We began our exploration of Napa with a stop at the Oxbow Public Market. This is located in the town of Napa and includes both an open air market as well as covered marketplace.
Picture perfect produce, all grown by local organic farmers, flowers, and artisanal cheeses, charcutrie, a butcher shop, local Napa products, and, of course, wine. They take their food very seriously in Napa and this is definitely foodie heaven.
The Hog Island Oyster Company has been farming oysters about an hour away from Napa for about 30 years. We sat at the counter and watched as a dozen oysters were freshly shucked and served to us. We sampled three varieties of Hog Island oysters. The plump, mild, Cliffside oysters were outstanding, served simply with lemon and a mignonette sauce.
Other standout booths were the Spice Market, which offers and amazing array of spices, including custom rubs for every type of meat and sausage, an array of sea salts from all over the world and flavored sugars for your baking fantasies.
The Napa Valley Distillery is the areas only distillery and produces a line of organic vodkas, gins, and brandy-like concoctions. They also produce their signature Meyer Lemon liqueur and a variety of simple syrups that can be used to flavor teas or incorporated into your baking recipes. I’m going to use the lemon liqueur in a glaze for my Sicilian olive oil cake. Yum.
photos by Patrice Wyndham-Smith
644 First Street, Suite D
Napa, CA 94559