Stopped here for lunch while staying in St. Helena and we left full and impressed. The best pasta I have had in a long time! We started with the calamari, which was good but nothing all that special about it. I got the cavatelli and my wife got the pasta of the day which was a linguini with braised pork shoulder. The gentleman next to us offered a sample of his gnocchi while we waited for our food and they were decadent and fluffy, I would definitely order that next time! The cavatelli was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was lightly spiced and full of flavor. Rhe sausage in the sauce made for a hearty meal even though the portion didn't look that big. My wife's pasta was even better; the sauce was rich and creamy which paired well with the pork and sweet corn. You might have to wait for a table, but it is worth it.
Pasta is homemade. It's really good. Fazzoletie is perfect. My kiddo ordered hamburger, perfect cooked meat, and nice chiabbata.
Really good restaurant in downtown St. Helena.
There aren't many vetoes when considering eating here.
- Excellent cocktail list
- Diverse and food friendly wine selection
- Hand-made pasta
- Lots of rotating specials
- Engaging and attentive staff from moment you enter
It appears this is local hang-out, as staff seemed to recognize most guests.
Venue isn't open on weekends, very strict regarding their closing time and overall quite quaint, so book in advance...or plan to sit at bar (or wait). They accept reservations on Open Table, so take advantage.
5 star food, everything was amazing. The vibes are very country club if you know what I mean. My iron deficient girlfriend was freezing in there so bring a jacket.
We got a Negroni and the John Daly to drink. Both were great.
We started with the calamari and burrata. The aioli with the calamari was superb.
We got the last order of the short rib. It was a lot of meat so keep that in mind when ordering. It was super tender and the mashed potatoes/gravy it came with were perfect complements.
Then we got the gnocchi and risotto. The gnocchi was so slay, period. Very garlicky and creamy, and the gnocchi itself was like pillows and melts in your mouth. The risotto was super tasty and came with crisped halibut. The texture was great, crispy but still soft. The arugula and pear were great additions.
For dessert we got was a brown mundae (jk it’s called mundae). It was a super unique take on the classic sundae. It was chocolate/vanilla ice cream topped with olive oil, flaky salt and condensed balsamic vinegar. The vinegar and salt were amazing and added a cool twist to the dish.
Great place for lunch or evening. It is busy even on weekdays. The mussels are amazing, it comes in a homemade sauce with sausage. The other picture is of the burrata, also amazing.
They have a wide selection of local wines, and the service is very quick.
We will be back!
Our absolute favorite meal during our vacation in Napa! And we ate at some great restaurants including Brix, Mustards, and Solbar. The restaurant itself is small and cozy which we loved! We were sat in the window so we could watch the downtown St Helena action. We both ordered the cavatelli which was out of this world! The entire meal we cherished each bite and kept talking about how the pasta tasted just like our trip to Italy. Just like it! Cook was the highlight of our trip and we already can’t wait to go back.
If you ever in Helena, make sure to have some time to dine at Cook St. Helena. No matter what you order, you will love the dishes! I want to come back here only for this restaurant.
Was searching for a place to eat for dinner in downtown St. Helena and stumbled upon Cook. Walked in without a reservation and was able to obtain a seat at the bar. The bartender was superb and walked us through the menu and specials. Ordered the burrata caprese to start and the heirloom tomatoes you could tell came straight from their local garden. Also had the fettuccine bolognese for my main. Wonderful blend of veal, beef and pork. By far my favorite bolognese I've ever had. Finished off with an affogato which was a fantastic way to end this wonderful experience. Cook is Michelin recommended and definitely stood up to that rating. If you are looking for a outstanding place to dine after touring wineries all day you have to stop here!
We had a late lunch here at about 2:30 on a Saturday, really enjoyed our dining experience. The server James was excellent, the ambience so welcoming and modern. Food was amazing, they could have charged a lot more for the quality (very decent portions too). Definitely a great budget foodie pick.
Tip: they are the very few ones who goes continuously without break from lunch service to dinner service.
Really enjoyed our meal here. We shared the calamari starter, which was good. Both had pasta options which exceeded our expectations. Didn't have room for dessert after a day of wine tasting, but the options were tempting!
Absolutely divine. One of the best meals I’ve had in my life and I cannot recommend it enough.
Steps:
Go to Napa and drink wine.
Go to Cook St Helena for dinner.
Tell everyone about both ✨
Not so hidden gem! Chef/owner creates delightful dishes in the heart of St. Helena. Excellent food, friendly staff, good wine. Motto bene!
Cook was delicious. We had our order ready until our server described the dinner specials and we all changed to order the specials. Everything was so good! We loved our meal here!
Beaitiful and very small spot for a special meal with someone special. Excellent wine selection. Very pricey but maybe well worth it depending upon who you are there with.
Perhaps my favorite restaurant in Saint Helena. It is quaint and local. I love the interior space. The menu was tremendous, and the wine selection amazing. The staff was professional, and so much fun. Such a gem, and walking to every thing in town.
Cook is the best place to eat in St.Helena. The food is amazing, great atmosphere and ambiance. Go try it out and support Local.
The service and food were excellent. Can't say enough about it. So glad we were able to get a reservation as they are hard to come by.
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