loved snorkeling! You can rent gear from the hotels and go straight out from their beaches! Or for better viewing book a boat to go to a snorkeling spot. The company above we used for a whale watch does snorkeling trips. My husband and daughter most recently went on the Signature Deluxe Snorkel trip with Kai Kanani out of Makena and it was fantastic with food and drinks, even hot chocolate for the kids.
• Submarine tour - out of Lahaina with Atlantis Adventures! Such a unique and fun experience. I highly recommend it!! All 3 of us loved it. You take a short boat ride out to the submarine and then board easily. There are 2 rows of seats, both facing out so everyone gets a view. Definitely worth doing at least once. 
• You can rent all kinds of water vehicles on the beaches, from kayaks to paddle boards to small group boat rides from the beach at the Fairmont Kei Lani (Polo Beach)
• Aquarium – there is the Maui Ocean Center which I have heard it great but we have never made it there. 
• Sugar Cane train – I have heard this is fun, especially for kids, but we never made it.
• Surfing Goat Dairy – another one we never made it too, but have heard good things.
• Shopping (see below)

SHOPPING

• Shops at Wailea – a nice stroll, mostly shops you’d find at a nice mall in the US mixed in with a few local ones. I did get a nice pearl ring at a local jeweler and we bought a small sculpture at one of the galleries.
• Front Street – in Lahaina. It is about a 45 minute drive from Wailea, but you could hit a restaurant out there for lunch/dinner or the aquarium which is on the way, to make it more worthwhile. Mostly touristy shops with cheap souvenirs. But it is on the water and fun walk down, though it can get very hot in the afternoon. There is also a jewelry shop, I think called the Green Mango, that carries cuff bracelets made with vintage kimono fabric that are super cool. Both my sister and I got one.
• Town of Paia – cute, small downtown with shops and places to eat. There is a great local natural grocery store, Mama Foods which is great to stop up on snacks and fruit. You’d be close if you go to either Mama’s Fish house or The General Store.
• Four Seasons Hotel – hosts local artists in their lobby showcasing their creations. We got an amazing wood carving and were very temped by some pottery.
• All of the hotels have a few shops that are fun to poke around in.

TIPS

• Rent a car. It is easy to drive to many excursions and it is nice to have the freedom. Take a look at a map to orient yourself. Next to Wailea is Kihei which has more shops and farmer’s markets. Further east/north is Lahaina. Head back North from Wailea and you’re heading back toward the hotel and up toward Paia. It is really straightforward.
• Bring sunblock, especially if you want specific brands as they can be pricey or hard to find there. Be sure it is reef friendly! I am a big fan of COOLA.
• Groceries/Snacks – if you need more than what your hotel can provide, there is a Safeway a short drive away from the Kea Lani. It's a fun place to load up on local treats too! You'll also find Whaler's General Store in various spots which has a great basic selection of snacks and drinks. 
• My suggestion for most of your days there:
  • Beach in the morning before it gets too windy and hot. The mornings offer sunshine, calmer waters and perfect temps.
  • Eat lunch away from the hotel and couple it with an excursion
  • Chill in your room for a little while to let everyone recuperate a bit
  • Head to the hotel pool late afternoon so you and the kiddos can get some more water time in. Also, poolside means poolside services, which means happy parents! I sort of OD on Pina Coladas while in Maui.
  • Dinner at the hotel or nearby as everyone will be getting tired (Luckily, there are many great choices!)

Submarine shots...

Food.....