Scala Osteria
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As we had arrived in Napa after a two hour drive, we didn't check into our hotel yet; we wanted a meal that was satisfying and also fulfilling. Luckily, we had parked downtown and we walked around and stumbled across Scala Osteria. We were greeted by the host at the front, unfortunately, we didn't have a reservation in advance, we would not able to get a table or booth for dining. The only option available was dining at the bar so we chose to dine at the bar. After being seated, we were given menus and water; we chose to dine family style and ordered a few entrees to share. The oysters were very good, the best that I've had, one of my favorites. The side order of fries were fresh and crispy and pairs well with the ketchup and cheese sauce, so delicious. The entrees: the halibut (very soft and delicious), the spaghetti with shrimp and clams (big portion and very delicious and fulfilling), and lastly, the lasagna (the meat was very dry, but the lasagna tasted very cheesy. Unfortunately, the lasagna was my least favorite). Overall, the ambiance is very cozy and inviting. I did enjoy my meal with the exception of the lasagna; I would be open to dining here again in the future and trying something new and also trying desert next time. Scala Osteria is a lovely gem in Napa; would definitely recommend to others!
This is the perfect spot to eat after a long day of wine tasting. We sat upstairs looking to the interior of the restaurant which was lovely. The portion sizes are extremely generous and very easy to share with the entire table. We ordered the deep fried zucchini fries. All their pastas are amazing. And try to leave room for dessert.
Consistently G R E A T! We came for Father's Day (What a treat for my hubby!). Service is always on point. Food is always delicious! I had the spaghetti and it was just so perfectly made. I won't be able to have spaghetti any other way anymore. Always opt to get dessert- Donuts will never disappoint. I love the creme dip! There is a free parking lot around the corner if you can't find street parking. We can't wait to come back again.
Scala is truly a gem. If you take away just one thing from this review, let it be this: order the pork chop! This review comes after my second five-star visit to Scala, and it has firmly earned a spot on my list of must-visit restaurants in Napa. The restaurant is both elegant and inviting, with a beautiful ambiance that has a perfect balance between sophisticated and comfortable. The service has been exceptional on both visits--attentive, polished, and genuinely welcoming. On each visit, we dined family-style, sharing a salad, an appetizer, a pasta, and, of course, the famous pork chop. Both the chopped salad and Caesar salad were fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned for sharing. The Spaghetti with shrimp and clams, along with the Calamari di Monterey pasta, were absolutely outstanding--so much so that I'm still thinking about them days later. And now, the pork chop. I'm not entirely sure what culinary wizardry goes into creating this Pork Chop Milanese, but it is nothing short of extraordinary. The pork is pounded impossibly thin, fried to golden perfection, and coated in a delicately crisp crust that somehow remains light and airy. It's finished with a buttery lemon-caper sauce that adds just the right amount of brightness and richness. It sounds almost absurd to say that fried pork melts in your mouth, but somehow this one does. Every bite is perfectly balanced, SO tender, and honestly unforgettable. I left thoroughly impressed after my first visit, and after my second, I can confidently say this wasn't a fluke. I'll likely find myself returning to Scala every time I'm in Napa until I finally get this pork chop out of my system--which, at this point, may never happen.
I took my 86 year-old mom here for a Mother's Day special dinner. This turned out to be a fantastic choice. Our server was perfect. He was attentive without being overbearing, informative on the menu, and very dialed into my mom's special food concerns. The dishes we had were also top shelf. The kitchen knows what it's doing and the menu is authentic to southern Italy with a focus on seafood options, but many others to choose from as well. We had one of their crafted, mock tails, each, very tasty and refreshing. Interestingly, there are no mocktails on the venue, but just ask and they'll make you one from scratch :-) The restaurant is small and intimate, but also fairly loud when it's full. It's not offputting in my case, but something to keep in mind if you go there for deep conversations with your company. They have an outdoor dining option also which may be better if you have hearing issues. All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant.
Ambiance (4*): very busy, loud, good vibe, simple but nice decor. Foods (3.9*): Dishes ordered are Pan-seared Brazino, Calamarata con calamari di Monterey and Caprese salad (not on the menu, but part of today's chef specials). - Both Brazino and the Pasta are good, cooked just right and not salty . Especially the Calamarata dish included calamari and sausage, which could be salty from the sausage. However, the sausage portion is double the portion of calamari. It's odd bc the name of the dish emphasized "calamari"! - My friend said the Brazino is very good! - For the Caprese salad, I would change to "Tomatoes with a hint of Caprese"! :) See photo for this reason. Tomatoes are very sweet and fresh. It is a good dish, but there should be more Caprese to match the amount of tomatoes like many other Caprese I have ordered in other restaurants in NA, EU & Asia. Service (2*): Our waiter is very friendly with good service. My complain is the water server. Every time she refilled water at our table, she would reached across the table and refilled the water, no matter if you are eating or not. One time, I was eating , she just reached across the table (even without saying excuse me", refilled and pull back the water pitcher with water dripping into my dish. I was shocked and appalled! At least, she could walked to the other side to refill the glass and fill without interrupting customer eating and dripping water with a trail on the table. It was not a pleasant dinner experience.
