Cherylynn N.

1.5 STARS Nev, you there?! OOF. I felt catfished by Ember's social media pics because most of our food and the patio vibes looked different. More on that later. Opening in May 2024, Ember Steak is located inside The Meritage Resort and Spa. Probably a red flag (cuz hotel resto) but with a 4.5 star rating, it seemed promising for a special occasion meal. I made rezzies several weeks ahead and choose their patio (staycation with dogs)...but when we arrived, we were told the patio was closed. The hostess checked with the manager and they ended up opening the patio. They kept the shades down in gorgeous 78 degree weather so it was dark and took away from the atmosphere. M E N U Modern Steakhouse with dry-aged steaks, seafood, sushi, seasonal dishes, and craft cocktails. F O O D * Colossal Shrimp w/ clarified cocktail sauce (4 pc-$32): https://tinyurl.com/dbt2ymnp A bit overdone but otherwise ok. I appreciate their modern twist on the cocktail sauce but it tasted like diluted vinegar. * Carpaccio Caesar w/ heart of romaine, aerated anchovy parmesan dressing, sourdough garlic croutons, black pepper crusted beef tenderloin ($21): https://tinyurl.com/56rc8ran I enjoyed the thiccc, creamy umami-rich dressing (not "aerated") but the romaine seemed to have been improperly stored (very dry) and the plain crotons needed more toasting. * Lobster Bisque w/ lobster meat, lemon oil, cognac foam ($18) Savory with the cognac foam enhancing the richness but there was no lobster meat to be found. * Mosaic Roll w/ ahi, hamachi, ocean trout, avocado, wasabi rice blossom, sweet kecap manis ($28): https://tinyurl.com/2p9nf8kn Beautifully crafted roll, tho it didn't have the mosaic look shown in their photos. It also had a slight fishy aftertaste. They made the effort to dress it up with 24k gold flakes and edible flowers, so it was disappointing that it was served with dry, gritty wasabi and off tasting pickled ginger...more like something from a bad buffet. * Ribeye, Greater Omaha ($75): https://tinyurl.com/4xhza4fb - Menu says, 16 ounce but receipt says 14 ounce - Requested rare plus Great seared crust and rare plus as requested but it was chewy - it legit felt like we were cutting the ribeye with a butter knife. * Aged A5 Japanese Wagyu, Miyazaki ($100): https://tinyurl.com/yckxevhb - Requested medium rare Even tho this was presented as A5 but I find it VERY hard to believe we were served legit A5 Wagyu -- it didn't even have the level of marbling from American Wagyu, let alone true A5 Japanese Wagyu. It was chewy and bland, lacking the rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep umami flavor that makes A5 so distinctive. Unfortunately, Ember seems to be the only steakhouse in Napa that serves A5. If you're down to drive 30 minutes to Benicia, hit up Chiquo & Eva's Wagyu Steakhouse. * Twice Baked Duchess Potato w/ chive foam, sour cream, whipped butter, smoked salt, lardons ($16) If you like hella rich foods...cream on top of cream, you'll love this. * Jumbo Asparagus w/ fresh herb béarnaise ($16) Tender and crisp but more your standard size than jumbo. S E R V I C E Friendly hostess and awesome food runner, Isaac. He was so warm and personable, he should be promoted to a server STAT. Apps came out fast but it felt like a long lag before we received our entrees. We noticed people who arrived after us, received their steaks before we did. I noted it was a "birthday" in the rezzies and nothing was said or done. A M B I A N C E Sultry chic, moody indoor dining area with teal and dark brown tones. IMO, it seems more like a lounge than a steakhouse. Lovely patio overlooking the courtyard but we didn't get to enjoy the view since the shades were down. No restroom onsite which is inconvenient. Overall, I'm genuinely mystified by the 4.5 star rating. Ember felt like the typical overpriced hotel resto trying too hard to be trendy and too extra with their food. Unfortunately, there were simply too many missteps to overlook - esp given the poor quality of some of the ingredients. Unless you're dining on an expense account or have a sugar daddy/mama...spend your hard earned money elsewhere!

Elle G.

