Press Restaurant St. Helena

This place was a complete surprise and even though they are only one Michelin Star, they manage to beat French Laundry and at half the price! Got the tasting menu. Skipped the wine pairing. The free dish they gave us in the beginning was so good. Geoduck on some frozen salty cucumber. Was blown away with the creativity. Their first dish is actually three separate things. Trout tartar perfectly salted, the crispy salmon skin with caviar is mind blowing good. The poached lobster was also great! The next dish showed how they are able to balance fatty rich flavors by providing some acidic flavors. The pork jowl is amazing. But so rich with the coconut sauce. But underneath is some acidic vegetables to the rescue. I’m not a cheese guy so didn’t care for the ricotta. But the mushroom and broth was intense. We also had the pasta with black truffles and corn. It is sweet and the pasta was al dente. Very rich. The halibut dish was ingenious with explosions of flavors. So good. Probably my favorite next to the salmon chip. The steak is good too with the smoky mushroom sauce. Next cheese dish I ate everything except the cheese. The last dish was the chocolate dessert with the olive oil sorbet. Very good. I highly recommend everyone give this place a try. Their creativity with their dishes were outstanding. The wait staff were all very good.

Press is a high class establishment! Wonderful food. I highly recommend the NY Strip. The desserts were sensational. Nice cocktail list. 5 star service all the way.