This is the ONLY real lounge in Napa and they have done it with great style. Â It is eclectic and sexy. Â The small plates are fabulous and the drinks are tasty. Â Nick is a great host and makes you feel special. Â The service was excellent. Â Bring a group, hang out, visit, and enjoy the evening. Â It would also be a fun spot for a date or romantic post dinner evening. Â We will keep going back!
Review Source:This is not a restaurant but definitely an uber-cool late night lounge. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of fewer. The cocktails are interesting, the food was very tasty, but the food seems over-priced. This was our mistake, expecting to have a full dinner at 9:30 when most nearby restaurants have closed. I love small plates, but these are super-tiny. We ended up ordering over a dozen items to have a light dinner.
It's definitely more a pre or post-dinner spot. Very, very loud music (again, a lounge, not restaurant).
Really enjoyed the ambiance, food, and staff. A place to chill, people watch, or enjoy good conversation over wonderful small bites ( but nice portions with that! ) The owners have done a wonderful job in creating an all around amazing venue in the heart of downtown Napa. My friend and I ordered four tapas and two cocktails for a bill of 75.00 dollars. Not bad at all. Also the drinks were delicious. I am curious about why one reviewer here  said there was candle wax in the food. I highly doubt that. While there are candles, they  are off to the side of the table and I could not imagine wax  near the plates or dripping onto plates. ???? I loved the eggplant  crostini and Shabu Shabu.. The chef does wonderful work in combining  contrasting flavors of sweet and slightly spicy. I look forward to going back and trying more dishes and cocktails. :)
Review Source:There's a good idea. And then there's execution.
In Napa's increasingly crowded downtown restaurant scene comes a new addition--Empire which is a good idea, but the execution needs fine tuning.
Part speakeasy, part hipster lounge you know you're in a trendy restaurant when there's a jellyfish tank and candelabra's everywhere.
The good part is the vibe. Someone had a good concept and found a good location across from Norman Rose and Oenotri. Our server, Sarah was awesome. She had the look and the product knowledge to provide a great level of service.
I sent them a tweet beforehand saying we were thinking of coming in. From the look of their slick website, it looked as if social media was important part of the marketing. But I got no response, which in today's world is unacceptable. If you're going to be online, BE online and respond to people.
We're greeted with white 8.5x11 vertically folded menus that look like they were copied at Kinko's. Not the cool presentation you'd expect is such a hip place. Empire is all about cocktails and mixology, not dinner. The menu is more appetizers than entrees, which were hit or miss--mostly miss. Candle wax dripped into our small plates as they arrived. The Mac & Cheese could've had bacon on it, but it only had browned bread crumbs that resembled bacon. Nothing special about it as it's hard to mess up Mac and Cheese.
The pickled veggies were delicious. The do-it-yourself mashed potatoes seem like a good idea, but they're more of a gimmick and too much work. The lemongrass chicken looked and tasted like bulk chicken salad from Trader Joe's -- I was surprised at how a Charlie Trotter trained chef could offer something so mediocre and uninspiring (after I picked out the candle wax). The flatbread small plate was probably the most unique and tasty, but putting half an entire sardine on a small bite like that is totally unnecessary.
The drinks were good, but not overwhelming. They were served in smaller sized glasses. Since the cocktails are a main feature, I'd think they should be presented a little better.
Our party of 5 had a few small plates and 7 drinks between us. Our bill was $170. We left hungry and went across the street to Oenotri where we each had an appetizer AND an entree plus a bottle of wine which was way more satisfying and also cost $170. Dollar for dollar Oenotri was a waaaay better value.
This place is fantastic! If you are looking for some sumptuous small place and fantastic hand-crafted cocktails, this is the place!
The food is an eclectic mix of several different cuisines, and definitely not boring.
It's quite different then almost any other place in Napa....with the dark, sensual decor, it might feel like something you'd find in San Francisco. And as someone who lives in Napa, the more edgy atmosphere is most welcome!
My friend and I wandered in for some food and drinks, and were not disappointed.
The lemongrass chicken was phenomenal! They were actually lettuce wraps, which wasn't quite clear on the menu, but it was so flavorful and refreshing we got over our surprise quickly!
The cauliflower fritters are to die for! So tasty with pepper hummus....and the smoked trout was the best thing I have ever been served that came in a jar!
Our bartenders and host/hostesses all displayed such impressive customer service...as someone who has worked in customer service for years, I know when I get above par service.
Keep it up, Empire! I'll be coming back!
I was born and raised in Napa and work in the industry here. Â So I feel that I speak for many Napans when I say that this is just what we needed. Â Unpretentious, yet classy lounge that looks like a mix between Gothic and Rat Pack. Â A really welcoming place that has true appreciation for the classic cocktail. Â Empire is so unlike the other joints downtown, and I mean that in every good way possible. Come here for proper drinks, soak in the vibe, enjoy a fun crowd that still keeps it classy, and receive great service (Sarah rules!) This place is so awesome already, I can't wait to watch it grow into its full potential. Cheers!
Review Source:This place is EXACTLY what Napa has needed to revive the downtown. Â Hip, fun yet relaxed, Empire has it all! Â Nick, one of the co-owners, is gracious and professional, making you feel like a welcomed guest in his own home. Great food, local wines, hand crafted cocktails, fabulous decor and super friendly service (Sarah is amazing!). Â The menu presentation do need to be more professional though! If you are hungry and it's late, head on over because they are open until midnight most evenings and until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Not to be missed!
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