Violetto
American restaurant · St. Helena ·

Violetto

American restaurant · St. Helena ·

Italian-French-inspired with Cal-Italian dishes, local ingredients

prix fixe menu
tasting menu
excellent service
amuse bouche
wagyu beef
duck breast
rabbit ragu
homemade pasta
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
Violetto by null
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Violetto by null
Violetto by null

Information

1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574 Get directions

$100+

Reserve a table
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574 Get directions

+1 707 963 9004
violettonapavalley.com

$100+ · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy

Last updated

Dec 27, 2025

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@infatuation
132,817 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Violetto - Review - St. Helena - St. Helena - The Infatuation

"Violetto, at the Alila Napa Valley hotel, is the ideal fine-dining experience for anyone who shies away from inflated fuss or off-the-wall experimentation. You can choose the $175, eight-course menu or orderàla carte, but we like the $125, four-course option, which won’t leave you craving a midnight snack. There’s a strong Italian influence in the food, but also subtle nods to French cuisine, highlighted in the glazes, sauces, and fruit-forward reductions. You can (and should) add on the decadent potato rosti topped with caviar and gold flakes before being served a Dungeness crab scarpinoccin a toro pepper base, and the fresh fig dessert with pudding-like pistachio and white chocolate ganache crumbles. The intimate dining room is inside a Georgian mansion and feels like a Goop retreat in upstate New York, making it perfect for date night or birthday celebration." - Jasmine Alexandra

https://www.theinfatuation.com/st-helena/reviews/violetto
Violetto
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Napa Valley Beyond Tasting Wine - AFAR

"This past summer the on-site restaurant at Alila Napa Valley reopened as Violetto, an Italian-French–inspired eatery helmed by executive chef Thomas Lents; whether you opt for the four-course prix fixe, seven-course tasting, or à la carte, expect elevated Cal-Italian dishes such as homemade rigatoni or fresh tuna crudo with cherry succo. Sustainability is key here—ingredients are sourced locally and the kitchen takes a thoughtful, whole-ingredient approach—and the property added an outdoor poolside bar perfect for lounging with a glass of wine before dinner." - Matt Villano, Jessie Beck

https://www.afar.com/magazine/new-ways-to-explore-napa-valley-and-theyre-not-all-in-tasting-rooms
Violetto

Isaiah K.

Google
They really have their service down. The staff was extremely attentive in an unobtrusive way, on top of being personable. Truly no notes on the service. The dining room atmosphere was decent. My only complaint is the bathroom location makes it feel disjointed from the restaurant (totally nitpicking there). I heard they are trying to get a michelin star, given the price point, and that the dishes were for the most part tweaked/elevated versions of classic dishes, I don't think the food was quite consistently excellent enough to get there. I think they are reasonably close. The crab pasta course was overwhemed a bit by the red pepper sauce it was a touch too acidic which competed with the flavor of the crab. the cheese desert seemed a little simplistic, and they weren't interesting enough to make up for the simplicity. The tuna carpaccio, while very tastey and well balance flavorwise, didn't highlight the tuna which was lightly seared, muting the flavor, and making it not feel like a tuna carpaccio dish. The duck was well cooked, but all the seasoning was in the sauce making it you you had to get the ratio of duck to sauce right for the seasoning to work. Ideally it would have been more evenly distributed. I think they could also use a little work on portion size. The carpaccio, and rissoto were a bit too big. All of these details are very nitpicky, and we had a very nice evening, but if they want to get to that next level, I think these details need more attention.

Emily D.

Google
My husband and I came to Violetto for my birthday as visitors to the Napa area. We were looking forward to this meal a lot and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere of the restaurant was amazing and we were very pleased to get a seat on their patio. We got their 8-course dinner and every single dish was incredible with perfect balance of flavors. I loved how in-season all the dishes were and the creativity of all of them. The wine pairings were also delicious! But we found the service just as much if not more impressive than the food. Our server was Trevor, and he was very attentive without being overbearing. He made it a special birthday with a surprise tiramisu at the end! We were also helped by Caden and we appreciated his knowledge of the dishes and attentiveness as well. We felt very well taken care of for the whole meal and all the dishes were paced out perfectly. Thank you to the whole team at Violetto for such an amazing experience!

Benjamin C.

Google
Violetto was a really great experience overall. The starters and drinks were excellent and definitely the highlight of the meal. The entrées were the most underwhelming part, but still enjoyable. Beautiful atmosphere and worth a visit.

Joseph J.

