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Market

4 star rating
based on 65 reviews

Category: American (Traditional)  [Edit]

1347 Main St
Saint Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-3799
Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
No
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
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65 reviews for Market

Review Highlights   

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"Their butterscotch pudding is also very good." (in 6 reviews)
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"Helena restaurants) and typical Napa Valley cuisine." (in 9 reviews)
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"I could fill up on the mac and cheese here anytime." (in 12 reviews)
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Photo of Heather M.

 

3

21

Heather M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/11/2009

Awesome food - very fresh fish & great variety. From halibut to fried chicken, the food here is great. Bring your own wine for FREE corkage. How great is that! Desserts - well take your pick from butterscotch pudding that was featured in Bon Appetit Magazine or smores where they bring a little grill to your table to toast your marshmallows.

New fave place in Napa. We are going back soon.

Also completely reasonably priced - approx $75 for two.

Awesome service - Alfie was a great server!

Photo of Dennis S.

Elite '09

207

411

Dennis S.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
7/17/2009

Friends said this is Napa Valley's Grammery Tavern. They're right.

Market is a casual, comfortable, but upscale restaurant, rustic but with white linens and good stemware. It's popular with Napa Valley winemakers entertaining their clients, where BYO corkage is minimal and the food is terrific.

In case you're not a winemaker and have to buy your wines, they have a nice wine list. But the food is what makes this 5-stars. We had a soup that was out of this world. Cucumber, avocado, yogurt, mint, and dill in a buttermilk base, with a dollop of lemon sorbet in the middle. Unbelievably tasty and unique, flavors bursting on each spoonful.

The empanadas were ordinary. But the Reuben was a best ever - tremendous corn beef and perfect mustard.

With stone walls, old wood throughout, and a giant antique bar, it's a really pleasant place.

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31

Jude M.

Petaluma, CA

4 star rating
8/19/2009

I love the mac and cheese made with gruyere, bacon, and cheddar at this classy little cafe.  White linen napkins and heavy silver. Lovely, clean restrooms. Comfortable, casual atmosphere with a good vibe. A little pricey for what you get, but well worth it.

I recently returned with my 83 year old mother, who is from out of town. The wait staff was friendly as always, but went out of their way to help her limited mobility. I am definitely a return customer.

Photo of Ryan L.

 

1

5

Ryan L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
11/5/2009

This place was ok.  Everything was fresh, but lacked that certain something.   Except the risotto cake sauce.  That was amazing.  It tasted like caramelized butter, but is actually some sort of carrot puree.

Photo of Olivia P.

 

12

24

Olivia P.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
10/24/2009

Stumbled upon this restaurant during a trip to California and the food was absolutely delicious, especially the scallops. Definitely plan on going back here next time I'm in town.

Photo of Tamara M.

 

11

145

Tamara M.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
10/9/2009

The first time I came here, I remember it being much better. But our wine was mediocre for the price and my gnocchi was AWFUL. They were meatball-sized, and the texture was all wrong. My husband said his chicken was pretty dry too. The atmosphere is nice, but that's all I can really say about it.

Photo of Mike K.

 

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11

Mike K.

Livonia, MI

4 star rating
9/23/2009

Per all the other reviews, I had the mac 'n' cheese, which was... pretty good.  I mean, it was tasty, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't really mac 'n' cheese in any meaningful sense.  (I suspect that if they called it pasta with bacon and sauce mornay, people would be less impressed by it.)  Plus, it was way too rich for a full dinner portion; it'd be a good side.

That aside, the rest of the food was great, particularly the watermelon/tomato salad.  Combine that with attentive, friendly service and reasonable prices, and it gets a thumbs-up from me.

Photo of Andrea J.

Elite '09

80

230

Andrea J.

Mountlake Terrace, WA

4 star rating
6/2/2009

After drinking to our hearts content at Del Dotto we walked off our buzz on Main street in St. Helena. It was clear we needed some food pronto, so we popped into this little restaurant. Actually, I should say that we were greeted on the street by the general manager who was so very kind. When he rattled off his specials for us and flashed his pearly whites we were sold.

