Reviewed by Jessica Thornton and Blane Ellsworth…THE DINING DUO

When you walk into Rotisserie and Wine, you feel like you are coming over to your friend’s house for dinner.  The lighting is just dim enough to make you look more attractive than when you arrived, and if you have to wait for your table, there is an inviting lounge area for you to relax with your friends while you watch Tyler tell his chef’s what to do.

The wait staff is dressed in button down flannels with jeans, and although the intention is to be hip and comfortable, we think they may have missed a beat.  We personally don’t want to dine at a restaurant where we may be caught wearing the same outfit as our server.

The service was overly attentive, due to the fact that it was a Grand Opening; and of course trying to make an impression.  Nonetheless we cannot be complimentary enough to Mariah and Maddy who brought us our food.   Their sweet congeniality made the wait for the food to arrive much more bearable.

Our busser Luis made sure our water glasses were never empty and we had fresh plates with every serving.

At Rotisserie and Wine the music was loud and overbearing, at times, but evened itself out with the cool selection of Radiohead and Phoenix.

If you are visually challenged like myself the staff will supply you with reading glasses and a  cool miniature mag light to look over the hard to view font on the menu.  The font on the menu is bit off-putting, considering the average age of the Napa Valley diner  is above 45.

Now let’s talk about the food, because that is why your are reading this, right?  The service director, Corey, with experience from New York’s renowned Nobu,  whose tall stature put off a friendly yet commanding vibe, dropped off the most delectable corn bread sticks to start off the meal.

They were delicious, decadent, and tasted like a cross between dessert and dinner.  They are savory enough to start your meal, and sweet enough to finish it.  Be careful, you could just eat enough of them to ruin your dinner – good thing they only serve you one per person.  You don’t even need the divine honey butter that comes with it, but it helps, because butter always does!!!!

After the wonderful cornbread, that set our expectations high, we started off with a Charcuterie platter, McEvoy Olives, Kale Chips, and the Cheese Puff, and the Cheese Puff, and the Cheese Puff – wait, “did we repeat ourselves?”  “Why yes”, We think we did, and we did because it was that phenomenal!!  Bacon Morney, aged Villa Jack Cheese, and Chives.  It was a pillow of heaven.  We literally felt like we wanted to just dive into the Villa Jack Cheese and wrap ourselves in  the Gougeres.  The puff made us so dizzy our picture of it was way out of focus.

The Kale Chips were original, and Debbie from Napa thought they were the best thing on the menu. We, on the other hand couldn’t figure out  whether it was burnt paper, or a Japanese concoction of dried seaweed.  Hmmm, let us tell you this, just try it because you may like it, love it, or hate it.

Did we talk about the olives?  Wait, there is nothing to talk about.  To be fair the McEvoy olives were not available.  We had a selection of local olives that were ok if they were free.  The walnut pesto sauce was mediocre at best, and  our advice would be to order an extra Cheese Puff.

Jessica thought the Charcuterie Platter  was the best thing she has ever ordered at a restaurant.  The presentation blew her socks off.  There were small points of different types of local mustard, large presentation of beets, and the flavors of the duck pate was let me think, what is the word, velvety, smooth, mild, bold, significant, daring, and humble.  Clap, clap Tyler Florence, you are brave and you deserve applause!

Second course please.   We had  French champagne from the wine list “here or there” meaning from the Napa Valley or somewhere else.  A cute and trendy touch, yet courageous in the Napa Valley where for years so called wine connoisseurs would be offended by the mere thought of possibly imbibing wine from another region.  We hail Rotisserie and Wine for providing their diners with this refreshing  spin on wine choices!

We tried two of the house syrups.  One of us felt the Meyer Lemon which was accentuated with Bar Keep Swedish herbs was  tasty and original.  We had mixed feelings about the  Beet, Sour Apple, Black Pepper Syrup.  While it had a sense of adventure… one of us wanted to spit it out while the other found it sexy and savory.

The restaurant’s General Manager, James, was encouraging us to tantalize our taste buds with these syrups.  His engaging sweetness made us all the more excited to give them a try.

