THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED NINEBARK

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED NINEBARK Restaurant Review:

Chef Matthew Lightner's (Castagna, Atera) culinary adventure in downtown Napa is named for a native local plant with foliage that changes seasonally to attract birds, bees and butterflies; similarly, NINEBARK’s three attractive floors with distinct menus and themes attract a range of patrons looking for seasonal cuisine. The ground floor's old-fashioned bar is flanked by wood-carved pillars, and wooden booths, lively music and a menu of drinks and bar snacks strengthen a pub look and feel. An elevator transports patrons to an indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge, where plush chairs and sofas lend comfort to the celebratory “scene and be seen” vibe. The menu here underscores hand-crafted cocktails and similar small bites such as the pickle plate "Bloody Mary style" --- a colorful array of spicy-sweet vegetables on a bed of crushed ice --- or the salt cod beignets, warm flaky pastry oozing with salt cod in garlic aïoli. Floor two is where the open kitchen literally meets the dining room. Start with grilled avocado and kohlrabi salad dressed with heirloom citrus or the “six-layer dip” of beef tartare, grilled lobster tail, ahi, pickles, egg yolk and tomatoes scooped with toast points. Mains are charcoal-roasted duck with Valencia orange and heirloom spinach and koji-marinated rib-eye with winter squash pudding. The house cheeseburger is a winner, but only served on floors one and three. Save room for fluffy Japanese-style cheesecake with persimmon or layered s’mores with vanilla marshmallow, smoked chocolate mousse and burnt sugar. Wines represent Old and New Worlds.