Cyrus Restaurant    For Jeff's 29th birthday we splurged on dinner at Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA...not technically in Napa, but worth the 45 minute drive into Sonoma County.  This unassuming gem is nestled modestly off one of the main thoroughfares in downtown Healdsburg and actually took us two drive-bys to find. We arrived early and started at the bar, which we highly recommend doing.  It's there that you'll find the freshest, most innovative cocktails from some of the best mixologists in wine country.  We simply told "Kentucky" what kind of alcohol we liked and left the rest up to him.   Both cocktails came with metal straws which was just one of the small details that set Cyrus above other restaurants.   

After cocktails, we were led into an intimate corner booth and a server immediately rolled up with a champagne and caviar cart fit for a king (or queen!) I just about fell over from the excitment! We didn't do caviar, but we definitely did the champagne and split a flight of three flutes.    

They offered 5 or 8 course tasting menus which included appetizers, desserts and the option to order an additional cheese course.  We both chose the 5 course tasting option; Jeff got the regular menu and I got the vegetarian menu which was a great way to try a little of everything.  I have to say, the Lobster rissotto I ordered was probably the best thing I've eaten in my life and Jeff's seared hamachi left him speechless.    

For the wine, Jeff selected a bottle of the 2007 Hourglass Blueline Merlot which was the first wine to really blow him away after coming to Napa. Even though it's a Merlot, it is a very different version of the varietal than most people envision. As Jeff describes it, "This wine coats the palate in rich berry fruit, brown sugar and warm baking spices- all wrapped up in cashmere."  In other words, it is hard to put a glass of this wine down!   

To finish off the birthday celebration, the staff put an elaborate twist on a childhood favorite: chocolate chip cookies and brandied milk with a cocoa-filled balloon.    

We loved their team service and personal attention to detail and highly recommend making advanced reservations. Of course, don't be afraid to dress your best!