The one of us with vegetarian leanings  was hoping for a richness in texture and hearty cheese flavor in ordering the Mac and Cheese, but  found it disappointing and too oily….. The one of us with carnivore cravings found the lightness of it satisfying mixing well with meat.

The Rosemary Potatoes were bite sized and addictive and the Broccoli can make you feel better about yourself if you gorged on all of this comfort food.

Beef and Bones – the biggest, most amazing portion I have ever seen.  If you are a marrow fan, which if you eat food you should be, then go to Rotisserie  and Wine.  YUM YUM YUM, and then you can take the bone home to your beloved pets.  Order this dish with a side of the most delectable Grits that you can get.  Peanuts that are baked like beans, with a nutty yummy flavor with leeks on top (lardo) don’t get scared off by the terminology, it is all “chef talk”

For dessert we shared a generous slice of chocolate cake with Chantilly.  It was good but not great.   We believe the dessert selection was lacking at best.

While we wanted some tea of which there was no selection, you can tell we found the espresso eloquently alluring.

Bottom line – the food was original and unique.  It made you feel at home, but like you should be paying for something, because it was just “too good.” The entire experience stood out compared to most of the “California Cuisine” restaurants that are trying to make an impression.

The décor is some of the coolest we have seen.  Intriguing chandeliers, different sterling silverware and monogrammed “hip” but yet professional flatware.

Right outside are inviting rockers and throws to invite you on a seasonal, delightful, Autumn Eve, and Tyler Florence’s presence didn’t hurt.  We loved the vibe, the tables with no linen. and the down-home, comfortable feel that you get when you step in the door.

GO TO THE ROTISSERE!  You can walk out of there feeling like you had a 5 star meal with the price of the Olive Garden.  That is embarrassing to say, but true.  An honorable and noteworthy  reflection of the famed Tyler Florence….. It’s ULTIMATE!

Overall Grades….

Ambiance….. B…While the décor and rockers are extraordinary…. Ambient noise is abundant and the lock on the women’s restroom does not work properly.

Food…..B…. While the meat dishes are superb…. The vegetarian and dessert choices need to be as provocative as the wine list.

Price…. A…. Napa Valley diners will find Rotisserie and Wine’s prices most refreshing.

Service…. A-…. While our waiters excelled and the general manager warm and welcoming… the service manager was lacking in finesse.

Offered Fridays and Sundays ONLY

This package includes…..

Five Hours Exclusive Use of Hans Fahden Winery

Flowers by Dallas ..… Including Bridal Bouquet, Grooms Boutonniere, Maid of Honor Nosegay, Best Man Boutonniere, Two Boutonnieres for Fathers, Two Petite Nosegays for Mothers, Five Table Centerpieces

DJ Services by either Michael’s Music…. or AMS Entertainment

Ceremony Music by Davis Ramey  (guitar)…..  or Timothy Duenas  (piano)….. or Charlotte Wolter (harp)

Photography by Carter Brookes ……. Carter provides a CD with 200 or more, high-resolution digital images shot from four hours of digital photography including family and wedding party photos, as well as candid photography throughout the event.  Also included is a high-quality Internet posting of the wedding images.

Ministry/Officiant Services by Wedding Ministries… A personalized wedding ceremony respectful of your beliefs, values and desires, Certificate of Marriage, registering of your license, coordination of wedding rehearsal and ceremony.

Catering by Wine Valley Catering…..…. Full dinner service including basic rentals for 50 people

Princess Wedding Cake from Model Bakery….. www.TheModelBakery.com

Day of Wedding Manager to help with planning, organization, coordinating of vendors, wedding details and seeing to it your wedding day runs smoothly and stress free for you.

FRIDAYS

20 to 24 guests               $13,435

25 to 32 guests               $13,995

33 to 40 guests               $15,115

41 to 48 guests                $15,675

For Sunday Weddings there is an additional $1000 fee

Based on Date and Availability of Vendors

For More Details please call 800-655-3677

To be married in California you MUST obtain a marriage license prior to the marriage ceremony. If either party is under the age of eighteen, a license cannot be issued without the consent of a parent and a court order. To obtain a general (non-confidential) license the bride and groom (both over 18 years of age) must appear in person and provide information including parents full names and places of birth.

