Michael Chiarello's Napa Valley Ristorante, Bottega!

6525 Washington Street; Yountville,CA  Telephone (707) 945-1050

Website  www.botteganapavalley.com
Open  Lunch, Thursday to Saturday; dinner, daily
Cost  Entree's $23-$36  Corkage $20.00  Credit Cards  All major

"Michael Chiarello is back where he loves to be-behind the stove-at his new Restaurant, Bottega. The cookbook author, vintner and Food Network celebrity, who describes the restaurant as his new studio, is picking up where he left off 10 years ago at Tra Vigne, exploring regional italian themes with a California twist. You'll find a few carryovers from Tra Vigne, such as whole oven-roasted fish, wood-grilled octopus, polenta with caramelized wild mushrooms, garganelli with balsamic rabbit sugo and chanterelles, and a daily mix of the other pastas and gnocchi." -Wine Spectator

I was in Yountville this weekend, and I came across Bottega.  It's a wonderful restaurant situated in the heart of Napa Valley.  I took some pics of the kitchen.  I was really killing two birds with one stone, because I really wanted to take the picture of the cute chef.

I love the look of this pic, with the hustle and bustle of a working professional kitchen.  I also like the reflection of the lights in the window.  I am curious about what the chefs were preparing the moment I took this photo.  I was thinking about how great it must be to be doing what you love so much, and getting paid to do so.  Cooking is an art.  An art anyone can learn if you put in the time and energy.