Loveski Deli — Restaurant in Napa

A Solid Bagel Option with a Heartwarming Story

Tucked away in the bustling Oxbow Market in Napa, Loveski Deli is a charming bagel shop with a rich history. Founded by a husband-and-wife team, Loveski is named after their beloved dog, Ski, who would often accompany them on their culinary adventures. This personal touch is evident in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the deli.

Gluten-Free Options One of the standout features of Loveski is their gluten-free bagel options. Made in-house, these bagels are just as delicious as their traditional counterparts. It's clear that the team at Loveski is dedicated to inclusivity and catering to diverse dietary needs.

Solid Bagels The bagels themselves are solid, if not spectacular. With a good balance of crunch and chew, they're perfect for scooping up generous helpings of cream cheese or lox. While they may not be the most innovative or artisanal bagels, they're certainly satisfying.

Room for Improvement Where Loveski falls short is in their menu offerings and creativity. While the classics are well-represented, there's a lack of exciting or unique options to differentiate them from other bagel shops. Additionally, the service can be a bit slow, especially during peak hours.

Conclusion Loveski Deli is a heartwarming addition to Oxbow Market, with a clear passion for bagels and community. While they may not be the most exceptional bagel shop, their gluten-free options and solid bagels make them a reliable choice. With a bit more creativity and attention to service, Loveski could easily become a top destination for bagel...

I had the chopped Reuben and coleslaw with a pickle, and I believe that all were missing key components. These issues were fundamental, not stylistic.

The Reuben: I appreciated the different take on using kimchi instead of sauerkraut in the Reuben, it was creative and a great idea! However, so little was added to the sandwich that there was not enough acid to balance the fat of the corned beef. Typically a Reuben is filled with enough sauerkraut to not just provide hydration, but to also prevent the sandwich from being overpowered by the fatty content of the meat. If more kimchi is added to this Reuben it would be a fantastic item.

The coleslaw: similar to the Reuben, it was missing the acid ingredient to complete the flavor profile. The cabbage and carrots were fresh and had a nice crunch, and the dressing was the perfect amount. It was just missing the lemon or vinegar and coleslaw typically has to complete the 'bite'. If lemon or vinegar is added to this, it would complete the salad!

The pickle: the pickle has a nice crunch and texture. The flavor however was lacking and off putting. The pickle seemed to have been soaked in brine only, no vinegar or picking spices. Because of this, all I got was a mouth full of salt when I bit the pickle. To improve this, more vinegar and spice when picking will make this much better.

I say all of this because I think that if improved, this deli would be a great. The one thing I thought was exceptional as is was the Rye bread: it has the perfect amount of...

I live in Napa & have a ritual of a Loveski bagel every morning to start my day. I’ve done this since their grand opening. I was a fan and didn’t mind paying the relatively high price of $18.00 for a pack of six (dry bagels no cream cheese) because I thought they were very good & better than Toasted another local Bagelry. But then something changed just recently. My wife brought a bag back and the bagels were noticeably smaller and the bagels had far fewer seeds (sesame & poppy my go to choices). I thought maybe they had an off day or this was a one off experience but they’ve been like that ever since. This morning I went to the store and asked the guy at counter about the difference & he explained that the recipe had changed & the seeds were now put on later in the process. I can honestly say the change was not for the better. The seeds don’t stay on & the bagels are slightly smaller and what was once a great bagel has now become an okay bagel. Bummer. Please go back to the original recipe - or my Love for Loveski will be more like...