French Laundry

Staying, playing and dining in Yountville isn’t often cheap. No kidding.

Because world-renowned as a playground for the rich, it can afford to be exclusive. Its 15 restaurants sport six Michelin stars among them. Its 11 hotels are some of the most luxurious in the country. Its 20-plus wineries include an array of California’s most coveted labels.

Yet through Feb. 28, a Yountville adventure can be cheaper. The glittering Napa Valley enclave has unrolled a “Moveable Feast” program, with many of the town’s businesses joining together to offer discounts reaching up to 50 percent off for resort packages, multi-course restaurant meals and wine tastings.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not. It’s all part of an effort by the Chamber of Commerce to drive more traffic during the winter “off” season, and for the savvy consumer, it’s a score.

While you won’t find any buy-one-get-one-free blitz at The French Laundry, there are plenty of smoking deals. Savings can be had even at Laundry chef-owner Thomas Keller’s other properties of Ad Hoc, Bouchon Bakery, and Bouchon Bistro.

Ad Hoc

Some of the savings are truly substantial, too. At Bardessono, for example, a three-course lunch goes for just $24, which is remarkable, considering that even at mid-day, dining at the fashionable resort can be pricey, with appetizers ranging from $8 to $16, entrees from $15 to $28, and desserts at $11.

Here are just some of the restaurant deals. All are for three-course meals, priced per person, unless otherwise noted.

  • Ad Hoc: $39, 5 to 6 p.m. only
  • Bardessono: Lunch, $24; Dinner, $50
  • Bistro Jeanty: Lunch, $55 per couple; Dinner, $70 per couple
  • Bottega: Lunch, $39
  • Bouchon

    Bouchon Bakery: Complimentary chocolate bouchon with coffee purchase

  • Bouchon Bistro: Dinner menu, $25, 10 p.m. to midnight only
  • Cantinetta Piero: Dinner, $30
  • Hurley’s Restaurant: Lunch, $24
  • Mustards Grill: Dinner, $32.95

If you can swing an overnight, Moveable Feast deals go even deeper. Among the discounted resort offers, a great getaway can be had for as little as $195 at Napa Valley Railway Inn. Stay in a classic 100-year old railcar suite set along the original 1870-era Napa Valley Railroad track, plus enjoy a three-course lunch at Hurley’s Restaurant, then take in a VIP wine tasting at your choice of seven wine lounges throughout town.

Bardessono

For an even more luxe escape, it’s hard to beat Bardessono, the lavish eco-resort that is one of three LEED platinum properties in the world. The opulent package offers a king spa suite, a three-course dinner at the resort restaurant, and VIP wine tasting at Hill Family Estates for $430 (do the math: just the room alone goes for $855-plus in high season).

The Feast is an excellent excuse, too, to check out the brand new Hotel Yountville Resort and Spa, for a getaway including a premium king guestroom, dinner for two at Mustard’s Grill and wine tasting at Hope & Grace Winery for as low as $350.

One of the best bargains of all is at the Villagio Inn & Spa, including a three-course lunch at Michael Chiarello’s Bottega Restaurant and VIP tasting at V Wine Cellar for just $360. You may never want to leave your spacious Tuscan-style suite, except for the lure of complimentary champagne breakfasts and unlimited time in the resort’s new spa. Rooms include a welcome bottle of wine, fruit tray, truffles, and afternoon tea with scones.

Villagio

Pop out for some shopping at V Marketplace’s collection of high-end shops next door to Villagio, take a bike ride through the vineyards (bikes are parked right at the hotel’s front door), and be sure to take a spin past the French Laundry’s edible gardens. The spread is private, but in Yountville’s welcoming style, there’s no fencing, and you may catch Keller’s personal farmer, Tucker Taylor, hard at work among his boutique lettuce beds.

Then, return home to your suite to nestle beneath your plush down comforter, dreaming blissful dreams of your remarkable savings.

Moveable Feast Yountville, Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2011. yountville.com.

Tip: With all your savings on Moveable Feast, why not treat yourself to a little more luxury? Pure Luxury Transportation can move you to Yountville and back, in a private limo or Town Car.