So instead of eating healthy, we decided to get a big fat burger and mac and cheese. I don't usually eat this way, but today I needed some serious alcohol absorption food. The burger was very good and all free range, organically fed beef raised nearby. The mac and cheese was somewhat soupy looking on my plate, but as soon as I took a bite I realized why everyone raves about it. This is THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE ever. Plus they put bacon in it, hot damn I'm hooked.

Our waiter recommended a good breakfast place up the street, that we plan on visiting in a couple days - because seriously I heart St. Helena and want to spend more time there.

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7

Joe A.

San Leandro, CA

3 star rating
8/11/2009

Considering its location (in Northern California's Wine Country), the price is decent.  Expect to spend around $15 for every meal.  The portions are also slightly bigger than average, and the quality of food is good.  However, service is lacking.  We had to ask our server to refill our drinks, and when it came time to pick up our check, we waited nearly 20 minutes before the server noticed we had the bill ready.  The restaurant itself is quite small, so it's not like our little group of 5 could've gotten lost somehow.

Above-average food mixed with below-average service, and you get a decent dining experience.

Photo of Kyle N.

 

5

18

Kyle N.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
5/11/2009

Throughout my Napa Valley trip last week, all the food was truly superb!  However, the experience we had at Market in St. Helena was unique.  The simplicity of the name carried through the rest of the evening.  The rock walled décor was clean and modern, the menu was kept simple, the staff was easy going (while remaining attentive) and the food was simply delicious!

With the "large plate" entrees priced in the low $20 range, Market offered the tastiest value I have experienced in a long time.  Everything from the day boat scallops with orange risotto to the (grown-up) mac 'n cheese was divine!  To conclude the meal, my wife and I embarked upon on the s'mores dessert (with sterno burner) while our parents devoured their rhubarb crisps!  Both selections were clearly winners.  Without a doubt, Market is a noteworthy destination when traveling through the Napa Valley; providing great service, value and fresh American cuisine!

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Photo of zachary c.

 

5

23

zachary c.

Sonoma, CA

4 star rating
8/24/2009

The food was pretty good. They have a pretty big price range which was nice. There is no corkage anytime, I wish I would have known that ahead of time.

Photo of Amy V.

 

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6

Amy V.

Santa Rosa, CA

4 star rating
8/31/2009

Ate here for the second time a few weeks ago. Great atmosphere. Free Corkage. Overall great value for an upscale place. The appetizers are awesome and their variety from down home selections to upscale plates is great for different tastes.

Photo of Michelle C.

Elite '09

263

351

Michelle C.

Miami, FL

5 star rating
2/20/2009

I don't even remember what I had, my husband's mac & cheese was that @#$%^&* good.

It is the best mac & cheese I've ever had in my life. It is made with unpasturized milk. Apparently, it makes a difference.

We only stopped in for lunch, but if they put as much love in their other dishes as they did this one, then the people who live around here have got to be fat and broke. I know I would be if I could eat here any time I wanted.

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Elite '09

41

336

nicole f.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/3/2009

Was there on Saturday, and a packed spot is always good. Help was on top of their game which was ideal! We skipped the appys, yet tried out the drink menu. Potato martini, good times, I has a gin cocktail, yummy yet had a mighty kick.

We all shared the fried chicken, bacon tenderloin, and orange scallops. Fried chicken was mighty tasty, yet the skin was a bit on this thick side for me. Not my end all be all, but good. Corn bread was delicious along with the spinach. Orange scallops were, very orange. The sauce was a bit over powering. But the risotto was great. And the crowning glory, the bacon tenderloin. This was the dish to have!!! Bacon was AMAZING, pork was so tender and delicious!!! Brussel sprouts on point!!! If i make it back, this is the dish to have. Market, I thank you for letting us stay late and close the restaurant!!!

Photo of Shanna K.

Elite '09

96

508

Shanna K.

Santa Cruz, CA

4 star rating
1/18/2009 3 photos

Holy crap, the housemade graham crackers that come with the smores dessert are the best EVER.   Even if they did charge us an extra $3 for two more.  Thank god I wasn't paying.  I'd be irritated as hell, cause really...   that's a bit over the top when you're already spending an assload of money on dinner, but still.  SO GOOD.  Nom nom nom....

