Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Fri.-Sun., Dinner nightly

Features

Wine

Great Wine List

* Click here for rating key

Dining room at Martini House, St. Helena, CAThis handsome Pat Kuleto-styled bungalow blends lumberjack chic (zig-zag plank ceiling and candles riding an oak log suspended by fat chains above the dining room) with novel metal-works (antique corkscrews, faucets, petanque balls). A romantic glow emits from three fireplaces and artisan lamps resembling woven Wappo tribal baskets. Chef Todd Humphries’ sophisticated plates salute the seasonal, sourced ingredients therein. Teasers like Gallia melon shooters with lemon grass oil, squab foie terrine with black truffle, or intense matsutake broth provide lead-ins. Advance to meaty trumpet mushroom slabs under Parmesan foam with smoked bacon and ricotta gnocchi soft as the cheese itself; seared scallops and threat-level-orange tomato coulis accented with tarragon; and crisp skinned squab with confit legs complemented by luscious, bright giblet jus. Servers in command of their taste memories offer guidance in customizing course line-ups, dabbling between à la carte selections and various themed menus (e.g., a prix-fixe, a four-course tomato tasting and a mushroom extravaganza that flaunts chef Humphries’ fungus obsession). A crack wine list with rarities also includes categories such as “women winemakers we love” and “to screw or not to screw,” a send-up to cork-free bottles. Climax with coconut tapioca pudding and vanilla bean beignets, silky chocolate custard cake with salted caramel ganache or citrus-buttered blini with blueberry compote. An extensive outdoor patio with koi pond and underground Prohibition-era wine cellar offer alternate dining venues.

User Ratings & Reviews for Martini House
 
Best Restaurateur of the Year
Top 40 Restaurants

Once a year, we examine the best of the best, and compile our list of the Top 40 Restaurants in the country, featured in our Annual Restaurant Edition. Also check out the Top 40 Cheap Eats, and Best Restaurateur of the Year.

Browse our Recipes
Cook Up a Storm

What's for dinner tonight? Or for your dinner party this weekend? Check out our recipe section to find healthy meals such as Broccoli Rabe Soup and sweet treats like Dark Chocolate Dipped Pineapple with Pistachio.

Food Trucks, the hottest trend
Taco Truck Trend

A phenomenon that started in East Los Angeles is sweeping the nation: food trucks are emerging from coast to coast, offering Korean tacos, French take-away and even gourmet desserts.

Latest Cookbooks
Latest Cookbooks

Whenever a chef or important food personality publishes a new book, we are among the first to review it. Find out what's worth whisking around with our cookbook reviews!

 
 


RESTAURANT AWARDS

Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!