Napa Rose Chef's Table

[mjmcnns]

I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can in order to make a decision. What have people's experiences been dining at the NR Chef's Table? Have you typically considered it worth the price?

My "group" is a couple of mid-20 year olds.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can in order to make a decision. What have people's experiences been dining at the NR Chef's Table? Have you typically considered it worth the price?

My "group" is a couple of mid-20 year olds.

Well, this is a question for YellowMickeyPonchos. She is/was a regular at Napa Rose and can tell you everything you need to know about it. Hopefully she will catch this thread soon and give you some info!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I have to have a personal chuckle when I hear the counter called the chef's table nowadays. It used to be that was the place they would put walk-ins! My husband and I used to eat at the counter all the time, during the whole dataing and before kids part of our life. My how times have changed!

It's a wonderful experience. You really get to enjoy conversation with the chefs, watch everyone's food come out the pass - leading to the occasional change in your order or a conversation about "next time". Everyone is so gracious there. You might even get a lesson in what to look for in the ingredients you're buying. Chef Sutton is big on fresh local ingredients, as well as very knowledgable of the leaders in the fields of cheese, raising quality organic proteins, etc. and they love to share that with the guests.

If you are concerned about price, you can do splits on most of the items. There are a few things they can't divide in two, because of the item size and visual presentation, but if you don't mind sharing, that isn't an issue. All of the entrees, the soups, and most of the appetizers can be divided onto two plates. We learned (after about 2 years of monthly attendance) that we and most importantly, our stomachs, were much happier if we did splits. It was a hard lesson to learn!

If you are lucky, you might even get to share a glass of some rare vintage wine with a great story - our favorite was the 1865 Madiera, who's casks were found hidden somewhere in Europe and auctioned off. 4 of us split the $65 1/4 glass and were happy as clams to have experienced a piece of history!

 

[tofubeast]

I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can in order to make a decision. What have people's experiences been dining at the NR Chef's Table? Have you typically considered it worth the price?

To sit at the Chef's Table (counter) does not cost anymore than a regular table. The menu is the same. Only difference, you get to experience all the cooking action in front of you. My DH and I did it a couple of weeks ago and felt like we were in the middle of an episode of the Iron Chef. It was quite fun! Plus they gave us some extra complimentary things to try! We loved it. The brussel sprouts were to die for, and I am not kidding!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

One other thing I forgot - the counter is also the most feel-good experience for folks who might have food allergies or dining restrictions. Not to say the rest of the place isn't, but having the direct chef interaction there gives a whole new sense of confidence.

I agree with the PP - their veggies rock! I've never had their brussel sprouts, so maybe we need to make a trip there this weekend before they change the menu.

Also many menu items change weekly to monthly, depending on the season and what they can get.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I love sitting at the counter at Napa Rose. Its definitely one of the best dining experiences I know of, especially since I am traveling solo on business a lot of the time.

 

[toocherie]

is it hard to get a reservations for the chef's table?

 

[jkh1978]

How do I make the reservation? is there a demand/is this well known?

 

[heatherleigh]

"If you are lucky, you might even get to share a glass of some rare vintage wine with a great story - our favorite was the 1865 Madiera, who's casks were found hidden somewhere in Europe and auctioned off. 4 of us split the $65 1/4 glass and were happy as clams to have experienced a piece of history!"

This is so cool! We had something, sort of, similar several yrs back. Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac. It was a century old, so almost the same. Very delicious- and very pricey! I don't really drink much, but I like cognac.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

is it hard to get a reservations for the chef's table?

It never used to be. Most people seem to want table service. They actually have 3 counters for seating. Seats 1-4 are on the salads/hot appetizer stations (the left of the pass), seats 5-8 are on the meat and dessert freezer station (the right of the pass) and the remaining 5 seats are overlooking the dessert station. (seats 3-6 book the most quickly, as they are in direct contact with Chef Sutton or Chef Francisco - whoever is manning the pass that day.

When calling, let them know which counter you would like and see if it's available. And yes, they will let you sub a highchair for one of the seats....

 

[lulubelle]

Well, I feel I need to post about our experience there.
It was not very special and for us a regular table is better.
First of all, you are only offered seating times of 5:30 or 9:00 pm (I think those were the times), so plan your day accordingly. We were at the dessert area, way to the side and the chef was not friendly or talkative at all. She was a young asian (I think Vietnamese) woman. She didn't say two words to us. And other than the head chef asking us one time "how is everything?", we had no interaction. Our service was good, but not great like it usually is. I think you are "out of the way" for the servers. It was neat to see her make all the desserts, though. Obviously a table by the main chefs is better. And Napa Rose is first class all the way, I just wish we could eat there more often!.

 

[tofubeast]

When we had PS made, I know the later counter seating option was 8:30. In fact, we got there at 8pm (early) and they say us right away. We sat in seats 7 and 8 and had a great view of the main courses and dessert. YUM.

 

[mjmcnns]

Thanks for the tips. I've booked a late dinner here and am very much looking forward to it.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Oh -- you were on the dessert counter. I understand now how you could have that experience. My apologies, as I did forget to mention that one wasn't the best of the counter seats for interaction. When they do desserts, they are extremely focused. Not the best seat in any kitchen, though still cool to watch the desserts. With the other seats, the serving team is constantly by the pass, so you always get more attention. With the dessert counter, you are on the way to the beverage station, so they always seem to be in a hurry when they go by you.

When the old pastry chef, David, was there, he was much chattier. After he and his brother, Chef Michael, left, we never really got to know the folks who replaced him.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

We have been wanting to do this so thanks for the information.

I was wondering how they are about kids. We would go with two kids, ages 10 & 12. Do you think we could get reservations with them, or is this mainly an event saved for adults?

Thanks in advance!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We have been wanting to do this so thanks for the information.

I was wondering how they are about kids. We would go with two kids, ages 10 & 12. Do you think we could get reservations with them, or is this mainly an event saved for adults?

Thanks in advance!

Why - those are practically adults - in their minds, at least!

This is not reserved and since Disney definitely redefines what "adult" means, I think yours will be just fine! Like I said before, they have even offered to put a highchair at the counter for me!

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Why - those are practically adults - in their minds, at least!

So True!!!


Thanks for the info! We will definetly try it on our next trip!

 

[godalejunior]

I just put in our PS for 12/11 with Napa Rose directly for the Chef's counter, seats 5 and 6!!!! I noticed on another board they split plates on the entree's, appetizers, etc. and that way they could try more food!

 

[tofubeast]

I just wrote more about our dinner at Napa Rose and included pics in my TR. The link is in my signature!

 

[godalejunior]

I just wrote more about our dinner at Napa Rose and included pics in my TR. The link is in my signature!

What seats did you have and did you request specific seats? I really want to be where the action is and be able to talk to the chefs. Thanks.