Dayboat scallops with orange risotto, capers, fennel, green beans and saffron-carrot butter sauce was also out of control good, though I tasted no fennel.    Still.. practically licked my plate.

My dining companions raved about their mac n cheese, roast chicken, potato soup...   the three onion French onion soup was also tops.

Bartender knows his classic cocktails.    Whatta guy.

Most important - NO CORKAGE.     Even on Saturday.

Yep.

NICE.

Note:  Have been back once again, tried the oyster shooter and the burger with grilled onions and cheddar.  It is MONEY.

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Photo of Yuan H.

Elite '09

56

221

Yuan H.

Santa Clara, CA

3 star rating
2/16/2009

I really struggled with this review.  If I hadn't just eaten at Redd earlier that day, and JoLe the day after, or Buchon Bakery today, this place might have gotten four stars.  However, it's tough giving this place four stars compared with the others, so this is one of those times that I wish there's a 'half star' system on Yelp because I would've given this place 3.5 stars.

We weren't that hungry so decided to share an appetizer of french fries (my one true vice) and we cleaned it good...

For the main entree, I had the scallops with orange risotto.  The scallops were a bit on the small side, and compared with Redd...  well, unfortunately, there is really no comparison.  The risotto was quite tasty, emersed in the orange flavored reduction.

Service was friendly and prompt.  The interior was classy yet casual.  However, with the price point same as Redd, it's tough not to compare the two and decide on a winner.

Photo of Rassamee H.

Elite '09

32

145

Rassamee H.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
8/28/2009

We had an amazing dinner at Market during our anniversary trip to Napa Valley. For our starter we had oysters on the half shell from Hood Canal, WA. They were delish with spectacular sauces to accompany them. We each had a bowl of soup. I had the corn chowder which must have been pureed and then strained - it was so smooth. My husband had a cold soup with cucumber, which was also tasty. We shared the macaroni and cheese and the scallops dish. The scallops came with caulilower puree, abalone mushrooms, almonds, bacon, fine herbs and aged balsamic vinegar. Oh my goodness, it was heavenly! The mac and cheese was crafted with aged fiscalini cheddar, parmigiano-reggiano, and bacon. Rich and sinful:) Our waiter was extremely friendly with plenty of good humor and took care of us. We were seriously wined out having completely a tour of six area wineries that day - so we settled on lemonades as our beverages. One was a purist's lemonade, the other infused with raspberries. Very refreshing. I loved the space in Market, the service, and of course, the food. If I ever make it out there again, I will be sure to take in a second visit.

Photo of Billy H.

Elite '09

24

45

Billy H.

Austin, TX

4 star rating
9/4/2008

It's hard to find bad food in St. Helena, really. The bar is set so high for quality morsels in that part of CA that the worst thing you can often say about a place is that it's 'pretty good.'

Located on the most-charming-bit-of-main-street-in-the-world, Market is an unassuming eatery on the west side of the street. The menu had a lot of nice twists on some standard fare - A Very Adult Mac n' Cheese looked great, but we didn't sample it. The ABLT (BLT with avocado) and the chopped salad we did have were both excellent, mainly because that part of CA has such an unbelieveable quality of produce.

And for some reason, every restaurant in Napa serves excellent iced tea. Market was no exception.

Slightly spendy, yes, but in line with most places there - lunch for two ran about $40 with no booze. Attentive waitstaff and a very warm reception which calls to mind the essential Napa experience.

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Photo of Amanda C.

Elite '09

152

428

Amanda C.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
8/2/2008

Although I've only eaten at Market a handfull of times, it is a really great place for a meal in St. Helena. Probably the most casual of the finer dining restaurants in St. Helena, Market offers more humble cuisine (fried chicken, mac and cheese, fish and chips, burgers) made to please a distinguished palate. They also offer salads (more than most St. Helena restaurants) and typical Napa Valley cuisine.

If I'm correct, Market is related to Cyrus in Healdsburg, but instead of being New French fine dining, Market is down-home American. There is an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients and it is usually much easier to get in here than other places in the area. That does not mean the food is bad... it is well thought-out and unique in its own way. Definitely worth a try.

AND I've had nothing but great experiences with the staff here. They are much warmer than the Cook crowd.

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Elite '09

151

296

Aaron E.