Came for Mother's Day dinner. Seated right away. Service was quick and server was nice. It was a busy night so food took a bit longer to come out but apps, drinks and convos kept us going. Indoor lighting was perfect and set the vibe. They changed our plates and silverware each course which was a little overwhelming. I totally get it but it just seemed really excessive and tight as we were sitting in a booth round. We ordered.... Olive fritte Calamari fritti Ciabattina & bagna cauda Chopped salad spaghetti lobster Mandrills Al Vero pesto Veal scala ppini Margherita pizza Insalada mista Vongole Al forno The capos spritz Spaghetti western Prosecco Lemon drop Tiramisu Donut bites 9/10
We had an event in Napa and stopped here for dinner, we didn't have reservations but was able to snag a table right away. Small intimate establishment, but ample seating and an impressive bar. I ordered the appetizer, don't remember the name not ok the menu, toast with tomatoes and mozzarella and broccoli, it was very delicious, My dinner was the Spaghetti with shrimp and clams, toasted garlics and wine sauce. This was really good, I've never been to Italy, but this is probably what it may taste like to have pasta there. The flavors all came together beautifully very light and simple. Danny provided great service and so did all of the other staff. I would definitely come back if in the area.
The service was very friendly here and we liked our waitress. The appetizer of the warm octopus salad was unfortunately two fishy for me. The meat was incredibly soft and melted in my mouth but needed lemon juice to remove the fishiness. The octopus is much better at a restaurant called The Wolf in Oakland for 22. My margarita pizza was pretty good but the cheese was a little too chewy. I think they should use a softer and fresher mozzarella. My husband enjoyed his freshly baked bread with the anchovy butter sauce. Unfortunately the waiter who packed up our bread threw away our anchovy sauce. Make sure you let the waiter know when he wraps up the bread to go. The ciabatta bread is purchased here and not complimentary. My husband really enjoyed his veal main which was incredibly tender. I tried a piece and did not appreciate the cornstarch that I tasted on it. It had a strong wine sauce. The seasonal fruit oatmeal crisp was very sweet and generic tasting to me. It was good but nothing special. I think the food here is overall pretty good but for the price point, it can do a little better. The service was good. I would not recommend the octopus salad here. Everything else was pretty good. One thing to note is that the restaurant plays very loud music and has high ceilings so the patrons talking plus the music playing is overwhelming and not very relaxing. This is a very crowded and loud place. If you're looking for a relaxing and quiet intimate setting, don't come here. Also be careful of the small trash can outside their bathroom which is underneath an order computer screen. People hit their heads on that screen when they get up from throwing away trash beneath it. This restaurant is over filled and has barely any space to move around. Overall a very pretty restaurant with good but not great food. The ambiance is like a fancy factory. A nice place for a business meeting or date but not necessarily a great special occasion restaurant. There's a great deal of loud dusty construction right across the street. Parking is easiest at the public lot across the street. Stop by the Oxbow market to round out your Napa experience afterwards. It only took 10 minutes to walk to the Oxbow market where we also visited the Fatted Calf for more gourmet food to take home for dinner.
I chose Scala for another year celebrating my birthday! You just can't resist the cozy indoor vibe with the delicious food that they have! Something that always draws me back is the ambiance. It's homey feeling and chill. I always see people come here in jeans and a sweater or a dress. You can dress up or down, and both feel like they match the vibe. For appetizers: We ordered west and east coast oysters. I love the vinegar sauce they have for the oysters and that you can order just a few as a small appetizer. The Ciabattina bread came with some kind of olive oil butter that had puree'd anchovies at the bottom of the dip that I was not expecting but was honestly a flavor bomb in your mouth. We loved this dish and it was only $6. The Olive Fritte is my favorite appetizer in the Napa valley. I come here for their speciality at this. It's a fried olive that is crispy and flaky on the outside, Stuffed with a puree anchovy and served hot! It's crispy, warm and salty. If you love olives, this is a must try. I tell everyone to order this and I always contemplate ordering one to go for myself. It's served with almonds and rosemary and when you eat the fresh rosemary with the almonds, it really completes the flavor profile. The calamari is also crispy and the breading is light and airy which adds to the texture and taste. The sauce it comes with really compliments the calamari and you can't forget to squeeze the lemon on top! For drinks: I ordered the Smoky Paloma which was smoky and delicious and my boyfriend ordered the buffalo trace Bourbon and he loved that. For our mains: I ordered the Pasta Special with Porcini mushrooms and truffle. It was delicious, the sauce was creamy and looked like a vodka sauce and came in a generous portion. I ordered a white wine to go with it per the servers recommendation. My boyfriend ordered the lasagna which is so delicious!! The meat sauce really packs some flavor in it and it truly elevates this classic comfort food! For dessert: I had my eye on the fruit crisp and ordered that one! For my birthday, they put a candle in it and I wished for more. It was served hot like an apple crisp but with stewed fruit and apple pieces. It had an oatmeal/sugary top with a scoop of ice cream to really melt into your mouth. My boyfriend ordered the zeppole donuts which are also served hot, fresh out of the oven and with two delicious sauces. A chocolate sauce and a vanilla lemon sauce. This is a place you don't want to skip on dessert! Overall, the food here is lovely. I have always seen the same servers here for years so that also tells you they seem to enjoy working here. Scala continues to stand out and even on a rainy evening, people were waiting to get a seat at the bar!