If there was a prior marriage, the date when the previous marriage ended is required. If the last marriage ended less than 90 days prior to the new license being requested, a copy of the document ending the marriage must be provided.

The fee for a general (non-confidential) license is $70.00 in Napa and $73.00 in Sonoma.

For change of name and legal documentation…. we STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a certified copy of your marriage license.

BE SURE you fill out the form for a certified copy while you are at the County Recorder’s office.

The fee for a certified copy of your marriage license is $14 in Napa and $16 in Sonoma.

When securing your marriage license at the Napa or Sonoma County Recorder’s Office, they will give you a sheet explaining clearly how to fill out the license.   They give you this to give to the person officiating your service.

Even while doing this, there are many licenses filled out by friends or family deputized for the day to do your wedding, which are filled out incorrectly.  This causes lots of confusion when the licenses go in for recordation.

That is why, even though we are prejudice in doing so, we recommend you have a professional officiant do your wedding so this will not be a problem.  We have ministers, rabbis, priests, and a civil officiant at Wedding Ministries and on our Website, NapaValleyWeddings.Com who WILL fill out your license CORRECTLY.
A regular license  is good for 90 days. There is NO waiting period.

The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of California.

The Napa and Sonoma County Recorder’s Offices  issues marriage licenses between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday except for holidays.

Napa County Clerk/Recorder’s Office
1127 First Street (between Main and Coombs)
Napa, CA 94559
Phone: (707) 253-4246

Sonoma County Clerk’s Office • La Plaza West Building
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-3800

General Requirements

• No blood tests are required in California
• Bride and groom must appear together
• Valid picture identification required
• If divorce final within past 90 days, must bring copy of final judgment
• License good for 90 days

Your Marriage Service may be performed anywhere in California

One witness is required

Confidential Marriage License – $72 in Napa             $100 in Sonoma

• Parties must have been living together (the law does not specify a minimum duration of time living together)
• Both parties must be at least 18
• Marriage MUST be performed in County in which license is obtained
• No witnesses required
• The marriage is confidential and only available to the husband and wife
A marriage license is only a permit to get married and you are NOT married until a ceremony is performed!

A certified copy is needed to change your name, for health insurance, driver’s license, social security, etc.

To secure a certified copy of your license, you must now fill own a sworn affidavit that you are the person requesting the license.  It must then be signed by a notoray public.

You can, also, go directly to the County Recorder’s office to do this… but this would mean another trip to the County Recorder’s Office.

It is MUCH easier to sign this affidavit while ordering your license.

Through the packages offered on our website at NapaValleyWeddings.com and Enchanting Elopements, we provide escort services to the Napa County Recorder’s Office to make sure this is done correctly for you.

With this new requirement for obtaining a certified copy of your marriage license, we STRONGLY recommend you get your license at the Napa County Recorder’s office if you are getting married in Napa Valley.

For any other questions you have have about obtaining a marriage license to marry and afterward obtaining a certified copy of your marriage license, please call the Napa County Recorder’s Office at 707-253-4246

Be aware.. if you are getting married in California…. you MUST obtain your wedding license in California.

For further questions regarding wedding licenses, please call the Napa County Recorder’s Office at 707-253-4246.

They are most helpful and informative!

http://www.co.napa.ca.us/GOV/Departments/28000/Forms/2009MarriageLicenseApp20081223.pdf

To put it bluntly…. the attitude there was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Our waitress was indifferent.  She gave us the feeling she could have cared less if we were even there.

We both decided to have salad and french onion soup.   I would give the food a grade of “B” at best.

It was overly priced and NOT worth it!

In terms of ANGELE… there is only one word that comes to mind…. AVOID!

With a menu of comfort food from around the world … Grace’s Table is a step in the right direction from the overabundance of restaurants trying to exemplify Napa Valley chic.

I had butternut squash soup, complimented by french fries.  While exuding excellent flavor, it was truly down home food.

