Bistro Jeanty – Napa
6510 Washington St
Yountville , CA
(707) 944.0103
See larger map and more nearby
VdV Rating: 4
Food: French
PRO: Best Tomato Soup in the world
CON: The Jeanty in SF closed last year:(
OK, kittens this one’s gonna be short & sweet. Y’know that ‘Best Thing I Ever Ate’ show on Food Network? First off, I will not rest until VdV is invited as a guest. If not on that show, I wanna be on Iron Chef. No, not as a chef, bitches, as a judge!
That said, I do think I could give Michael Symon a run for his biscuits. Oh, and the other reason to be on Iron Chef? ‘Cuz I want to see if The Chairman actually makes that swooshy noise when he air-karate chops. That’s groovy.
Anyhoo, if VdV did honor The Best Thing I Ever Ate show with our presence, we may just have to insist that Jeanty’s Creme De Tomate En Croute (Tomato Soup in a Puff Pastry, Gomer) for the Best Thing I Ever Ate. Say it don’t spray it. It’s creamy, tomato-y goodness with a delicate, buttery shell. Even without the dough, this shit rocks it. ‘Nuff said. Just take us at our word.
Now now, am I saying Bistro Jeanty is the best place I ever ate? Where I got my world rocked in every way? No. So calm down, and grow a thicker skin you whiners. I mean, adjectives (they are adjectives, right?) such as ‘Best’ and ‘Ever’ are difficult to assign. ‘Ate’ and ‘Thing’ are easier. I mean, is my fave song from my fave band? No. It’s simply an instance. J&J have had awesome dining experiences all over God’s Green Earth, and it doesn’t always come down to one dish. But Bistro Jeanty does bring it. 
And BJ isn’t just a soup kitchen, they have lotsa good stuff on the menu, including Moules Au Vin Rouge ($18.50), Steak Tartare ($21), and Entrecote Frites ($28.50), bien sur. Also lots of good fresh salads too. Weird menu thing missing? No Onion Soup! Sacre Cour!
The wine list, you say? Of course they have a killer wine list they’re a French bistro located in Yountville, fool! It’s fairly large and balanced primarily between Cali and French vinos, with a decent selection by the glass as well.
The Creme De Tomate En Croute is no question worth a 50 minute drive from ‘Frisco to Yountville just for the soup! Tres Bien, Bistro Jeanty!
Bonus – they publish the recipe on their website. That said, you may not want to know how much butter and heavy cream is inside…
Note: the 4 rating is because of their soup. Overall I’d give BJ a strong 3 or so.