Google
My Fiance and I decided to dine here for their new years dinner menu and wine pairing since we're staying at the Alila Hotel. This was such an incredible experience. We had such an exceptional time and the food was absolutely delicious. The chef came out and gave us a free entree due to our engagement and anniversary which was incredibly thoughtful and even more delicious! The environment and ambiance of this place was great. The spacing of tables was great for conversation and not feeling crowded. Every server for our paired wine and dinner were very fun, knowledgeable and kind. Each had their own flair and personality and were just having a great time with us. Every pairing was absolutely delicious. Each glass and meal were divine. Our best compliments to the chef for these delightful meals. The (wagyu meal and the chestnut soups were our favorites). My fiance is allergic to potatoes and so they were able to curate a suitable option for her without any hassle which turned out amazing according to her. NYE Dinner aside, this is the restaraunt, breakfast and bar that will be used if you are staying with Alila. Every experience we had was wonderful and the bartenders were fantastic. Ask for a Margaritas at the bar, you won't regret it. Breakfast was wonderful all our nights (Reccomend the chilaquiles). Overall, Alila and Violetto are incredible and there is so much to eat, drink and do while you're here. We will be coming back for sure.

Daniel M.

Google
We came here during a friends 40th Birthday weekend in Napa. For the food, we all did the prix fixe menu, with some of the table opting to also do the wine pairings. I would say that the food from the amuse bouche all the way through to the post dessert treats were generally top notch. I’ve done a few restaurants like this and I would say that I walked away feeling very marginally disappointed. I think the short rib was a tad over salted and the fig dessert I got was a little too tart for my liking. I also think that the timing between courses was a little long on a couple of instances. The service was pretty fantastic. Our server was clearly very knowledgeable about the wines and the food, my one suggestion would be to maybe announce the wine pairings before the food arrives. The server took quite some time going into detail about the various wines, but often after our food arrived and it felt weird/disrespectful to eat while he was still talking about the wines. The ambiance was fine. Nicely decorated restaurant, but it was largely empty while we were there, so it didn’t feel like there was much ambiance.

Valeria

Google
Violetto was an awesome experience. The food was fantastic, with a special mention for their amazing juices – the carrot juice, in particular, is a must-try. One of the highlights was watching the bartender walk out into the garden on the premises to pick fresh herbs for the cocktails, which added a unique and delightful touch to the experience. The service was excellent, and the beautiful views and atmosphere made the meal even more enjoyable. Whether you're staying at Alila or just looking for a great spot for breakfast, I highly recommend Violetto.

Patrick Q.

Google
My boy had itchy eyes and the staff mobilized to find antihistamine medication. 5 thumbs up.

Elí R.

Google
Found about this place in restaurant week and felt like finding a hidden gem. Food was outstanding. Desserts were average but the rest of the food mind blown, and the decoration and theme is also amazing. Really the kind of place you will come for a special ocassion
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Meg W.

Yelp
Celebrated our anniversary at Violetto and it did not disappoint. We were also guests at the Alila hotel and the staff there showed us so much love. We made a reservation for Saturday night and they sat us in the main dining room. Ambiance was romantic, a tad on the quiet side though there were probably 8 couples dining at the same time. On to the food. We opted for the 4 course tasting menu, non alcoholic. They started us off with a beautiful non-alcoholic rosé toast which was dry, crisp and delicious. We ordered mocktails which were equally tasty. I cannot remember the names. See photo. On to the meal. Amuse bouche: They also brought an amuse bouche of tuna tartare with a non-alcoholic wine. That was fresh & delicious. Supplements: We added the focaccia olive bread and oysters as supplements. The olive bread was absolutely delicious & served with an olive oil from France. The oysters were super fresh with a fluffy cream with a hint of dill on top. We loved them. First course: The next course was golden beets. The beets were fresh & delicious. Like, not love. Bonus course: The next course ended up being a mistake. We were served the egg diavlo which was not part of the 4-course menu. We alerted our server. She apologized and said she entered the 8-course by mistake. The egg diablo is like a fluffy scrambled egg with peppers but elevated. This was ok. Like not love. Second course: Then she brought out the farfalle pasta with peas. Everything about the dish was fresh and handmade but missing something, maybe salt. It was comforting, tasty in its own way but somewhat forgettable. Bonus course: The next course was another bonus! Risotto with truffle. This was super rich, creamy & delicious. Again really good, a tad too rich for me.. Third course: The next course was the duck paired with Israeli couscous. Wow wow wow. This was the star of the dinner. Amazingly tender, beautifully seasoned, bursting with flavor. This was a highlight for me. Everything worked together. Loved this dish so much. Side note: My husband got the veggie plate - grits, beans, squash - as he's vegetarian and he said it was super underwhelming. See photo. Fourth course: This was a two cheese with berry syrup, a fig, a peach and persimmon I think. We were getting so full but carried on. The two cheeses were excellent and the combination of flavors were complex yet surprising and yummy. We thought we were done but I guess there was one more dessert which was like an ice cream, semifreddo with fruit. Both desserts were delicious but we were so stuffed. We had to go for a long walk after. I think has we had the 4 course as planned, the dining experience would have been perfect. Service was good despite the coursing error. Overall Violetto is decent option that is pretty well priced for the amount of food they give you. Worth a visit!
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Cherylynn N.

