Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Glenwood Place — Restaurant in Raleigh

An Elegant Evening at Napa Wine Bar

Our recent visit to Napa Wine Bar was nothing short of delightful. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance set the tone for an elegant and relaxed evening. The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the food, from starters to dessert, was crafted with evident care and creativity.

Starters

We began our meal with a selection of appetizers that set the bar high for the evening.

Margherita Pizza: Served on a flatbread crust that was perfectly crisp and buttery, this simple dish impressed us with its fresh, melty cheese and delicate seasoning. A comforting and flavorful start.

Grilled Octopus: For someone trying octopus for the first time, this dish was a revelation. The texture was tender and meaty, with a savory profile reminiscent of chicken, but with its own distinct, delicious character.

Meatballs: Generously portioned with four large, well-seasoned meatballs bathed in a rich, flavorful sauce, this appetizer was hearty, comforting, and ideal for sharing.

Crispy Cauliflower & Hummus: While the cauliflower wasn’t as crispy as expected, the overall flavor combination still worked well. A solid choice, though it didn’t quite steal the show compared to the other starters.

Mains

The entrées were where Napa Wine Bar truly shined, with each dish bringing its own unique flair.

Three Cheese Chicken over Wild Rice: This dish exceeded expectations. The chicken was expertly cooked, and instead of a standard cheese filling, we were surprised by delicate, silky ribbons of cheese that seemed woven through the meat. It was flavorful, comforting, and beautifully executed.

Crab Cakes: Two generously sized crab cakes were served with a creamy, mayo-based sauce. Though I can’t recall the exact name of the sauce, it paired perfectly with the dish. The cakes were well-seasoned and satisfying.

Braised Short Ribs over Puréed Potatoes: The ribs were tender, well-sauced, and flavorful, though not quite the "fall-off-the-bone" style. The puréed potatoes were a surprising twist—silky smooth and subtly seasoned, they elevated the dish with their unique texture.

Pan-Roasted Salmon: The standout dish of the evening. The salmon was buttery and tender, practically melting in your mouth. Paired with a vibrant corn succotash, blistered tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese, this dish felt both sophisticated and heartfelt. Every element was harmonious—an absolute must-try.

Desserts

We concluded our meal with three decadent desserts:

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake: Light and creamy with a flavor reminiscent of a classic no-bake cheesecake. Nostalgic and satisfying.

Chocolate Mousse Cake: Rich, indulgent, and everything you'd hope for in a chocolate dessert.

Key Lime Pie: The star of the dessert menu. Served with a key lime gel that, when combined with the pie, created a perfect bite, bright, tangy, and unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Napa Wine Bar provided us with a wonderful evening filled with delicious food, excellent service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Every dish had a personal touch, and it’s clear the kitchen takes pride in what they do. We will most certainly be returning, and recommending it to anyone looking for a refined and satisfying...

First thing, my wife and I went for brunch on a Sunday. This is all my review is based on brunch, not dinner.

We had made reservations, suggested, for 12:45, figured it would be a good time. It seemed like right before we sat down they got slammed with big parties, 6+ people each. We just waited and trying to be understanding, finally someone comes to grab an order for drinks. Which was good because I had pretty much finished my water after 25 minutes. So we ordered some cocktails which were excellent. Grabbed a bread service, amazing! Highlight of the meal.

So we ordered finally, bring your patience, my wife ordered steak frites and I had the Benedict. When it shows up after a wait i expect that it will be good, high hopes since this is a nice place.

My wife’s steak frites, ordered medium rare, was way closer to rare. The fries were okay, served on the side with little seasoning on the fries and steak.

The benedict was something else. The potato’s were great! Piping hot and just tasted perfect. Now the Benedict i wish it had been as piping hot as the potato’s, the avocado was warmer than the eggs, they were stone cold. The English muffin on the bottom tasted like it had just come out of the package and not even been warmed up much less toasted. The whole thing lacked any seasoning (does someone have something against it in the kitchen?) The hollandaise sauce was “meh” at best.

I feel for the kitchen staff, this is a dinner place that happens to do a brunch. I hope the guys back there didn’t work til close Saturday night.

We will go back and try it again. I’m hoping we were a fluke table, i will gladly change my review (That meatball sandwich looked great!) I hope it’s better, but it’s gonna be a minute before i go again. Give them some time to get the brunch thing...

I had really high hopes booking this restaurant for our anniversary, but unfortunately it turned into one of the most disappointing dining experiences we’ve had in a long time.

Despite having a reservation, we waited over 20 minutes for a table. Once seated, things started fine with bread and appetizers, but that’s where it went downhill. We waited over an hour for our entrees with no check-ins from our server or manager—no water or drink refills either. When the food finally arrived, it looked good, but both dishes were ice cold—one was literally still frozen in the middle. Completely unacceptable.

The server apologized and took it back, saying the kitchen was backed up and the meal would be comped. When the dish came back out, it was obvious they had just reheated the same plate instead of remaking it. Needless to say, it was inedible.

To their credit, they did comp the meal and our server was incredibly apologetic—she was clearly embarrassed and even got emotional about the situation. On our way out, the manager told us he would be reaching out to make things right. Unfortunately, he never did.

We commend the apologies, but no amount of goodwill can make up for such poor service and execution from the kitchen, compounded by management’s failure to follow through. We eat out often and know the food scene well. There are too many great restaurants in this city to waste a special night here....