Nestled in Napa Valley, this vibrant Mexican eatery boasts authentic decor, a lively outdoor space, and a menu that invites you to indulge—especially in the tacos al pastor.
"La Calenda, chef Thomas Keller’s restaurant dedicated to Mexican cuisine, is closing after six years. In a surprise Instagram announcement on Sunday, November 26, Keller stated that the restaurant would shut down at the end of the month. The post notes that the team is “acutely aware of the challenges [the closure] presents” but states that “the lack of local traffic and the economic downturn the Napa Valley experienced this last year” kept the restaurant from finding a way to continue. The post goes on to state that the restaurant’s last dates of service are Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1." - Dianne de Guzman
"Chef Thomas Keller announced that he will close his Yountville-based Mexican restaurant La Calenda as of Sunday, December 1. Keller cited a 'lack of local traffic and the economic downturn the Napa Valley experienced this last year' as a reason for the closure." - Justine Jones
"This Thomas Keller–owned casual Mexican restaurant puts an emphasis on Oaxacan food." - Dianne de Guzman, Clair Lorell, Paolo Bicchieri
"It’s not uncommon for first-timers here to find themselves waiting at this front bar flanked by flat-screen TVs. The rowdy crowd, hustling bartenders, and a packed room may suggest that this is just another after-work spot, but how wrong an assumption that would be, largely as this Mexican gem arrives courtesy of famed Chef Thomas Keller.Driving the stoves here is Chef de Cuisine Kaelin Ulrich Trilling, whose Oaxacan roots are on full display.While his menu highlights such impeccably sourced items as stone-ground tortillas, yellowfin tuna aguachile, and tres leches cake, it is the mole negro—a complex blend of dried fruits, nuts and bittersweet chocolate—that is an absolute showstopper, accurately reflecting the chef's heritage." - Michelin Inspector
"La Calenda is another more casual lunch and dinner spot, where you’ll find al pastor turning on the spit in the open kitchen and colorful flags hanging from the ceiling in the bar (where you can also catch a game). The outdoor patio is a great spot to relax and watch throngs of people roaming from restaurant to restaurant over chips with a smoky guajillo pepper salsa. The mole enchiladas keep us coming back, along with the carnitas and pastor tacos. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the tres leches cake." - christina julian, andrew steinthal
