Napa Rose recently..?

[SherylLC]

Thank you all for the reviews! We've always had GREAT meals there. I can't wait to get back!

 

[Astylla]

Anyone know whether the Chef's Counter is operating?

I inquired about this personally during my visit in June. They are working on bringing it back per the server I spoke with and he has been a long time individual there so I do believe that. Sounds like it's more navigating the CAL OSHA , union and Disney protocols for dining and close quarters. I've only done two dinners now at NR that were not Chef Counter and have been there at least 10 to 12 times.

 

[ten6mom]

I inquired about this personally during my visit in June. They are working on bringing it back per the server I spoke with and he has been a long time individual there so I do believe that. Sounds like it's more navigating the CAL OSHA , union and Disney protocols for dining and close quarters. I've only done two dinners now at NR that were not Chef Counter and have been there at least 10 to 12 times.

Thanks! Perhaps it would be available in October when I take my 14 yo, who I've promised a visit there some day!

 

[avalon451]

DD and I had late reservations last week, 8 p.m. on the 23rd. We were tired and done with the parks at 7:30, so we checked in early and asked if there was room for us to be seated at the bar. They were happy to seat us at 2 free spots at the bar rather than taking up a table. We just had a couple of appetizers and cocktails (we'd had lobster nachos at LL at 4:00!) and our bartender was awesome, friendly and helpful. Perfect end to our day.

 

[DLgal]

So, our dinner was phenomenal. Maybe one of our best there ever. Our server was Brett and he was so great! He was very friendly and even took a photo of us although they are technically not supposed to. We had a nice window table and it was a great, quiet location.

We shared the Smiling Tiger Salad (amazing, although I gave most of my seafood fritter to DH...not a seafood fan). We each had a filet, perfectly cooked medium rare. However, we did need to ask for salt, which is rare at NR. The steak itself wasn't seasoned too well and then the accompaniments were not particularly well suited to being overly flavorful. Everything needed salt. Then it was much better. I did find the pairings of this steak dish to be sort of bizarre. It was a tomato/avocado relish with a vinegar based sauce (basically pico style salsa) and then cheddar whipped potatoes. Each accompaniment was good individually with a piece of steak, but all together it didn't work. A rice dish would have made more sense, or something like patatas bravas (roasted spicy spanish potatoes) would have suited the relish better. The potatoes had a great, strong cheddar flavor, but I feel like they would have done better to pair them along with a rich demi glace and some roasted veggies. Nevertheless, we both cleaned our plates.

Dessert was the creme brulee (AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT DESSERT) and the cherry sideways up cake, which my husband had and said was more of a nut cake with cherry accompaniments (sorbet and macerated cherries).

We also had some cocktails. My favorite, Kate & Ella was great as always (seriously, this might be the best cocktail I've EVER had, and when we check in this weekend for our vacation, I'm gonna get a seat at the bar one night and order it just so I can learn how to make it at home.) My husband had a Manhattan and the Pushing Up Roses cocktail. Both were wonderful.

We asked about bread service. Brett told us that was the first thing to go, since they have to limit kitchen staff due to OSHA rules. It will be back when they can go back to full capacity in the kitchen. They are also the same team that does pasta, which is why the truffle mac and cheese isn't on the menu right now. Asked about Steakhouse 55 (we inadvertently began talking about breakfast there, so we asked if he had any Intel on reopening). He told us he hasn't heard anything yet. Servers who worked there have been offered jobs elsewhere for now, including at NR. He also told us the head chef of S55 is currently working at NR as well, so it doesn't seem like it will reopen anytime soon. Perhaps once the DLH fully opens?

I took a photo of the Vintners menu if anyone wants details. I'm on restriction with this site right now, so can't post photos, but if anyone is interested, I cam type out the offerings.

As mentioned, we are going to try and go in at some point this weekend for drinks and dessert again. That creme brulee is the stuff of dreams.

 

[Tracieee]

So, our dinner was phenomenal. Maybe one of our best there ever. Our server was Brett and he was so great! He was very friendly and even took a photo of us although they are technically not supposed to. We had a nice window table and it was a great, quiet location.

We shared the Smiling Tiger Salad (amazing, although I gave most of my seafood fritter to DH...not a seafood fan). We each had a filet, perfectly cooked medium rare. However, we did need to ask for salt, which is rare at NR. The steak itself wasn't seasoned too well and then the accompaniments were not particularly well suited to being overly flavorful. Everything needed salt. Then it was much better. I did find the pairings of this steak dish to be sort of bizarre. It was a tomato/avocado relish with a vinegar based sauce (basically pico style salsa) and then cheddar whipped potatoes. Each accompaniment was good individually with a piece of steak, but all together it didn't work. A rice dish would have made more sense, or something like patatas bravas (roasted spicy spanish potatoes) would have suited the relish better. The potatoes had a great, strong cheddar flavor, but I feel like they would have done better to pair them along with a rich demi glace and some roasted veggies. Nevertheless, we both cleaned our plates.

Dessert was the creme brulee (AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT DESSERT) and the cherry sideways up cake, which my husband had and said was more of a nut cake with cherry accompaniments (sorbet and macerated cherries).

We also had some cocktails. My favorite, Kate & Ella was great as always (seriously, this might be the best cocktail I've EVER had, and when we check in this weekend for our vacation, I'm gonna get a seat at the bar one night and order it just so I can learn how to make it at home.) My husband had a Manhattan and the Pushing Up Roses cocktail. Both were wonderful.

