Insider Pages Reviews for Napa Valley Grille

4 Stars: a wonderful surprise (by Franke33)

Franke33 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:00:00 GMT

DECOURM
Think classy but inviting winery/vineyard
THE SERVICE!!
I've been in the restaurant bizz for 12 yrs (fine dining food server/bartender)..so when I tell you that the service was amazing, it really was "AMAZING".
THE FOOD!!
Unique and comforting flavors everywhere!
I ordered the diver scallops w/ sweet corn puree and a mushroom salad (not a salad, but more like marinated mushroom, celery leafs,herbs). The scallops were pan seared to perrrrrfection, the balance of the dish was executed beautifully. My friend had the (even better than moms!) Meatloaf w/ mashed pots and this lovely corn and lima bean concoction in olive oil. Their Napa chardonnay was impressive. (better than Stags Leap), and then their were the lattes...they made Starbucks taste like mud.
THE PERKS!!
As we were seated, the hostess pointed out the complimentary gourmet cheese cart, fully loaded. AND there was a 'cheese chef' to serve/educate you on the items. From fresh honeycomb to pair w/ the Humbolt Fog, to a soft chorizo like sausage for your Brie on crostinis. At the end of our experience, the server came out, not w/ mints or orange slices, but rather chocolate scones w/ lemon icing already packaged for us to enjoy w/ our morning coffee. so generous and thoughtful!!
DESSERT
Did not match the entrees in quality of flavor/texture. Bread Pudding and Chocolate "Molten" Cake: typical and boring.
*Definitely check it out if you have an appreciation for good eats, ambiance, and service ;)

1 Stars: Extremely disappointing! (by isabelle24)

isabelle24 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Theres nothing worse than bad attitude to ruin a meal.My Husband,toddler and l are currently in LA on Vacation and we are staying at the W hotel in the Westwood area of the City.We were recommended by the concierge to dine at Napa Grille because they are known for their fresh food. as well as its proximity to the hotel.The two Ladies at the front house had the weirdest vibe, l am not sure if they had never seen or met a mixed race couple before but l got the impression they had been forced to be there without proper training.They never made eye contact,never smiled.One of them just indicated we should take any of the tables, nobody walked us to the table or formally welcomed us in, unlike other guests who i saw were been walked to their tables.l caught one of them staring at me in the oddest way a few times.Its the strangest thing where you have a country whose President is obviously from a mixed heritage and where there are so many different races and interracial couples, you still find some of the oddest individuals who give you the most ignorant looks like they have never been outside of their four block radius.The waiter who served us was cordial and good, and the food was okay,however my bad experience continued when we finished dinner and the Lady again at the front house did not even raise her head to say anything, no goodbye,thank you, come again, nothing! Overall, a total waste of my precious afternoon.And so, l would say, if you are a specific race, you would most probably be welcome here, atleast until they replace the women at the front house or give them proper etiquette lessons on how to be professional to everyone without exception.

4 Stars: Great Food (by Sylvia G.)

Sylvia G. — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:20:00 GMT

This is a very California-y restaurant. It's very large and open, but it can get crowded during dinner. The menu is not very extensive, but the food is very good. I got grilled cheese, which was the most AMAZING grilled cheese I have ever had in my life. It came with arugula salad, which has now became one of my favorite salads. I am definitely going back.

3 Stars: Napa Valley (by tambs)

tambs — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I had a baby shower held here and we had problems. First the menu was not set right and for the price (which was way too over priced), the food was not great. You're definitely paying for the atmosphere.

4 Stars: Nice atmosphere, pretty good food, easy to get into, nice bar (by kathy m.)

kathy m. — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:02:00 GMT

The place has a nice classy feel; especially the bar. The food ranges between ok/good and you can usually get in on a Saturday night at the last minute. Not my first choice but a good last minute alternative and perfectly serviceable for most occasions. A good place to meet someone at the bar.

5 Stars: WINNER... most improved restaurant on the Westside... by Far (by EsqMG)

EsqMG — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

WOW... what a resurgence this place has made. My office has been a block away since NVG opened and it's better now than ever. New management (summer '08) is much more friendly and professional and the chef really "gets it." The 40 minute guaranteed Business Lunch is a great idea and great execution and the dishes are as light and heathy or as plentiful as you like.... all with being created from some of the freshest ingredients i've had.

Happy hour has been reborn with great deals on food you actually Want and the wines by the glass are impressive. And best of all, they do happy hour 3-7 And 9-12.... perfect for pre or post movie or Theater.

