Tips for a Napa Rose First-Timer

[Niwel]

Yes, Mr. Niwel and I are taking the plunge.

For my big 3-0, we are saving $$ by staying at the HoJo, and decided to splurge for a nice, romantic dinner at Napa Rose.

I did read through the great reviews (Andrew's cheese one made me hungry).

I know the menu changes seasonally, but any overall tips would be appreciated (we'll be going on a Tuesday evening after work). :)

[rentayenta]

Mr. Niwel? I have missed so much! (((Congrats)))

[miss bianca]

My Sister and her Hubby reserved the chef's table and loved it. Said the chef came out and talked about each dish - very cool. They also loved watching the dynamic in the kitchen. One guy kept getting in trouble :eek:

[bennette]

Chef's Table is definitely worth it if it's in your budget.

I've never been unhappy with the pre fixe menu with the optional wine pairings but I'm a pretty openminded eater. (I believe they call it the Vitner's Table or something along those lines.)

Of course, I've never been unhappy with anything I've had there.

If they are currently serving the Artichoke salad with fava beans that was on the pre fixe menu when I was there earlier this month, TRY IT. Particularly paired with the suggested Chianti. (Yes, just like the movie, although the salad had bacon in it, not liver...)

Ask for wine suggestions. Oh, and if they have are serving a pink champagne with the dessert portion of the Vitner's Table, try it. (Can't remember the name off hand--rose something--but it was wonderful, even if you don't normally like wine or champagne. I ordered four bottles when I got home.)

Ask questions; ask for suggestions. They want you to be happy.

[oohykitten]

If I can ask, how much is a trip for two there?

[adriennek]

Chef's Table does not cost more than a regular table does it?

I would suggest the Chef's Table. Call the restaurant directly within 90 days to get the reservation.

The cost of the meal will depend on whether you order wine, a bottle or a glass, red or white. (Red will be more, bottle is more than a glass, etc.)

We almost always order two appetizers, two salads, two entrees, two desserts and one bottle of red wine. We aim for a $60-80 price point on the wine. We usually spend about $200 for all those courses and the wine.

It's entirely possible to spend less by ordering fewer courses. We have gone and eaten in the lounge and just ordered two appetizers, two drinks and a dessert and spent far less.

ETA: We don't eat fish so we've never ordered Vintner's Table. Our favorite frequently on the menu item is the pheasant and gnocci in a copper pot, but I think that's on the autumn menu when it's available. Doc LOVES the mushroom bisque. I like it but I tend to just take a bite of his. We never order the same thing because we like to order different items so we can taste a bigger variety of dishes. And, of course, in my world, you can never go wrong with LAMB.... :eek: ;)

Adrienne

[Niwel]

Yum!
OK, getting hungry -- I should probably cease reading this thread till after dinner. :)
I'd probably have a glass of wine (anyone know if there is a wine list online I could see?). Mr. Niwel is not a big drinker, but he might indulge. He doesn't eat fish, but he loves meat and veggies. I won't eat pig, but I'm fine with fish. DH cut out caffeine (so no more chocolate), so we'll probably get two desserts, too (chocolate for me, non for him).

[adriennek]

I'd probably have a glass of wine (anyone know if there is a wine list online I could see?).

I doubt it.

But here's a suggestion for NR: Don't choose your wine yourself. Especially if you're only getting one glass.

Each of the waiters is a trained sommelier. Pick what you're going to order. Tell the waiter. If you have any really strong opinions about wine (won't drink white, won't drink Merlot(t), can't tolerate too sweet, can't tolerate too dry, etc,) let the waiter know. Most of the time, there will be a wine available by the glass that will compliment the dish you've ordered PERFECTLY. Let the waiter help you find that wine!

Another note: I can be very opinionated about wine. (Go ahead and pretend you're shocked, please.) I don't really like sweeter wines and there are a few I tend to avoid if I'm shopping or wine tasting. But I have had occasions at NR when the waiter has suggested or brought me a taste of a wine I thought I wouldn't like - but it paired perfectly with the dish I'd ordered.

