Bottega- Michael Chiarello

First posting....let's make it interesting, shall we? Someone really should pay me to be a restaurant critic....and I have been meaning to write my first book on my favorite restaurants. But since this is 2010, a blog will just have to do.....so let's begin in Yountville. We have been to so many of the restaurants in Yountville, Bistro Jeanty being our most regular stop for lunch. We were in the mood for Italian, and I remembered that we had not yet been to Michael Chiarello's restaurant, Bottega. Bad economy and the middle of January, so I was able to call from Domaine Carneros a few miles away (where we were picking up some sparkling wine) and get a reservation. We arrived and were seated immediately- chose to share four appetizers and one entree. We had the brussel sprout salad, warm grilled octopus and polenta under glass, as well as a special that they had, a hamachi served on a large brick of himalayan sea salt (picture to follow). The presentation of the hamachi was outstanding, very "iron-chef" -esque. Only a few pieces, but they were delicious. We ordered a bottle of the Flowers Pinot Noir, amazing. Frank doesn't like brussel sprouts, but they were shredded and tossed in a dressing, and he loved them. The octopus was so tender, the polenta decadent and yummy. Our entree was a pasta served with a rabbit ragout....absolutely to die for. The entire meal was exquisite. The best part was that Michael Chiarello was running the kitchen and came out every 1/2 hour or so and made rounds to say hello to his patrons....I, of course, asked our server to meet him- picture also to follow....another Napa Valley posting to follow later this evening....