My wife and I spent the weekend in Napa doing some wine tasting and decided to have dinner at Scala Osteria for the first time. What a great experience! We were seated near the chef's table and loved watching the kitchen team in action through the window. We started with a fantastic bottle of Zinfandel , along with a Caesar salad and the Fisherman's Stew both were excellent. The highlight of the evening was the pork chop Milanese entrée that my wife and I shared, served with pasta. It was absolutely amazing and one of the best dishes we've had in a long time. The food, service, our waiter Talani was amazing the atmosphere, and overall experience were all outstanding. If you're visiting downtown Napa, I highly recommend stopping by Scala Osteria. We'll definitely be back
Our family of 4 stopped by Scala last minute to try to get dinner on a Friday night around 6pm without a reservation and told it would be an hour wait, which we were fine with, but got a text almost immediately after leaving the store and were lucky to grab a table that happened to open up! Scala is a classy and pretty restaurant, and we were lucky to get a table upstairs which was more quiet. Wwe ordered the chopped salad to start, which was lighter on the actual greens than we hopped, but we did enjoy the pickled mushrooms. The mushroom pizza was probably the standout dish of the night, with a nice thin, crisp crust, and the perfect amount of mushroom, cheese and arugula ontop, light with great salty and umami flavor. The clams were decent but not too special, and the calamarata con calamari di Monterey pasta we got had a generous amount of squid, with perfectly al dente pasta, but was lacking a bit in flavor. The branzino had an excellent crisp on the skin, but the fish itself and the sauce were again not too flavorful or memorable. The panna cotta was solid and tasty to end the meal. Overall, Scala is a nice restaurant with an upscale abiance that offers some nice dishes that just barely missed the mark in flavor for us. I would recommend and come back for the pizza, but with how busy they are I'm not sure I'll go out of my way to be back just for that.
Some of the best italian food I've ever had. I cannot sing higher praises about the food here. Started with oysters and martinis - they have both east coast and west coast and both are killer. Dirty martinis were perfect. Ordered the pork cutlet and the seafood pasta. Loved both. You could taste both the freshness and the flavor of the food. The service and ambiance were great, but what really stood out to me here was the food. It was that good. read more
Happen to snag a patio table here on Saturday which was Fourth of July weekend. All reservations were taken at the time but we walked up and they had an availability at 6:45 which was a short wait time for us. Staff and server were very nice, interior is beautiful and well air conditioned. It's a deep restaurant inside, looks small from the front. We started off with a glass of rose and bread and 1/2 order of the caesar salad. I got a recommendation from the waitress for the seafood pasta, felt like she pointed out all the most expensive things tho and didnt really give me more options to choose from so would just order what u want instead of asking them. The seafood pasts was good but nothing extraordinary about it and not that much seafood in it for the $37 price tag. I was curious about the green pesto looking one! The branzino did not look appetizing for me. Fried and thin, my partner finished it but i dont think it was bc it was spectacular. The house made ice cream was my fav , the gelato was so yummy esp the carmel one, nice and hard. Overall had a pleasant time but nothing to write home about. read more
I heard such wonderful things about this restaurant, but I have to say my groups experience was not good. The food was sub standard to say the least. I heard the pork chop was excellent mine was so hard I could barely get through it. It was way overcooked and should have never been served. To hide it, the chef put most of the gravy over the area that was overcooked. The server we had was Jon and the best way to describe him was indifferent and not at all friendly. When I told him about the pork chop he didn't really say anything and walked away. When he came back to the table I had to ask for the manager (I am not that person it takes a lot for me to do that) who ended up taking it off the bill. The clams were pretty good, but they did not have a lot of broth. Just a disappointment. read more
As we had arrived in Napa after a two hour drive, we didn't check into our hotel yet; we wanted a meal that was satisfying and also fulfilling. Luckily, we had parked downtown and we walked around and stumbled across Scala Osteria. We were greeted by the host at the front, unfortunately, we didn't have a reservation in advance, we would not able to get a table or booth for dining. The only option available was dining at the bar so we chose to dine at the bar. After being seated, we were given menus and water; we chose to dine family style and ordered a few entrees to share. The oysters were very good, the best that I've had, one of my favorites. The side order of fries were fresh and crispy and pairs well with the ketchup and cheese sauce, so delicious. The entrees: the halibut (very soft and delicious), the spaghetti with shrimp and clams (big portion and very delicious and fulfilling), and lastly, the lasagna (the meat was very dry, but the lasagna tasted very cheesy. Unfortunately, the lasagna was my least favorite). Overall, the ambiance is very cozy and inviting. I did enjoy my meal with the exception of the lasagna; I would be open to dining here again in the future and trying something new and also trying desert next time. Scala Osteria is a lovely gem in Napa; would definitely recommend to others! read more
This is the perfect spot to eat after a long day of wine tasting. We sat upstairs looking to the interior of the restaurant which was lovely. The portion sizes are extremely generous and very easy to share with the entire table. We ordered the deep fried zucchini fries. All their pastas are amazing. And try to leave room for dessert. read more
29 days ago
Consistently G R E A T! We came for Father's Day (What a treat for my hubby!). Service is always on point. Food is always delicious! I had the spaghetti and it was just so perfectly made. I won't be able to have spaghetti any other way anymore. Always opt to get dessert- Donuts will never disappoint. I love the creme dip! There is a free parking lot around the corner if you can't find street parking. We can't wait to come back again. read more
2 months ago
