33016 Thu Dec 09 13:12:20 -0800 2004 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 146984 I need to find a fairly inexpensive and relatively quick place for a pre-show dinner in the proximity of the Napa Valley Opera House, or most anywhere in the town of Napa. Thu Dec 09 13:12:20 -0800 2004 0 Jeff S 1 147007 Here are some reasonably priced options within a few blocks of the Opera House: Zuzu, 829 Main St. (1.5 blocks south of the Opera House) Excellent Spanish & Latin American influenced small plates with prompt service. No reservations. I've had dinner for 2 with tax, tip & corkage for under $50. Uva, 1040 Clinton (2 blocks north of the Opera House, 1 short block west on Clinton) Good, reasonably priced food. Ribeye with peppercorn sauce at $18 is a great value, and they do half portions of salads and pastas. Pizza Azzurro, 1400 2nd St. (3 blocks west of the Opera House up First St, 1 block south on Franklin) Really good, reasonably priced small pizzas and big salads in a casual atmosphere. However, the service can be indifferent and lazy, so if you choose to eat here tell them you are on a tight time frame. If you are attending a weekend evening show be forewarned that with the downtown revival and construction at 1st between Soscol & Main St. parking can be in short supply, even with all the free lots and garages. Allow plenty of time to find a parking space. Thu Dec 09 14:40:27 -0800 2004 146984 0 Jennie Sheeks 1 147009 we stayed at the napa river inn earlier this year and had a couple of great meals at zuzu (tapas, link below). imo, it's very reasonably priced for the quality... it does get a bit crowded during prime hours/days so allow time for that or go earlier. my favorites were the boquerones, baby artichokes, baked goat cheese, flat-iron steak with chimichurri, and sizzling prawns.... i also remember having some excellent sweetbreads but i don't see that on their current menu. there are also a few restaurants to choose from in the napa river inn complex itself... they're a bit pricier but you might want to check them out anyway (http://napariverinn.com/din_restaurants.php) the french place, angele, has a very enticing menu but we didn't make it there so i can't vouch for the execution. good luck and have fun! Link: http://www.zuzunapa.com/menus.htm Thu Dec 09 14:49:25 -0800 2004 146984 0 artemis