Washington Street Part 2: Bottega

Michael Chiarello.  Southern-Italian roots, American chef.  Runner-up on Top Chef Masters.  Countless cookbooks and Food Television Chef.  What you might not know, is that not only does he have an amazing store celebrating all that is Napa and food, aptly called Napa Style, and his family produces fantastic wine in the Valley, but Chef Chiarello has recently moved away from building his brand empire and gone back to basics - last year he threw on the crocs and beloved chef jacket and headed into the kitchen.  From this, Bottega was born.  After just a few months open, Bottega was ranked the best new restaurant in the Napa Valley, Top Italian Restaurant and is competiting for the top space of Best Restaurant.

Napa Style, the Chiarello Family Vineyards and Bottega are all convienently located on the same piece of prime real estate (also the oldest vineyard in the valley) on Washington Avenue!  In fact, I couldn't help but notice Keller's empire is on one side of the road and Chiarello's is on the other!  For now, they live in harmony on this power-packed main street.

Bottega is a modern Italian setting, a bustling restaurant with warm decor and open kitchen where Chef Chiarello was in his comfort zone standing at "The Pass" while his chefs knocked out his creations.  A showcase of signature bold Italian flavors. Bottega's menu highlights the bounty of artisanal and house made ingredients, as well as local produce. Pure Napa, pure Italy rolled up into one fantastic experience!


Our server was a wealth of information, obviously in the industry for years, but as casual and laid back as the guests around us.  We soon found that he came out of retirement when he was contacted by Chiarello, his former employer, and told of Bottega.  He had as much fun as we did, telling his guests about regional food and his life adventures - a definite bonus to our Bottega experience!  Upon his recommendations we experienced some fantastic plates...

I have to interject this story by telling you that I love Italian food for it's basic principles: good quality and simple food.  I love the lifestyle in Italy and it's relationship with the food grown, and because of this, I couldn't wait to see what our plates looked like!  Out came our appetizer: a long plate with house-made prosciutto slices and melon, but next to that were substantial "balls" that resembled donuts.  It was actually pasta dough deep-fried and immediately rolled in Parmesan cheese.  Next to that, a simple bowl of red wine.  The server told us with great delight to take the warm dough, punch a hole in it with your thumb and place a cube of melon inside.  Then, wrap the dough with a slice of prosciutto, dip in the wine and transport yourself to heaven!  Incredible!  You will have to excuse me, as I couldn't tell you the name of the appetizer - I am still at a stage where I am recognizing the ingredients and as long as the combination is interesting, the chef can surprise me with the application! (especially when it is in Italian!)

The other dish to rave about was our pasta (primi) course.  My husband and I decide to share a house made gnocchi.  Light and fluffy, dressed with seasonal sweet peas, fava beans and meyer lemons.  I dream of this dish.  The final two courses were equally as inventive and executed superbly.  As we were out celebrating my husband's birthday, I asked the server to pair a wine with each course for my husband.  Not only was he happy to do so, but seemingly had a very heavy hand and generous measure - hubby was pleased!

All in all, this was a wonderful experience from the food to the decor and ambiance.  I would happily repeat it again and again.  And, unlike French Laundry, it was affordable with an energy worthy of lingering around on the patio for a nightcap or two.  As much as I love food and restaurants, French Laundry is something to appreciate in theory, not reality.  Bottega is real: budget-friendly, lively, innovative and just plain fun.