Yelp
I usually don't eat rabbit but it's Violetto's signature dish that came highly recommended by staff. It looked great in the pics - sorry Thumper! And, then it arrived. Is Thumper in the room with us? Did he hop off the plate and into the bushes? Well, that was a miss and the rest of the courses were underwhelming but more on that later. Opening in May 2024, Violetto is located inside Alila, an architecturally stunning 1907 mansion that's now a luxury adult-only resort and hotel. It was formerly Acacia House from celebrity chef Chris Cosentino. Indoor and outdoor patio seating. M E N U French-Italian inspired cuisine with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Four-course tasting menu ($105) or Eight-couse tasting menu ($175). If you're seated outside, you can also from the Salvia menu of a la carte items. Full bar. We went with the four course tasting menu and planned to order a la carte items afterwards but changed our minds after tasting the food. D R I N K S * Hendricks Club Soda ($18 x2) * Fernet Branca ($13) F O U R / C O U R S E / T A S T I N G ($105 PP) * Amuse Bouche: Albacore Tuna & Strawberry Tartlet + Mushroom Brodo: https://tinyurl.com/5cnrxyby IMO, a mismatch pairing, the hot earthy broth clashed with the raw tuna tartlet that had a sour tang. We ordered two supplements that came next: * Pacific Oysters w/ seasonal accompaniments (Supplement-$22): https://tinyurl.com/yckban97 Quite flat but the oysters were smooth. * Potato Rösti & Caviar w/ horseradish crema, caviar, gold (Supplement-$38): https://tinyurl.com/yc5exk96 A bougie twist on a Swedish hashbrown, you can rarely go wrong with anything fried. Golden brown and crunchy but was hoping for more zest and briny flavors. (1) Smoked Beets w/ pickled asparagus, rouille: https://tinyurl.com/mr3fvz7r Diced beets with a cracker on top. Artsy but bland. More of an amuse than a course. (2) Rabbit Violetti w/ braised corvus rabbit, caraway ricotta, almond, sauce robert: https://tinyurl.com/uamp4z8z Sadly, their signature dish wasn't it and didn't look like previous pics. I know dishes change and are tweaked but I wasn't expecting ravioli with no rabbit. It seems like it was just incorporated into the savory sauce. (3) Liberty Farms Duck Breast w/ poached salsify, cordyceps mushroom, sumac hazelnut, duck bordelaise: https://tinyurl.com/3w6whnv3 While the skin was nicely rendered and crisp, the breast was overdone with an odd uneven cook on it. (4) Semifreddo w/ tenbrink farms stone fruit, olive oil, walnut puree: https://tinyurl.com/3w3bjpwd With 90 degree weather, I was looking forward to a frozen dessert but the semifreddo was flan-like with a cookie crust bottom. S E R V I C E Professional and welcoming. We had early dinner rezzies and there were only two other tables. I was surprised with the long lags after the beet course. A M B I A N C E Casual elegance vibes in the indoor dining room. Tranquil outdoor dining in the porch nestled around trees. P A R K I N G Valet only (complimentary). Overall, Violetto has been touted as a destination resto with Michelin star ambitions but seems like we visited on an off day. Not only was it a splurge-y, underwhelming meal, it required getting a burger afterwards.
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C B.

Yelp
Came for an exciting 8 course dinner w wine pairing. The good: - wine pairing was fantastic...well curated and had some exciting selections The Bad : - service was SLOW. A relatively slow Saturday night led to a 3 hour + evening. This would be understandable with all tables full, but not the case. What took so long? - Food left you wanting. Granted we had a gluten allergy, it felt last minute. A cheese course that subbed in toasted bread? A bit laughable for a $700+ dinner for 2 Maybe it's the new chef? Maybe still figuring things out? Unlikely we'll return unfortunately
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A. P.

Yelp
Wow, excellent food. All dishes were superb. If there was a restaurant that really deserved a Michelin star, this is it. Two versions of preset menus 4 dish and 8 dish. You cannot go wrong with either. We felt satisfied after 4.
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Neil M.

Yelp
Had an incredible birthday dinner here in September 2025. My best friend from college and I enjoyed the expanded tasting menu, paired perfectly with a glass of white and red Burgundy. Each course was beautifully presented, and our waiter's descriptions added to the experience--every dish delivered. It's definitely on the pricier side, but perfect for a special occasion or destination-worthy meal. I forgot to take pictures, but I did snap one of our cheese course.
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Marios D.

