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Easter is one of my favorite holidays. We aren’t exactly religious, so we focus more on celebrating the start of springtime.

Unfortunately, the weather today is not very spring-like. Luckily, the rain held off just long enough that we could attend an Easter egg hunt at Thomas Keller’s restaurant Ad Hoc in Yountville (the world-famous The French Laundry is just down the street) this morning.

Now we are preparing to host a casual Easter dinner for a good friend and her daughter-one of Samantha’s friends from school.

We’ll be starting the evening with what has come to be our signature cocktail and Baked Chèvre with Pistachios & Orange Blossom Honey. Then, our dinner plans include my Mom’s recipe for Grilled Leg of Lamb (recipe below), Cous Cous with Garbanzo Beans, Dried Figs & Almonds (we subbed the figs for prunes) and Roasted Beet & Sugar Snap Pea Salad.

If you’re so inclined, you can check out the wines we’ll be enjoying in real-time over on Twitter.

Happy Easter!

Egg Coloring

Pride in the Results

Easter Basket!

Awaiting the Egg Hunt

Egg Hunt Napa Valley Style

Thomas Keller's Gardens at Ad Hoc

 

And They're Off!

Grilled Leg of Lamb

Marinade:
1 c dry red wine or sherry
3/4 c soy sauce
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 c fresh mint, chopped
2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 tsp freshly-cracked black pepper

Combine the above ingredients and marinate lamb for 6 hours.
Grill on high for 45 minutes, turning occassionally.

Up to now, much of the content for this month’s theme of kid-friendly activities in the Napa Valley has been focused Upvalley (the term used by locals to connote the northern part of the valley).

And the fact that, so far, I’ve mainly highlighted activities in Saint Helena is natural as that is where we live and spend most of our time.

But we do occasionally wander down valley. And one of our favorite spots is Michael Chiarello’s flagship NapaStyle store and Paninoteca in Yountville.

While the store itself isn’t necessarily kid-friendly (with all the fancy glassware and whatnot), it isn’t un-kid-friendly and it’s totally worth it to take the time to browse and shop. Plus, you might also see Michael himself–sometimes even with his family too.

The Paninoteca is located towards the rear of the store. Just place your order at the register back there and take a seat at one of the several tables inside, or as we prefer, on the pretty patio outside. You’ll enjoy a casual courtyard with dappled shade along with the freshly-prepared, delicious salads and sandwiches. There is also a nice selection of wine and non-alcoholic beverages.

Who: All ages, but I am not sure if they offer highchairs–note: kids need to be closely supervised when inside the store, but there’s a lot of freedom out on the patio

What: Wonderful, eclectic NapaStyle goods in a beautiful retail space; but for families we really like the Paninoteca–especially the patio dining

Where: NapaStyle, V Marketplace, 6525 Washington Street in Yountville

When: Lunch, particularly on a nice day so you can sit outside

Why: To bring home something special for your home, kitchen or garden and to delight in upscale-casual lunchfare in a kid-safe, easy outdoor setting

Piggyback

The olive grove of the Paninoteca patio

Playing on the patio

An aside: I was very impressed when I saw this clever use of a champagne riddling rack at NapaStyle.

Perhaps these racks aren’t common where you live, but you see them all over the place in the Napa Valley. In our home, we have one Tom gave me for a birthday present; we use it simply for decoration.

Here, they purposed one to grow herbs, greens, and even tomatoes. I think this is an awesome idea for anyone with limited space who wishes to grow at least a bit of their own food.

Riddling rack as garden