I've been in LA all my life so you get immune to the touristy celeb sightings but the recognizable peeps that frequent NVG usually seem relaxed, unassuming and approachable... alot like the place itself and the menu. I went from visiting NVG 1-2 times a year to now having food and/or cocktails 1-2 times a week. Try the outdoor patio on a nice day or night

3 Stars: Upscale business lunches meet here (by Ruth B.)

Ruth B. — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:42:00 GMT

Napa boasts a wonderful, up-market atmosphere with cool, chef-y food offerings, and yummy flights of wine. This is not, however, the place to go if you're not expensing it or if you want casual fare or a lively atmosphere.

5 Stars: Great food Great Ambiance (by bluecali)

bluecali — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:00:00 GMT

There is Valet parking and a parking garage near by which is very helpful! The food is fantastic! Always try their soups they are delicious!!!

4 Stars: A nice meal done right (by westhollywoodgirl22)

westhollywoodgirl22 — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Definitely a 'reservations'/occasion type place. Fancy, quiet, upscale hotel like atmosphere. Professional staff, impressive menu and wine list . The corn chowder is not to be missed. I can't wait till I can go back and have it again. Selection of fresh fish. Cookie plate for dessert is great too.

4 Stars: great out door lunch (by loridesimone)

loridesimone — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Gather some good company and grab a table outside on a beautiful day - good food and awesome setting. Perfect for a girls' luncheon.

4 Stars: Good Seafood! and sweeeeeet dessert! (by donnied)

donnied — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Very tasty. Just wish they'd open later, so I can splurge on all the dessert.
Good times. Good times.

4 Stars: Excellent wine list, food, service (by cutiekatie)

cutiekatie — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The dinner here is fantastic if paired with the right wine. There's always someone on staff who will help with that task. The service can be a bit slow but it adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the place. A bit pricey but totally worth it.

4 Stars: good apetizers (by Jenny K.)

Jenny K. — Fri, 26 May 2006 19:07:00 GMT

The food is pretty good at The Napa Valley Grill. I had the foie gras apetizer. It's not as good as in France but it comes close... the entree was only ok. The names sound fancy but the flavor wasn't up to my expectations. The desserts are a bit boring and way too sweet... the wine selection is large. The waiters are ok only. The cool thing is they give you this dip with bread that's quite good.

5 Stars: A really great meal!! (by chefgroupie)

chefgroupie — Sun, 21 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I found the food quite excellent and beautifully paired the roasted pork tenderloin was devine perfectly cooked and paired with a wonderful madeira prune reduction not overdone, the yellowfun tuna "nicoise" could have been predictable but the yellowfun tuna was seared perfectly and melted in my mouth. A relaxing scene and really lovely food--chef Anne Conness has done a great job!

4 Stars: You need to try the duck! (by lambthelamb)

lambthelamb — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've eaten here a few times, but only at the bar. Wine (single-glass) list is impressive, better than some of the Santa Monica restaurants. Bruschetta is great, especially the ones with figs and goat cheese. It was just the perfect concoction. Shrimp cocktail with avocado was also a pleasant surprise. And most of all, I love their duck, I believe it was roasted with lavender. The duck sauce made with red wine was a little muddy, I was expecting something lighter, perhaps fruiter to cut through the grease, but that was the only upset. My date didn't like his swordfish with the cheesy potato, I happened to agree. The swordfish was overcooked, and the cheese was too strong.

5 Stars: Great time! (by westsidegrl)

westsidegrl — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Awesome, delicious food. Upscale atmosphere without upscale prices. GREAT service, cozy environment, really great food.

5 Stars: wow (by jhjh05)

jhjh05 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

excelent service, great orgasmic food will go there again. I had an incredible time and the hostest was great.

2 Stars: The WORST Service (by nwgirl70)

nwgirl70 — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

If you have two and 1/2 hours to spend for lunch, this is your kind of place. If you're a business person on lunch, it's just plain infuriating. Everything seemed nice at first... good atmosphere, we were seated promptly and our drink orders were taken right away. After that it was all down hill. It took 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive and 45 minutes for our waiter to take our order AND we had to flag him down to do it. It's just impossible to have an experience like that and ever go back. Business people beware.

4 Stars: Nice (by trex80)

trex80 — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I really enjoyed this place more the second time. The service was wonderful and so was my ravioli.

4 Stars: atmosphere a la carte (by jeronimo)

jeronimo — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

For lunch a great business venue where executive's of Wilshire Blvd and Westwood blvd meet.