Yelp
An amazing evening!! Exceptional service. Each course was explained and the entire meal was excellently choreographed! We were treated to a starter before we chose our 4 course dinner. Lovely chick peas with a beniegh and a broth with it to start I picked the fish and pasta. Both were exceptional. All the courses were beautifully prepared. Well presented and super pleasing to the eye. Servers and sommelier were brilliant. All worked well together and knew their stuff Loved the ability to select form several choices for each course. A beautiful thing for each course. I highly recommend this place!! PS. One item I am not thrilled about is the ambiance. It feels like a hotel lobby rather thank the high end restaurant that it is. It is a shame. But can be easily fixed.
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The Discerning Latino N.

Yelp
Violetto is everything I hope for in a Napa Valley night out: refined, ingredient-driven cooking paired with genuinely warm hospitality, all framed by sweeping vineyard views at the Alila resort. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a breezy terrace look straight onto the neighboring Beringer vines, so golden-hour cocktails feel like you're sitting in the landscape painting you came to Napa to see. From the first amuse-bouche to the last mignardise, Chef Mark Shoemaker's cooking is equal parts French finesse and Italian soul. Highlights for us: a Liberty Farms duck breast, poached salsify, cordyceps mushroom, sumac hazelnut in a duck bordelaise; potato rosti and caviar; and a show-stopping braised "Rabbit Violetti" with caraway-laced ricotta that somehow tastes like every happy memory of Sunday supper at once. We enjoyed the four-course Chef's Tasting Menu and never looked back. Service threads the needle between polished and personal. Our server, Megan, anticipated pacing perfectly, and everyone seemed genuinely delighted we were there--a disappearing art in luxury dining. The wine list leans Napa but roams enough of the Old World to keep explorers happy, and the team isn't shy about steering you to bottles well below the top of the price column if that's what best matches your tastes. Bottom line: Violetto delivers the kind of "only-in-Napa" experience that makes you want to book the next reservation before you've even finished dessert. Perfect for celebrations, date nights, or whenever you need to be reminded why food and wine matter in the first place.

Frank G.

Yelp
possibly the worst meal/experience I have had in recent memory. signed on for the 4 course meal. each course was worse than the one before. poor wine pairings, overcooked fish, strange risotto with so many mushrooms that it overpowered the sauce. $500 later, I couldn't wait to leave. my recommendation is to avoid this place, no matter how posh.
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Jared S.

Yelp
Violetto. I don't even know where to begin... I'm at a serious loss for words... If you are looking for an unforgettable dining EXPERIENCE, Violetto is the spot for you. If you want the BEST food you've possibly ever had, Violetto is the spot for you. If you want the BEST service and ambiance, Violetto is the spot for you. Violetto WILL get that Michelin star soon too. It's just a matter of time... Violetto is located in downtown St. Helena, California. St. Helena is a town in the northern part of Wine Country. The restaurant is right off Main Street (aka the St. Helena Highway) and just south of Beringer Vineyards. St. Helena is so small that you could actually walk to Violetto if you're staying in town. The problem for my wife and I was the weather (100+ degrees), so we opted to drive. I believe valet parking is provided, but we opted to park our ourselves. My wife and I arrived last Friday night for our 7:15pm reservation. We were immediately blown away just walking up to the actual restaurant. Violetto is brand new and opened two months ago. The front of the restaurant is extremely picturesque! Inside we were welcomed by the friendliest staff I've ever encountered. They treated us as if we were celebrities or incredibly important people! The warmness of the hosts and servers will be a constant theme in this review, so stay tuned! We were seated in one of Violetto's main dining hall rooms. They do have outdoor seating, but nobody was out there due to how ridiculously hot it was. The ambiance on the inside is INCREDIBLE! You can tell Violetto put so much planning and thought into the restaurant to make patrons feel special! Italian themed interior with white walls; and art everywhere! Our server then came to take our order. He was EXTREMELY welcoming and assured us we made the right decision to come in that night for dinner. Violetto offers two menus: Prix Fixe (4 course meal) and Tasting (7 courses). We opted for the Prix Fixe as 4 courses seemed more than enough. To start we added on some olive focaccia bread with lemon butter. When I tell you this bread was the best bread I've ever had... WOW. Buttery, soft, fresh... we DEVOURED the focaccia! Like it was our last meal on earth! I then realized I really needed to slow down and enjoy each bite of each dish, as we weren't at Wendy's or something (lol). Violetto surprised us and brought out a few small items on the house. One of them was crispy potato skin with chickpeas on it and the other was a small mushroom soup. The potato skin/ chickpea item was incredibly flavorful and I loved the soup (and I don't even like mushrooms!) Next out was the first official course we ordered, aka the "beginner" course. I chose the Crudo of Wild Salmon and California Cherry. This came with taggiasca olive, pistachio, caviar, and morello cherry succo. INCREDIBLE. If you love the taste of "fishiness" this is the dish for you. The caviar melted in my mouth like butter, with the cherry dressing adding some surprising sweetness to the salmon slices. With the pistachio adding crunch! MMM. Second was the "pasta" course. I opted for the Rigatoni with Lamb Sugo, which was rigatoni with hand cut lamb ragu, ramps, and ricotta salata. GAME CHANGER. Maybe the best pasta I've had in my life!!! The "meatiness" of the lamb MADE this dish. It was like nothing I've ever eaten before. I savored each bite like nothing else. If you come, you HAVE to get this as your "pasta" course. Servers kept coming up to us saying how it was their favorite menu item PERIOD. For the main course I went with the Mamasi Wagyu Ribeye with preboggion greens in fontina fonduta, spring vegetable giardiniera, pine nuts and borolo jus. BEST. STEAK. EVER. Period. I had never had wagyu before and WOW the hype is real. Incredibly marbleized steak with streaks of fat running thru... I took my time with this and enjoyed every chew!! My wife even finished her dish before me (she opted for the lamb which was also fantastic). And that never happens!! I was incredibly sad when I had finished everything on the plate, I legit wanted to cry (lol). Lastly, for dessert, I opted for the deconstructed strawberry cheesecake. It came with strawberries prepared three ways: regular, dehydrated, and pickled. I had never had nor heard of pickled strawberries. But on this dish it worked! It balanced out the sweetness of the others. 11/10! In the end, I can arguably say this was one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. Everything about Violetto is FIRST CLASS. The service is unbeatable. The ambiance is top notch. The food is to DIE for!! And the price was reasonable at $90/ person. We don't eat like this that often. Maybe a couple times a year. But life is short and sometimes you have to treat yourself! Best of all we were very full at the end of dinner! And I'm a big eater! This isn't some dainty, high end place where you'll be hungry at the end. BANGING FOOD. INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. 100000000000 out of 10!
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Anissa R.

