Napa Valley: Dean & Deluca

You can't leave Napa without stopping by Dean & Deluca. My very first experience was in Kansas City and since then I've been hooked. Each store has its own unique offering to its customers and fans alike. What makes this location unique is much of the produce is grown from local farmers and their wine hall is filled with 1400 wines from this region. I also found freshly baked breads and rolls from Bouchon Bakery which is located a few miles south of the store.

One of things I didn't have at the Kansas City store is their sandwiches. I've heard so much about them that my mouth is salivating just thinking about it.

After our wine tour at Opus One, we dropped by D&D to pick up sandwiches on our way to the CIA at Greystone. The deli area is located toward the back of the store and has a specific line just for sandwiches (very convenient). I ordered a Ham & Havarti sandwich on a Dutch Crunch roll. It was essentially a Ham and Cheese sandwich kicked up a thousand notches and Marc ordered a Pastrami sandwich with layers and layers of pastrami. Unfortunately, no photos. It was devoured almost instantly. Trust me it was delicious. Wanna learn more, check out their blog post on the "Art of the Sandwich".

Aside from sandwiches, I did manage to purchase a few items.

[images by Dean & Deluca]

On the left Mariage Frères Marco Polo Tea Bags and on the right a D&D Wood Spoon (pictured above with the cookbook).

Mariage Frères Marco Polo tea is a black tea that has a sweet and lovely fragrance. Mariage Frères is considered the 'haute-couture' of tea (my kind of tea!). The tea bags are cheesecloth folded and tied with a string. The tea should be consumed during an afternoon break or as an after dinner tea so that you can simply enjoy its aroma as it transports you to another place. Wanna know more? I stumbled upon an article about this tea called Mariage Frères - The Best Tea in the World.

The other item I purchased was their wood spoon. You can't have enough wooden spoons. For some reason, I can't seem to purchase them online. When I was at the store, there was one left. It was fate. :)

All and all, D&D in Napa Valley was what I expected. Everything I wanted to get, was sold out. Which means you snooze, you lose. In the heart of wine country, you literally need to wake up early to get first dips.

Next D&D stop, Washington, D.C.

Things to know:

• D&D is located conveniently across the street from V. Sattui Winery. After picking up something from the deli, walk across the street and have a picnic at V. Sattui.
• This location can get quite busy but service is quick and easy.
• Must-haves: Desserts, sandwiches and gourmet foods. Extensive selection of local artisan cheeses to pair with Californian wines located on site.
• D&D in Napa Valley is the only store on the west coast until its Southern California location is built at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Supposedly scheduled to open sometime in mid-2010.
• Expect to pay a pretty penny here. It's like the Barneys/Bergdorf Goodman of gourmet food and kitchenware.

607 South St. Helena Highway
St. Helena, CA 94574
707.967.9980

Website: http://www.deandeluca.com/