Brix Restaurant

11/10/08

Don't Waste Your Time

by symantix

My family loves eating out. I wouldn't consider ourselves French Laundry types, but we certainly appreciate a good Michelin starred meal and don't mind paying $100++ per person for top notch food. Unfortunately, 25 Brix failed miserably in almost every aspect.

The atmosphere is lively and loud; better suited for intoxicated groups of obnoxious wine tasters than a romantic dinner with your loved ones.

Let's start with the service. Our server was a super tall guy (I forget his name). From the onset he seemed bitter and unhappy to be working (or perhaps he was overworked). He took FOREVER to bring us our cocktails, and did not bring us our bottle of wine until 7 minutes after the entree was served. He only checked back on us about 15 minutes into the entree, and he pretended not to see us flailing our hands back and forth to get his attention. Seriously, I think everyone in the restaurant saw us except our waiter. We finally had to stop the sommalier to get a few last minute things.

On paper, the menu sounds enticing. Unfortunately, the execution was far from perfect. The appetizers ranged from average to excellent, with the best thing on the menu being the smoked sturgeon pizza. The entrees were underseasoned and served room temperature at best. They must have been sitting in the kitchen for several minutes before they were brought out. My dry-aged New York (the most expensive thing on the menu) was so cold that I sent it back with the sommalier to be heated up. Thankfully the sommalier was gracious and caring; he actually took my steak off the bill.

We were there celebrating my mom's birthday and we didn't even receive so much as a congratulations from ANYONE, let alone the traditional dessert that is usually served at most restaurants.

Would our meal have been better with a different server? Certainly. But no server in the world can make up for mediocre food.

• Pros: Nice sized wine list.
• Cons: Horrible service.

03/28/08

Avoid..Don't go there....

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.

03/22/08

Very overrated...and disappointing to any discriminate, experienced diner.

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.

03/31/07

Not Quite Up To The Hype-But Very Good!

by meref

We went here for the second of our 2 nights in the Napa Valley. We chose this one because SOOO many people recommended it. While I thought the FOOD was excellent-the service, atmosphere and overall feeling was not quite up to the hype I had heard of. The service was slow, the ambience was bright-a little too well lit for my taste, and it was very loud. Probably better for a mid-size group of 6 friends (which there were many of) than a cozy table for 2. Wasn't exactly what we were looking for that particular evening, but the food was definitely excellent!

10/24/06

Beautiful view, excellent food!

by beenzers5

We stopped in on a Friday afternoon for lunch, no reservation. We were promptly seated outside overlooking vineyards and mountains and a beautiful garden that it appeared was used to make many of their dishes fresher than fresh! The appetizer we chose was a goat cheese and olive tapenade dish served with small toasted bread... SO good! My boyfriend had a lamb sandwich and I had a chicken dish that were both to die for. The server was attentive, but not overly so, and added to our pleasant experience. We shared a sorbet dessert with fresh berries, again, amazing. Brix is a must-go-to when in Napa Valley. Next time, we're going to have some wine!

• Pros: Food, Service, Views
• Cons: None!

04/19/06

A Must Stop When in Napa

by d_b

Stopped in for lunch last weekend, and I am not sorry I did. You will find yourself ooing and ahhing after each and every bite you take here. The wine list is huge with a lot of hard to find wines. If you like the bottle you ordered, you can go buy it in the gift shop when you are done. Service and atmosphere were great. Beautiful views of their garden, some vineyards, and the mountains to the west. Stop and try this place, you won't be sorry!!

• Pros: Food, Food, Service

02/20/06

Welcome to my top 10 worst restaurnats list!

by apple415

I had the Sunday Brunch on 2/19/06.

Half of the food was something wrong.

Egg Benedict: Egg was over cooked

Salads: Too salty

Quiches, Trats, and Grilled Vegetables: Cold

I do not think the food was cooked by trained cooks.

Here is my suggestion. Please try your food before you serve.

• Pros: Service, Orange Juice, Ambience
• Cons: Food, Food, Food

01/29/06

Good Food at high Prices

by martinihater

I went to the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was great (for a buffet) and there was a large assoryment to choose from. My server was not quite on the ball with my drinks though. It was about 24$ per person which is alright, but the regular menu was overpriced. It didn't live up to the hype. I recommend it, but know that it is pricey, and I hear its tough to get weekend reservations before 9:15pm the day of.

• Pros: Food, Parking
• Cons: Service, A Bit Pricey

11/23/05

Napa's Best

by generalmac

Everything about Brix lived up to the hype. 6 Canadian foodies touring Carmel, Monterrey, San Francisco and Napa loved Brix. The food was phenominal.... I will never forget eating the best lamb I've ever had. Couldn't make these two huge chops last long enough. Service was great... helpful, not rushed. They even started the heaters and re-opened the patio for us to enjoy our last night before returning to the great white north.

• Pros: Food, service, ambiance

01/18/05

You have got to try Brix!

by vickilo

I have driven by this place numerous times, always wondering how it is. Boy was I glad I stopped in for lunch. It is a little pricey but most restraunts out here are. This one IS worth the $$$$. Everything was wonderful!