Zagat Cites Patch in Fagiani Restaurant Update

A new Zagat blog post on the upcoming restaurant in Steve Hasty's Fagiani building links back to one of the first articles Napa Patch ever published, a two-part history of the Main Street landmark made notorious by a 1974 murder.

  Where does Zagat blogger James Mulcahy go to find out more about Napa? Napa Patch, of course. The Napa Patch archives. Mulcahy's new post, "AvroKo and Brad Farmerie Headed to Napa for New Project," doesn't reveal anything we hadn't already reported in our article "Fagiani Building Tenant Hiring Chefs," back in March. But when referring to the building's "storied past," blogger Mulcahy delves even further into our reporting, linking the phrase "the 1974 murder of Anita Andrews" to the first installment in our series on the history of the Main Street landmark, "Inside the Fagiani Building," published when Napa Patch first launched in November, 2010. The Zagat post does have one thing we don't: a cool old photograph. But we've looked into …

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Louisa Hufstader

5:42 am on Sunday, May 13, 2012

Now, YOUR word on it I will take, Tom. Thanks!   more ›

Habit Burger Opens in North Napa

After a few trial meals over the weekend, the northernmost outpost of the Santa Barbara chain begins regular business hours Wednesday.

Wednesday is the official opening day for Habit Burger Grill at 1735 Trancas St. between California Boulevard and California Way. The new Napa outlet—the northernmost, and the first in wine country, for the burger chain founded in Santa Barbara more than 40 years ago—actually started serving Friday, for two-hour windows during which burgers either were free or raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, and the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF)'s ProStart, according to a press release.  Beginning today, Napa's new Habit Burger serves its famed "Charburgers," grilled to order over open flames, Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11…

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Mike Treleven

12:52 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I've never heard of Habit. I hope their food is good, their prices are low along with good customer service. I hope the eatery becomes a habit for me.   more ›

Here Comes Habit Burger

The chain eatery officially opens its Napa outpost March 21, but locals can get a sneak preview and raise money for charity by dining there March 18 and 19, according to a press release.

North Napa's casual dining options are about to expand still further with the opening of Habit Burger Grill at 1735 Trancas St. between California Boulevard and California Way. Founded in Santa Barbara more than 40 years ago, the Habit Burger chain has recently expanded to the Bay Area with restaurants in Pleasanton, San Mateo and Walnut Creek. The Napa outlet is its first in wine country. The official opening day is Wednesday, March 21, but locals can get a sneak preview, according to a press release: On Sunday the 18th, The Habit will be open for lunch (from 12-2 p.m.) and dinner (from 5-7 p.m.) and on Monday the 19th will be open for lunch (12-2 p.m.) and will donate 100% of all proceeds on those days to their charity partners, the …

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Front of the House

C CASA: Not Your Mother's Taqueria

Catherine Bergen serves up a unique and healthy alternative to traditional Mexican cuisine.

C CASA in the Oxbow Public Market is a taqueria – but I use the term loosely. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, C CASA offers tacos, soup and salads, small plates, and rotisserie meats – all created with sustainable ingredients. Tacos are made to order with unusual flavors like seasoned buffalo, lamb and citrus prawns.  C CASA is Catherine Bergen’s first restaurant, but she’s no stranger to innovative food products. In 1993, while working for a company that etched and hand-painted wine bottles, she decided to create custom-etched oil decanters for wineries. She founded Tulocay’s Made in Napa and eventually added balsamic vinegar decanters, and then flavored oils and vinegars. Bergen sold that company in 2008. Julie: What’s the most …

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Q & A: Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustards Grill

After close to three decades, Mustards Grill is in full bloom.

Cindy Pawlcyn set the bar for Napa Valley cuisine 28 years ago when she opened Mustards Grill in Yountville. Even with an abundance of options in Napa, diners still can’t resist the opportunity to feast on the tried-and-true dishes that first put Pawlcyn on the culinary map. In addition to Mustards, Pawlcyn operates Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Brassica Napa Valley in St. Helena.  She’s also culinary manager for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Café and Restaurant. Pawlcyn named Mustards Grill after the wild mustard flowers that bloom throughout the valley in the late winter and early spring. According to Pawlcyn, “It makes one heck of a condiment.” Julie: I recall you once telling me that your father was in the potato chip business. Cindy: …

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Julie Weinstock

5:39 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

And I have to believe that she played a big part in the resurgence of the downtown Napa dining scene, although indirectly.   more ›

Down-Home Cooking Comes Downtown

The CIA-trained chef-owner of Napa Valley Biscuits promises chicken and waffles, sweet tea, pulled pork and more Southern favorites at the former site of Frankie's Deli on Main Street.

