Viva l’Italia!
Immigrants to the Napa Valley include a large number of Italians who arrived in Napa Valley as early as the mid-to-late 19th century. Along with their family heritage came traditional family recipes, some of which remain on menus today. Whether they be old-world style regional dishes or Italian-inspired creations with a Napa Valley twist, many feature farmto-table ingredients with all-star wine lists showcasing local vintners. Here is a list of some of Napa’s best, each of which has ranked as a fan favorite in Napa Valley Life Magazine’s Best of Napa Valley Readers Choice Awards. BISTRO DON GIOVANNI Winner: Best Italian Restaurant - NVL 2022 Best of Napa Valley Readers Choice Awards
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ITALIAN BY ELIZABETH SMITH
Carpaccio at Bistro Don Giovanni // Photo by Elizabeth Smith
For over 25 years, Bistro Don Giovanni has been one of Napa Valley’s most treasured Italian restaurants. Fondly dubbed “Don G’s” by Napa locals, the bistro serves homestyle, house-made Italian cuisine in its casual indoor and outdoor venue just north of the city of Napa. Customer favorites include carpaccio, Mamma Concetta’s meatballs, grilled octopus salad, short rib ravioli, gnocchetti (lamb ragu and truffle pecorino), pollo alla diavola with broccoli di Ciccio, and prosciutto di Parma and margherita pizzas. Indulgent desserts like tiramisu, bostini trifle (vanilla custard, chocolate cake whipped cream, clear caramel, and toasted almonds), gelato, sorbetto, and tiramisu complete the meal. Although not an Italian dessert, Don G’s is known for its signature top-shelf butterscotch pudding made with dark muscovado sugar, The Macallan 10Year-Old Scotch, and topped with whipped cream and chocolate. The restaurant offers various old- and new-world wines and beers, plus creative Italian cocktails like the Firenze spritz and blood orange negroni. // www.bistrodongiovanni.com
