St. Helena holds an unusual concentration of serious restaurants for a town of 6,000. The valley's tradition of California-cuisine cooking — local produce, Mediterranean influences, careful sourcing — is on full display here. Reservations weeks ahead are standard at the better places, especially on weekends.
Notable kitchens in and around town include The Restaurant at Charlie Palmer at the Harvest Inn, Cook St. Helena for casual Italian, Press for steaks and an exhaustive Napa wine list, and the Gatehouse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute for student-cooked menus at lower prices. For a picnic, the deli at V. Sattui Winery or the Sunshine Foods grocer on Main both work well.