Basalt

I've been here on 2 occasions.

Once was at night; we dined here our first night in Napa over a long weekend. Beware- the kitchen closes super early so you need to be seated by 9.

The venue itself is lovely, the service was fantastic and the food was delicious I would definitely recommend. I split the short rib and burger with a friend- both were prepared exquisitely. The wine list was equally impressive.

The second was before heading to Bottle Rock. We arrived with the intention to have a few glasses of win before heading over and the hostess was pretty nasty telling us they were unable to accommodate us - when in fact there were plenty of seats outside and the bar wasn't overly packed yet. Sure, we're a bunch of young adults on the way to a music festival, but its not like we arrived obliterated and caused a ruckus. I went straight to the bar manager and asked if he would take us and he was happy to. So not a greattttt customer experience with the hostess but oh well not the end of the world.

Unfortunately my shots of the food got wiped from my camera, apologies!

Pre-pandemic review:

My friend and I came here for lunch and had the Chicken and waffles and Smoked salmon plate. Both were fairly average. Not very memorable. Best thing about this restaurant is its location and seating. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and it's very nice on a clear sunny day.

I'm not sure they have survived the pandemic though. Walked by it a few weeks ago and things looked like they hadn't been open in a while and some remodeling was going on.

Came in on a Sunday afternoon. Very nice environment, plenty of seating inside and out. I would recommend the patio by the Riverfront.

I had the Corned Beef Hash extremely fresh and perfect serving size. I'd definitely have it again.

Can't beat the atmosphere in and around this place. Lots of tourist so everyone is in a super relaxed mood and serving staff knows that so they are really pleasant and friendly.

They are very tentative to the tables. Cleaning the table off so things don't stack up and look messy, refill drinks without having to ask.

Stop in for drinks and just hangout or eat either way you'll be pleased with your experience.

This restaurant was recommended by the front desk manager at the Napa River Inn. So we went in. We were greeted promptly by a young lady who told us that it would be about 15 - 20 minutes for a table. We said okay and went to the bar for a glass of wine. She did not take our name. Which I thought was odd but no one else was waiting. So we waited, and waited. then they seated another party that came in after us.

I talked to the front desk person and they obviously forgot about us.Her response was rude.

While we were at the bar - the bartender was great. The manager was apologetic but the rudeness of the host just made me want to leave.

We found another place nearby, and the food and service were awesome.

5-Star cocktails - omg the scotch cocktail with the rectangular citrus ice block was to-die-for So much so that I kept stealing sips of my husband's. However my fantastic Belvedere vodka greyhound was delicious as well.

4-Star service - The service started strong - our waiter was outstanding initially and then the service-level seem to taper off, throughout the night. I waitressed in the past (for over a decade) and it seemed like the waiter might've had too many tables, or was stressed by something else, because he seemed extremely rushed after the initial interaction. He was still fairly attentive and the expos and his bussing helpers (who poured water and brought us our food and drinks) were good.

4-Star food - we started with the roasted brussels sprouts and the interesting Moroccan carrots. Both were good but nothing over-the-top exciting. The entrées, however, were excellent. My girlfriend's husband and my husband shared the steak for two with a nice lightly dressed mixed green salad and truffle fries; they said it was great and the truffle fries were absolutely delectable.

My girlfriend had the caramelized scallops and cauliflower which was excellent and perfectly prepared and I had the filet of sole entree, which was gorgeously plated and tasty!

The place is beautiful but a bit noisy if you're trying to have a dinner conversation (we ended up having to shout across the dinner table once the place filled up).

Overall we enjoyed our experience and we will definitely be back!

Trying too hard...

First off the salad was great and our server was on point.

1. Just because it's Napa does not mean you have to put red wine in an otherwise delicious whiskey sour. I love wine and LOVE whiskey (like a hot tinder date whiskey always feels good) but floating a red on top of a egg white whiskey sour. Why!????

2. Pork belly and Hamachi??? Had to try as bacon and sushi are wonderful gifts from god. But it once have i wanted the savory fatty taste of bacon alongside fishy unwashed thin sliced hamachi. Was this dish even tested prior to being put on the menu. Once again...a sushi pork belly fusion may not be the guest experience anyone wants to come back for. You got us to buy one...but would never try it again.

3. Tuna Tatar - frozen food service grade ahi that was at the end of its shelf life. Please tell the cooks to thaw less next weekend so the midweek dinners don't have to finish off what was accidentally over prepped the weekend prior

We came during happy hour on a Saturday late afternoon before a dinner reservation. We sat outside in direct sunlight. It was only a 70 degree day but they don't have enough umbrellas for the patrons. If it's a hot day in Napa I wouldn't recommend sitting outside.

My husband ordered a negroni and it was very good. My gin drink was the tiniest drink I've ever had. I seriously could have drank it in 4 sips.

We also ordered avocado toast with smoked salmon. The smoked salmon was more of a tuna fish consistency which wasn't what I was expecting but it was really good and the perfect bite before our dinner.

Our server was nice enough but I wouldn't come back here for drinks. They were overpriced and there are much better options.

Basalt has a very casual, yet chic ambience, excellent service and is a great place to grab lunch in down town Napa. We loved the simple burger with bacon and fries and was a perfect base before we took off for an afternoon of wine tasting. Recommend if you are in downtown Napa and looking for a reasonably placed restaurant with good comfort food.

I do love Basalt. It's one of my favorite happy hours! The staff is very nice and service is great. The Negroni is a specialty and they make it right here. Wonderful fries and brussel sprouts.

One day I'm going to come here for dinner but it seems I've been for happy hour and late night. Both times I was so happy with the food, drink, and service.

I won't tell you about the perfect toasty gas fire pit in the back that allows you to sit outside, even on a late December night. Oh shoot, I told you.

Basalt is a small modern restaurant with a large bar area. The food was good and didn't disappoint. The restaurant took over the Fish Story restaurant and completely remodeled the space. This looks like it would be a great bar meeting space on Friday and Saturday. There are many bar height tables for meeting.

Food was great but not out of this world. We started with a pumpkin crème fraîche. The flavor was there but by the time we stirred the crème fraîche in, the soup was lukewarm.

Our next course was PEI mussels with some bacon in the sauce. The combination touched our palette.

The caramelized scallops with kohlrabi and sultana mostarda was the evening highlight.

All tasted good but the plates need to be warmed more before adding the food.

The menu is nicely priced but a bit small.

Give Basalt a try if you want a casual place to meet over drinks.