Scala is truly a gem. If you take away just one thing from this review, let it be this: order the pork chop! This review comes after my second five-star visit to Scala, and it has firmly earned a spot on my list of must-visit restaurants in Napa. The restaurant is both elegant and inviting, with a beautiful ambiance that has a perfect balance between sophisticated and comfortable. The service has been exceptional on both visits--attentive, polished, and genuinely welcoming. On each visit, we dined family-style, sharing a salad, an appetizer, a pasta, and, of course, the famous pork chop. Both the chopped salad and Caesar salad were fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned for sharing. The Spaghetti with shrimp and clams, along with the Calamari di Monterey pasta, were absolutely outstanding--so much so that I'm still thinking about them days later. And now, the pork chop. I'm not entirely sure what culinary wizardry goes into creating this Pork Chop Milanese, but it is nothing short of extraordinary. The pork is pounded impossibly thin, fried to golden perfection, and coated in a delicately crisp crust that somehow remains light and airy. It's finished with a buttery lemon-caper sauce that adds just the right amount of brightness and richness. It sounds almost absurd to say that fried pork melts in your mouth, but somehow this one does. Every bite is perfectly balanced, SO tender, and honestly unforgettable. I left thoroughly impressed after my first visit, and after my second, I can confidently say this wasn't a fluke. I'll likely find myself returning to Scala every time I'm in Napa until I finally get this pork chop out of my system--which, at this point, may never happen. read more
I took my 86 year-old mom here for a Mother's Day special dinner. This turned out to be a fantastic choice. Our server was perfect. He was attentive without being overbearing, informative on the menu, and very dialed into my mom's special food concerns. The dishes we had were also top shelf. The kitchen knows what it's doing and the menu is authentic to southern Italy with a focus on seafood options, but many others to choose from as well. We had one of their crafted, mock tails, each, very tasty and refreshing. Interestingly, there are no mocktails on the venue, but just ask and they'll make you one from scratch :-) The restaurant is small and intimate, but also fairly loud when it's full. It's not offputting in my case, but something to keep in mind if you go there for deep conversations with your company. They have an outdoor dining option also which may be better if you have hearing issues. All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant. read more
9 hours ago
Ambiance (4*): very busy, loud, good vibe, simple but nice decor. Foods (3.9*): Dishes ordered are Pan-seared Brazino, Calamarata con calamari di Monterey and Caprese salad (not on the menu, but part of today's chef specials). - Both Brazino and the Pasta are good, cooked just right and not salty . Especially the Calamarata dish included calamari and sausage, which could be salty from the sausage. However, the sausage portion is double the portion of calamari. It's odd bc the name of the dish emphasized "calamari"! - My friend said the Brazino is very good! - For the Caprese salad, I would change to "Tomatoes with a hint of Caprese"! :) See photo for this reason. Tomatoes are very sweet and fresh. It is a good dish, but there should be more Caprese to match the amount of tomatoes like many other Caprese I have ordered in other restaurants in NA, EU & Asia. Service (2*): Our waiter is very friendly with good service. My complain is the water server. Every time she refilled water at our table, she would reached across the table and refilled the water, no matter if you are eating or not. One time, I was eating , she just reached across the table (even without saying excuse me", refilled and pull back the water pitcher with water dripping into my dish. I was shocked and appalled! At least, she could walked to the other side to refill the glass and fill without interrupting customer eating and dripping water with a trail on the table. It was not a pleasant dinner experience. read more
Came for Mother's Day dinner. Seated right away. Service was quick and server was nice. It was a busy night so food took a bit longer to come out but apps, drinks and convos kept us going. Indoor lighting was perfect and set the vibe. They changed our plates and silverware each course which was a little overwhelming. I totally get it but it just seemed really excessive and tight as we were sitting in a booth round. We ordered.... Olive fritte Calamari fritti Ciabattina & bagna cauda Chopped salad spaghetti lobster Mandrills Al Vero pesto Veal scala ppini Margherita pizza Insalada mista Vongole Al forno The capos spritz Spaghetti western Prosecco Lemon drop Tiramisu Donut bites 9/10 read more
3 months ago
We had an event in Napa and stopped here for dinner, we didn't have reservations but was able to snag a table right away. Small intimate establishment, but ample seating and an impressive bar. I ordered the appetizer, don't remember the name not ok the menu, toast with tomatoes and mozzarella and broccoli, it was very delicious, My dinner was the Spaghetti with shrimp and clams, toasted garlics and wine sauce. This was really good, I've never been to Italy, but this is probably what it may taste like to have pasta there. The flavors all came together beautifully very light and simple. Danny provided great service and so did all of the other staff. I would definitely come back if in the area. read more
3 months ago
The service was very friendly here and we liked our waitress. The appetizer of the warm octopus salad was unfortunately two fishy for me. The meat was incredibly soft and melted in my mouth but needed lemon juice to remove the fishiness. The octopus is much better at a restaurant called The Wolf in Oakland for 22. My margarita pizza was pretty good but the cheese was a little too chewy. I think they should use a softer and fresher mozzarella. My husband enjoyed his freshly baked bread with the anchovy butter sauce. Unfortunately the waiter who packed up our bread threw away our anchovy sauce. Make sure you let the waiter know when he wraps up the bread to go. The ciabatta bread is purchased here and not complimentary. My husband really enjoyed his veal main which was incredibly tender. I tried a piece and did not appreciate the cornstarch that I tasted on it. It had a strong wine sauce. The seasonal fruit oatmeal crisp was very sweet and generic tasting to me. It was good but nothing special. I think the food here is overall pretty good but for the price point, it can do a little better. The service was good. I would not recommend the octopus salad here. Everything else was pretty good. One thing to note is that the restaurant plays very loud music