From NYC’s Momofuku – Star Chef at North Block Restaurant

Yountville Dispatch! It pays to sleuth around the wine country, my recent sojourn and dine about revealed a Star Chef with a swoon worthy pedigree at the new restaurant at the little gem North Block Hotel.

Various causes closed the original restaurant at North Block Hotel in Yountville, but they’ve come back with a superb dining upgrade! See my post from last summer – North Block Hotel

Chef Nick Tamburo, joins the hotel’s new restaurant from NYC’s Momofuku, bringing a New York energy to Yountville with his take on refined California cooking featuring locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Rotating with the seasons, the menu features meat and vegetarian dishes infused with raw and smokey elements, in addition to wood fired, naturally-leavened pizzas.

Chef Nick Tamburo at North Block Restaurant, St. Helena

Chef Tamburo, worked at Momofuku for six years, as the executive chef at creative Korean-Italian spot Momofuku Nishi and sous chef at two Michelin-starred Momofuku Ko. Also joining North Block from Momofuku is general manager Andy Wedge, who is emphasizing local wine and classic cocktails.

He is aiming to make good use of a Japanese grill with Binchotan charcoal which is preferred at high-end yakitori restaurants in Japan and a wood-fired oven.

North Block Restaurant St. Helena

The Yountville restaurant scene is dominated by French leaning California cuisine and is already a foodie mecca – adding North Block with the famed new chef to the mix is a sensational enhancement.

North Block serves dinners inside the chic and stylish renovated interior and on the leafy terrace.

Seafood such as poached rockfish Santa Barbara spot prawns and abalone will be on the menu, as well as wood fired non-traditional sourdough pizza. Chef Tamburo will be adding interesting elements tapping into Asian ingredients including nori or a dash of umami to boost flavors.

Address 6757 Washington Street Yountville.

Interiors by St Helena based iconic designer Erin Martin

Kollar Chocolates – Yountville Yummies

Kollar Chocolates is a unique artisanal chocolate shop located in the charming town of Yountville in the Napa Valley. Chris Kollar, the self-taught chocolatier, shares his love of chocolate in his glass walled kitchen.

As you approach the small shop, the rich aromas of chocolate lure you inside. Gleaming display cabinets showcase the delicacies in the extensive and unique chocolate Kollar repertoire. These are more than extraordinary desserts; the beautiful truffles are actually small works of edible art – tiny bites filled with intense flavor and rich essence.

Chris uses only the best quality ingredients to create premium chocolates, that provide more than a fleeting moment of chocolate bliss! From classic European-style chocolates, to new world flavors, Naomi Pasztor and Chris Kollar have brought a personal sense, style and panache to the world of chocolate.

Chris & Naomi invite you to watch and learn about quality handmade chocolate through a glass show kitchen, where Chris produces his small batch confections. On the other side of the marble cooling slabs, Naomi Pasztor manages the front of the shop, offering pre-packaged and to-order chocolates, Gelato, and Espresso coffee.

Wine touring should be combined with chocolate tasting – at Kollar Chocolates. The unique chocolate design and sophisticated packaging is ideal for corporate or personal gift giving – or keep them all to yourself! Online ordering if you haven’t time to escape to the wine country.

Located in the V Marketplace on Washington Street in Yountville. http://kollarchocolates.com/index.html

A wall of Chocolate, who wouldn't be pleased?

A wall of Chocolate, who wouldn’t be pleased?