A Review of ABC's and Cold Stone Creamery in Napa Valley

Alexis Baking Company & Café located at 1517 Third St. in Napa, California is a fantastic bakery that also happens to serve breakfast and lunch. Being in downtown Napa, in a boxy, nondescript building, it looks and feels like a hip 1960s diner: Counter service, Formica and chrome... you get the picture.

The desserts are practically irresistible; in fact, NOT having dessert is a big mistake. The menus change daily and typically offer half a dozen choices. Espresso drinks are outstanding, and breakfast items often include several egg dishes, pancakes or French toast.

Lunch is served from 11am until closing each day except Sunday, when it's breakfast only, from 11am-3pm. The uncomplicated menu is limited, but everything on it is very, very good. Lunch favorites include Chicken Caesar Salad, hamburgers, soups and sandwiches.

Save room for dessert, or take one home. The cookies and brownies are great, but locals know that Alexis Baking Company's cakes are unbeatable: chocolate pound cake, apricot pistachio, carrot and chocolate caramel are regularly featured. Reservations are taken for parties of four or more.

If you are looking for a place that is entirely sweet tooth driven, then look no further than Cold Stone Creamery. Simply put, Cold Stone is the ultimate in ice cream stores. Grab a seat at one of the small tables inside or out, and enjoy an ice cream masterpiece of your own creation. They are all invigorating.

Start by choosing from over 25 homemade ice cream and yogurt flavors as the base. Next, add as many "mix-ins" as you like from over 35 selections, such as favorite candy bars, fruit, nuts, and other great stuff. The super premium ice cream and yogurt are made in the store fresh each morning and frozen to the perfect consistency.

Once your selections have been made, the ice cream is scooped onto a frozen slab of granite where the "mix-ins" are folded into the ice cream by hand (using a unique Italian spade). Now for even more choices: freshly baked waffle cone or bowl? Dipped or drizzled? How about a few more toppings? Finally the moment of truth arrives and you get to eat this creation, and what a treat it is. Just remember Miss Piggy's invaluable advice: "Never eat more than you can lift."

One thing a lot of people don't know about with Cold Stone, is that ice cream aside, they have terrific, fresh smoothies as well.