Seattle, WA

2 star rating
10/24/2008

First impressions: the atmosphere was nice.  And, everything on the menu looked delicious.

Quality impressions began to dissipate pretty quickly.  Service was terrible and drinks took a really long time to arrive (weird, since the place was close to empty).  I had the Mac and Cheese.  It was decent, but I can't say I was really impressed by it.  As the menu says, it was an "adult" version... more upscale flavors and all but I feel like the Mac and Cheese I make at home is better.  

M had a sandwich/soup/dessert special combination thang.  The soup was delicious... something tomato.  The Sandwich which was turkey was fine.  Nothing memorable.  The "dessert" was a stale cookie.  The only reason I don't give it one star is that despite not especially liking the food or service, I enjoyed my overall experience.  Something about Napa Valley area makes it impossible to be unhappy I guess.  And the drinks were tasty... I like dark rum in my mojito as a change (which is how they make it).  Since you are in Napa, I would recommend almost anywhere else, but if you chose to eat here you won't be miserable.

Photo of Cynthia C.

Elite '09

78

337

Cynthia C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/10/2008

This place is great! Both times I've been here the food has been delicious. The first time was on Easter Sunday, they were the only place that was open.

We had the Macaroni for Adults. It's super yummy! This is definitely a must try for people! I also had the Corn Chowder and the Steak Sandwich. Both of them were really good. My BFF had the grilled salmon special on top of a bed of veggies topped with tomato puree sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly!

This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat at in St. Helena! It's a must eat each time we go see a CIA cooking demo!

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Photo of Michelle S.

 

43

176

Michelle S.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
11/2/2008

Food was very good - 4 sta

Service - overly attentive, the server over sold the french fries they are not great.

Server did not know wine. How is that possible in St. Helena? One of our wines was excellent, the other terrible. We noticed the table of 4 next to us brought 5 of their own bottles. Lot's of bubbly options.

Atmosphere warm and inviting.

Nice but not WOW.

Photo of Brady Q.

 

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Brady Q.

Napa, CA

5 star rating
8/28/2009

just wanna say that Eddie, the maneger is the best!!!! fish and chips are the shit its a must have!!!!! love it here

Photo of Mishel F.

Elite '09

6

130

Mishel F.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
9/2/2008

We loved this place, great service, fam-fresh food and lots of locals enjoying their wonderful wine selection!  I've read some of the other Yelp reviews on the creepy owner, he's definitely toned down it down quite a bit , only stopped by once to see how everything was - overall the service was impeccable. Such a great find for St. Helena.  

We enjoyed oyster shooters to start out with, followed by Heirloom tomato gazpacho and then gnocchi for myself and roasted chicken for my boyfriend.  Everything was perfect, especially the bottle of Helen Turley Zinfandel for $74 (holy cow!).  Service was not overbearing and perfectly timed, the place was crowded but not noisy at all and special accomodations were made with no attitude.  We'll definitely go back!

Photo of Sylvia S.

 

5

9

Sylvia S.

Santa Cruz, CA

1 star rating
2/22/2008

I am so, so, so, so, SO unbelievably sick of this place. I, like it seems many here, have given them plenty of opportunities to actually impress me (or at least make an effort to present a culinary experience worthy of the exorbitant prices they charge) and they're still holding their one-way ticket aboard the Failboat as far as I'm concerned.

First of all, I shall present the only benefit of the doubt for Market's utter shittiness I can provide: the building they are occupying is cursed. I'm a native, and I haven't seen a single business stay longer than two or three years in that old stone affair on Main Street since New Way Drug back in the 80's. This was when I was like, 7 years old. The building loves to eat businesses alive for lunch like the proverbial fat boy and his cake.

Ok, now for the sauce.
The food is consistently either mediocre or really, really bad. The first time I came here, my best friend got food poisoning. I've felt more than a little strange a few times myself as well after eating here. I don't know why I keep hoping that this place will improve, but I do. Not however, anymore.

The last time I came with my mom for dinner, I ordered a glass of white (warm...?) and the lobster pasta (yum, right? Right...?). It was (no jokes, exaggerations, or anything) lukewarm, covered in salt (I could see the granules) and there was (yes) a little black hair sitting right on top of my first bite. Goodbye, Market.