Yelp
If you are looking for an incredible dining EXPERIENCE, Violetto is a must. From driving up to the restaurant, to being seated, we felt incredibly taken care of. Violetto feels like a Michelin star restaurant without all the stuffiness (and I've been to a Michelin star restaurant that was NOTHING compared to this place). The interior is beautifully designed, combining simplicity and class. As for the service, everyone was incredibly helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Several servers/staff approached our table throughout our meal to check on us, but it wasn't overbearing. Once seated, we were pleasantly surprised to be served a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate our anniversary. We opted for the "Dinner Prix Fixe" menu option and were incredibly happy with our selection. We also added on the fresh focaccia and lemon butter to start that was delicious! The meal truly began with an amuse-bouche (bite-sized hors d'œuvre of three small dishes) that really set the stage. My starter was the Green and White Asparagus Salad, which was super fresh. Then, my pasta dish was the Rigatoni with Lamb Sugo and that stole the show! Yum! My main dish was the Lamb Loin Braciole; I'm a lamb lover and savored every bite! Our meal was finished with a deconstructed cheesecake with pickled strawberries on it! Wow! They also gave us some truffles post-meal as well. I am unsure how to properly paint the picture of this unforgettable experience because you really need to try it for yourself. But all I can say is that I highly recommend Violetto! This would be a great place for any special occasion or fancy date night. Ps. don't be fooled, the plates may look small, but we were stuffed by the end (you can also order starters if you're worried you might still be hungry). 10/10 would recommend!
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Robert C.

Yelp
We thought we were going to be at the spa for the day, and made a brunch reservation here, so this review will be light on culinary appeal. They only offer brunch on the weekends, from 7:30am to 2:30pm. The setting is beautiful, with seating on the porch (our choice) or inside the dining room. The menu offered some terrific choices, but I had your basic bacon, eggs and potatoes ($22). It was all fine (the potatoes were particularly delicious) but at a price. I just wasn't in the mood for a sandwich or salad. My wife loved her smoked trout Benedict, with the Hollandaise on the side ($28). Lunch features both an a la carte menu and a rotating three-course prix fixe option ($45). Dinner is a unique story of each season told through a prix-fixe, with a mix of individual and family-style dining. Our main dining room presents the option of a four-course prix fixe menu ($95) or seven-course tasting menu ($130). We each had a glass of wine and our brunch bill was $100, but it was relaxing and fulfilling. Service was solid and we might have tried dinner were the surroundings at the central pool more accommodating.
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Connie S.

Yelp
Violetto recently opened in the prior Acacia House space. They offer a four course prix fixe menu where diners select a dish from among several options in each course, or alternatively a seven course preset tasting menu. We opted for the prix fixe menu since we weren't wildly hungry (and even that was a lot of food for us!). Highlights were the minted pea soup (my favorite dish of the night) and the agnolotti. The truffled hen was also nice. The salmon crudo and crab-stuffed halibut were just okay, though maybe a matter of personal preference. We ordered a Mexico City Margarita from the cocktail menu. It was beautiful and delightful. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful. Staff was super friendly and attentive.
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Amanda P.

