Napa Rose lite

[yetiowine]

I've never been to Napa Rose before. I see on the website that Napa Rose offers a lounge (no res required), is this an okay scene for kids? Otherwise, I've been looking at making proper reservations for dinner w/3 kids ranging 5-12 years old. Is it acceptable to order apps and dessert only in that case? Everything on the menu sounds wonderful, but I know I cannot accommodate dessert if I have an entree in addition to an app.

 

[Summer2018]

Great question. We would like to eat there, but we already have expensive dinner plans multiple nights elsewhere and would be very happy with drinks, apps, and dessert.

 

[Malcon10t]

I've never been to Napa Rose before. I see on the website that Napa Rose offers a lounge (no res required), is this an okay scene for kids? Otherwise, I've been looking at making proper reservations for dinner w/3 kids ranging 5-12 years old. Is it acceptable to order apps and dessert only in that case? Everything on the menu sounds wonderful, but I know I cannot accommodate dessert if I have an entree in addition to an app.

Yes, to both. The lounge is pretty low key, as long as kids understand it is still a restaurant in the lounge, all is good. I'd suggest the lounge if all you will be ordering is apps and dessert. If you do do the restaurant and only do apps and dessert, tip as if you'd had a full meal.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Great question. We would like to eat there, but we already have expensive dinner plans multiple nights elsewhere and would be very happy with drinks, apps, and dessert.

We did drinks & apps in the lounge last time & it was great. We preferred that to the whole meal in the restaurant actually (we only did that once, & while I’m in the minority here we did not like it. But the apps & wine list we great!)

 

[yetiowine]

Yes, to both. The lounge is pretty low key, as long as kids understand it is still a restaurant in the lounge, all is good. I'd suggest the lounge if all you will be ordering is apps and dessert. If you do do the restaurant and only do apps and dessert, tip as if you'd had a full meal.

Thanks for the advice, tipping on a full meal makes good sense. I'd hate to over-order food. I browsed the lounge menu and it's sooo similar to the restaurant proper and meets my desires.

 

[Summer2018]

We did drinks & apps in the lounge last time & it was great. We preferred that to the whole meal in the restaurant actually (we only did that once, & while I’m in the minority here we did not like it. But the apps & wine list we great!)

Awesome! We aren't huge eaters, so this might be the perfect solution. Thank you!

 

[DLgal]

The full Napa Rose menu is available in the lounge. However, be aware that the tables are small and the seats are large, so it's not the most convenient setup for a family of 5. The seats are more like easy chairs with small round tables.

I personally would make an actual reservation with 3 kids, provided they know how to behave appropriately in a fine dining establishment. However, be aware that a meal here easily takes 2 hours, even if you are just doing apps and dessert. The pacing is very slow, on purpose (and also be aware that app and dessert portions are VERY small...you might end up hungry if you go this route).

 

[Malcon10t]

The pacing is very slow, on purpose (and also be aware that app and dessert portions are VERY small...you might end up hungry if you go this route).

I've never gotten out of there in under 3 hours (same at Steakhouse...) The meals at Napa are designed to allow space for dessert.

 

[yetiowine]

The full Napa Rose menu is available in the lounge. However, be aware that the tables are small and the seats are large, so it's not the most convenient setup for a family of 5. The seats are more like easy chairs with small round tables.

I personally would make an actual reservation with 3 kids, provided they know how to behave appropriately in a fine dining establishment. However, be aware that a meal here easily takes 2 hours, even if you are just doing apps and dessert. The pacing is very slow, on purpose (and also be aware that app and dessert portions are VERY small...you might end up hungry if you go this route).

All good to know, particularly the slow pacing. I really enjoy sampling food and I don't mind a longer meal depending on the atmosphere. Kid-wise, I think they'd be okay in either setting. Sometimes "lounge" translates more to "bar" and that means high stools with small tables, which is definitely not kid friendly.

Is Hearthstone Lounge similar in seating style to Napa Rose Lounge?

 

[Malcon10t]

All good to know, particularly the slow pacing. I really enjoy sampling food and I don't mind a longer meal depending on the atmosphere. Kid-wise, I think they'd be okay in either setting. Sometimes "lounge" translates more to "bar" and that means high stools with small tables, which is definitely not kid friendly.

Is Hearthstone Lounge similar in seating style to Napa Rose Lounge?

It is similar, but more seating that would be kid friendly. It is also lighter. There is a patio area outside, b the walk to Napa Rose (enter Hearthstone, walk to the back, turn left) that is really nice with kids.

 

[DLgal]

All good to know, particularly the slow pacing. I really enjoy sampling food and I don't mind a longer meal depending on the atmosphere. Kid-wise, I think they'd be okay in either setting. Sometimes "lounge" translates more to "bar" and that means high stools with small tables, which is definitely not kid friendly.

Is Hearthstone Lounge similar in seating style to Napa Rose Lounge?

Hearthstone is set up more like a restaurant, with a large cavernous space full of typical 4 top tables. There are more intimate/upholstered chairs in sets of 2 along the perimeter as well as a small room off to the side with just more intimate seating. The bar runs along one wall there.

Napa Rose lounge is more like a living room. The bar is not actually even in there, but further into the restaurant itself. The bar has typical stools, but as far as I know, kids are not allowed to sit there. The lounge itself is a small, cozy space. It's generally very quiet and subdued. Many people sit here and enjoy a glass of wine while waiting for to be seated for dinner. It maybe can fit 30 people, max? It's often full. Hearthstone can easily accommodate 100+.

I would actually recommend Hearthstone for your family. The kids can be kids in there and no one will notice.

 

[DLgal]

I've never gotten out of there in under 3 hours (same at Steakhouse...) The meals at Napa are designed to allow space for dessert.

Same for us. The OP mentioned only getting apps and desserts. I would leave STARVING if I did that, and I'm not a big eater. We always get an app or salad each, a main, and a dessert and we leave comfortable.

 

[yetiowine]

Thanks for the input! It sounds like either lounge is what we're looking for vs the restaurant. And even more so Hearthstone if there's that much more seating. A place I can have a glass of wine and beveraging adults can be beveraging adults sounds just right

 

[DLgal]

Thanks for the input! It sounds like either lounge is what we're looking for vs the restaurant. And even more so Hearthstone if there's that much more seating. A place I can have a glass of wine and beveraging adults can be beveraging adults sounds just right

I prefer Hearthstone lounge overall to NR Lounge. If I'm doing NR, I want the full experience!

 

[Malcon10t]

I prefer Hearthstone lounge overall to NR Lounge. If I'm doing NR, I want the full experience!

My first preference is Steakhouse Lounge. But, it is couches with coffee tables type setting, so not really conducive for kids eating. My next choice is Hearthstone. My grandkids enjoy it.

 

[yetiowine]

I really appreciate the feedback! I ended up with a chance for adults-only NR Lounge time and it was great! Food was wonderful and drinks hit the spot.