Sunday, June 19, 2011

KFC . . . in *Yountville*?!

Staying at a Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast has its advantages. Like having access to some of the best fried chicken in the world.

For us, KFC means something a bit different. Read on.

If you've stayed with us, you may have dined at Ad Hoc, Thomas Keller's amazing (and affordable, for Keller) restaurant. It's about a 15 minute drive from the Old World Inns. A four course dinner for less than $60 per person, served family style, with little pretense (but *lots* of flavor).

Brined in honey and lemon overnight and lightly coated with flour and buttermilk, Ad Hoc's fried chicken has become legendary.

Under Construction: Ad Hoc's new fried chicken take-out window!
This past week, we noticed some unusual activity at Ad Hoc. Construction.

Thomas Keller on NBC's Today Show making Ad Hoc fried chicken
So we asked: What's up?

What we found was, in a word, unbelievable.

And wonderful.

(OK, two words).

The news:

Ad Hoc is building a "take out" window!



For fried chicken. And Barbeque.

No, we're not kidding.

The take-out window will only be open during lunch-- but boy, are we looking forward to some amazing fried chicken!

And Yountville finally has its own KFC: Keller Fried Chicken.

How cool is that!?

- The Innkeepers Napa Old World Inn

PS Want to learn how to make Ad Hoc fried chicken from Thomas Keller himself? Click here! Many thanks to the Today Show and MSNBC for all of the amazing images and video!

UPDATE: Ad Hoc's Addendum is now OPEN! Hours are 11 am to 2 pm (or until they run out, which will be more likely). Menus and foodie photos coming soon!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Kitchen Table- New Napa Restaurant at Oxbow!

Ah, the life of an innkeeper at a Napa Bed and Breakfast Hotel . . . all these new restaurants, and *someone* has to try them out—why not us?


If you ever had Todd Humphries' soup at Martini House (St Helena), you probably went into mourning when Martini House closed last fall. When we heard that two of the three original founders were eyeing the Oxbow for a new restaurant, we kept our fingers crossed.


And then it got better: We'd heard that not only was this new restaurant (walking distance from our Inn) going to happen-- but that Martini House alumni Todd Humphries (executive chef), Christopher Litts (chef de cuisine), and Tim Sebersen (general manager) were all on board.


(we first met-- and loved-- Tim when he managed Julia's Kitchen at Copia. Welcome back to Napa, Tim!)


We just got a sneak peek at the menu . . .


Mmmmmmm. 


Korean Short Ribs? Mushroom pasta? Armenian Pizza with spiced ground lamb?


. . . so many more incredibly yummy items.


And yes-- the mushroom soup is BACK!


Due to open next week, Tuesday, June 14 (Locals Night!)


Stay tuned for more pix and a foodie review!


- The Innkeepers 
Napa Old World Inn