Yelp
We visited Violetto for dinner while staying in the hotel but would revisit this restaurant regardless of stay. From the start, was provided with an apertif that included chickpea, cream, and a mushroom broth. Enjoyed fresh focaccia with olive oil, and a salad. Our mains were the burger and rigatoni. We finished with one of the desserts that was essentially a mousse enclosed in a white chocolate shell with fig garnish. Everything was fantastic. Fresh ingredients, prepared well and in interesting ways. The ambience is lovely here, especially on the porch - quiet setting with lush greenery and sufficient spacing. Service was attentive and friendly. This was a memorable meal that exceeded our expectations and checked all the boxes for everything we could have wanted.
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Jodie S.

Yelp
We stayed at Alila Napa Valley, and Violetto is the on-site restaurant. During our visit, it was over 100 degrees, so we were reluctant to drive out, but fortunately, Violetto was worth coming back to multiple times. I believe Violetto also handles the room service, so including our room service orders, we had Violetto three times during our trip, and it did not disappoint. Their steak, risotto, fries, and pasta were all amazing. I don't think there was anything we ordered that we regretted. It's definitely on the pricier side, but everything in Napa is generally pretty expensive. I'd highly recommend trying it if you're staying at the hotel or if you're nearby.
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Mayumi O.

Yelp
I made a reservation for our anniversary dinner 2 months in advance. 10 days before the reservation, I get a call saying that there is a "buyout" for that evening for the dining room, so they would not be offering their tasting menu or the prix fixe menu. I was told that we can either sit outside or the "lounge area" and can only order from the a la cart menu. We didn't feel good about the treatment we were receiving, so ended up cancelling our reservation. Who wants to walk into a restaurant knowing that you're not receiving full service, and that they didn't care to let you know until 10 days prior? Most of the other restaurants we were interested in were naturally booked up by this point, so we debated a bit about cancelling our reservation. But it's just not a good feeling to have for your special occasion. We were basically being told they didn't need our business since they have a "buyout", which was clearly their priority. I'm sure the food here is solid, but I can't honestly see myself giving it another chance.
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Russ K.

Yelp
This restaurant is relatively new in the sense it was rebranded from its previous incarnation, but retained the same chef and most of the staff, sommelier, etc. It's located inside Alila hotel, which used to be a Marriott property but is now part of Hyatt. But let's talk about the food: Each of us three had a four course fixe price menu. Some selections were a big hit, and others a bit less so. The chef's amuse bouche was incredible (see pic), and Parmesan risotto (had some mushroom & other veggies) was great. My rabbit ragu pasta was also delicious. I also enjoyed my beef cheek course that was ultra tender. All of our desserts were very nice as well. The wine list is expansive and you can find some hidden gems. Service was excellent (ask for Meghan!).
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Justin C.

Yelp
Overall food was pretty decent, but with a fantastic wine selection. Our waiter had great knowledge of the wines.
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Karen C.

Yelp
Violetto is fun! Our service was outstanding. You order family style, which is also very fun. Highest quality food. Gorgeous setting. Unique takes on whatever is fresh and in season.
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Morgan ..

Yelp
Had a lovely pre fixe dinner here with the wine pairing. All the food was innovative, fresh and filling. We loved the cozy ambiance and all of the wine pairings were unique and not too predictable (think a cab franc with fish!). Severely underrated in St Helena.
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Angad S.

Yelp
Just had the prixe-fixe dinner and was absolutely blown away. So much gratitude to Chef Thomas Lents and his team for this gastronomical experience. Every course has a story ranging from the construction of the dish to the specific ingredients used. The depth and flavors of each dish while keeping in mind sustainable practices and highlighting seasonal produce is remarkable. The front house staff was just as exceptional with their kindness and attention to detail. Shoutout to Trevor for coordinating one of the best meals I've had. Will be back soon, much gratitude to the entire team.
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Sjw-rx W.

Yelp
Excellent rebranding! Really enjoyed my entire experience. The staff is so nice. They are so accommodating and happy to serve. I indulged on the prefix for course meal. I see a Michelin star coming. What a great treat!
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Ashley T.

Yelp
Mediocre food and inattentive service. Will not be back. PS. Not every dish needs gold leaf.
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Yuting Q.

Yelp
Taste of the food are not great as we thought, majority dishes are sour taste, the portion for each dish is too little, and it takes long time to wait between each dish, they also charge us 3% employees charge which I don't understand why

Alexander G.

