Mustards Grill In Napa Valley

My friend Madeline and I went to Sonya’s Garden a few days before I left for Hungary. She was in the Philippines for two months because her 82 year old mom suffered a mild stroke. She’s back in the Bay Area last June 14.
She extended her vacation because she still has a bad jet lag.

Last tuesday, she picked me up and wanted to bring me to Sausalito. I’ve been to Sausalito a couple of times already. I suggested that we explore Napa Valley instead. Same driving distance she assured me. Although I’ve been to Napa several times in the past, I wanted to visit a quaint bed and breakfast to get ideas in case I woke up one morning wanting to open a bed and breakfast in Tagaytay.

Madeline doesn’t drive around with a GPS, nor her Honda Odyssey van has one. She doesn’t believe in GPS, it’s not accurate daw.

She relies more on her knowledge of the area and her gut feel. She said it’s also good to get lost once in a while.

View of Vallejo

She’s confident driving to Napa because she’s been there countless times. She told me there were times she wanted to clear her mind of stress, she would drive alone to Napa, and the mere sight of the vineyards relaxed her.

It took us 45 minutes to get to this part of Napa. She wanted to go to a specific winery farther up but when we saw the restaurant Mustards Grill, I suggested that we eat first since it’s way past 1 pm.

We made a U-turn.

It was a Tuesday, I didn’t expect to see many people.

She’s been here before and she said the food was good.

Zagat Review

The bar is located directly in front of the main entrance.

The receptionist told me there would be a 30 to 40 minutes wait. Less if we’re willing to eat at the bar.

I was willing to eat at the bar rather than wait for 40 minutes. Madeline preferred to wait for a table. Good decision. We were given a table in half hour.

This guy’s hand kept pressing the woman’s thigh. Pinipisil-pisil. Meaty?

Nagulat ako ng konti when a waiter came holding a piece of bread using a napkin, then placed the bread on our table, without a plate or saucer. Ganun lang.

Madeline’s appetizer, Sweet Corn Tamales with mushrooms, tomato-avocado salsa and pumpkin seeds $11.25
She wanted me to taste some because it’s delicious daw. I didn’t try it.

I ordered Dungeness Crab Cakes with espellete aioli, garden greens an sherry vinaigrette. I squeezed a lot of lemon on the crab cakes and the zest balanced the creaminess of the mayonnaise on the crab. $17.95

I was already full from the appetizer (crab cakes). When they served my salad, the Hunan Grilled Chicken. Madeline ordered the same thing. I must admit I was taken aback when it was served with chopsticks. This restaurant serves international dishes. I didn’t expect to be served Chinese food at an American grill restaurant. I didn’t notice the word Hunan.

It had so many ingredients. The sauce tasted similar to Hoisin sauce. Maybe this dish was good. I just didn’t appreciate it at that moment. I couldn’t finish it.
This dish could be a meal in itself. It should not be classified under salad. It’s filling and heavy. $17.88

Madeline wanted to order the Butterscotch. But when I didn’t want to order dessert, she canceled her order. I didn’t want her to do that. I asked the waiter if he could just bring me a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
He smiled at me. It’s a yes.

When I ordered ice cream, Madeline went ahead with her butterscotch. She could make this daw. She’s been honing her baking skills for several years in preparation for her plan of opening a cafe in Batangas when she retires.

I scooped a teaspoonful of butterscotch and mixed it with my vanilla ice cream.

The owner of Mustards is Celebrity Chef Cindy Pawlcyn, She has published several cook books.

She’s considered a culinary legend in Napa Valley.

Madeline didn’t want me to pay or even share in the bill. Outside of my family, she’s one of the very few (only 3) persons who like to pay for my meals.

Thank you Lyn.