and has high ceilings so the patrons talking plus the music playing is overwhelming and not very relaxing. This is a very crowded and loud place. If you're looking for a relaxing and quiet intimate setting, don't come here. Also be careful of the small trash can outside their bathroom which is underneath an order computer screen. People hit their heads on that screen when they get up from throwing away trash beneath it. This restaurant is over filled and has barely any space to move around. Overall a very pretty restaurant with good but not great food. The ambiance is like a fancy factory. A nice place for a business meeting or date but not necessarily a great special occasion restaurant. There's a great deal of loud dusty construction right across the street. Parking is easiest at the public lot across the street. Stop by the Oxbow market to round out your Napa experience afterwards. It only took 10 minutes to walk to the Oxbow market where we also visited the Fatted Calf for more gourmet food to take home for dinner. read more
I chose Scala for another year celebrating my birthday! You just can't resist the cozy indoor vibe with the delicious food that they have! Something that always draws me back is the ambiance. It's homey feeling and chill. I always see people come here in jeans and a sweater or a dress. You can dress up or down, and both feel like they match the vibe. For appetizers: We ordered west and east coast oysters. I love the vinegar sauce they have for the oysters and that you can order just a few as a small appetizer. The Ciabattina bread came with some kind of olive oil butter that had puree'd anchovies at the bottom of the dip that I was not expecting but was honestly a flavor bomb in your mouth. We loved this dish and it was only $6. The Olive Fritte is my favorite appetizer in the Napa valley. I come here for their speciality at this. It's a fried olive that is crispy and flaky on the outside, Stuffed with a puree anchovy and served hot! It's crispy, warm and salty. If you love olives, this is a must try. I tell everyone to order this and I always contemplate ordering one to go for myself. It's served with almonds and rosemary and when you eat the fresh rosemary with the almonds, it really completes the flavor profile. The calamari is also crispy and the breading is light and airy which adds to the texture and taste. The sauce it comes with really compliments the calamari and you can't forget to squeeze the lemon on top! For drinks: I ordered the Smoky Paloma which was smoky and delicious and my boyfriend ordered the buffalo trace Bourbon and he loved that. For our mains: I ordered the Pasta Special with Porcini mushrooms and truffle. It was delicious, the sauce was creamy and looked like a vodka sauce and came in a generous portion. I ordered a white wine to go with it per the servers recommendation. My boyfriend ordered the lasagna which is so delicious!! The meat sauce really packs some flavor in it and it truly elevates this classic comfort food! For dessert: I had my eye on the fruit crisp and ordered that one! For my birthday, they put a candle in it and I wished for more. It was served hot like an apple crisp but with stewed fruit and apple pieces. It had an oatmeal/sugary top with a scoop of ice cream to really melt into your mouth. My boyfriend ordered the zeppole donuts which are also served hot, fresh out of the oven and with two delicious sauces. A chocolate sauce and a vanilla lemon sauce. This is a place you don't want to skip on dessert! Overall, the food here is lovely. I have always seen the same servers here for years so that also tells you they seem to enjoy working here. Scala continues to stand out and even on a rainy evening, people were waiting to get a seat at the bar! read more
Business owner information
Logan L.
Thank you for this nice review.
My wife and I spent the weekend in Napa doing some wine tasting and decided to have dinner at Scala Osteria for the first time. What a great experience! We were seated near the chef's table and loved watching the kitchen team in action through the window. We started with a fantastic bottle of Zinfandel , along with a Caesar salad and the Fisherman's Stew both were excellent. The highlight of the evening was the pork chop Milanese entrée that my wife and I shared, served with pasta. It was absolutely amazing and one of the best dishes we've had in a long time. The food, service, our waiter Talani was amazing the atmosphere, and overall experience were all outstanding. If you're visiting downtown Napa, I highly recommend stopping by Scala Osteria. We'll definitely be back read more
13 days ago
Once again an amazing meal at Scala the staff, hospitality and food was superb. The Milanese is always a hit. I had the lasagna and it was delicious. Drinks are amazing and will definitely return. Their sister restaurant Don Giovanni is not on par with this one though. read more
Our family of 4 stopped by Scala last minute to try to get dinner on a Friday night around 6pm without a reservation and told it would be an hour wait, which we were fine with, but got a text almost immediately after leaving the store and were lucky to grab a table that happened to open up! Scala is a classy and pretty restaurant, and we were lucky to get a table upstairs which was more quiet. Wwe ordered the chopped salad to start, which was lighter on the actual greens than we hopped, but we did enjoy the pickled mushrooms. The mushroom pizza was probably the standout dish of the night, with a nice thin, crisp crust, and the perfect amount of mushroom, cheese and arugula ontop, light with great salty and umami flavor. The clams were decent but not too special, and the calamarata con calamari di Monterey pasta we got had a generous amount of squid, with perfectly al dente pasta, but was lacking a bit in flavor. The branzino had an excellent crisp on the skin, but the fish itself and the sauce were again not too flavorful or memorable. The panna cotta was solid and tasty to end the meal. Overall, Scala is a nice restaurant with an upscale abiance that offers some nice dishes that just barely missed the mark in flavor for us. I would recommend and come back for the pizza, but with how busy they are I'm not sure I'll go out of my way to be back just for that. read more
11 hours ago
Fantastic Italian in downtown Napa. Totally recommended. We had: Calamari - some of the best calamari I've ever had - batter was light, crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. Pesto silk handkerchief pasta - Super fresh pasta and bright bold pesto Veal with mushrooms and marsala - Veal was super tender, sauce was perfection read more
