Angele: still great food, great service, and great ambience for a romantic evening.
We recently returned to Angele (pronounced On- jell) as part of our yearly evaluation of restaurants in the area. It was a quiet night, but even when it is busy there is always a sense of romance in the air. The candlelight, the river outside the windows, and the great food make a lasting impression. Foie gras was on the menu, still a favorite of mine, served two ways: fried and a terrine slice served with apple relish and toasted brioche. What a treat. Jamie enjoyed the beet salad and we both tasted the roasted artichoke soup that was a special on the menu. Both items were just lovely. For dinner I ordered the sweetbreads; I realize that not everyone likes the concept of sweetbreads, but they are beautiful. Served with fresh vegetables and a poultry reduction sauce it was a perfect pairing. Jamie decided on the Boeuf Bourguignon with buttered noodles and it was the hit of the evening. Slow roasted, fork-tender beef, with a luscious red wine reduction sauce. For dessert a scoop of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. It was a wonderful meal and confirmed that Angele is still one of the great places for guests to dine while in Napa.
As a side note, Angele also has a wonderful patio that overlooks the Napa River and is a great dining spot for lunch; or when the weather cooperates later in the Summer, a perfect place to dine for dinner.