Bottega Napa Valley
6525 Washington Street
Yountville, CA 94599
707-945-1050
Chef Michael Chiarello
Chef Michael Chiarello is a jack-of-all-trades, and also seems to master them all! His successful career spans over thirty years and includes six books, two Emmy awards, an eponymous winery, and many groundbreaking Napa restaurants. He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and just three short years later, was awarded Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine. Chef Chiarello has been inspired by the local ingredients of his native California as well as his family roots in southern Italy. His signature Mediterranean cooking style has delighted fans from coast to coast and he has turned that into something you can take home with you. Michael drives his passion home in a unique retail space, called NapaStyle, that features artisan foods, kitchenware, and home decor. Easy Entertaining, Michael’s Emmy Award winning show premiered in 2003 and still airs daily on the Cooking Channel.
Bottega
Meaning “artist’s workshop”, Bottega opened in Yountville, the culinary heart of the Napa Valley in 2008 and cerebrates Chef Michael Chiarello’s deep culinary roots. The ambiance reflects the food, rustic yet refined, with deep and warm colors to set the mood. Calcutta d’Oro marble, Murano glass and Venetian plaster bring the finest parts of Italy to the Napa Valley. The menu showcases Michael’s bold Italian flavors with a refined twist. Bottega highlights the bounty of local, seasonal and largely house made ingredients. Chef and his expert team carefully select purveyors that focus on local sources as well as quality. Pastas, cured meats, cheeses and olives are just some of the many ingredients made in house everyday.
Lunch at Bottega can be a quick break from wine tasting, or as opulent as any dinner. Antipastis include the well-known crowd favorite ‘Polenta Under Glass’ and the Parmesan Truffle French Fries. A cheeseburger might seem out of place at a sophisticated Italian restaurant, except that it is made with ground short rib and topped with Fontina cheese and a truffle aioli. Chef Chiarello is known for his pastas, and the entire pasta department does not change from lunch to dinner for good reason with the pastas made in house everyday,. From Michael’s early days you can enjoy a Sweet Rabbit Rigatoni, a classic representation of his style or the Tagliarini Bolognese which is a favorite amongst staff and regulars alike. Made with veal and pork, the Bolognese is bold, refined and always in demand!
Signature entrees include a whole fish presentation of Branzino served alongside an Heirloom Carrot Salad. The Costolette Brasate e Affumicate (grilled and braised short ribs) might be Chef Chiarello’s defining dish. 24 hours of brine, smoke, and grilling before plating make this beef rib fall off the bone soft. Regulars of the restaurant barely look at the menu when craving this permanent, go-to dish.
Chef Michael also takes special care in creating an engaging cocktail menu that speaks to his culinary background. Unusual ingredients fit perfectly into drinks and include fun items like the local specialty candy cap mushroom. Another irresistible refreshment is a play on the sweet and salty theme with honeydew melons together with house cured prosciutto.
From Napa to Calistoga, and Yountville or Saint Helena in the middle, we can get you to dinner with our elegant dinner service.
Chef Michael Chiarello is known as much for his bold food as his big personality. See it in action here:
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