PS-the manager is CREEPY AS HELL. I think he has some kind of crush on my mom, he keeps flirting with her and touching her on the shoulder in a manner that makes me want to stick a butter knife into his thigh. He's got this weird pedo-creep air about him...yeah, just stay away from this place.

If you need somewhere to go in the Valley for a great meal, brave the wait for the Rutherford Grille or go to Calistoga, lots of great places up there.

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Photo of Tiffany T.

 

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139

Tiffany T.

Barrington, IL

5 star rating
7/24/2008

My friends and I stumbled into Market one evening after our wine tasting was over for the day.  The staff was warm and accommodating and we were seated right away, even without a reservation.  The decor is simple, but beautiful, and the bar is just gorgeous.

We weren't starving, so my friends just ordered some soups, sides and salads.  Everything was outstanding.  I ordered the Mussels and Truffle Fries (a variation on the famous moules et frites national dish of Belgium) which was incredible.  My friend ordered the cold asparagus soup and steamed spinach side, and she raved about both.  Another friend had the homemade gnocchi and loved it.

All in all a wonderful experience, especially for just wandering in blind off the street.  I will definitely be back.

Photo of Kristin F.

 

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Kristin F.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
8/9/2009

We happened upon this place while checking out the cute shops along St. Helena's main street one day. Seeing as the menu offered a wider variety of choices at more reasonable prices than the restaurant we had planned on going to that night, we popped in and made a reservation for that evening...no problem at all. Upscale, but not at all pretentious. The menu has a nice variety of "comfort" foods as well as more traditional dishes, all reasonably priced. Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad was so pretty to look at it, I hated to eat it, but it was wonderful...somewhow spicy, but refreshing at the same time. Mac and cheese, sirloin, gnocchi...all awesome. Service was very friendly and attentive. It was a great place to end our week in Napa after having been to some other restaurants where we felt we were wrung dry for a meal that while good, was not memorable.

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Elite '09

213

310

Linda M.

Pleasant Hill, CA

3 star rating
1/1/2008 1 photo

Market pulled a mac n cheese switcheroo on me.  And I'm not happy about it.  

I've always raved about their mac.  But what I was served this last visit was NOT the real deal.  It didn't taste anything like Market's mac n cheese that I LOVE.  For crying out loud there wasn't even any bacon in it (and that's just for starters).  

Our service was great, and I still like the atmosphere...but what has happened to the food at Market over the last few years?  It seems so hit and miss.

The ahi appetizer -  rockin!
mussels and ceviche appetizers - enjoyed by the rest of our party
haricot verts - delish
mac n cheese -- poor imitation stand in
steaks - the guys liked them...but I tried a bite of hubby's and thought it was nasty
mashed potato side - stone cold
chocolate caramel tart - not worth the calories

And of course substantial amounts of yummy wine.

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Megan H.

Healdsburg, CA

1 star rating
1/20/2008

I rarely give restaurants one star, but this place sucked.  Very Napafied.  The owner (?) / server for our table was this creepy middle aged guy who wafted his (in)Napatude at us with a cheesy grin (is that how so much mac-n-CHEESE is sold?).  Basically, the meal was overpriced, the portions kind of sucked, the steak was tough, the oysters were sandy, and my ravioli were slathered in thick sauce - WAY too much, and I usually like it on the heavier side.  

One of my friends recommended it and had obviously been here before - the server pored over her in this utterly disturbing way that reminded me of a child molester.  They have a good-looking bar as you walk in, but not very good selection of microbrews on tap, nor very good prices on the list (fucking Napa).  Overall, I left feeling robbed and unsatisfied, wishing I'd just driven back to Santa Rosa (at least) for dinner.

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130

Alison N.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
11/29/2007

I have certain foods I just can't say no to when they're on a menu set before me at dinnertime -- and the top two offenders on my list of dish addictions are beet-goat cheese salads, and ravioli -- especially mushroom ravioli.  

Clearly, then, my meal at Market was a predictable combination of the beet & goat cheese salad, and the housemade porcini ravioli.  About a week later, I can't remember either very well -- not a fantastic sign for a meal that approached a good hundee dollars.  

