Brix Restaurant & Wine Shop
Napa, CA 94558-9726
Phone: (707) 944-2749
- Price:
- $$$$
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm
Editorial Review for Brix Restaurant & Wine Shop – by Marcia Smart
The Scene
Snuggle up by a roaring fire in the bar or relax in the sunny dining room, a large open space that manages to feel intimate and cozy. A sunny patio opens up to a view of vineyards and olive trees--a perfect venue to hunker down for a dreamy alfresco meal after an afternoon of wine tasting.
The Food
A seasonal menu showcases local ingredients--some from the restaurant's own garden--with Asian and Mediterranean accents. Start out with the ruby gems of nori-crusted tuna sashimi, or foie gras seared with quince compote. Shredded duck confit salad is balanced with sweet cayenne walnuts and mustard-sherry vinaigrette. Roasted vegetable terrine seems oddly paired with a vegan cashew sauce. More substantial entrees are best, such as flatiron steak topped with creamy blue cheese and red wine sauce; and the crunchy texture of pepita-crusted mahi mahi. For desserts, try the crème brulee trio, with lemon, green tea and honey.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Three's a CrowdThere's a two-bottle maximum for corkage, so if you show up stocked with your recent wine purchases, only bring your favorites to the table.
Last Stop for SouvenirsBrix's wine shop sells many of the labels on its wine list, as well as grape- and vine-themed gifts like picnic sets, wine bags and decanters.
Seasonal SeatingThe unheated patio is closed until late spring, even on unseasonably warm winter days.
User Reviews for Brix Restaurant & Wine Shop
03/28/2008 Posted by elizabeth32
I was in Napa last Saturday with a group of friends and we had THE WORST experience at Brix...and it was totally unrelated to our server! The wait time on our food was close to two hours, the manager came by the table 3 times and did not apologize once but instead was passive aggressive trying to blame the open patio, the weather, and many other things for the long wait time, instructing us to "enjoy the sunset". The sunset and company saved the evening no thanks to the horrible dining experience and very mediocre cold food. You would be better off going elsewhere.
03/22/2008 Posted by rrboyle1947
I visited for a lunch with two overseas guests with whom I wished to share a bit of "wine country, USA." I chose Brix from the Internet as it seemed to be well reviewed with an interesting menu. After dining there, however, I would never go again. I paid $198+ for a lunch for three, and while the food was generally passable, I have dined equally well in my hometown of Berkeley, CA., for a good less than half the price. The setting on the patio was, indeed, lovely, but the service was atrocious; cold, brusque bordering on impatient and rude. I actually noticed other customers, ("regulars" perhaps) being treated in a manner entirely different from my party, and out of order -- i.e., before us though we were seated earlier; so obvious and awkward that even my guests asked, "are they always this way in America?" The waiter brought an expensive bottle of wine to our table, and, instead of properly presenting and pouring a sample for tasting and approval, actually dropped it on the table, with the words, "Here is your bottle," and then proceeded to immediatley leave for another table to present and open wine...what was that??? Personally, since I was driving, I did not order wine, but rather a sparkling water. I waited until my entree was served before it finally showed up! No apology nor explanation was offered. Overall, I'd call this a snobby, overpriced, physically beautiful restaurant which is a bit "too full of itself," and easily fools people into thinking it is a "fine dining experience," because it has high prices, just the right setting, and "people talk about it." Frankly, next time I have guests, I'm staying in the City (San Francisco) or Berkeley, which is always an adventure in dining with down to earth prices.
Pros: Setting; patio
Cons: Service, service, service!!! Food good but really way overpriced.
Users Like You Also Viewed
Wappo Bar and Bistro
1226 Washington St
Calistoga, CA 94515
Coles Chop House
1122 Main St
Napa, CA 94559