Updated March 3: Napa Valley Biscuits is now open for business, according to co-owner Tara Lindley. For hours and contact information, please see Southern Eatery Opens on Main. Got a hankering for good, homemade southern comfort food? If the answer is yes, mark your calendar for the end of this month. That's the projected opening date for Napa Valley Biscuits, where chef-owner Curtis Lindley and his wife Tara will offer a menu aimed not only at filling your tummy, but also satisfying that craving for fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits like grandma used to make. Napa Valley Biscuits has taken up residence at 1502 Main St., in the former Frankie’s Deli, which closed last year. Lindley is depending on his southern roots to make his new …

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Louisa Hufstader

3:30 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012

Chef Curtis Lindley confirmed this afternoon that Napa Valley Biscuits has closed its doors in order to remodel and add capacity: http://patch.com/A-r2BF   more ›

Italian Caffé Plans Downtown Launch

Molinari Caffé brings Italian pastries, panini, coffee and tea to a long-vacant Main Street address.

Napa has a good share of Italian restaurants, but our city has long lacked an Italian-style caffé—the kind of place where you can get espresso drinks morning or evening, not to mention panini and desserts. That's all going to change in just a few weeks, with the expected late-February opening of Molinari Caffé at 815 Main Street. Located across from Veterans Park, the new spot is designed to be a place to start the morning with pastries. The caffé will also feature homemade waffles, lunch, light dinners and a cozy, warm spot to cap off the evening. Owner Rick Molinari doesn't claim a close relationship to iconic deli Molinari’s in San Francisco’s North Beach, but he certainly has family roots in the local deli business. His family ran …

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Chondra Kirkland

10:10 am on Monday, February 6, 2012

I can't wait to make this one of my "offices" when I come in to Napa to work! :)   more ›

Napa Pizza Patrol: Readers Have Their Say

In our final installment of the Pizza Patrol, readers weigh in. Where's your favorite pizza in Napa?

“I just had my favorite pizza last week at Tra Vigne- Cambozola and figs…yummy! Maybe it had arugula, too,” said Marie Smith, who’s lived in Napa for years.  “Sweet and salty- my fav! We enjoyed this pizza with the Tra Vigne Cabernet made by Markham Vineyards. Yummy!” Smith also has a great idea for pizza at home. “I like to buy the flatbread w/truffle paste from Trader Joe’s.  I add fresh mozzarella, arugula and olive oil.” Her husband, Eric, enjoys the Supreme Pizza (all meat) from Papa Joe’s Pizza in Napa on Lincoln Avenue. Lelani Slack, of Bloom Creative Hair Design, says Papa Joe's is her favorite for take-out and Oenotri is her favorite for dining in. Some readers mildly scoffed at the “high end” pizza scene, making the point that …

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Front of the House

Front of the House: Bistro Sabor

Ariel Ceja has created a popular downtown hangout with affordable, creative food.

Ariel Ceja moved to Napa when he was 2, and grew up in the heart of the Napa wine industry. His love of food and wine led him to his passion: Bistro Sabor. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night hours, this quick-service restaurant offers an eclectic dining experience in downtown Napa: hot-from-the-fryer churros and savory pupusas, salmon ceviche tostadas, chorizo quesadillas; fresh tropical fruit salads; and made-to-order tacos that feature everything from roasted vegetables to seafood. Bistro Sabor also offers 20 Mexican, local and international craft beers along with wines from boutique, family-owned Napa wineries and sake selected to pair beautifully with all food dishes. And you might want to check out Saturday Salsa Nights--
Bistro …

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Bites Nearby: Pearl Restaurant

The perfect "Napa Casual" lunch and dinner spot that'll make you think twice before eating oysters anywhere else.

Oysters? Foccacia? Pork chops? With diverse menu options and a just-off-the-beaten-path locale, The Pearl Restaurant in downtown Napa makes you feel like you’re in a gourmet Napa mama’s kitchen—which you are! Proprietors Nickie and Peter Zeller are longtime Napa restauranteurs, having been involved in a series of down-home Napa eateries prior to opening The Pearl over ten years ago.    With cozy indoor seating and a warm outdoor patio, The Pearl is a perfect Saturday date night or Sunday brunch choice. If oysters are your thing, check out The Pearl's Saturday Lunch Oyster Extravaganza, running every Saturday from 11:30-2:00 pm. (Oysters: $1.00 Each, Italian Sparkling Prosecco Glass: $5.00!) Other delicious options (and there are a-plenty) …

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