Napa Valley Grille Launches Limited Time Summer Menu

Napa Valley Grille launched their limited time summer menu, and I finally was able to stop by and have a try! UCLA alums like myself have fond memories of Napa Valley Grille in Westwood. Their  kale salad was a staple during my undergrad years. So what's this summer deal going on? Three seasonal courses for $55! So what can you choose from? STARTER:

• Grilled Octopus Salad
  charred cauliflower, sourdough croutons, heirloom tomatoes, red beets, squid ink pesto

• Summer Corn Soup
  grilled baby corn, sesame crackers, blue croutons, micro cilantro

MAIN:

• 10 oz. Ribeye
  shishito peppers, watermelon, watercress, herb butter, lime
• Roasted Cornish Hen
  forbidden pilaf, shiitake mushrooms, wild agretti, turmeric jus

• Petrale Sole
  hazelnut-herb crust, hand-cut pasta, Brussels sprouts, micro cilantro, hazelnut sauce

DESSERT:

• Key Lime Pie
  candied zest, sweet whipped cream

• Strawberry Shortcake

  Italian meringue, macerated strawberriesThis is the Summer Corn Soup. It's served cold. You dip the blueberry muffins into the soup and it is divine. I downed 3 muffins myself. Highly recommend! The Grilled Octopus Salad was cooked very well. I thought the octopus tasted good, but there wasn't anything spectacular. It wasn't until the second bite when I dipped it with the squid ink pesto that the taste completely changed for me. Yum!

Next up were the main courses. My friend and I ordered the Petrel Sole and the Cornish Game Hen. Napa Valley Grille always uses seasonal, fresh ingredients. They source locally whenever possible as well. They also just redid the whole restaurant recently and the new place looks amazing. The patio area has these see-through glass walls and doors. Another must order dish at Napa Valley Grille is the Wagyu Meatballs. They are made with beef, pancetta, fried green tomato, fresh herbs, romesco. You have to come for this! As we were enjoying our lunch, Walter, the bartender came over and recommended a very special cocktail. Of course, I said bring it on!

Time lapse of Napa Valley Grille's En Fuego cocktail, which is infused with Mexican hot chocolate, ancho chile, orange peel, Sauza 901.

A video posted by Kristie Hang (@kristiehang) on Jul 20, 2016 at 1:51pm PDT

The En Fuego isn't on the cocktail menu, but on the dessert menu! It was such a fun experience that the tables next to us came over to ask us what was going on. We made some new friends. The cocktail looks part high school science experiment and part coffee. It tastes like a hot, spiked hot chocolate, which is AHHHHHMAZINGGG! I love when something looks fun, is Instagramable, and tastes delicious! Trust me, it doesn't happen as often as you'd think. Sometimes people are doing pretty foods that don't taste so pretty if you know what I mean! Thank you Walter! This was a fantastic recommendation! For dessert, I finished off with a strawberry shortcake. I left happy and oh so full with lots of to-go.

Two thumbs up! Make sure to go and check out the limited summer menu now. Click here for more details! http://napavalleygrille.com/summertime-menu/

Don't forget to order the En Fuego! You won't regret it!

I live streamed my visit so if you'd like to eat with me, click here to see the newly renovated Napa Valley Grille. You'll feel like you are having lunch with me!