Getting a dinner reservation at this gem? Not so easy, honey. Reservations fill up faster than a bread basket at an Italian restaurant, and the bar is always buzzing. But when you're in Napa, and everyone is pointing you toward the same spot, you listen! My travel bestie is a full-blown Italian food fanatic, so this was an absolute no-brainer. We walked in ready to be seated like royalty and were immediately humbled by two lonely little seats shoved at the very end of the bar. You know the ones. The seats that scream, "You're sitting at the kids' table this Thanksgiving." We politely declined, told the bartender we would wait, and were handed drink menus like the VIPs we truly are. While sipping and sipping some more, we admired the oysters gliding by and somehow made a whole group of new friends at the bar. Those ladies were an absolute riot and made the wait fly by. About twenty minutes later, a couple wrapped up, and we swooped in fast. I was so giddy that I literally sat there swinging my feet like a kid on Christmas morning. I ordered three oysters because everyone and their mother was raving about them, and wow, they did not disappoint. Gorgeous presentation, even better flavor. Now here is where it gets fun. I started casually peeking at everyone's plates and straight up asking strangers what they were eating. Judge me all you want, but I am a woman who does her research! After a very thorough investigation involving my bar neighbor and the bartender, I landed on the Spaghetti con gamberi & vongole. WOW. Just WOW. Clams, shrimp, toasted garlic, chili, white wine... it was an absolute flavor explosion. The portion was massive, and since I had no way to reheat leftovers, I made it my personal mission to finish every last bite. Mission accomplished and worth every single forkful. Honestly, this dish was so good it deserved its own first-class seat on the flight home. I am not even joking. Oh, and the drink? The Smokeshow Paloma. The name alone had me intrigued, and then I found out it was made with mezcal, aka my absolute favorite spirit, and it was game over. Love, love, LOVE does not even begin to cover it. Overall, this experience was worth every penny spent. I would give them repeat business regularly. If you haven't already, go check them out. read more
Scala is conveniently located in downtown Napa. If you want to enjoy delicious food at a lively restaurant, you must snag a reservation here! My favorite dishes were the Warm Octopus Salad, Spaghetti Con Gamberi & Vongole, and the Pork Chop Milanese. Every bite was seriously delicious. The service is also incredible -- totally matches the friendly vibe of the restaurant. read more
Wow what a great find this spot was! My friend and I booked a reservation on a Monday at 6:45 PM and would you believe this place was jampacked like it was still the weekend? Everything was on point with this restaurant, attentive waitstaff, delicious and well prepared items on the menu. There isn't a bad seat in the house! I got the chopped salad to share with my friend and then the spaghetti with clams and shrimp, and the dish was so simple yet so tasty! I definitely will be back next time I have a reason to dine out in Napa again! read more
I've visited Scala Osteria for a solo dinner and this is my personal experience. Let me just say because I didn't have a reservation, I sat at the bar which is on a first come first basis with a full menu. Pros: Friendly hosts/hostesses as soon as you walk in. The ambiance is truly beautiful. They even have outdoor seating if you'd prefer. My bartender/waiter went above and beyond. It's a shame I don't remember his name. There's no dress code, just come in whatever makes you comfortable. Hot towel was provided to me after I ate those baby back ribs. Foods: were excellent except for a minor hiccup with the oysters which I will state under the cons. Foods have the perfect amount of spices not too salty and not spicy hot. Cons: Only street parkings are available. It can be so loud to the point you can't even hear yourself talking to the bartender. Last but not least there small rocks in my oysters. I took a picture to show you what they look like. Overall I had one of the best dining experiences in Napa. I wouldn't get the seafood spaghetti or I would opt out for the oysters. It's not worth breaking a tooth for. I need to stress out about how phenomenal the service was and I would 1000% recommend this lovely restaurant read more
We came here to celebrate my cousins birthday and it was a wonderful time. This is located in downtown Napa and we went during dinner time. I thought it was super delicious. I ordered the Ravioli al limone which is a spinach, pecorino and ricotta stuffed pasta with a lemon cream parmigiano sauce It was super creamy and really tasteful. I would come back here for this pasta! read more
Service here is phenomenal! They really make you feel tended to and cared for, especially for special occasions like a birthday. Shoutout to Isaiah and Bernie for going above and beyond when taking care of us. The ambiance inside is nice and inviting, with a cool bar setup and neat artwork up on the walls. The food was pretty good! I ordered the Caesar salad which was delicious and the lasagna really hit the spot -- I especially loved how much meat was in the bolognese sauce and the portions sizes were generous for both dishes. They offer a gelato or sorbet for birthdays and I wound up trying the mango sorbet with huckleberry sauce which was not too sweet and a very unique flavor pairing! I'd recommend you check this place out for some good Italian food if you're in Napa, and you should definitely make a reservation to help avoid potential wait times! read more
10 days ago
We dropped in at 10PM to catch their late night. The vibe was vibing with great food and excellent service. We stayed until closing and the manager took his time to check in with us on our way out. My personal recommendations are the oysters, and meatballs and my wife can recommend the penne Bolognese. Whenever we come back to Napa this is a repeat place for sure. read more
We came in for dinner to celebrate a birthday after wine tasting in Napa. We walked in and immediately noticed it was a beautiful upscale looking restaurant. We were greeted by a nice and friendly hostess then led upstairs. Have bring sat upstairs was actually perfect for us as downstairs was crowded and loud. When we sat down, there was a nice birthday card from the restaurant. Our server, Brianna was prompt, Professional and never left us waiting for service. I ordered the fettuccini special with ground pork which was delicious! She said it came in a light olive oil sauce but it was actually a red sauce but it was very good. The rest of the table ordered clams in a nice butter sauce, pork chop milanese, pounded thin and crispy, and the veal scala-ppeni smothered with a sauce but not what she was expecting. Very heavy. We also ordered Brussels sprouts and polenta for the table. They also brought a delicious ice cream desert for the birthday girl. Very creamy and tasty. I want to also mention the staff who attended to our table as well. Those who delivered our food and attended to our water were all excellent. Very nice, always smiling and friendly. Overall we had a nice experience at the restaurant and will return. read more
