went to Napa Rose for the first time this last weekend as i was at Disneyland for a 3 day, 2 night “vacation” – parenthesized as I’m probably 60 miles away, but it was a BDay present for Mom so I had to do it right… stayed at the Disneyland Hotel which was nice, and the food at Napa Rose inside the Grand Californian Hotel did not disappoint. to say it was excellent is an understatement. FYI - the Chef is Andrew Sutton, formerly of Napa's Auberge du Soleil, Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, and at The Hotel Crescent Court and The Registry in Dallas as well...

there were 3 of us dining, got there a little early so we started out at the bar with a ½ bottle of NV Veuve for my sis, Mom had a glass of 2003 Silverado Cab & i started with a glass of 2004 Villa Mt Eden Bien Nacido Chardonnay.

we were promptly seated at our reservation time, looked over the menu, requested a bottle of the 03’ La Crema 9 Barrel Pinot, let out a few “mmmmm’s” while browsing and proceeded to order.

my sister and I both started out with the Cornmeal Crepes filled with Warm Dungeness Crab and Swiss Chard on a Sauce of Chanterelle Mushrooms, Apples and Roasted Kuri Squash, which were excellent. everything in the dish had a wonderful delicate flavor, and the Crepes were a wonderful accompaniment to the Crab. Mom started with the Salad of Chef's Selected Baby Greens and Cucumbers with Solera Sherry Vinaigrette, which was delightful and refreshing.

for entrees, my sis had the Roasted Venison Chop in a Kuri Squash Sauce, Sweet Potato Ravioli, Forest Mushrooms & a bed of Spring Vegetables, Mom the Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass with Grilled Shellfish, Pancetta, Fennel and Roasted Tomatoes (she’s allergic to Scallops, so the Chef obliged by making the dish sans Shellfish and presenting on a bed of garlic Mashed Potatoes in a White Truffle Butter), and I had the Grilled Duck Breast in a Cider Braised Endive w/ Fuji Apples, an Array of Mushrooms, all in a Duck-Jus Sauce (there were also tiny pieces of bacon included)… i didn’t try anyone else’s dish, but mine was spectacular. the juice from the Duck-Jus & mushrooms combined for a creamy gravy, while the Apples were a refreshing break from the oily richness. we also ordered a few sides to share - Cider Braised Red Cabbage with Double Smoked Bacon and Graven stein Apples & Baby Fingerling Potatoes with Portobello Mushrooms and Imported White Truffle Butter - both of which were excellent as well.

for dessert, the 3 of us shared a Pecan Crusted Cheesecake in a Cranberry Coulis w/ a scoop of Blue Cheese Ice Cream & a Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brule with a Raspberry Conserve & a Passion Fruit Sauce.

everything was ridiculous, pure hedonistic pleasure… the wine complimented every aspect of my dish and was a wonderful addition to the meal.

the wines were a little on the pricey side (the drinks at the bar were about $80 less tip, and the La Crema was $95), but the food, for the quality was worth it in my opinion, at about $200 for everything.

if you are ever in the area i can’t recommend Napa Rose enough, a truly wonderful dining experience.

also a quick thanks to rickym13 for his assistance navigating the menu and insight into the restaurant

I have fond memories of Napa Rose. We took my parents there for their anniversary in 2002. Friends of theirs (who I knew from when I was a kid) joined us. We had an excellent Sinkskey RSV which really started me off on being "serious" about wine.

I thought the food was quite good as well but maybe too clever by a smidge. I enjoyed the architecture of the hotel a great deal.

Neil

Another Kudo to Napa Rose. A well schooled and respected Sommelier, Michael Jordan,( on the road to MS) is very dedicated to the wine education program at Napa Rose vis a vis Disney. The somms @ Napa Rose embody professional service and do not try to dazzle you with their knowledge of the 13 Rhone varietals. They have a great list and BTW--they treat BYO very hospitably!

The wine program at Napa rose is amazing. It is by far my favorite Southern California restaurant. Michael and Andrew are dedicated to making every persons experience amazing. I have had romantic dinners there and a dinner with a fussy two year old and they have handled both with grace and class. There is nothing better than a restaurant where every person on the staff knows the wine list and has tasted most of it. Every restaurant with a wine program should visit Napa Rose to see how it is done.

i wont say its my favorite So Cal restaurant, but its up there... one of the best dining experiences i've ever had

I had dinner at Napa Rose for the first time this past Tuesday night. The food was very good but pricey for what you get. The decor was nice but the restaurant is a bit noisy. The wine list is one of the best I've seen. Had the 98 Chris Ringland Shriaz. One of the best wines I've ever had. Overall, very good but bring lots of $$$.

this is one of my favorite place.

wow....98 chris ringland? what did that cost you off the menu?
i have taken my own bottles 90% of the time and never been charged the corkage.

Thanks for the write up Kumazam. I have heard nothing but good things about Napa Rose but have never tried. The association with Disneyland has always given me pause. I will have to check it out.

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
Thanks for the write up Kumazam. I have heard nothing but good things about Napa Rose but have never tried. The association with Disneyland has always given me pause. I will have to check it out.

no problem Glenn, though granted my post was from last year, unless something drastic has happened, i can't imagine it being any different than my experience...

Whoops, didn’t look at the date of your post. Thought it was new. I will still put it on my list to check out.