CHARLIE PALMER STEAK NAPA

CHARLIE PALMER STEAK NAPA

1260 First St., Napa, California (707) 819-2500, charliepalmersteak.com

Located in the new Archer Hotel in California’s Napa ­Valley, Charlie Palmer Steak offers a  refined ambiance and awesome steaks. The smart and rather large dining room presents shades of taupe and brown, and raw stone.

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Restaurant Review: A Napa Valley Must

It's known for its bustling, unpretentious ambiance and wonderful French-bistro-style fare.

For starters, try the “pig ear” pad thai, with spicy peanut, cilantro, and lime; seared Hudson Valley foie gras with strawberry, rhubarb, pistachio, elderflower, and pain perdu; or the selection of oysters on the half shell. For mains, steaks are centerstage, with nine selections. On my visits, I’ve enjoyed the rare Snake River Farms strip and the tender bone-on ribeye with red wine natural jus. Yet the roasted Superior Farms lamb rack with farro risotto, spring peas, serrano, and mint jelly gives the steaks a run for the money. Fine sides include creamed spinach, truffle with bacon-spiced twice-baked potato, Brussels sprouts with coriander, and crispy fries with chipotle aioli.

For dessert, try the peanut butter terrine, with bananas and curried, candied peanuts. (Elvis would’ve loved it!) The wine list is extensive, and there’s also an ample by-the-glass beer-and-wine menu. The waitstaff can get a bit overworked but they remain friendly and professional.

Charlie Palmer Steak—which also has locations in New York, Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada—is a welcome addition to the Napa scene.

BJT’s reviewers dine anonymously and pick up the tab.