Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Monte Rio

Bottega Napa Valley exceeded all expectations! The warm, inviting ambiance set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing fresh, bold flavors with a perfect balance of creativity and authenticity. The service was impeccable—attentive yet unobtrusive, making us feel truly valued. The house-made pasta and the wood-fired dishes were standouts, paired beautifully with an exceptional wine list. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking an elevated yet approachable culinary journey in Napa. Can’t wait to return!

Starting with the room itself, all the way through dessert, five stars are warranted. I enjoyed their boulevardier riff called Lost in the Orchard very much. The chocolate bitters and cedar smoke mage for a perfect balance. Our choices were a three course tasting menu or their 6 course tasting experience. We opted for 3. It's a great value at 75pp. Don't miss the salmon appetizer. It's inventive and delicious, perfect starter. I ate every bite of the persimmon and burrata salad and tasted my partners little gems. Both were great. Chicken roulade with crisp polenta could have maybe been a tiny bit crispier but definitely enjoyed it. The filet with pave potatoes was also perfectly prepared. And those desserts! You'll have trouble choosing. I went for the simple poached pear without regret. The service was attentive and not overbearing. The room is spacious and absolutely gorgeous. We will for certain be back.

Christmas Eve dinner. Party of three. High satisfaction level, as usual! Stark’s Seafood and Steak is our holiday meal go to. I make the same thing every holiday…. reservations at Stark’s. Festive decorations, a welcoming holiday atmosphere. Our server was warm, affable, professional without hovering. Just right. We all ordered appetizers, and the mussels were the unanimous winner. Little ones in a sauce worthy of sopping up with a second order of bread. My daughter ordered her favorite butter fish with sticky rice and it met her expectations again. The other two of us had the lobster, so perfectly prepared. Again. Generous portions left us too full for dessert, and memories of a lovely holiday meal . Thank you.

Gluten free, bountiful, great meal. We enjoyed a Xmas Eve lunch with a celiac family member. We loved the GF menu. Started with salad and potato and Brussels sprouts and then scallops and flank steak and dessert. A wonderful small-plate experience with incredible service and incredible flavors. We loooved this restaurant.

Love this place! Great food, great service, lovely location. We go here for special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc) and would go more often but a) it's expensive, and b) it's an hour plus drive for us. Still, we always look forward to going back.