2012 has brought several new or revamped Napa Valley restaurants. With this in mind, Wine Country Inn Innkeeper Jim and Markering Director Tim have taken it upon themselves to visit these “new” places and report back our findings to our guests. Today we begin with La Condensa, open since December 2011 at 1320 Main Street in downtown St. Helen (home to the former AKA Bistro).

La Condesa (The Countess) is the brainchild of Jesse Herman and Delfo Trombetta, who opened a La Condesa several years ago in Austin, Texas. The food is fantastic: fresh, colorful, and full of flavor. Among the many things we have tried, we are particularly impressed with:

~ the Chifa Ceviche, with yellowtail Kingfish, thai chile, apple, orange, avocado, and a yuzu-lime dressing. While more sweet than tangy, the fish is startling fresh and the textures among the apple, orange, etc. fun. (Jim wouldn’t let them take the bowl away; he wanted to sop up the dressing with his tacos. To our waitress: we’re sorry about the stab marks he left in your hand with his fork.)

~ the Pescado (fish) tacos (pictured), with cabbage, salsa rojo, pico de gallo, and a wonderful chipolte mayo.

La Condesa offers a fun tasting experience, with four seasonal salsas, four different types of guacomole, and a large menu selection of soups, tortas (sandwiches) and main dishes. It has a full bar complete with many local wines and a selection of 2-3 dozen tequilas. It also has red or white sangrias available by the glass or pitcher.

Main dishes range in price from $12-$32. To check out their web site, visit LaCondesaNapaValley.com.

La Condensa is serviced by the Wine Country Inn’s evening restaurant shuttle, available free of charge to our Inn guests so that you can “leave the driving to us.”