IMHO On our way from St. Helena towards Napa, my friend mentioned wanting to dine at Scala Osteria. I checked Open Table for a 5 p.m. seating but the only available seating for four people was at 8:30 p.m. My friend, not deterred, thought to walk up to Scala at 3:40 and ask for a 5 p.m. availability. No problem! Reservation set! Lesson learned, don't give up! Brianna was our delightful and engaging server! Our party of four ordered a Chopped Tuna Salad, $26, Ravioli al Limone, $34, Calamari Fritti, $20, Petrale Sole Piccata, $38, Funghi & Salsicce pizza, $28, and an assortment of oysters on the half shell, ($4.75 each). The menfolk decided we should share "family-style". Personally, that ain't happening next time. It may have been enough for the men (who ate the lions share), but not enough for the women. For dessert we ordered Zeppole, $20, Pasticcini, $15, and an Affogato, $10. Overall, a delightful dining experience that we hope to enjoy again! read more
Everything tasted amazing! Came here for an early lunch and tried a variety of dishes -- ranging from oysters on the half shell to tiramisu. I was full from lunch time through the next day after this meal. Cioppino was off the menu (really hits the spot if you want a variety of seafood) and the lasagna was well made. The waitress was really nice and helpful throughout the meal. And the host provided crayons for the kids to draw on the table, which made the experience much better for the parents. When around Napa, this is a great restaurant. With or without kids. read more
17 days ago
Cheerful and delish Southern Italian. Friendly and helpful staff, great decor, and simple but well-crafted dishes. Would happily return! read more
3 months ago
On our first night in Napa, after traveling all day we just wanted a nice dinner, good wine, good food and good atmosphere. This place looks inviting, there was so much potential, to fall short right off the back. After being sat by the friendly host, we were greeted by a server who clearly either didn't want to be there or didn't want us there. After ordering a bottle wine, he pour or first glass and walked off with our bottle, we couldn't pour our own and I believe he even forgot he took it. I sat there a while wanting more wine he clearly had forgotten he took it. After asking about Oyster options, he made a rude remark about me "questioning him on his knowledge at 10pm." Despite that rudeness we still ordered oysters. When we got oysters delivered, we asked the runner for salt and lemons waited a while and didn't come, so I asked our server and and after a few minutes he must have forgotten, like with our wine, so we asked the busser, and after while still nothing. Finally asked the server yet again who didn't seemed so pleased that I asked for anything else. At this point at just appetizers, we were clearly not wanted in here. What a shame. We decided to try another place instead and just closed the tab and left. Will not return here. read more
A true core memory. Bold words, but entirely justified by our visits here. I could easily spend pages describing each dish we enjoyed, but instead I'll let the pictures and brief notes speak for themselves. What I must emphasize, though, is the service: absolutely stellar. The staff anticipate your needs, respond to every request with care, and make you feel genuinely looked after. The food? Simply outstanding. We loved it so much that we actually flew back to Napa to dine here again. The atmosphere inside is charming and inviting, with a warmth that makes you want to linger. Yes, it can get lively and a bit noisy, but that's part of the magic, the vibrant hum of an Italian eatery at its best. Pizzas arrive fresh from the brick oven, crafted to order with irresistible flavor. If something isn't to your taste, the servers happily replace it with something better, ensuring every bite delights. The oysters are bracingly fresh, and the clams served with bread are wickedly delicious. We can't wait to return and try more of their delicious offerings over a glass of wine. read more
We were starving after wine tasting & this place satisfied our italian cravings . Loved the ambiance and the christmas spirit with the decor . Our baby was so happy and loved to people watch . The place was lively & super packed for a Sunday evening . We started off with the tuna tartare and my oh my was it superb. I usually am not a big fan on tuna but this dish was to die for . zit was super refreshing and the thin slices of persimmon was a nice pairing . 2 ingredients I'm not too fond of but wow this combo was a 5/5. Fever tree : After day drinking, you just want to enjoy a nonalcoholic drink . This drink was not only beautiful but it was sooo delicious . Tasted like a moscow mule without the alcohol 5/5 Calamari: This is just one of those go to apps that l love . Especially after wine tasting that didn't serve any food . Anything fried always sounds like a great idea . Calamari was light , crisp & tender . Paired with the sauce was chefs kiss . Top 5 calamari's I've had . 5/5 Lasagna : The lasagna was decent . It was a little on the salty side but it paired nicely with the pork milanese . 3/5 Pork milanese : This was pretty good . It was so lightly breaded that it felt like I was eating a fish filet . The lemon butter sauce was super subtle & the capers added a nice saltiness to the dish . 5/5 The tiramisu was delicious and they even gave us a sweet card and a yummy chocolate gelato icecream for my bday . Love this italian spot . Their service was impeccable! The waiter was super attentive & kept refilling our drinks and making sure we were good . Can't wait to come back again & try their delicious foods . If you haven't been you're missing out ! read more
What an incredible restaurant. The service, the ambiance and the food are all top notch. My wife and I were on vacation and visited Scala on a date night. We enjoyed it so much we had to bring our friends back the next night and the experience was even better. The Calamari Fritti ($20) was fresh, perfectly breaded and fried to perfection. The aioli that it came with was good but the calamari itself was the star of the dish. The Caesar salad ($10) plus chicken (??) was a very generous portion and the dressing itself was very tasty. They served an entire chicken thigh/leg on a bone and it was cooked up to the perfect temp and was well seasoned. The main event is their Funghi & Saiscce Pizza ($28) - aka Mushroom & Sausage. Topped with arugula, this Napoleon style pizza is to die for. This is what we came for and this brought us back the next day. Pizza is my favorite type of food and I can truly say this is in my top pizzas ever. Overall, I would say that Scala is a must for anyone who is in Dowtown Napa. Just an incredible spot that I can't say enough good things about. Make a reservation, they're busy. Otherwise you get sat at the pizza bar which is just fine as it's a show in itself. read more