Yelp
Come hungry leave hungry at a place that pretends to be an Michelin aspirant. Fully understood that an eight course tasting menu is a different type of cuisine than what one might see at a more "filling" restaurant. But this was a joke. The eight course menu is a complete slap in the face and a waste of money. First course was a lovely intro. There was a creative take on a French onion soup and it was tasty. The next courses unfortunately were smaller than the intro where three small pieces of the tiniest tortellini somehow passes as a main meat course. The risotto was in the smallest and shallowest of bowls. The risotto itself was mediocre. The duck was undercooked where the fat did not render. Duck is an overstatement because it looked like two rectangular pencil erasers with a small clump of cordycep mushrooms that were quite rubbery. Here's the icing to the joke of a meal, now going from hungry to starving due to this gratification denial foreplay with my stomach. The cheese plate was silly. The items can be commercially purchased at Safeway. They did not even make the crackers! Everything on that tiny plate was obviously cut open from a box. Dessert, here's the kicker and greed showing. They took my tiny dessert and obviously cut this tiny puck of a praline in half, splitting it between the two of us who dined there. What sucks is that the food wasn't event that good. This was a catfish equivalent of fine dining. Save your money and go to a better quality restaurant in town like the market or something. You'll leave full and happy. The server was friendly and helpful, and he did his best. Ambiance was decent, clean. Trust me, skip this spot

Aaron B.

Yelp
We had higher hopes for Violetto. It began when we arrived - we were seated side-by-side (a slightly odd arrangement without asking preference) back by the entrance to the wait station and next to a family with a kid on a very loud ipad. Note the restaurant was basically empty, so there was no reason to put us there. Having to ask to move tables just seems awkward in such a high end restaurant, especially when taking my wife out for a fancy dinner and not wan't to ruin the mood. Once seated, the service was good and the explanations of the food and wine were enjoyable. They got a little out of order and forgot the wine paring on our first dish, which was understandable. Choosing the 4 course menu with wine paring, we found the food okay, but not at the level expected. I actually found much of it over-seasoned and not letting the ingredients speak for themselves. The sea bass was probably the best dish, while I found the short rib salty and the accompanying broccolini overly spicy. Finally, the portion sizes seemed a bit large on most plates - we couldn't finish what was brought out if we wanted to have the entire meal. I hope these are growing pains, but with so many amazing choices in the area they are going to need to up their game a bit to compete. I doubt we'll be back at close to $500.
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Mark F.

Yelp
My sister in law made reservations at what she thought at the time was Acacia house. When trying to confirm, she was informed that the place is now Violetto, but they hoped we would keep our reservation and give them a chance. We were so glad we did. My group of 4ppl opted for the 4 course tasting menu and the food was just spectacular! The menu is inventive and artistic and just plain old delicious! Waygu beef cheeks were the highlight. We brought a bottle of Pinot that Mike Smith (Myriad) had gifted us when we stopped by his house to visit he and Leah. Because it was my brother and sister in laws wedding anniversary they waived corkage. We also ordered a bottle of Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc off the list to start us off. The staff is attentive and friendly. I would highly recommend adding this restaurant to your itinerary when in St Helena.
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Brianna S.

Yelp
Rory is the best bartender ever!!! He told such great care of us and helped us with our allergies. Great food even better service!
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Christian V.

Yelp
Had an outstanding time celebrating my wife's 30th birthday. We went for brunch before our tastings around St. Helena. Service was excellent and I would recommend the chicken caprese sandwich!

Rebecca H.

Yelp
Simply the best! As a party of five, we had a large variety of drinks, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. We all agreed at the end of each course that what we ordered was the best item on the menu and would choose it again. The staff ( front of house and kitchen) were simply delightful and personable. We were able to eat outside and had the most lovely view... and the heaters kept the chill off. You do not want to miss out on this treasure!

Sandra C.

Yelp
The service was excellent. The food was not to my liking. The only things I liked was the bread, short rib, and the risotto .

stephan p.

Yelp
FOOD IS A REAL JOKE HERE ALONG WITH THE CHEF. A few months ago, I went just as they transitioned from Acacia House ordering the venison with huckleberry sauce. I regret still not giving the dish back. The chef has no idea how to make a sauce especially for that price. The huckleberries and sauce were tasteless, frozen, with the sauce made with water, sugar then reduced. My inner self told me not to go here, but I did not listen. The bartender had zero idea of what he was doing even telling me this. I loved the staff however, but no experience. Really hard to locate, poorly signed. Go to Mustards instead, but go early to get in. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY LIKE I DID

Karen M.

Yelp
Every course was delicious and beautifully presented. The chefs were obviously very creative with the menu selections as well as the flavors and the way the dishes were plated. All of the staff from the moment we were greeted to the moment we left, were very professional and attentive. This was more than just a great meal, it was a great experience. We look forward to dining at Violetto again next time we are in Napa!
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Brianna ..

