Bites Nearby: Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio

Always seasonally inspired and vegetable-minded, Ubuntu is the first eco-restaurant in downtown Napa. The restaurant also features an upstairs Yoga Studio, offering classes daily morning and night. Do a little exercise and trot downstairs for a Garden Snake Salad (lightly dressed greens, leaves, flowers and roots), or artichoke and ‘rangpur’ lime vichyssoise, with braised ‘forono’ beet leaves.

Another small plate option? ‘Arbequina’ olive oil, soil, preserved lemon.

Yes. Soil was listed.

 The vegetable inspired menu features fresh local Napa ingredients and always offers up surprises. The food is designed to be eaten "tapas"--or small plate--style, so order several plates to share with a friend and let the "name that veggie" contest begin!

Trust me, there are bound to be ingredients that you'll be eating that you have never heard of before. (A list of current herbs featured on the Ubuntu menu include hoja santa, banana mint, bronze fennel, and cilantro delfino--not your average Spring Mix). Mystery or not, every concotion I've tried at Ubuntu has been nothing short of creative genius.

Plus, there's no way you'll leave without getting your five fruit and veggie servings done for the day. Do your Mom proud and stop on by for a heathful and mighty fine meal. 

1140 Main St., Napa. (707) 251-5656. Serving dinner Sunday - Thursday 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 'til 9:30 p.m. Open for lunch on weekends from 11:30 - 2:30 p.m. For more information visit: http://ubuntunapa.com