EXCEPT.  I vividly recall drooling, panting, fainting, and lusting when I tasted the crusty, deep-fried ball of oozy goat cheese that came with the beet salad.  So, while this wasn't my best meal, it was decent enough fare with a friendly staff and solid versions of my favorite dishes.  

Plus, the space is really eye-catching.

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Kathy J.

Union City, CA

4 star rating
3/8/2009

So my brother and sister in-law take the kids for an overnight sleepover and the hubby decides he wants to drive out to Napa.  We stop in a Dean and Duluca and after little shopping, ask the cashier on the way out where would be a good place to have dinner.  She suggests a few places and we end up at Market.  Located right off the main strip in St. Helena, from the outside it doesn't look like a big place.  We open the door and are greeted with the friendliest man.  I couldn't help but notice the sign that reads, "no corkage fee".  Wow...too bad I don't drink.  We sit down and are immediately greeted by our server who quickly takes our drink orders and reads off the specials.  The restaurant has a beautiful looking bar and very pleasant decor.  I can tell this is going to be good.  We start off with the mussels in wine sauce with garlic fries.  OMG...they melted in your mouth like butter.  The hubby was dipping his bread in the sauce...it was that good.  I'm suprised he wasn't drinking it straight from the bowl...LOL.  I ordered the Filet Mignon and the hubby ordered the "dinner special" which was Sole.  His came with salad and dessert for just $35.  My dish was simply amazing.  The meat was tender and the sauce and veggies were perfect.  The hubby's fish was also yummy.  The sole was perfectly cooked and the sauce was buttery and delicious.
Last up was dessert.  The hubby's entree came with a mixed berry fruit tart, so I ordered one of my fav's, Tirimisu.  OMG...that portion was HUGE!!!  We polish off both our plates and you could stick a fork in us...we're done!  This meal was simply fantastic.  I would definately return to Market next time we're in the area.  The service was fantastic, the food was delicious and it a really good time was had by all.

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Tom R.

Chico, CA

2 star rating
4/20/2007

...went here awhile ago because people couldn't shut up about it.

...they should shut up about it.

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Lizelle G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/10/2005

Don't expect a lot of hype, just a lot of good food. I've always left satisfied, on the food front as well as overall experience. Located on St. Helena's main street, Market's menu is mostly American with a smattering of Asian flavors.

Their mac&cheese is delightful and quite hearty. So much so, we always end up eating at turtle speed. It's filling but oh-so-good! I'd recommend sharing or ordering a side so you can try other dishes. I love that they serve fish n' chips (tasty, not too greasy, with a side of malt vinegar) and buttermilk fried chicken. The chicken is just the way I like it, crispy on the outside and tender & juicy on the inside. I never cook this at home so it's definitely a treat.

Worth a mention: This may not be on their regular menu but the corn chowder is out of this world. I think they use milk extracted from soaking / steeping the cobs. It really adds some complexity to the soup. A bit of cumin and bacon might also be part of the mix. Smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth good. If you see it on the main or specials menu, order it! -- If you love dessert, save room for their homemade s'mores - made at your table. It's a production, but you gotta love it. Old fashion, delicious and sinful. Their butterscotch pudding is also very good.

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Jessica T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/6/2008

One of those meals that blows you way....

Came here after a day of wine tasting on a friend's recommendation who has a place in St. Helena.  We brought our own bottle and had a feast! Started out with mussles with truffled fries ( two favorite things that i never knew were compatible!), tuna carpaccio with trufffle - soy vinaigrette  (soy sauce and truffle oil...woah) and then fried calamari with two dipping sauces: chipotle and spicy avocado.  So many inventive and creative flavors, I was definitely impressed and a big fan.  Are awesome server Dawson recommended the Crispy Chicken entree (not to be confused with the American Favorite Fried Chicken, also on the menu).  I opted for the recommendation and my friends ordered the Steaks (boyfriends) and the Scallop Risotto for my girl friend.  

My chicken dish was the best chicken I'd ever had.  The garlic-tarragon au jus was the perfect companion to the roasted yellow beets and super moist chicken. There were gnocchi also in the dish but were prepared in a way that made them very hard. They were definitely made in house, but just didn't suit the dish at all.

