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First responders eat free at Market in St. Helena

Oct 17, 2017 Updated Oct 18, 2017

ST. HELENA — First responders will find that their money is no good at St. Helena’s Market restaurant, through at least Thursday, Oct. 19.

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Market selected as Winner of the 2017 Open Table Diners’ Choice Awards

Market St. Helena was selected as 2017 Winner of Open Table Diners’ Choice Award by real feedback from diners!  Market is very proud that Open Table celebrates top-rated restaurants and that Market was chosen as the best by their valued patrons.

For Market chef and owner Ernesto Martinez, success means giving back

December 01, 2014 10:58 am • By Sasha Paulsen

ST. HELENA — It’s been six years since chef Ernesto Martinez and his brother-in-law Ramon Flores, became the of Market restaurant in St. Helena, but Martinez still beams with pride as when the door opens for lunch and people, many greeting him by name, begin to fill his cozy and elegant Main Street bistro. (click here for review)

Chef/owner Eduardo Martinez is sharing his American dream at Market, where classics like mac ‘n’ cheese dressed up with aged Fiscalini cheddar, mingle with little tastes from his Mexico City home—think buttermilk fried chicken and peppery cheddar-jalapeño cornbread, or blackened chicken rolls spiced with chipotle chiles. There are many reasons to love Market, including pristine oysters on the half shell; zinfandel-braised lamb shank with creamy mashed potatoes and mint remoulade; and a sinfully fabulous butterscotch pudding made with real Scotch, ahem, and served in a waffle cone bowl. Slip into a plush brown leather banquette and get comfy with your latest prize from wine tasting: an anomaly in the Valley, Market generously forgoes corkage fees. (click here for review)

Rated #! on TripAdvisor.com for Restaurants in Napa valley, CA.
– “fresh, tasty food, good service, relaxing environment”
– “an overall outstanding dining experience”

Michel Guide Recommended 2011 ‘At this friendly local favorite along St.Helena’s rather elegant Main Street, Chef/owner Eduardo Martinez never skips a beat in preparing food as delicious, comforting, and market-fresh as ever.’

Zagat 2014 says: “Both visitors on “a Sunday drive in wine country” and “fiercely loyal” St. Helena locals say “this place never fails to delight”, with “flavorful, well-prepared” Traditional American comfort food that’s “fairly priced for the quality”; bedecked with “stone walls and rich woodwork”, the room is often “fully booked”, but the “staff handles it well”; P.S. the “old-time-y bar” and no corkage fees are “added attractions.”

Zagat Survey 2011 “…’hospitable’ all around, it keeps the ‘who’s who of the wine business’ and other ‘locals’ coming back regularly.”

When they “want a break from fruofruo food”, St. Helena habitues head for this “dependable” “downhome” hang with “haute” Traditional American “comfort food” like the “to-do-for” mac ‘n’ cheese with “a slight twist”; it’s “warm, welcoming” and “reasonably priced.” – Zagat 2009 – rated Very Good to Excellent.

“Best of St. Helena 2008” Award – US Local Business Association

“If only life were as simple as a box of Market’s buttermilk fried chicken – simple, comforting, not too fussy…Martinez takes his cue from the local market, spinning fresh, seasonal ingredients into lip-smacking comfort food” – 2009 Michelin Guide

Both visitors on “a Sunday drive in wine country” and “fiercely loyal” St. Helena locals say “this place never fails to delight”, with “flavorful, well-prepared” Traditional American comfort food that’s “fairly priced for the quality”; bedecked with “stone walls and rich woodwork”, the room is often “fully booked”, but the “staff handles it well”; P.S. the “old-time-y bar” and no corkage fees are “added attractions.” (click here for review)

BarBites(July 29, 2010)
Market: Market earned its claim to fame through original partners Douglas Keane and Nick Peyton, who opened the refined American comfort food restaurant in 2003. These days, the pair is renowned for their two-ichelin-star Cyrus in Healdsburt. Yet the legend – and quality – lives on, through longtime Market chef Eduardo Martinez, who took over in 2008 as the chef-owner. This upscale-looking but moderately priced pub-restaurant continues to draw starstruck out-of-towners and locals who know it’s one of the best deals in swanky downtown St. Helena for luxuriously rich mac and cheese ($14) and juicy Duroc pork chop ($21) with favas, wild mushrooms and cognac sauce.

The Vibe
The polished dark-wood bar sets a sophisticated mood. If feels regal and it is; the bar is said to have come from the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

The Crowd
In tourist season, good luck getting into the 75-seat spot without reservations. But one of the best times to perch at the bar is “linner,” that quiet time between lunch and dinner.

Best Seat
With only 10 seats at the bar, you’re always in the heart of the action. And the high-backed chairs are so perfectly curved and padded that your body oozes into them and best to stay a good long time.

Killer app
Crispy calamari ($13) comes decorated with nopales and packs a nice kick from Fresno chiles, while there’s plenty of flair in ceviche ($14) of wild cod with hearts of palm, celery, oregano, jalapeños and avocados.

Signature drink
Get playful with cocktails ($10 each) like Randy’s Tuaca drop of Tuaca vanilla-citrus liqueur, Cointreau and house-made sweet and sour.

Also on tap
Several craft beers such as Blue Star Wheat on draft (Fort Bragg, $6). Designated drivers aren’t overlooked, either, with a No-Heat-O Virgin Mojito ($5)

Bonus
If you can’t be appeased by the 80-plus choices of Cali-centric wines, bring your own. Corkage is free.