We asked about bread service. Brett told us that was the first thing to go, since they have to limit kitchen staff due to OSHA rules. It will be back when they can go back to full capacity in the kitchen. They are also the same team that does pasta, which is why the truffle mac and cheese isn't on the menu right now. Asked about Steakhouse 55 (we inadvertently began talking about breakfast there, so we asked if he had any Intel on reopening). He told us he hasn't heard anything yet. Servers who worked there have been offered jobs elsewhere for now, including at NR. He also told us the head chef of S55 is currently working at NR as well, so it doesn't seem like it will reopen anytime soon. Perhaps once the DLH fully opens?

I took a photo of the Vintners menu if anyone wants details. I'm on restriction with this site right now, so can't post photos, but if anyone is interested, I cam type out the offerings.

As mentioned, we are going to try and go in at some point this weekend for drinks and dessert again. That creme brulee is the stuff of dreams.

I’d love to see the Vintners menu if it’s not too much trouble!

 

[DLgal]

I’d love to see the Vintners menu if it’s not too much trouble!

Ugh. I'm so sorry! I took 2 pictures of the regular menu. My bad. It did look good though. It was $110per person. I remember a beef carpaccio, a chicken "pot pie", a braised beef dish, and then a choice of the cherry cake or the baked cheese dessert. The other food options were seafood or veggie options which I didn't focus on. I didn't go this route because I wanted the creme brulee which was not an option.

 

[Tracieee]

No problem at all! It leaves something up to surprise for us when we go in two weeks Happy Anniversary by the way!

 

[AquaDame]

Yes, happy anniversary and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts~!

 

[SeaDis]

Two things to add from this week:

Not rumor: Yes, Dondi is there and doing his thing. Great guy.

Rumor: Another waiter (name withheld) told us he thinks Chef's Counter will be returning with some changes. First, they will have one seating each night instead of two. He said the first seating was early and rushed, and the second seating was late and the kitchen was worn out, and starting break-down and clean. I asked if this meant the price was going up and it was a logical "yes, most likely". Second, he expected the Chef's Counter to be available for booking via (gasp) the App...

 

[EEva]

FYI, reservations are now available after 08/14. I was just able to make a Napa Rose reservation for 08/19.

 

[dreynolds1982]

FYI, reservations are now available after 08/14. I was just able to make a Napa Rose reservation for 08/19.

Yup! I got my alert (I signed up through Mouse Dining) last night at 3 a.m. ET (didn't see it until 7:30 a.m. this morning because ain't no way I'm up at 3 a.m. haha). Was able to easily get an NR resy for our first night of our trip on Aug. 24 (we chose 8 pm but there was basically availability at any time you might want). We're staying at GC and wanted to do a nice dinner that first night since we're not doing parks that day. So glad I was able to get NR. Even if the menu is still paired down by then I can't wait.

 

[wowsmom]

Not rumor: Yes, Dondi is there and doing his thing. Great guy.

Dondi is our favorite! We were so happy to have him as our waiter on Tuesday for our 30th anniversary dinner.

Everything we had was so delicious - cavatelli pasta with mushrooms for 3 of us, roasted suckling pig for the other one of us followed by rack of lamb for 3 of us and the duck for the other one. Dessert was 2 of the manjari chocolate indulgence (amazing!), 1 cherry pecan sidewise-up cake and special request for the dessert from the vintners menu, which Dondi was able to fill - it was a sea salt foam affogato and my son loved it.

It was so nice to be back at Napa Rose, although we missed the bread and they were out of one of the ingredients for the Napa Passion (my favorite cocktail). Joe, the bartender, came to our table to tell me how to make it at home - which we did last night!!

 

[Ellie_]

Exciting news! We were just able to book Chef’s Counter for the end of August. We called the restaurant directly and this is the information the hostess gave us -

Chef’s Counter is starting again on 8/6. It’s only offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We could pick a time between 5:30 and 7:30. And the price per person is now $150.

 

[KippyKip]

Exciting news! We were just able to book Chef’s Counter for the end of August. We called the restaurant directly and this is the information the hostess gave us -

Chef’s Counter is starting again on 8/6. It’s only offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We could pick a time between 5:30 and 7:30. And the price per person is now $150.

Thanks for the info about Chef's Counter! I'll have to give them a call.

 

[KippyKip]

Exciting news! We were just able to book Chef’s Counter for the end of August. We called the restaurant directly and this is the information the hostess gave us -

Chef’s Counter is starting again on 8/6. It’s only offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We could pick a time between 5:30 and 7:30. And the price per person is now $150.

Just made a reservation at Chef's Counter for 8/7! Thanks for the info!

 

[Mkehoe]

I keep calling and asking about chefs counter, I am hoping it will be back for our sept trip but nothing yet

 

[KippyKip]

I keep calling and asking about chefs counter, I am hoping it will be back for our sept trip but nothing yet

Really? I called GCH yesterday and asked about Chef's Counter and then she transferred me to Napa Rose. Had a nice chat and made reservation for 8/7.

 

[Astylla]

I’d love to see the Vintners menu if it’s not too much trouble!

Not the best pic but hope it helps.

Was the second week of june.

 

[Tracieee]

Not the best pic but hope it helps.

Was the second week of june.

Thank you so much!