So if you're willing to be a tad bit adventurous, NR is an EXCELLENT place to be safely adventurous, LOL. They know their stuff. If you're willing to place your trust in them, there's a potential for a big payoff. :)

ETA: You'll probably spend about $12 - $15 for a glass of wine at NR. It could go a bit higher.

Adrienne

[Andrew]

Each of the waiters is a trained sommelier. Pick what you're going to order. Tell the waiter. If you have any really strong opinions about wine (won't drink white, won't drink Merlot(t), can't tolerate too sweet, can't tolerate too dry, etc,) let the waiter know. Most of the time, there will be a wine available by the glass that will compliment the dish you've ordered PERFECTLY. Let the waiter help you find that wine!

I'll second this. I am not(t) a wine drinker, at all. But it was our anniversary, and I figured what the heck, we're at the wine restaurant, why not. I advised our server that I really had no idea about wine but would like to try something "beginner level" that would go with my entree. I don't remember enough about what we ordered or the name of the wine or anything, but I can tell you that I *liked* it.

So even if you're not all that into wine, give it a try.

[Niwel]

Each of the waiters is a trained sommelier. Pick what you're going to order. Tell the waiter. If you have any really strong opinions about wine (won't drink white, won't drink Merlot(t), can't tolerate too sweet, can't tolerate too dry, etc,) let the waiter know. Most of the time, there will be a wine available by the glass that will compliment the dish you've ordered PERFECTLY. Let the waiter help you find that wine!

Great tip. I'm a sweet wine drinker all the way (I'm still in mourning for the Mondavi Moscato Bianco at the DCA winery) ... but I would love input from a professional who could open my palatte. :)

[oohykitten]

I am 28 and have never had wine...at all. I don't do food that isn't steak and potatoes so I have always been nervous about eating there. I like that idea of ordering a glass of wine, at the suggestion of others.

[adriennek]

I don't do food that isn't steak and potatoes so I have always been nervous about eating there. I like that idea of ordering a glass of wine, at the suggestion of others.

Ok, obviously I'm biased because I love this restaurant and that's no secret - and I love wine and I love trying this kind of food.

When I met my husband, I had no idea that he would ever order quail or pheasant or "not steak" from any restaurant ever. And, obviously, he didn't try the less common foods right out of the gate. ;)

But.

There ARE more mainstream options at Napa Rose. They do serve steaks. It's not going to be a classic steak and potatoes presentation like you might get at a steakhouse. They serve potatoes in a variety of forms, too! Mashed, roasted - but au gratin - that means with cheese... cheese is good with potatoes. :D If you have a concern about something or a question, the servers are more than happy to answer them. They'll even adjust a dish if you see something listed that you just REFUSE to eat.

They're awesome about allergies, too. One time I went and mentioned that I can't eat walnuts, (minor, very common reaction,) so I asked for a dish without the walnuts. EVERY dish I ordered came "WITHOUT NUTS." Problem was that I LOVE pecans and one of the dishes had pecans in it. It came "WITHOUT NUTS" too! So if you ask for something special to deal with an allergy, be specific. ;)

It's because I'm a fan that I'm such a little cheerleader for this restaurant. I want people to give it a try because I really do think it's a "safe" restaurant to try something new. Let them know! They're very service oriented. They want you to enjoy your meal! And that's why my husband is much more adventurous today - because he took opportunities to try new foods which were safe - and he branched out. :) (Oh and btw, we don't like quail. But. We can say we tried it!)

Adrienne

[oohykitten]

Adrienne, you made me feel better! We have always said we'd go, and I see the menu and chicken out for fear of not being able to eat anything on the menu plus I won't drink wine either. My husband said he doesn't mind if we go and I just get a Roy Rodgers but I feel like that is such a waste. I think I will bite the bullet and go next time.