Yelp
Oof.. don't expect consistent food or good service. They brought the wrong dishes, prepared them incorrectly- I ordered salmon crudo which they drowned in sauce for me but not another person in our party. There was no apology from anyone at the restaurant for bringing us the wrong items but still charging us for things that weren't served to us- they didn't remove from bill either but we didn't have time to wait around for them to come back. They definitely left us hanging. Sorely disappointing for a $600+ meal.
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Kerry K.

Yelp
Delicious food and beautiful setting. Best impossible burger I've had. Friendly service. Will definitely return.
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Jesse Ryan B.

Yelp
Beautiful location and great staff. They still have the excellent sea foam margaritas (get the tequila upgrade). This is basically the only thing they kept from Acacia House. The starters, appetizers & mains were creative and executed well. I thought the deserts were a little lacking. We will be back.

Mary W.

Yelp
I think Violetto is one of the best restaurants in Napa Valley. It's a little more off the radar because it's tucked into a beautiful old house on the hotel property of Alila resort. The view is gorgeous which you can enjoy at every table when you dine off the menu in the front dining room and bar (first come basis). For the tasting menu (which you can reserve), that is enjoyed in the second dining room which to me is at a fair price for what quality and ingredients you're getting. Menu changes regularly and seasonally which they showcase. This is a great choice for lunch and brunch. It's beautiful and you're not rushed. Service is personable, attentive and extremely knowledgeable. I've eaten at all venues. Flavors are layered and balanced really showcasing the main ingredient. The effort they put into their food shows. If you were to categorize the style seasonal northern Italian. I'm not going to highlight dishes because you can't go wrong with most anything you order. But, Chef if you're reading this, please bring back your chilled pea soup in the Spring! Sounds simple but it's not. Sooooo good! For those interested they are known at the bar for their expresso martini's. Enjoy!
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Carrie C.

Yelp
We were really looking forward to a very nice Thanksgiving dinner...especially for $175pp. They tried too hard to make it fine dining without any element of fine dining. The service was not up to par, the meal was just okay. Way over priced for the meal. Lots of dish and utensil changes, but no white tablecloths. Lots of staff, but no continuity to describing the dish being served. The risotto was way undercooked and far too rich. Our turkey portion (the 6th plate), which included stuffing that looked like a bad pate, burnt Brussel sprouts, and over creamed mashed potatoes all came out nearly cold. The dessert was a big mousse ball with gold leaf on it and looked like one of my young grandkids took a food plating class and failed. What's wrong with a really nice pumpkin pie? I suggest that you the entire staff, front and back of house, read Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, and if you are striving to be fine dining -- then everyone needs to be in. We will be back again, but most likely just hang in the bar area and get their delicious smash burger and fries! This will be a Thanksgiving we will remember, but not like we were expecting, unfortunately.

Madeline C.

Yelp
The good: almost everything. We stayed at Alila Napa Valley for 5 nights and ate at many Michelin star and highly recommended restaurants in the area over 5 days, and I would say our dinner at Violetto was the best experience of all. The presentation of the food is at Michelin level. The prices are very reasonable for the quality. Our whole family agreed. The bad: I am sorry for waiting until the last night of our trip to eat at Violetto. Otherwise, I could have fit in two dinners.

A G.

Yelp
MICHELIN STAR WORTHY Violetto, a newly re-branded restaurant (previously called Acacia House), is the main restaurant inside the Alila Napa Valley hotel. The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Thomas Lents (Executive Chef) and Zachary Dortenzio (General Manager). You may recognize Chef Lents from his pedigree having worked in many international kitchens and Michelin star restaurants. The restaurant offers a variety of choices between various prix fixe menus and a la carte - regardless of choice, the food definitely stands out! Our party had the larger prix fixe menu for dinners during a stay at the Alila Napa Valley hotel. All the food was exquisite with a level of hospitality that was unforgettable. While Napa Valley has no dearth of high end fine dining, Violetto still shines brightly given the quality of service and food. All the while, it lacks the pretentiousness and stuffy atmosphere of many restaurants. I remember talking to someone about this restaurant - while the discussion started on the fact that the food was good, it ended up with a consensus that the people who run the restaurant are good people. More so, they are very accommodating to specific dietary constraints as well, if needed. Don't let the lack of reviews discourage you (given this restaurant just opened in May 2024). I would not be surprised to hear that this restaurant has a Michelin star of its own in the future.

Jonathan L.

Yelp
Excellent food! Very nice atmosphere, staff was pleasant. Prices are abit high but the quality is worth it. Recommended!!!!!

Angela S.

Yelp
Pre dinner cocktails were great, nice wine list. The food was so fresh and flavorful! Trevor, our server was so helpful and attentive! We will definitely go back. Ambiance was very nice.

Jeff G.

Yelp
Tried out this new restaurant and it was excellent. Both food and service. We did the 4 course and everything was top notch. Very imaginative food. Cant say enough about how good it was and the service was above and beyond. Drinks were great too.