The Scallop risotto was  delicious and the scallops had that nice brown crust and the risotto had a great flavor.  The portion was elegant and conservative. Obscene portions of risotto i find frightening.

I think the Boys definitely like their Steak the best though.  Served with a port reduction with sides of  creamed spinach and french fries it was impeccable.  Kind of like the rest of the meal (sans gnocchis).

I don't know what could have caused the other terrible reviews of Market but the experience for us definitely was 5 stars. I also heard from a coworker (who went to market the day after me, that he had a wonderful lunch experience). I give 5 stars for food, ambiance, service!! and we even got free corkage.

Loves it.

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Stacy T.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/24/2007

The service is a tad slow but the food is average as well, so its not a place that I will be clamoring to go to again. I've given her quite a few chances, but it continues to disappoint.
The blue nosed bass was fishy, the fried chicken was average, and the bbq pulled pork was pretty average as well. The only thing that is consistently good are the deserts. If you go here - try the butterscotch pudding, but be prepared to go into sugar shock.

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Steve H.

CA

5 star rating
3/3/2009

We always eat at Market when we're visiting the Napa area, and we've never been disappointed. We've had lunch and dinner here. The prices are good and the food is very well executed and delicious.

The service is amazingly good. One night, we were trapped without a reservation and we called Market; the owner set us up a table, remembered us when we walked in and served us on a busy night.

Market is a breath of fresh air in the Napa area, which is otherwise packet with "strivers" that don't know what they are doing but never met a pretentious adjective they didn't like. If you're in St. Helena and want a delicious, honest meal, try Market.

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B.C. M.

Calistoga, CA

5 star rating
12/2/2008

No matter what you get you can't miss, but first, this is the place if you are with someone special and what to get mixed drinks. (Martini, vodka tonic, etc) So many new places can only serve wine and beer. The Bartenders are wonderful and serve a good stiff drink. The wait staff is very attentive and if you want a glass of wine some of the best. Robert Foley Pinot Blanc, Milat, great and a good showing and low priced wines from Napa Valley. I would recommend the Tuna Tarter for an appy, of course the Macaroni for Adults, always ask about the special. I eat out all the time because of my job and this is one of the best in it's category (casual dinning).

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mike d.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
9/2/2006

You should expect to be confronted with the waitress's evil eye if you don't order wine or some kind of alcoholic beverage.

I liked the idea of the pasta with peas on the described menu but could not muster the necessary courage to confront the bad vibes from the waitress on the matter:  it was drowned in butter and olive oil and not a single pea to be found, and tasted awful.
Asking for the check earned me another curse of the evil eye but I always pay before exiting an eating establishment ( maybe I  should have skipped this one!).  The atmosphere looks good from the outside but even the older couple sitting next to us got the same terrible treatment (they did not order more than soup & salad.)

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marisa e.

San Mateo, CA

5 star rating
2/12/2007

Delicious!
My husband and I went here for lunch and had a great meal.  We split the ahi tuna tartar which was delicious, I had an excellent lobster sandwich and my husband had the ribs.  
Service was fantastic as well.

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Mariangela S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/15/2007

What better than a weekday jaunt up to Napa for lunch? We headed straight to St. Helena for a late lunch at Market. Wonderfully welcoming staff who are friendly and make great recommendations. Shared a dozen oysters  - a mix from Washington, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia - all pretty tasty. Nice touch with homemade cocktail sauce too. Shared a crabcake starter - good but maybe lacking a bit of punch - the homemade mustard (I think it was homemade) was delicious.

After dreamily adding 5 lbs to my ass if I ate the Adult Mac'n'Cheese or the Lobster Pasta with Cream Sauce, or better the Champagne Batter Fish n Chips or Buttermilk Fried Chicken - I think I meant 50 lbs, I settled instead for the made to order Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast. I am SO PICKY about Caesar dressing (I hate the cheater mayonnaise versions) and this was delicious! Perfect balance of garlic, anchovy, and oil, and the croutons (homemade) were to die for!!

Share a sinful Butterscotch Pudding in a homemade Waffle Cone to finish.

Drinks? Oh yes, many delightful glasses of a local Viognier to help make all the good medicine go down....

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