calistoga

an old favourite, and a great place to take visitors. off the the beaten track but good food well done and a lovely wine list as well! like the guest book with the bill!

this year we had our valentine’s day meal at calistoga, a californian restaurant tucked away just off rose street. we booked in for a congressional wine tasting session and three course meal. the wine tasting session lasted about 40 minutes and took place in a room upstairs. the very knowledgable wine expert took us through the flavours of two red wines and two white wines from california. it was interesting to do something a bit different, great for any wine lovers out there!

hidden just off rose street, you’ll find calistoga, a californian restaurant that will take you on a journey of fine food and even better wine! the last time i went was part of a wine tasting and meal experience. it starts at just £33 a head and is an excellent way to spend an evening.

calistoga = i don't understandum..i'm so unsure as to what this place is... a taste of california? .. to be honest i've never been to california..but i think of sunny, fresh, delicious, vibrant, hottie's food.. and i don't even know if they serve california food here.

we came here, 2 of us, under the reviews that they were "speciality restaurant of the year"
at scottish restaurant awards on their website. um..we know they've paid to have that title..but nonetheless it's worth trying right? 

when arriving you see the waiting staff so badly dressed.,,i wasn't even sure if he was working or not! this place really needs a good refurbishment. menus are on a4 paper in plastic cover. 
 

they do have a great wine menu and lists out some really nice wines which we did try out. 

the food here .. was not amazing. really.. for a restaurant to have a rosette i was so so disappointed.  

there is a lot of improvement needed if i was ever wanting to return and it starts with food and staff.

our evening started in the restaurant’s tasting room, where sommelier alastair henderson took us through the “congressional” sampling of two red and white wines (£32pp including a 3 course dinner). previously working in california’s

the place suited our needs beautifully, the service was very nicely judged, and the food was of a very decent quality

our food arrived pretty promptly, and i must say it looked rather spectacular- the flash on my iphone does not do it justice.

for his main, mister had a plate-spanning t-bone steak that would have satisfied any rancher. medium-cut and cooked, it came with an aromatic peppercorn and brandy sauce, and crisp skinny fries. i tucked into the perfect grilled tuna fillet, plenty of seasoning and colour on the outside, and a still-translucent centre. the side of red rice and crunchy pepper salsa brought together a dish that was clean on the palate.