The one place that led us into Downtown Napa from Yountville and Calistoga was Tarla Grill. This award-winning Mediterranean eatery’s Instagram and outstanding Yelp reviews left me intrigued. Everything about their cuisine was calling my (and Paul’s) name.
As I walked into Tarla I looked around and thought yes, this is the spot for me. The stylish interior designed with a warm color palette of orange, red and gold was fabulous. There was a lot of space for both smaller parties and large groups. If you are traveling with a group of six or more, definitely consider reserving their private room!
The Dining Experience
There are a few tables al fresco for those wanting to enjoy an outdoor dining experience. We were still crisp from the hot temps so we opted to grab an indoor seat this time around. We were seated in a quiet spot towards the back of the restaurant. It was the perfect table for a romantic dinner for two (hello, date night!).
Our waiter, Michael, was incredible! He had an impressive breadth of knowledge on their dishes and traditional Meditteranean cuisine. We spent a good amount of time hearing about his travels and exchanging stories about experiences throughout our meal with Tarla.
Paul and I didn’t want to pick and choose from the menu so we asked him what their most popular dishes were and what he recommended (how we like to operate in new spots). I was very happy with the courses he brought out for us. Everything was so delicious!
The Bite
The Saganaki was out of this world! This was the first time I have ever had it and I was gushing about it all night. As the first dish that came out, it set high expectations for the rest of our meal.
Michael followed up this dish with the Grilled Octopus Salad and Lentil and Kale Salad. Octopus is one of my favorite meals when done right and this one did not disappoint. I loved the vinaigrette and garbanzo beans that accompanied this particular dish + the refreshing fruitiness of the salad.
For the entrees, I was given their Pan Roasted Diver Scallops and Paul the aromatic Pomegranate-Cabernet Braised Short Ribs. Both were outstanding! I never would have expected these ingredients to blend so seamlessly but they were perfect complements to one-another. Chef Jason is worthy of all of our best compliments.
Three Cheers for Dessert
I have to be honest and say Paul and I never sought out dessert during this trip. We were so impressed with the wine, cheese, and entrees that we hardly thought twice about it. That is until Michael brought over two cups of Turkish Coffee and their Coconut Cheese Kunefe.
This was the first time I had ever had Turkish Coffee and it was much different than the American brews we are used to. It had more texture and flavor than I would have ever expected. Served in two porcelain cups and saucers, the presentation was very sweet.
And the most important part… the Coconut Cheese Kunefe. I had no idea what this was before it was placed in front of me. Let me just say it brought this meal full circle. The Kunefe was made with shredded filo dough, cheese filling, and coconut. It is served warm and melts in your mouth. I have been craving it since I got home to Boston.
The Full Package
My taste for Mediterranean food came very recently… when I finally started to experiment with food & wine from places other than Italy. It wasn’t until we visited Tarla that I realized I hadn’t tried any of the necessary dishes. I was tasting so many flavor combinations and cuisines I had never heard of before and it was so much fun!
Tarla’s Owner, Yusuf, knows what it takes to run a successful restaurant. He welcomed us in for an incredible meal and was clearly attentive to what was happening at other tables and with staff. I imagine he is a great leader to work for and learn from.
If you are staying in Downtown Napa then Tarla is a must-visit. Make sure to use your newly acquired wine pairing knowledge (or their expertise) to make your meals that much better.
Learn more about Tarla by visiting their site HERE