Meadowood's Transformed Dining Room and Kitchen

As you know, for the past two months St. Helena's three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood has seen some big changes. Under the guidance of executive chef Christopher Kostow and restaurant director Nathaniel Dorn, the kitchen has been totally re-designed. The dining room has been modernized, and the on-site garden has gotten a lot more attention (and a brand new greenhouse is still on the way).

Eater was on-site snapping evidence of it all, leading into tonight's private reveal to the media, friends and family. So do take a look around. New art, dark leather chairs, shades of gray and darker woods give the dining room a much more contemporary look, and the lounge has been similarly jazzed up with plants and wire mesh.

Behind the scenes, the kitchen saw even more significant changes. Work stations, walk-ins and new equipment is now positioned for a more efficient work flow. Each chef station is tricked out with built-in spoon washers, temperature-controlled mise en place holders, personal Boos blocks, and food scales. Many more additional notes are in the comments, along with shots of executive chef Christopher Kostow modeling the kitchen staff's freshly minted designer aprons.

The super-elite chef's counter will be added to the kitchen before the big reopening to the public. Here, four fortunate diners—who pay $500 for the 20+ course tasting menu—will get a first-hand look at the shiny, new kitchen in all of its state-of-the-art glory. Inside Scoop has a look at the first chef's counter tasting menu to be offered this Friday night.

· All Meadowood Coverage [~ ESF ~]