NAPA Kitchen and Wine is Midlothian's upscale yet casual and inviting West Coast-inspired restaurant and wine bar. From laid-back lunches to romantic date nights, festive celebrations, and everyday dinners, NAPA Kitchen and Wine is the flawless backdrop for any occasion, from happy hour with colleagues to celebrating life's most significant achievements with family and friends. Most recently, NAPA was the proud recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for Restaurants 2023 - the only restaurant in Midlothian and the only restaurant South of the River in the greater Richmond region to receive this honorable recognition.
While NAPA serves a wide selection of Californian, European, and South American wines, it also houses an impressive collection of Prohibition-era and California-inspired cocktails. Most recently, Founder and CEO Dennis Barbaro had the brilliant idea to incorporate bourbon into NAPA's repertoire of self-serve experiences. Like the self-serve wine station, guests can purchase a tasting card, grab a glass, and select from various premium bourbons to enjoy. "Adding highly sought-after bourbon to our self-serve offerings allowed us to be the first to make rare finds more accessible for our community," Lauren Barbaro, Marketing Manager at DJB Hospitality, says. "As the interest in bourbon continued to grow, we realized this was a fabulous opportunity to reach that expanding market."
In addition to its new bourbon-tasting experience, NAPA has been working diligently to expand its sushi offerings, as well as its vegetarian and vegan options, guided by registered dietitian Julie Barbaro. "We have some exciting items coming to our menus, such as sushi burritos, complete with pickled red onion, carrots, avocado, and other accouterments, as well as sashimi, nigiri, and ratatouille," Lauren says. "We want to adapt to the fall and winter seasons while highlighting ingredients that are the freshest and most flavorful this time of year." NAPA will host a special sake and sushi pairing dinner on Monday, October 16th, featuring six courses, a seasonal sake cocktail, and tastes of five others.
Along with sushi, NAPA Kitchen and Wine specializes in Californian cuisine, offering an expansive menu accommodating various dietary needs. For starters, try the She Crab Soup, served in an elegant tableside presentation. Other popular appetizers at NAPA include Margherita Pizza, Fried Calamari, and Mama Sorrentino's Meatballs, a Barbaro family recipe. Sourcing oysters from local Virginia farms, NAPA serves Oysters Rockefeller that are to die for. For lunch and lighter fare, NAPA's Salmon Salad and Asian Lettuce Wraps are wonderful options.
Flavorful entrée options include Chicken Velouté, Churrasco Steak, Crab Crusted Flounder, and Short Rib Gnocchi. For those who love a sweet treat at the end of a meal, try the made-from-scratch Bourbon-Caramel Cheesecake Bars or Pineapple Crème Brûlée, a delicious rendition served in a pineapple. NAPA's Snickers Cake is a delicious vegan alternative sourced from Empowered Plant Cakes located in Virginia Beach and consists of a delightful almond flour crust.
Some of NAPA's most popular stirred libations are Stuck on You and the Smoked Old Fashioned, presented tableside. Signature shaken cocktails include Gold Digger, Cat's Meow, Night Owl, and T2T Lemon Basil, which benefits Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit organization honoring America's greatest heroes.
With a private dining room ideal for wedding rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, holiday parties, and more, NAPA is looking forward to hosting more private parties throughout the upcoming holiday season with personalized menus featuring chef-driven creations. The restaurant will continue to host monthly events, including wine-pairing dinners with seasonal themes and flavors. NAPA's popular Wine Academy series is a fun and informative exploration of wine for wine lovers and novices alike. To stay current with NAPA's upcoming events, join their mailing list through nkwine.com or follow NAPA Kitchen and Wine on Facebook!
NAPA Kitchen and Wine is open daily and serves jazz brunch on Sundays. The restaurant is in the Westchester Commons Shopping Center at 15825 WC Main Street, Midlothian, Virginia.
"As first-time visitors, it was a totally wonderful experience. The food was delicious, the bourbon sampling was a treat, and the service was very personable.” - Skip L.