My luncheon companion had the burger offering.  While having a prickly palate, he said it was by far the best burger he has had in Napa.

Both of us have the highest of standards for service.  Hannah, Che and Chris at Grace’s Table are welcoming, warm, and hospitable.  It was a refreshing to see them enjoying their work and proudly talking about the food they were serving.

They took delight in letting us know how the chef’s food was alive with Argentine, Basque, French and Peruvian influences.  Much on their menu are recipes handed down to him by his grandmother.

While their menu is impressive….. their prices are even more delightful and REASONABLE!!.  That is a rare find in Napa.

Check out their menu offerings at www.GracesTable.net

You will find the staff at Grace’s Table amicable to helping you plan for a rehearsal dinner there.

While the restaurant could easily accommodate up to sixty guests, there are sliding doors allowing  for a feeling of openness, a contemporary, comfortable, modern design and even room for dancing…. Grace’s Table has interesting rehearsal dinner possibilities.

http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d5449794d6a4d7a4e7a68384d6a4d304e4451354e44553d0d0a&sb=1

It took place at the Hacienda of Leigh Milleur in October.

We had magic all around us and happiness exuding between us!

Leigh, with her artful eye, took some very sweet pictures of SueAnn and Bill.

Through her Elopements Tuscan Style Leigh offers a package well worth your consideration.

View it for yourself at www.elopementstuscanstyle.com

]]> http://napavalleyweddings.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/a-joyous-heartfelt-wedding-with-elopements-tuscan-style/feed/ 0 revblane http://napavalleyweddings.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/restaurant-review-go-fish/ http://napavalleyweddings.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/restaurant-review-go-fish/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:13:29 +0000 revblane http://napavalleyweddings.wordpress.com/?p=16 ]]> While it is worth going for fish…. You are, also, going to find fun, friendliness and flavor at GO FISH!

As soon as my respected colleague, Tristen Finley, Event Specialist at Harvest Inn, and I entered we were given a warm welcome by hostess Becca.

She sat us in trendy seating.  Our table would soon have excellently presented entrees.  Before us were many a joyous patrons partaking of GO FISH’s edible delicacies of the sea.

Our table would soon have excellently presented entrees brought to us by the gracious Jenna.  With her elegantly quaffed curly hair, glowing smile and food knowledge she enabled us to have a delightful dining experience.

Jenna made our mouths water hearing about Go Fish’s specials.  She proudly told us their oysters on the half shell were delivered fresh daily.  And then Jenna told us something we never knew…. that east coast oysters are from deep water and have a more briny salty taste while west coast oysters are creamier.

We began our lunch with Vegetable Tempura.  It was accentuated with distinctive Green Tea Salt and Yuzu Asian Citrus Dipping Sauce.  Very tasty!

Jenna, also, had available for us low sodium soy sauce.  GO FISH even has wheat free soy sauce for those with gluten allergies

After this came prawns.  They were seasoned sensationally!  However, they still were in their skins which, while stylish compromised their ease of eating.

Tristen had Spicy Tuna Rolls with wasabi and ginger.  Tristen, a true sushi connoisseur, gave these rolls an “A.”

I had Miso Soup .  It was rich in flavor and hearty with onions and seaweed.

The soup’s tofu, however, was too soft and watery in texture for my liking.

Our meal was complimented with the most scrumptious bread with delectable homemade flavor

Our dining experience was enlivened by a delightful exchange with Chef Cindy Pawlcyn.   With here twenty six years of culinary genius and successes with Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and GO FISH, she has three of the most renowned restaurants listed at Napa Valley Weddings.

When we left GO FISH, I asked three men and three women who had just dined to rate their experience.  The women gave GO FISH an A- while the men gave GO FISH an average rating of B+

I was pleased to find out Christine Riss-Murphy is the Special Events Manager at Go Fish

Their patio is ideal for a rehearsal.  Not just for their food and service but because of the proximity of GO FISH to the venues we have listed at Napa Valley Weddings.

You can trust Christine to be most helpful and enthusiastic in putting together a rehearsal dinner or wedding at GO FISH.