Thanks for all your replies. Became confused at Costco with the variety of "loins" available...from 7.99/lb for Top sirloin to 19.99/lb for tenderloin usda prime. Settled on tenderloin steak-filet mignon for $13.99/lb...3 thick filets totalling 2.2lbs.

I think I want to make this...
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

But now I'm confused whether to broil/grill or go low & slow. Also, does everyone make fresh horseradish cream or can I buy? Where does one buy fresh horseradish? Thanks.

I don't cook much beef at home (enjoy it at restaurants) but I am interested in making an appetizer for an upcoming dinner party. Reading recipes online, looks like the tenderloin is the way to go. My initial thought was cooking a skirt steak (alton brown recipe) & slicing that as I've never made a tenderloin. Also, was thinking of serving with chimichurri sauce or red pepper aioli.

Also, can I make the tenderloin a day ahead? FWIW, I always cook non-veg dishes day of party. Lastly, this would be for about 10-12 people, along with other apps.

Since you are staying in city of Napa, think about having dinner near your hotel on Wednesday as that is a busy schedule. Just having been out & about all day, you may want some relaxation time at hotel before dinner. Zuzu & Grace's Table are two possibilities.

http://www.zazzle.com/lettuce_live_with_peas_and_hominy_t_shirts-235254296247118030

Not a t-shirt, but I love this absolutely adorable artwork. She's been doing these for years.
http://www.anneklocko.com/pix/talking4.htm

Again, not a t-shirt...
http://www.cocomatsnmore.com/FUNNY-DO...

Noticed a week ago or so in RWC, SF Peninsula, Snake River Farms Kobe beef patties. I believe they were 2 8oz. patties per pkg, total of 3 pkgs (frozen) for 17.99. I was in a hurry & made a mental note that this might be a "gourmet" product. Anyone tried them?

We recently discovered inventive & elegant cocktails at Range. Very convenient if you are going to have dinner afterwards in the Mission.
http://www.rangesf.com/cocktails.html

Other restaurants with great cocktails: Gitane, Beretta, Cotogna & Zero Zero with latter two open in the afternoon as well.

Giada's Polenta squares with mushroom ragu...use olive oil instead of butter.

Just saw this at Costco Redwood City, SF Peninsula...wasn't familiar with this item so passed by. Will go back & pick one up.

Oops, didn't proofread carefully. Swap the Keenan with Neal for beautiful scenery. Love Keenan & Vincent Arroyo for their casual, unpretentious environment and they are picturesque.

It would be a shame if you didn't make it up to the Mountains during your stay. I realize you don't want to make appointments but a few worthwhile ones will make your visit so much more memorable. And please don't hesitate to share tastings (cuts down on cost and helps avoid being wined out by dinner) Here are a couple of threads which I think cover some of the best Napa has to offer visitors.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/882731
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/891366
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/888498

Some of my favorites are Pride Mountain*, Keenan*, Vincent Arroyo, Neal Vineyards, Joseph Phelps*, Elyse-small but love their grenache) *Beautiful scenery

Others (pretty too)- Chappellet, Sinskey, Pine Ridge, Farella-Park. Honig's on my list to visit as I've enjoyed their wines at home (reasonably priced).

Napa is easy to get around and stay on the Silverado trail to avoid heavy traffic.

I also agree with other posters who say there's not much to do in Napa. Although it's been a couple of years, did love Zuzu (small plates). Try lunch at Solbar at Solage resort in Calistoga; love the open scenery there. Highly recommend lunch at the bar at Rutherford Grill...love the chicken salad, tuna platter & French dip (generous portions).

Barbacco. Also, check opentable as it is getting close & not easy to reserve for party of 4+.

Four of us including two teenagers arriving Saturday, June 29th early morning. Unfortunately, DD#2 & I are allergic to shellfish. Additionally, same DD will have her braces rewired day of flight; therefore, unable to eat much solid food for at least 48 hrs (we'll be looking for congee, milk based drinks, etc).

Foods we enjoy: Szechuan, Asian Fusion (love the contemporary take at Mission Chinese in SF & fusion Japanese we've had in LA/SF), Indian & Italian*.

Eager to try dim sum in HK but we're not too adventurous. Locally, we love Yank Sing and have been going there for 15+ years. Combination of food, especially veg. selection, and service that keeps us going back. Since we'll be staying at Langham** Mong Kok, thought we can give Ming Court a try. How is their service (for English speakers) and do they have a veg. selection? We do eat pork/chicken, only asking for safety precaution. We also have the option of eating dinner at Ming Court. What do you think? Also considering Din Tai Fung...not sure if we'll ever make it to the one in L.A. Others on my radar are Above & Beyond & Intercontinental.