Would not recommend this restaurant, first of all I want to say the service was great all the wait staff as well as the host are so nice and kind so nothing to do with them. We ordered: 1 Ribeye (medium) 1 aged dry bone in rib eye (medium rare) Mac and cheese Baked potato Beef tartar First of all there was a hair in my baked potato and I was disgusted but I am not confrontational nor do I ever want to make a huge deal and ruin the experience for others around me. They did not charge me for the baked potatoes of course since I showed them the hair very quietly but that was not the point they should have way more safety around food I mean is that not what your paying for ? Secondly, I ordered my steak medium rare and when I say this steak was rare I mean it was incredibly rare to the point that I could not eat it and I did not eat it. The aged bone in rib eye was not top quality DO NOT ORDER this. Mac and cheese lacked flavor Baked potato was delicious but there was the hair I ate so I wouldn't ever order it again. Beef tar tar had tons of flavor this is rare steak that I can actually eat! The regular ribeye that my brother ordered was really good as well. All this to say it was supposed to be a special celebration as we were there for my brothers birthday and my expectations were high. This is just my experience hope you have a better one. Overall would not recommend visit.

Marc R.

This restaurant was a pleasant surprise. I'll admit I came in a bit skeptical. Steakhouses attached to hotels or resorts don't always live up to their pricing, but this one exceeded my expectations. The interior has a cool speakeasy-style vibe. We were seated in the covered outdoor patio, which offered a nice view of the resort courtyard. We arrived right when they opened and were seated immediately. Our server, Nathan, was friendly, attentive, and had a great personality, which made the experience even better. The menu isn't huge, but it covers the essentials well. I ordered the filet mignon, and I asked for it to be cooked to medium. My only real complaint is that the entrees are served à la carte. I think a $75 steak should come with at least one side. That said, when the filet came out, it looked fantastic. It was cooked slightly over medium, but the flavor more than made up for it. I also ordered a twice-baked potato, which was excellent. Overall, I was genuinely impressed and would definitely come back again.

Crystal H.

We had dinner reservations on Friday 7pm for our friend's 40th bday. We had a large group of 13 people. We were seated in the patio like area with netted wall covering. We got to try a bunch of different foods. Best items were the ribeye 16 oz (Juicy and tender), broccolini, loaded mac and cheese, and Hokkaido scallops. The worst items were the truffle fries (no truffle taste), Parker house rolls (hard bread), mushroom (too sour). We also ordered 2 bottles of the Faust Cabernet Sauvignon ($120 each). Our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything. We told them a bday. It was weird to ask and not give like complimentary dessert or something. Why even ask then? He opened and poured the wine for us twice.

Craig K.

Incredible food. I had a perfectly prepared prime ribeye with a twice baked duchess potato. You really can't go wrong here. The wine list is extensive and the prices are high. The prices are what I expected for a place of this caliber. Highly recommend.

Dave M.

My wife and I agreed, our meal at Embers was outstanding. Calm, relaxed ambiance, attentive wait staff, that knew their dishes. We will be back. She had the lobster and I the bisque and beet salad. We shared a shitake. All was spot on.

Shawn A.

Took my family here for dinner while staying at The Meritage Resort, and we had an amazing experience from start to finish. We started with the lobster bisque and Parker rolls -- honestly, it might have been the best lobster bisque I've ever had. The rolls were served hot, soft, and absolutely delicious. For entrées, my girlfriend had the roasted salmon steak, and I went with the ribeye with ember bone marrow. She loved her salmon, and my ribeye was perfectly cooked -- rich, flavorful, and beautifully complemented by the bone marrow. We shared a few sides: the twice-baked duchess potato, loaded mac and cheese, and maitake mushrooms. The twice-baked potato was incredible -- probably my favorite thing of the night. The mac and cheese was rich and comforting, while the mushrooms weren't really my thing, but still well-prepared. Service was excellent -- friendly, attentive, and on point without ever feeling intrusive. Overall, Ember Steakhouse delivered a top-notch meal and experience. Highly recommend if you're staying at the resort or just looking for a great dinner in the area!

Britt R.

I sat at the bar and the bartender was lovely. I also really enjoyed the beef tartare and the special which was a pate trio. The ambience was great and I definitely will be returning.

Suzanne T.

Lovely food and very good service. The portions are extremely generous, which as a visitor to the areas does us no good. Considering the level of tourism and that this restaurant is at a resort, you'd think most patrons are not local and would appreciate limited waste with smaller portion sizes as an option. I opted for the special, the lamb, because it was only 8 oz of meat and everything else was more food. I even asked if there was a smaller beef filet option, which there was not. Even if the price is that much lower, I'd still have wanted a 5 oz piece of protein. My husband got the roasted half chicken and perhaps ate a third of it. It was excellent also but again, just too much food and waste. We shared the truffle fries, which were awesome but when they arrived to us were cold. They were still crunchy and appropriately cooked so I did not say anything, especially as we already had plenty and I didn't want more waste. The dessert, Bananas Foster Reimagined, was really fantastic. A highlight. I also ordered a Walnut Old Fashioned. It was just ok. I love Old Fashions and order them most places I go. This one was just ok, maybe it was watered down? The craft ice cube was great but the flavor of the drink just wasn't there. Would I come back? Not sure. There were some really nice things about this place but it is $$$$ and not sure it is worth the price.

