For the weekend before Christmas we went up to Napa to celebrate the holiday season and ate at one of my favorite restaurants in Napa – Ad Hoc. Ad Hoc is Thomas Keller's most casual restaurant serving up family style meals. They offer a 4-course prix fixe menu that changes nightly and it is posted on the chalkboard as noted in the photo. I would highly recommend making reservations but be forewarned that you will not know the menu in advance. You can call the same day to find out but it is probably best if you don't have any strong food allergies or aversions to certain foods. Flexiblity is key!
So what was on tap when we showed up that Saturday night?
Bibb Salad with Pomegranates, Red Onion
Sous Vide Tri-Tip with Kale and Butternut Squash Puree
Lentils & Chanterelle Mushrooms
Assortment of Cheese/ Beets / Toast
Bread Pudding
The bibb salad was good. A little tart but fresh tasting. The serving was definitely more than enough for two. They probably give the same portion size to a group of 4! So this tri-tip was the BEST tri-tip I have ever had – hands down! If you are not familiar with the cooking technique, sous vide it is defined as "a French method for cooking also referred to as "under vacuum." It is a method of cooking
that is intended to maint
ain the integrity of ingredients by heating
them for an extended period of time at relatively low temperatures.
Food is cooked for a long time, sometimes well over 24 hours." Low and slow never hurt anybody! This meat was so flavorful and super tender, 
especially for a tri-tip. The fat was marbled within each and every piece. It was absolutely divine! We also enjoyed the greens and butternut puree served alongside as well as the lentils and mushrooms. The lentils added a heartiness to the cold weather outside. At the end, we each got an 
assortment of Cow Girl Creamery cheeses with roasted beets. I probably could have done without the cheese but it was still tasty. Lastly, we had the most amazing dessert! I think it was a bread pudding with ice cream and caramel sauce. We didn't need two of them but we certainly devoured both of them!!
If you're in Napa and able to stick around for dinner, there are a dozen famous restaurants you can go to including both of Thomas Keller's restaurants – Bouchon and French Laundry. If you're looking for something a little more casual or for a larger party, check out Ad Hoc. It's a no frills type of restaurant with a friendly staff and most certainly still appropriate for a special occassion. We stayed at the Yountville Inn which was about 50 steps away so it was the perfect location for dinner. I would recommend Ad Hoc for anyone traveling to Napa.
6476 Washington StYountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-2487