Is San Xi Lou worth a visit (looks like we'd have to take a cab?). Also looking at afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental*** or Intercontinental (where would my teenagers feel more comfortable?). My friends stayed at Peninsula & loved the tea there but I prefer a place that takes reservations. Can we order two sets of tea for four people, given DD2 may not be able to eat much? I'll save this for Monday, so she's had time to recover. Of course we'll pay for any extra drinks.

If we don't dine at Intercontinental for any particular meal, I would still like to go here for cocktails and enjoy the view. Any comparable/better alternatives I may not be familiar with?

*of course, we get plenty of this at home :)
**with club privileges
***is this very formal?

Thanks!

Vitamins & nuts (almonds, pecans) are what my in-laws always pick up from Costco on their visits here from India.

Barbacco, Zero Zero. I would also like to recommend Perbacco...seems formal but a lively place for friends to gather. Excellent food & service.

Savory: Dosa, vada
Sweet: jalebi

Several choices at Oxbow Market...I picked up an english muffin sandwich from Model Bakery. DH picked up chorizo & egg torta (?) from C Casa which was excellent (I preferred his over mine).

I would suggest Bouchon Bakery but the lines do start early.

Splenda.

As red wine drinkers, I suppose we should keep white wine in stock...

Plain/Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream, milk, frozen mango cubes (I get from Trader Joe's), banana & honey to taste. You can also add coconut here.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/cocoa-peanut-butter-smoothie.html (just skip the WS smoothie mixer
)Start by making half the recipe as it is filling. I've used plain Trader Joe's yogurt as well as Greek. If don't like it, play with the measurements to suit your taste. Reminds me of a shake I used to have at Good Earth yeeeears ago.

A "green" smoothie...http://www.oprah.com/food/Oprahs-Gree... (I also add three ice cubes)

From what I've read, SPQR. Also, nicer neighborhood for walking around than the Mission.

Donato Enoteca in Redwood City. Call Cotogna...Opentable shows availability for 2 ppl at noon so worth a call to see if they can accommodate one more. Also, Quince is doing a special brunch. Again, worth a call.

Not Italian...Luce.

RN74 in the Financial District.

" get a table on these days without reservation." Is bar seating okay?

Haven't been but high end Keiko a Nob Hill, close to the hotel, has received very good reviews. Though not as extensive as the dining room menu, bar area does serve food...hounds? Or you can call them to confirm. This may be a good option for Sunday. Others are Farallon & Wayfare Tavern. Looks like Opentable allows reservations for 1...you can check day of.

For other days, agree with recs for Cotogna, Perbacco...some of the best Italian SF has to offer.

I'll add Gitane to this list. Though not a cocktail bar in the true sense, they have a very nice bar area with fantastic cocktails. Closed Sun.

"(evident) environment you need (Il Fornaio?!?)"...if it's good enough for the Sand Hill types, figured it's good enough for executives with budgets. The courtyard setup can be nice.

Of course if Four Seasons & Bentley's can come within OP's range, those would be much better choices.

A meal at French Laundry or Per Se. Have wondered if it's all that.

Oops...

Thought about St. Vincent but they are closed on Sundays. Had a nice meal there recently & discovered Priorat. Also, one of the best desserts I've had in a while...malted milk ice cream with burnt honeycomb (cookie?).

Yes, the budget is somewhat limiting. Try Left Bank, MP; Donato Enoteca, RWC; Il Fornaio, PA, Tamarine, PA. Food at Il Fornaio is not great but they are well-versed in catering to executives.

May be Trellis in MP; know of someone who had her 50th bday celebration there and was happy.

Dosa, Zero Zero...good food & cocktails.

My sister had their coconut cream pie couple of years ago and liked it...it was too sweet for my taste. But to answer your question, I think they still make their own pies.

I prefer cherry/berry pies and around here, I like Draeger's & Whole Foods; although, these are nothing compared to a berry pie I had from Michigan a few years ago. Tried Susie Cakes in Menlo Park but wasn't thrilled. I think ratio of filling to crust was too much or I waited too long to eat it (bought for surprise party but didn't work out and ended up eating a day or two later).

Have also heard of Pilgrim Kitchen in Belmont...may be other hounds can chime in on this one.