Casual dinner in Napa

[HMK]

We're looking for a dinner in Napa (potentially downtown) that is moderately priced. We're in for the weekend for a harvest party, and we're also taking in Cyrus in Healdsburg one evening. Any thoughts on a nice casual dinner?

[roxie]

In laws are Napa natives and SO just ate at Cuvee with them the other evening. The food(by review) was very good!

[lizziee]

Pilar is fantastic. It is the creation of the husband and wife team of Didier Lenders and Pilar Sanchez. Sanchez was formerly the executive chef at the Greystone Restaurant at the CIA. Before that, she worked at Meadowood Resort, the Wine Cask, San Francisco’s Clift Hotel and Café del Sol, a French-Mex in Paris. Lenders was a teacher at CIA and a former executive chef at Meadowood.

The restaurant is simply decorated with celery-green walls, a gray cement floor and a banquette that runs down the side wall of the small dining room. The kitchen is an open one at the rear of the restaurant.

The menu at Pilar changes daily and is based on the best “finds” of the local Farmer’s Market and what the chefs feel is the best their suppliers have to offer. Seasonality is the key. The cuisine is delicious reflecting the couple’s contemporary take on tasty California dishes that display a Latin accent.

[withalonge]

Uva Trattoria is always nice for a easy, casual dinner. it is more popular with locals than tourists.

[HMK]

That's exactly the type of place we are looking for - not touristy, just good local food. Thanks for the recommendation.

[chocolatetartguy]

You might like Pearl or Foothill? Grill. Casual and unassuming but very good food!

[Non Cognomina]

I've had spotty service at Foothill the past two times I've gone since July. Not sure what is going on there.

[roxie]

New owner.

[chocolatetartguy]

New cook too? I thought that the original owner was the cook and worked with Serrano at Masa's. I ate at FH last Fall.

[djh]

Zinsvalley fits that description too. Haven't been in a while, but it was consistently good. Run a search on the board for some recent posts, and google will probably get you to their website.

[howefortunate]

I always enjoy Bistro Don Giovanni...get a table outside or in the fireplace room.

Kathy
http://www.cheers2wine.com

[Madge]

Cuvee on Soscol is getting a lot of buzz, also Uva has straight ahead Italian food with HUGE portions and a nice, young hands-on-ownership vibe. The Foothill Cafe changed hands recently and is owned by a woman who used to be chef at Gordon's in Yountville and she is supposed to be doing a nice job.

[Husky]

Try Bounty Hunter or ZuZu.

[Non Cognomina]

I like Celadon--good food with a casual atmosphere.