Dining at Violetto requires choosing between two options: a shorter or a longer tasting menu. While the experience featured moments of playful artistry and exceptional hospitality, the overall execution felt good rather than great, making the final bill feel a bit overpriced for what was delivered.
Service & Wine Pairings
The hospitality was easily the high point of the evening. Our server was absolutely stellar, seamlessly walking us through the dishes and guiding us through the wine pairings. The pairings themselves were brilliantly curated, with only a single hiccup on the final pour. Recognizing that the last pairing wasn't quite dialed in yet, the team gracefully pivoted and offered an excellent alternative pairing that beautifully complemented the course.
The Openers
Amuse-Bouche: A bit of a mixed start. The tuna cup was incredibly flavorful and a total standout. However, the accompanying cracker-style bite fell short; with goat cheese and a heavy hand on the toppings, the flavors competed rather than harmonized. Texturally, the cracker itself was unfortunately dry, grainy, and crumbly.
First Course (Tenbrink Farm Asparagus): A whimsical and fun introduction featuring asparagus, strawberries, and tuna. While the flavor profile was lovely, the "pumpernickel crunch" texture ate a bit awkwardly, and the dish would have benefited from a lighter hand with the crumble.
The Mid-Courses
Sweet Pea & Morel Tortellini: Delightfully playful, the tortellini were cleverly crafted to look exactly like vibrant green pea pods. Served en brodo--one of my absolute favorite preparations--the broth was deeply savory, beautifully presented, and an absolute joy to eat.
Housemade Scarpinocc Pasta: A striking dish featuring Laura Chennel goat cheese, smoked trout, and a vibrant green tarragon oil that popped visually. The addition of crispy fish skin provided a fantastic, much-needed textural contrast.
Spring Vintage Carnaroli Risotto: While it lacked the jaw-dropping visual drama of the previous pasta courses, this Meyer lemon and spring vegetable risotto was undeniably comforting. It was, however, massive and incredibly rich with a mountain of cheese--a delicious component, but quite heavy for a multi-course progression.
The Entrées
For the main course, the table split between the two available proteins:
C&C Sea Forager Halibut: The definitive star of the savory rounds. The accompanying sauce was masterful. The fish itself was cooked reasonably well, though it sat right on the razor's edge of being overcooked.
Liberty Farms Duck: As an avid duck lover, this was the biggest disappointment of the night. The duck was completely overcooked, leaving the entire plate feeling underwhelming and noticeably lacking in flavor.
The Finale
Intermezzo: A refreshing rhubarb and pizzelle pairing acted as a flawless palate cleanser.
Formaggio Course: A bit of a letdown. While perfectly fine, the selection lacked the uniqueness or boutique curation you expect at this price point. Featuring standard Cypress Grove cheeses, it felt like a flight you could easily replicate with a quick trip to Whole Foods.
Ciliegia Cola Dessert: A texturally challenging and polarizing finish. The foundation--a cherry blossom panna cotta, was exceptional, creamy, and decadent. But the execution grew bizarre with a sourdough crumble and a "pop rocks" style cherry topping alongside white chocolate drops. The initial wine pairing exacerbated the acid, yielding an overly sour cherry flavor. Fortunately, the alternative pour, a sweeter port, balanced the dish significantly better.
The Verdict
An unfortunate dampener on the evening was a lack of hospitality consistency from the kitchen. It was disappointing to watch the chef step out into the dining room to personally greet and chat with several neighboring tables, only to completely skip ours.
Violetto clearly possesses immense technical skill and a wonderful front-of-house team, but given the price tag, the culinary inconsistencies and uneven execution keep it from being a truly great Napa Valley dining destination. read more