Located in the heart of downtown Napa, Scala Osteria has been one of the go-to restaurants my family and I have returned to for Sunday lunch after church. From what I understand, it was opened by Giovanni and Minta Scala (same person behind Bistro Don Giovanni!). There's a parking garage right behind the restaurant, so it's an easy walk from the back of the building to front of the entrance. The interior gives subtle coastal Italy vibes, light blues, whites, and a maritime touch, making the space bright, cozy, and welcoming. The staff has always been welcoming and kind, the service is quick and clean, and the food has consistently been great. There's seating at the bar, cute shared bench seating along the wall, and tables throughout. There's also cozy seating upstairs. They also take reservations, which definitely helps during busy hours. *Acciughe Bianche (Bread with Anchovy Paste & Oil): If you like umami-forward flavors, you'll seriously love this. The anchovy paste is salty, savory, and perfect on their warm, fresh bread. If you're unsure about anchovies but enjoy a good Caesar salad (which has anchovy in the dressing!), you'll probably like this more than you expect. *Calamari Fritti: A solid, classic appetizer. I like that they give a good mix of rings and baby calamari. It comes with their house sauce (kind of like a mayo + ketchup + relish situation) but no marinara. I didn't ask for marinara, so I'm unsure if it's available, but the dish was great as-is. *Spaghetti con Gamberi & Vongole: This is one of my favorites here. The shrimp and clams are cooked well with that perfect springy bite, and the pasta comes al dente. It's flavorful without being heavy, and I appreciate that it doesn't rely on a rich sauce to stand out. *Pork Chop Milanese: This was a huge portion! This can definitely be shared, though my younger brother will eat the entire thing if we don't stop him. The breading is seasoned well and thin enough so you still taste the pork, and the lemon and capers add the perfect acidic contrast. *BDG Pollo alla Diavola: The chicken was tender and moist, and it comes in a savory, flavorful sauce. The portion is pretty generous. I think it pairs really well with the polenta and makes the combo feels balanced and comforting. *Soft Polenta with Parmigiano & Crescenza Cheese: A great side dish if you're craving something cheesy and warm. You get the texture of the polenta, and the Parmigiano adds a sharpness that balances the richness. It's hearty and pairs especially well with lighter main dishes. *Zeppole: These donut-like desserts are fun and filling. They come as a set of three, which was just right for my family of four to share along with some post-meal coffee or tea. The vanilla cream isn't super sweet (just a heads-up if you prefer sugary desserts), and the warm chocolate sauce is great. I saw Scala Osteria recently listed as one of Yelp California North Bay's top picks and felt like I had to share my experience, especially after coming here for years and trying so many dishes. The food feels like elevated homestyle Italian cooking; it's not overly fancy or experimental, but just really well-made dishes with heart, flavor, and authenticity. It's definitely a spot I'll keep returning to, and one I recommend, whether you're a Napa local or just visiting downtown. read more
Walked in and luckily was able to snag two seats at the bar which we prefer anyway. Great service, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. We stayed with the Olive Fritte. If you love olives or marcona almonds, this is a must have. BF had the braised short rib vegetable soup. It was amazing. Apparently they change up the soup every 3-4 days. The cauliflower pasta was amazingly fresh and flavorful. Their pastas are so fresh and the mouth feel is insane. This is a must try for newbies and a must return for the rest of us! read more
8 days ago
1 month ago
The atmosphere , service and food were fantastic. Great cocktails and wine. The calamari, Casio y Pepe and branzino were fabulous!!!! read more
I'm usually a fancy Italian restaurant hater, but Scala Osteria really proves they're worth the it with their ambiance, service, and food! Scala Osteria is located in downtown Napa and features a beautiful, clean interior. We were a party of 6 with a reservation on a Sunday evening. Although not too many parties waiting, it was still quite busy, so I'm glad we got a reservation! Overall, the service was great! Our main server was friendly, funny, and attentive, and all the other servers assisting with our table were just as great! We ordered 2 orders of calamari, Milanese, the funghi & salsicce pizza, the Mandilla al vero pesto Genovese pasta, their special pasta which featured tender short rib, and panna cotta for dessert. All tasted amazing!! The portion size of the Milanese was honestly surprising because it was huge! The pastas were cooked perfectly. The panna cotta was divine! Overall, it really changed how I feel about Italian restaurants and I genuinely can't wait to come back! read more
23 days ago
This is the best fish I've ever had. as someone who doesn't like seafood, I demolished this and left nothing but bones. 10/10 would recommend. The staff were really nice. They kept coming back and were very helpful, even with the deserts. read more
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1141 1st St
Napa, CA 94559
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(707) 637-4380
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http://www.scalaosteria.com
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Ask the Community - Scala Osteria
Are there any vegan options?
You can always order a pizza marinara which is a classic cheeseless pizza with tomato sauce, Italian oregano, and thinly slivered garlic. One can order the simple green or winter salad without cheese or the tuna salad without tuna. Pastas are not…
How does noise level compare to Bistro Don G?
It is loud but fun. If you are going Thursday to Saturday, enjoy and expect it to be busy!!
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Scala Osteria - italian - Updated July 2026
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