Napa River

Recently, I stopped into Napa River for dinner and had a very good experience. With all the gloom and doom going around, I was happy to see they were busy. It was a fairly light meal for us, apps and entrees. The calamari was good, with the standout being the banana ketchup. Loved that flavor profile. The veal napoleon was excellent with two veal scallopini layered around havarti and crisp prosciutto. The mushroom risotto was creamy, but still had a good texture to it. Can't go wrong with sauteed spinach, tomato and garlic. The main thing for me here is that the tomato still held structure and wasn't overcooked to a pulp. The garlic was predominant but didn't fall into the bitter range.

Service was solid. A definite teamwork environment (and you know I like that.) More importantly to me were table visits by both the floor manager and owner. I have always felt that managers that work the floor inspire the best out of their staff and guests.

It's a beautiful space, with the only snafu being that the tables were about a foot too tight in the aisles. I see that all the time and often wonder if maybe architects have some standard that originated in the 20's, before Americans got big...

Of course, the lack of a cocktail list, for me, was cause for pause, but the concept really revolves around wine, now doesn't it?

All said, a fantastic meal- we will return time and again.

[Robin Garr]

All said, a fantastic meal- we will return time and again.

I've been twice recently, a business lunch in the bar, and dinner with friends in the dining room.

I generally agree with your findings, Stephen, and I do have a few nitpicks that I'll address in a review some time soon. And we didn't get a visit by anybody but our (excellent) server at our dinner table. But by and large, it's hitting on all cylinders. And that ahi cornucopia appetizer is da bomb! I may declare it the No. 1 appetizer in Louisville right now.

Dropped by last week for dinner and left feeling underwhelmed. Service was awesome but the food just didn't equal the price for me. I had sea bass and my guest had the chicken calistoga and although both were good, sans for a lack of fat trimming on the chicken (Biting into a hunk of fat is not appetizing), it didn't earn a return trip. For the prices I'll stick with Avalon for that style food. The ahi appetizer may be the only thing that could get me back in there. Haven't had it and sounds pretty good.

A stop at Bruster's for their Bourbon Pie Ice Cream for dessert did make us both a little happier.

[Robin Garr]

Dropped by last week for dinner and left feeling underwhelmed. Service was awesome but the food just didn't equal the price for me.

Jimmy, I think I stand about halfway between you and Stephen here.

I'll report in more detail in my review. But I do have to say that ahi app was killer.

Dropped by last week for dinner and left feeling underwhelmed. Service was awesome but the food just didn't equal the price for me. I had sea bass and my guest had the chicken calistoga and although both were good, sans for a lack of fat trimming on the chicken (Biting into a hunk of fat is not appetizing), it didn't earn a return trip. For the prices I'll stick with Avalon for that style food. The ahi appetizer may be the only thing that could get me back in there. Haven't had it and sounds pretty good.

A stop at Bruster's for their Bourbon Pie Ice Cream for dessert did make us both a little happier.

Fair enough. The great thing about this website at its best is that we can disagree without feeling personally attacked.

Thanks for your opinion Jimmy...

The word in the east end is that Napa River's bar is the hot middle-aged "meat" vs "meet" market. I drive by there alot and it's cooking most of the time. My wife had a business dinner there a couple weeks ago and thought they did a nice job. I've been surprised at how well the move has worked out for them.

You're right Stephen, that is why this forum is so great. And I think I will be back for that app too.

[Robin Garr]

The word in the east end is that Napa River's bar is the hot middle-aged "meat" vs "meet" market. I drive by there alot and it's cooking most of the time. My wife had a business dinner there a couple weeks ago and thought they did a nice job. I've been surprised at how well the move has worked out for them.

Guess that only works at night ... I was in with a group of three other wine-trade people for a midday lunch and tasting session, and we pretty much had the bar to ourselves. There may have been a few other people seated at the bar, but I think there was only one other table in use. The dining rooms were busy, though.

And when we went back on a Saturday night, they were slammed.

Ate there this past Friday, and my guess is 2 1/2 turns! (And the last time we were at Avalon - about 6 weeks ago on a Saturday night - the outdoors was jamming but the indoors was totally empty)

Plus - every table we passed - on the way in and out - had wine glasses and/or drink glasses, so I'd guess they are doing pretty well.

I had the bbq salmon. I ordered it "rare", and that's exactly how it came. The plate perhaps could have been more attractive, but that's a real nit. I'd put Napa just under the top level . . . it's priced somewhat lower than the top 5 in the city, and it's correctly priced. We go infrequently, but it's definitely on our rotation list.