Becky D.

Fantastic meal and wonderful service by Nathan. We lucked out to have a concert happening in the plaza so that was an ambiance bonus! Every course was perfection and the extensive wine list was fun to explore before choosing a perfect Napa Valley cab for our meal. Highly recommend!!

Helen L.

WOW. Just WOW. My husband and I came to Ember Steak to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary, and it truly made our night feel so special. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt intimate, romantic, and elegant! exactly the kind of place you want for a special celebration or date night. Our server Anthony was absolutely amazing. The service was warm, attentive, and genuine the entire evening. He made us feel so welcomed and taken care of, and he really helped make our anniversary dinner unforgettable. Now let's talk about the food... because WOW. Everything was delicious. We had the steak salmon dish and the half chicken, and every bite was incredible. the salmon was flavorful and fresh, and the half chicken was juicy and so well seasoned. You can really taste the quality. For cocktails, I had the pear drink and OMG... to die for. So refreshing and perfectly balanced. And of course we couldn't leave without dessert. We had the strawberry cheesecake, and it was the perfect sweet ending to such a beautiful dinner. Everything about this restaurant,from the ambiance, to the amazing food, to Anthony's incredible service! was just WOW. It made our anniversary feel extra special and memorable. We will absolutely be coming back and recommending Ember Steak to everyone.

Kaitlyn G.

My husband and I went to Napa for my birthday and traveled with my daughter and Nanny. We were looking for the perfect romantic date night with delicious food and Ember popped up as an option. I was so glad that it did. We were also undecided on where to stay hotel wise and when we saw it was at the Meritage, which is great for families, it made sense to book both the hotel and the restaurant. Our daughter just turned four months old, so this was our first date night as new parents and it did not disappoint. For us the convenience of an amazing restaurant on site at a family forward resort was great for peace of mind. We didn't have to go far to have an amazing experience. When we entered Ember the vibes were set. The restaurant is truly stunning and everywhere you look feels like you are observing art. The craft cocktail bar as the center focal point and the tables set up the way they were made for great people watching. It seemed like almost every table was a couple on a date and the energy was definitely upscale and romantic. My husband and I love great food and couldn't help but order almost everything that looked appealing to us. The wagyu nigiri with caviar was mind blowing, so fresh. The oysters were unreal. The tomahawk steak with creamed spinach, and truffle fries did not disappoint. Literally the best steak and sides we've enjoyed in a while. The mushrooms were delicious too. My husband enjoyed his craft cocktail, an Old Fashion and I enjoyed champagne with the starters and a wonderful glass of Grgich cab with the steak. We gave our compliments to the chef who made her appearance tableside, and we enjoyed a wonderful conversation with her. She recommended the baked Alaska, which was made after her grandmother's recipe, and my husband still talks about that dessert to this day. We enjoyed great ambience, impeccable food, and tremendous service. I can't wait to go back to Ember, which says so much because the dining scene is unreal in Napa and there is always something new to try. We will be back!

Ang P.

Enjoyed our dinner! Great date night spot note: we did not order steak so not reviewing this Five stars for the service because Maya is truly enthusiastic about food and wine ( not a faker) from the heart Four stars for the food because we came for the chef we read about prior to the visit (the chef who hails from Hawaii specializing in seafood and Sushi not just steak... and is no longer on site though he did create the menu and train the kitchen ) We were told chef missed his knife and was not sure what was next though He had been working as a consultant for Meritage and many resorts Maya our waitress is tops! Knowledgeable about the wine, cocktails and food selections. We enjoyed - Hamachi fish collar entree, 10 oz -Duck entree - Ember sushi . sides: -maitaki mushrooms -100 layer potato with creme mousse and fire torched by server tableside We could not finish our meals...so generous portions compared to many napa fine dining spots Memorable? The lavendar lychee martini The sushi The ambiance is romantic for date night the service Next time we will be back for the Blue Note summer stage line up .. We can wine, and have cocktails and some tapas and watch an outdoor concert from their covered temp controlled patio.