Chefs and culinary enthusiasts alike will delight in the newest offerings from Chef Michael Chiarello. The highly acclaimed chef has quietly opened a new “Eataly-style emporium” in the former NapaStyle space. Ottimo – which includes a cafe, market, and mozzeria – is in Yountville’s V Marketplace just across from Bottega, Chiarello’s flagship restaurant. Chiarello is also planning to open a new modern burger house in V Marketplace.
In Italian, Ottimo means optimal, first rate, excellent. With his latest project, Chiarello plans to share his culinary knowledge and his rustic, Southern Italian cuisine serving up brick oven pizzas, hand-pulled mozzarella, espresso, wine, beer, and handcrafted products.
The cafe and mercato are open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cafe serves espresso, gelato, pastries, craft beer and wine. The cafe also features a tasting bar for guests to sample recipes from Chiarello’s family, his cookbooks and restaurants. The mercato serves as Ottimo’s retail space and items for sale include Chiarello’s favorite cooking tools. The famous chef and his team custom-designed many of the items, which include brushed silver flatware from Florence. Pantry items – such as Calabrian chiles imported from Chiarello’s mother’s hometown – are available for sampling throughout the space.
As for the new burger house, Chiarello plans to call the restaurant Platform 8. It will open in the space occupied by Pacific Blues Cafe, which is closing April 19. Platform 8 will also have an old-fashioned soda fountain with ice cream prepared with liquid nitrogen to order.
Owning real estate in Yountville is a luxury, especially with so many excellent restaurants nearby. In previous blog posts, I’ve written about Yountville being the “culinary capital” of Napa Valley. Yountville has earned more Michelin stars per capita than any other place in North America. This enviable distinction, paired with its prime location in Napa Valley, makes real estate in Yountville highly desirable and among the most expensive in the state. With an abundance of tasting rooms and world class restaurants, Yountville attracts buyers and investors from all over the globe.
If you’re looking for real estate in Yountville, I have access to some extraordinary wineries, vineyards, estates and homes that are not on the open market and would be delighted to help you find your dream wine country property. You can reach me at 707-738-4820 or [email protected].
