I was looking for a place where eight to 10 women ranging geographically from Sacramento to Palo Alto could meet for a very long lunch, and La Strada more than met my expectations in every way. The food was delicious. Our group tried everything from the calamari steak with polenta and vegetables, to the fettuccini con melanzane (wonderful vegetable concoction with lots of eggplant and mushrooms in a light tomato sauce), to the house special of the day, a cannelloni with chicken, cheeses and a "pink sauce" made of tomato sauce, cream and herbs. The salads that came with each order were just what one would expect in freshness and tastiness, the bread and olive oil dip was superb and the desserts were out of this world.
Best of all for our purposes, the house--while set up with white tablecloths and napkins for a large number of people--was nearly empty while we were there and we lingered for three hours. The staff could not have been more helpful or welcoming. The ambiance was rustic Italian with lovely theme music that delighted the members of our group who remembered the crooner Dean Martin. Our server cheerfully turned the volume down a bit at our request.
The only drawback is that our Google maps and GPS made the restaurant a bit hard to find coming from the Bay Area. The restaurant fronts a four-lane highway with rather fast traffic so you have to keep an eye out for it. I highly recommend La Strada Napa.
I feel this place has been Yelp-bombed (and Yelp-bombed up, not down!). It is definitely not 4 stars, and *definitely* not 4 stars in Napa. It's 2.5, and honestly I'm rounding down because of where we are. I had the calamari, which was plentiful if not particularly good, and a gamberi linguine pasta which was much the same. It was like the pasta had a few stray shrimp thrown in and was bathed in a very wet garlic sauce as an afterthought.
Perhaps the ratings are a function of the bar as opposed to the food. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that if you're reading this, you're in the heart of American wine country and there are many better options nearby.
Amazing amazing food. I could not have ask for a better restaurant. Gnocchi was flavorful and delicious service was awesome and very attentive even on a very busy full house. Servers were very knowledgable. The atmosphere was very romantic low lit with an amazing painting on the back wall making it look as if we r in Italy. I will be returning.
Review Source:This in not the first time visiting this restaurant. Â As far as the food is concerned, I have yet to be disappointed.
The ambiance on the other hand is, for a lack of a better word, is dark and dusty. Â Around the restaurant there are plastic vines with plastic grapes. Â Even at a glance you can literally see layers of dust just sitting there. Â The draped are also dark and dusty.
The saving grace is the staff; they are very polite and smiled from the time we were seated at the table till the time we left, 3 hours later. Yea, that's what happen when sharing dinner with good company.
We will be returning.
We have been going here since it opened, actually even before that when it was Tonelli's. It has always been great from the salad to the dessert. But last night for New Year's Eve my husband and I both agreed was the best dinner we have ever had there. Crab stuffed Canneloni. OMG to die for! Â The place was packed, every table full and standing room only in the bar. So good to see them doing so well because we love this place!
Review Source:Very attentive staff, pretty good food. If these guys were in downtown Napa they'd get lost with alll the other faceless restaurants, but they are a standout  with their hospitality. Small salads, heavenly fresh bread and olive oil on the table. You know us, nosh before the meal, and take the balance home, which is just what happened. Price-wise a little high, but with the offer I had it was perfect, and they were happy to see our business. The ravi with prawns special I had was short on the prawns, but still great, Daughter #3 had the Tortellini, not too shabby....
Review Source:This place is somewhat of an enigma. The wait staff is fantastic and Mike the Bartender is a nice "neighborhood" kind of guy. What I can't figure out is why they are not busier. Is it management? Is it location, is the fact that they have one of only a couple of full bars in the American Canyon/South Napa County area and do not advertise it? This place should be turning tables at least on Friday and Saturday nights.
The menu has a bit too many choices on it and I think that some folks would like to have an option of mashed or smashed potatoes instead of the white polenta, which is very good. It could use a bit more cream but none-the-less it is GOOD! Â Sometimes a nice garlic-y smashed potato goes well with veal.
On Friday I had the seafood linguine with a tangy, and a hint of garlic marinara sauce. I did get one bad mussel and didn't realize it until I had swallowed, but you can't blame the restaurant for that. Â It was prepared perfectly. One odd note and I have never had this experience with pasta before but when it came to the table, it was so hot that I could not put it in my mouth. PLEASE don't tell me that it made a trip to the microwave oven before it came to the table. Â But that is the only thing I can think of. Â
I highly recommend a visit. I recommend any of the veal dishes, the veal oso bucco or the calamari steak. All are very good.
This place is 5 star in my heart but 3 star until they figure out how to get so busy as to flip a few tables on the weekends.
This authentic Italian cuisine wasn't far where we we staying and decided to give it a try. So glad we did! We were seated immediately and was served promptly. The food was fantastic and fresh. The staff was friendly and personal. Our waiter went above and beyond, and gave us something extra for our anniversary. We will go back when we make it up again! I highly recommend this place!
Review Source:Started going to their original location in San Pablo and enjoyed the lively atmosphere and excellent food several years ago...graduated to their more intimate location in American Canyon on the highway towards Napa....since we go to Napa and Sonoma on a frequent basis, this location is often the choice for dinner.......I usually always order the calamari steak and wifey orders the chicken marsala...always plentiful portions and always cooked to perfection...at $17.95 for the calamari......
including soup or salad...great bread with garlic oil for dipping...creamy polenta and fresh seasonal vegetables...it's a bargain...enjoy
As good as it gets. I dined here last evening for first time. I plan to go each night while in the area. Food selection is very good and complete. Any ideas that you want something special, which may not be on the menu, is gladly done. Great wine selection. I have not had better Italian food anywhere. Thanks folks. Well done.
Review Source:I have been here five times. If you understand Italian food it is easy to taste quality. This place has very fresh vegetables perfectly cooked, the veal limon is fabulous. Some of the best garlic and white wine sauce I have had. Great service, great bar, and affordable. What is not too like?
Review Source:Well, I am partial to Italian, ok food and men. Â And the fact this restaurant is close to my office seemed like a nice perk. Â Until I experienced the service, or lack thereof. Â I have never taken a lunch break where I ended up waiting this long to even have my order taken. Â Now, in all fairness, perhaps someone called in dead that day since it appeared the GM or owner was running some of the tables but still, the wait time to get our order taken was well over 15 minutes after being seated. Â Then the delay in serving time was another 20+ min. Â We had to ask for bread to be brought to us and that held our growling stomachs at bay for the significant wait time until our lunch was served. Â Now, if the restaurant had been packed, I would have understood a bit more but there were only about 4 or 5 tables seated. Â Juggling so few should have been a bit easier to accommodate. Â The foccacia sandwich that I had was decent when it finally arrived but certainly not worth the 40 minute wait to receive it. Â Will I go back? Â Probably not.... at least not for a while. Â It is a shame too. Â I really had higher hopes but alas, not one I will re-visit for a while.
Review Source:
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