In the evening, great for upscale familial dining with a nice fireplace and table country style.

3 Stars: Food doesn't live up to name (by cl_foodie)

cl_foodie — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This restaurant is good for bringing your business associates, although the food was average. We got the foie gras and it was served cold and soaked in brandy - you could only taste the brandy. The steak is great though and I would definitely recommend it. Desserts are a bit lackluster. Bread pudding could have been better.

5 Stars: I LOVE the dessert!! (by animelovergal)

animelovergal — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This place has one of the best desserts ever, and they are usually very unique and tasty! The food changes every so often depending on the chef, so if you love something there, sadly it will probably be rotated off the menu after a while =*( If they ever have sea bass on the menu again, definitely try it! And I HIGHLY recommend the mango & blueberry tart b/c I don't like fruit things but I LOVED that dessert. I DREAM ABOUT IT STILL! The food is good but if you are hungry and looking for a huge portion at a good value, this is not your place, but if you want a tasty refined meal then come here. Also parking is VERY hard to find in Westwood, so be prepared. Although they do offer valet.

5 Stars: (by Kendra L.)

Kendra L. — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:58:00 GMT

excellent food but service was a tad slow

4 Stars: Nice night out (by guru35)

guru35 — Fri, 08 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I came here with a few friends to just grab a drink. By chance we ordered the tuna ceviche and the grilled flat iron steak. Both dishes were well prepared. The tuna was fresh and well seasoned and balanced. The steak was cooked perfectly, though I thought the red wine reduction sauce could have used a little more salt. The service was attentive and friendly. The waitress suggested a great glass of wine to accompany the steak and their martini's were creative and well prepared.

5 Stars: Excellent (by jconrad60)

jconrad60 — Fri, 17 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Probably the best restaraunt in Westwood Village. The food is very creative and the wine list has a very decent selection of Napa Wines. Service was phenomenal.

4 Stars: A Steady Performer (by mxpbuy)

mxpbuy — Fri, 01 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Food and Service are definitely better than average and consistently so each time I go. Some people really like the atmosphere, but I find it rather ordinary with the exception of the high ceilings. There are a couple (literally 2) deals on the wine list, but for the most part the restaurant would be better served if they dropped their wine prices 10%-15%.

4 Stars: Wonderful Night Out (by bleviton)

bleviton — Mon, 14 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

It was a first date and at least the restaurant was nice.

Good food, good service. The plates were artfully presented. Great bread, perfect for olive oil and balsamic dipping.

The flourless cake dessert was a chocoholic's dream.

If anything, the wait-staff was too attentive.

The place was a little loud but we had a big party next to us.

5 Stars: Pleasant Surprise!! (by byoung2)

byoung2 — Sun, 16 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I went in expecting a high-priced, overrated restaurant. What I actually encountered was a very stylish, very upscale restaurant with amazing service, even better food, at a reasonable price. The filet mignon (my preferred measuring stick for any fine restaurant) was delicious--i ordered it rare, with a cold center, suitable for cutting with a butter knife! Our server recommended a wine tasting trio that complimented both of our entrees perfectly--cleverly named "Pinot Envy."

5 Stars: Yum! (by cnleblanc)

cnleblanc — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I would recommend going solely for the gorgonzola ravioli. That alone is well worth the price of an entree, the time, and the travel.

3 Stars: Overrated high-end chain resturant. (by avanti12)

avanti12 — Wed, 23 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

It's a ok place to eat, but the menu it's that impressive. I think there are better place to dine is westwood. Best word for this place - BLAH!

5 Stars: To love food and wine. (by Gootzy)

Gootzy — Wed, 10 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

A friend of mine who is a grad. student at UCLA told me about this new restaurant that opened in Westwood. She tried to get me there for months until I finally gave in and joined her for one of the most amazing nights I've had.
Upon entering the cavernous main dinig room I immedieately felt that I was in a vineyard in napa.
When we sat we were greeted by not only the server but the chef was walking by and stopped.
Chef Frank Fronda made some recomedations and we were just amazed by the flavors and textures of his recomendations. Try the artichoke salad, veal cheeks, halibut and ahi carpacio.
Desserts Are an ABSOLUT must.
These people have a passion and know how to make you feel at home.

5 Stars: Chilian seabass is the best (by oalon)

oalon — Wed, 26 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Napa valley grille has the best chilian sea bass in town. Of course, the wine line is amazing, and the service is good. It has a lovely outside patio, and great indoor atmosphere.