N E W E AT E R I E S add versatility to Napa Valley dining Napa Valley has seen the openings of many new restaurants in 2012, with more in the works. by PAuL FRANSON photo by ART & CLARITY Son Main Street across from Veterans Memorial Park. A New York well as breakfast. has replaced Marie Callender’s in northOventi Restaurant & BakeryNapa, offering an eclectic menu of food mostly from the Mediterranean as at the ThomasFagiani’s Bar andThe Thomastarting from the south in Napa, few restaurants have generatedmore interest than design group that also runs restaurants elegantly updated the bar that had Bistro 3253, which replaced Browns Valley Pizza in the old Zinsvalley space been abandoned after the infamous murder of Anita Fagiani Andrews. there, has proven short-lived too. They have added a third floor patio with a small service bar. In Yountville, Redd Wood pizzeria replaced Cantinetta Piero, which was The first floor is the bar, the second and third for eating, but people keep also basically a pizzeria. Richard Reddington of Redd is the chef. wanting to drink on top, of course. The food is prepared with many local Also, Coffee Caboose has started making crepes for lunch and dinner, and ingredients, but innovative; nothing seems exactly what you expect, but that there’s a new tavern at the Veterans Home open to the public and serving doesn’t mean it’s not tasty. traditional breakfasts and burgers. Rockabella has replaced Zinsvalley in Napa’s small downtown plaza, In the works are Ciccio Café from Frank Altamura, replacing Gordon’s, offering Mediterranean, but heavily Greek, food. The offerings are mostly and Hillstone’s R+ D Kitchen replacing Napa Valley Grille in a totally new traditional, not “improved” by the chef, who worked for ten years on building. Hillstone also owns Rutherford Grill. Greece’s popular island of Santorini. He sources much locally—even from his garden—and even plays music on weekends in the patio next to the Oakville Grocery has been totally revamped and is much less crowded, restaurant’s lounge. with an expanded menu and picnic tables out back. Il Posto in north Napa was created by Justin Graffigna, the long-time St. Helena has seen many changes: French Blue Restaurant from Howard manager at popular Fumé Bistro. It serves mostly traditional Italian-American and Lori Backen and Leslie Rudd serves from breakfast to dinner with favorites in a casual family atmosphere, with specials nightly and lunch service, comfort food, much sourced locally from Rudd’s extensive gardens. It’s too. already a local favorite and is filled with familiar faces. Cielito Lindo in downtown Napa specializes in authentic food from Mexico, Goose & Gander opened in the former Martini House, retaining the much of it from the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. That popular cellar bar with Scott Beattie but heavily redecorating the dining room means a lot of well-prepared and tasty seafood and other specialties. and expanding the patio seating. Chef Kelly McCown prepares seasonally driven, locally procured rustic American cooking in a casual atmosphere. Frati Gelati isn’t really a restaurant, but in addition to serving amazing gelatos and sorbettos, it offers cold and grilled panini and an entrée every Sherpa Kitchen Himalayan Restaurant replaced CC Blues Japanese day. It’s on the Napa River in the Riverfront. restaurant in St. Helena’s umbrella restaurant row near Sogni di Dolci caffe, Vincelli and Villa Corona. Caffe Molinari is a coffee and dessert place that also makes basic sandwiches to order. It’s not related to the famous deli in San Francisco, and Cindy Pawlcyn turned Brassica Mediterranean restaurant into Cindy doesn’t sell packaged or deli food items. Pawlcyn’s Wood Grill and Wine Bar, with California comfort cuisine like the very popular food she serves at Mustards. She’s kept the wine programs, The Pastronomy food truck isn’t a restaurant, either, but can be found including Vintners Splash Saturday night, 75 wines by-the-glass, some on during lunch at Main and Clinton Streets. It may find a storefront eventually tap, CP’s Dozen small-production Napa Valley wines from wineries without for its New York-style deli specialties. tasting rooms and CP’s “Uncorkage.” Most wines are available to go at 25 Opening soon in downtown Napa are The Pear—A Southern Bistro, percent off. replacing Tyler Florence’s Rotisserie & Wine with a solid menu of traditional In Calistoga, sadly, local-favorite Flat Iron Grill has closed, but Calistoga southern food. Chef Rodney Worth has five popular eateries around Danville Kitchen serves breakfast and lunch daily, plus some special dinners. and clearly tries to offer diners what they like, not feed his ego. 70 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E M A g A z I N E . C O M
NVLife_NovDec_2012
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