Located just off of Napa Valley’s iconic Highway 29, PRESS Napa Valley is a gem nestled in the heart of California’s wine country. This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for foodies and wine enthusiasts alike, offering a truly unforgettable dining experience.
The decor is sleek and modern, with warm lighting that creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The vibe is Wine Country meets New York as there’s a modern white dining room and decorative ceramic clock sourced from a former Big Apple train station.
Owned by the Rudd family, PRESS has been a place for locals, winemakers, vintners, and guests from around the world to experience the best of Napa Valley.
The restaurant boasts an impressive wine cellar, stocked with the largest selection of Napa Valley’s finest wines in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious newcomer to the world of wine, the knowledgeable staff will guide you in selecting the perfect bottle to complement your meal.
This world-class restaurant has a team of experts including Vincent Morrow who became a Master Sommelier before the age of 30. He previously worked at renowned wineries and restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area including Gary Danko and Benu. The restaurant’s cellar is timeless in its breadth and depth of Cabernets and also features hidden gems. Some of the highlights include original Judgment of Paris wines/vintages, for example, Stag’s Leap ’73, Freemark Abbey ’69, etc. In addition, wines from wineries that no longer exist, for example, Roddis and Oakford Vineyards.
To accompany world-class wines, there are seasonal, farm-to-table dishes that showcase the best of California’s bounty. The chefs at PRESS are passionate about using locally-sourced ingredients, and their commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing is evident in every dish. The tasting menu changes every few weeks, keeping diners on their toes.
Executive Chef Philip Tessier oversaw a kitchen remodel at PRESS and transitioned the restaurant’s focus from a classic steakhouse to a modern, refined American cuisine on par with the Napa Valley wines in its cellar. He also hired an entirely new kitchen crew that includes alumni from Chicago’s Alinea as well as colleagues that loyally followed him from his time at Bouchon and The French Laundry.
With such a top-notch team, I was excited to see what was in store for my culinary journey!
Shortly after being seated, a menu with enticing cocktails appeared before me. PRESS’s bartending team creates inventive and balanced cocktails that shine a light on Napa Valley’s seasonal flavors and ingredients are sourced from the local Umbel Roots Farms. I started out with a Damage Control cocktail featuring mandarin vodka, St. Germain, yuzu, and ginger beer.
To follow, my boyfriend, Matthew and I shared the following and they were elegantly presented on a pedestal:
- Golden Osetra Caviar accompanied by shrimp blini, egg mousse, and garden herbs
- Cod Collar Croquette with young ginger and flowering wasabi leaf
In addition, Seeded Pretzel Epi with cultured yogurt butter and sweet onion powder. The pretzel was braided in a shape that resembled a halo and it tasted divine!
Being a Gnudi enthusiast, I was excited for the next course: Ricotta Gnudi with white truffle butter and cocoa nib whey. The gnudi themselves were delicate and souffle-like. They were too good and I could have easily ordered another portion, but I knew that I needed to save room for the next course!
My eyes widened when the Truffle-glazed Chicken with smoked bacon, roasted sunchokes, sauce vin jaune appeared before me. It is honestly the most tender, moist, and flavorful chicken dish I’ve ever indulged in.
The 35-day New York Strip was cooked to perfection and it was accompanied by creamed leeks, charred onion, and chanterelle mushroom jus.
My boyfriend, Matthew and I settled our sweet tooth with the following desserts. They were beautifully presented, unique, and had beautiful texture:
- Café au Lait with coffee crème, milk ice cream, and cardamom caramel
- Brown Butter Maple Crémeux with green apple sorbet, pain d’épices, and mulled cider
Overall, PRESS Napa Valley is a must-visit for anyone looking for a truly exceptional dining experience. With its exquisite food, extensive wine list, and impeccable service, this restaurant is sure to impress even the most discerning diners. So why not treat yourself to a night of luxury and indulgence at PRESS? You won’t regret it.
