376367 Thu Mar 01 14:04:47 -0800 2007 14 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2342792 8 adults from Florida, got resos for Napa Valley Grill Friday night April 13 and AD HOC Saturday night-any opinions, suggestions? Is AD HOC really casual? Should I consider another Yountville restaurant? Thu Mar 01 14:04:47 -0800 2007 63388 overdoit 1 2342872 Ad Hoc is really casual. I went there a few weeks ago and loved it. Really a good value when you think about it -- four high quality courses for $45 (not sure if you know that it is one set menu for the evening)...we figured it would have cost approximately $25 more elsewhere if ordered separately (especially given the quality). Everything is served family-style. Wine service is very informal, but their list is of high quality and the prices reasonable. You may want to consider another place than Napa Valley Grill -- pretty mediocre overall... Thu Mar 01 14:25:00 -0800 2007 2342792 15835 Husky 1 2342925 Try Redd right next door. We went with a party of 7 and it'll probably end up costing you $5-$10 more per person but at least you get to order off the menu. More importantly, you can make reservations. I don't think Ad Hoc takes reservations for parties less than 10 or 12. Here's my experience from 2 weeks ago: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/373570 Thu Mar 01 14:37:33 -0800 2007 2342792 13289 Porthos 1 2342950 Ad Hoc does take reservations. I made reservation for 2 and it was fine. Here's my report: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/365259 Thu Mar 01 14:40:54 -0800 2007 2342792 10677 hhc 1 2343286 thanks, think I'll change napa valley grill-sounds touristy. need something the older folk can wear a jacket to and have the Napa dinner experience, any suggestions in Yountville (some place that will take resos for 8)? Thu Mar 01 16:16:11 -0800 2007 2342792 63388 overdoit 2 2343311 I'd recommend Bistro Don Giovanni. It is close to Yountville (although technically in Napa)...some of the best Italian food in the valley and you'll find a wide variety of people dressed in a wide variety of ways. They can definitely accommodate a party of 8. Thu Mar 01 16:22:51 -0800 2007 2343286 15835 Husky 2 2343999 Bouchon and Bistro Jeanty are both good for the older folk and the wear-a -acket crowd. Redd is a little more hip--Richard Reddington brings a more East Coast vibe to the Valley. Both Bouchon and Bistro Jeanty "feel" more like Napa Valley to me. If you do go to Bouchon, ask if Erica or Shalin (SHah-lin) are working the night of your res. Both of them are exceptional servers with larger groups. And at Ad Hoc, you will not feel at all out of place in a jacket, but will also be appropriately dressed in what is colloquially referred to as "California casual." Nessie is one of my favorite servers there. Have a great trip! Thu Mar 01 20:45:15 -0800 2007 2343286 16301 Non Cognomina 1 2343314 one reason i love ad-hoc is because i can walk in with denim and flip flops (ok maybe a etiquiette foul..but...), there's no reason why one group should feel obligated to dress casually. maybe bouchon if you want TK food...although i personally prefer ad-hoc or laundry. Thu Mar 01 16:23:18 -0800 2007 2342792 19880 wchane 1 2343429 Brix and Bistro Jeanty are both good. Aslo, try Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa (north of town, close to Yountville.) We had a very enjoyable experience there a couple of months ago. Thu Mar 01 16:57:27 -0800 2007 2342792 43767 WCFoodie 1 2343605 If you call now, Pilar in Napa might be able to handle 8 people. It is definitely worth it. Thu Mar 01 17:59:34 -0800 2007 2342792 11756 lizziee 2 2343745 Second Pilar -- if you search through recent Napa reports, it is coming out tops on quality of food and service. Thu Mar 01 18:50:22 -0800 2007 2343605 16933 Carrie 218 2 2345445 Third Pilar, what a great place. Fri Mar 02 10:01:16 -0800 2007 2343605 11702 Curmudgeon 1 2343609 We have liked Angele in Napa. French and on the river. Casual is how we have dressed. At the south end of Main st. Thu Mar 01 18:02:22 -0800 2007 2342792 38387 fred42 1 2343679 I second the Redd suggestion. Nice for an older crowd too. I loved it there. Press looks nice, although I've heard mixed reviews. It's further up 29 in St. Helena (next to Dean and Deluca). I'm going there at the end of March - I'll let you know how it is. Thu Mar 01 18:31:09 -0800 2007 2342792 25103 knoxymama 1 2344679 thanks, fellow hounds-much appreciated! Fri Mar 02 06:53:18 -0800 2007 2342792 63388 overdoit