Bistro Jeanty — Restaurant in Yountville

Yountville / napa has so many good restaurants, and my wife and i tried pretty much all of them! We also visited bistro jeanty multiple times; food and service were always good! Not this time! Our experience came as a big surprise!

We, party of 8, visited bistro jeanty on 12/10/2023 5pm for Christmas Party. Spoiler Alert: It was a desaster! And we urge everybody to think twice before choosing it. I'm usually not writing any reviews, but this needs an exemption!

1. the restaurant was well occupied, but not full; here and there empty tables. We got an outside table in front of the outdoor entrance with a heater right above the table. As a result there was chilled airstream underneath the table and high temperature above table; very uncomfortable for the guests with back to the outdoor entrance!
2. Waiter was friendly, but he was not inclined to answer questions and / or provide information to the appetizers and / or if easy to share / how the appetizers will be presented. Didn’t show much much effort to do "waitering"
3. Appetizers: not one of the appetizers was well executed! We had pork belly, octopus salad, lamb tung, pig feed, tomato soup (size: bowl) and butternut squash soup (size: cup; how do you want share a cup?!); the waiter didn't ask to bring extra plates or spoons; no interest in serving!!! Food presentation was neglectible! Only tomato soup looked presentable! Dressing of octopus salad was good!
4. Main course: Mussels, entrecote, croque madam, beef stew and sole. Wait time was ok; But: 3 (Mussels, 2x entrecote) of 8 dishes needed to be returned; third entercote was not made to order, but our guest decided to eating it rather than waiting with the risk of "no improvement"; beef stew was cold, but guest decided to take it home, so no warming up and no further remark to that dish. 2nd attempt of Mussels for over salted and uneatable; croque madam the bread was too hard (and how can a croque madam end up on a dinner menue?!) The Sole was very well cooked /pan seared; Unfortunately, presentation of sole unacceptable! looked like mensa food at college; lemon butter showed technical problems it was more like molten butter with some lemon pieces; mashed potatoes like made from powder and with too much water. There was no effort from the kitchen and nobody checked outgoing food! We even suspected there was no chef and it was only re-heated?!
5. desert: crepes suzette and Chocolate mousse tarte to share; one crepe on a flat plate; built up of condensing water underneath crepe made it soggy and flavorless (if there was any?!) Chocolate mousse was good, everything else on the tarte was mediocre at best and way too sweet (sweetness of deserts is a general problem i have in the U.S., so this is minor issue, since i knew before)!
6. pricing would have been acceptable if service and food would have lived up to expectations;
7. we will not return until we hear, that problems have been addressed / chef has changed; and believe me we're well connected in yountville / Napa

Hope this review will be recognized by bistro jeanty ownership and...

Dining at Bistro Jeanty was an experience. From the moment we walked up, we were transported to a charming corner of France. My friend brought her dog with us, and the outdoor seating area was perfect – vibrant flower pots surrounding a welcoming bench set the mood for a delightful afternoon.

We had a reservation (highly recommend!), and the friendly host immediately seated us. Our server truly elevated the experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and daily specials, patiently guiding us through our choices. Her attentiveness was perfect – our water glasses were always full, and she even ensured my friend's dog had a fresh bowl of water.

We started with appetizers, and the complimentary bread and butter were a delightful surprise. The bread, sourced from the Bouchon Bakery next door, was crusty and delicious, paired well with the perfectly salted butter. They were happy to bring us more when we devoured the first basket!

Our appetizers were a true testament to French culinary mastery. The Quenelles de Brochet (pike dumplings) were light and crispy, swimming in a luxurious and creamy lobster sauce. My one friend got the escargots and loved it. My other friend ordered a salad (though I can't recall the exact type), which was fresh and perfectly seasoned with dressing and herbs.

For the mains, we went all out! The Steak Frites Wagyu flat iron steak was a showstopper. Cooked to perfection, it was juicy and bursting with flavor. The béarnaise sauce was tangy and incredible, taking the steak to a whole new level. The fries were crispy, golden brown, and the portion size of both the steak and fries was generous.

The Boeuf Bourguignon was also really good. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth short ribs were bathed in a rich and deeply savory sauce, the heart and soul of the dish. The red Burgundy wine base, simmered with aromatics, infused every bite with a symphony of flavors.

My indecisiveness between the Sole Meunière and Steak Frites was charmingly handled by our server. She offered to bring me the lemon caper butter (free of charge!) on the side with my steak, allowing me to experience both flavors. This small gesture exemplified the exceptional service throughout our meal.

The steak tartare was another highlight. The ground beef was naturally lean and tender, resulting in a smooth and luxurious texture. The raw egg yolk added a creamy counterpoint, and all the different textures and flavors came together in perfect harmony.

Overall, I highly recommend Bistro Jeanty. From the charming atmosphere to the outstanding service and food, every detail is a testament to their dedication...

If you are looking for a magical little place to truly enjoy food, friends and fellowship....Bistro Jeanty is definitely the destination to do this! It is a wonderfully quiet, petite restaurant with a delightful patio for alfresco dining. To say the service is impressive and impeccable is not enough. Every person on staff here goes above and beyond to ensure you feel pampered and attended to, and appreciated. Our party of 4 had a reservation for a late lunch and were immediately seated at a large round table on the patio, covered with crisp white linens, among lush potted plants and cool breezes. Kate, our delightful server, greeted us as if we were family, even taking the time to inquire and discussing what we had brought us to Yountville. She also explained the daily specials to us in great detail. There were far too many tempting dishes to decide, so we opted for an appetizer while we pondered the menu. Very soon, the lobster souffle appetizer appeared. Oh, wow! We were provided baskets of fresh baked sourdough baguettes, with french butter, to dip. Marvelous! The cocktails were perfectly presented. The handsome young bartender, John even came to the table to greet us. Very charming and knowledgeable about area wines and mixology.

After everyone made their entree choices, the orders were taken. Options were offered, the beverages and the bread basket were replenished almost magically.

When our meals arrived, all at the same time, like a parade from the kitchen, the oohs and ahhs were shared across the table! Each dish was perfectly pristine and beautifully presented.

Two of us had ordered the seared sea scallops in sweet pea cream sauce. A gorgeous, fresh summer dish. Perfectly seared and wonderfully flavored. Pots of french onion soup, butter leaf salads and grilled asparagus were also very much enjoyed. Everyone had high praises for each choice.

Dessert was also a difficult selection chore. There was lemon meringue tart, crepe suzette, and "spaghetti" ice cream with muddled berries. The ice cream is passed through a spaghetti pasta press so when it arrives at your table, it looks exactly like a heaping bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce. It was delicious! The best ice we've tasted in a long time!

If only we lived closer, Bistro Jeanty would be a regular treat! It appeared to us that there were many regulars, as we often overheard the staff greeting people by name and having conversations. It was such a tremendously lovely dining experience. While there are many dining options all across Napa, we all agreed that Bistro Jeanty is at the top of the list and a true gem! Do not pass it...