Two things can be said about Cindy Pawlcyn:
- She sure as hell knows how to cook
- She sure as hell knows how to throw a party
Nearly 800 guests took up Cindy’s invitation and attended the pre-opening bash of her newest restaurant, Brassica, in St. Helena, last night.
Napaman was present but the crowd was so dense that it was impossible to raise a camera to get any meaningful shots. Hence the skimpy visual coverage.
The name Brassica, of course, is ironic as it is Latin for the family of plants known as mustards. And it is Cindy, who for 28 years, has been the gale force behind Mustards Grill, which has been one of the valley’s best restaurants for this entire stretch of time. And still is.
Brassica is located in the space, which we all knew and loved as Go Fish, also a Cindy operation. But the sushi bar and seafood-driven menu ran their course; it’s thought that visitors to our valley want heartier fare to go with their killer Cabs. But we sure had some tasty dishes at Go Fish. May she R.I.P.
Brassica’s menu leans on the zestier fare of the GMR – Greater Mediterranean Region; on the menu, I note the use of za’atar to flavor eggplant fries, and the introduction of lamb kebabs, Greek cheeses, and middle eastern tabouli.
Appetizers were offered last night but servers couldn’t keep up with the size of the crowd. A proper commentary on the food will follow in the weeks ahead in this space. Keep a-lookin’.
Brassica 12
On the wine side, Brassica introduces a new concept called Brassica 12. The restaurant will highlight a dozen different, small-production Napa Valley winemakers who don’t have tasting rooms. Their hard-to-find wines will be showcased by the glass and bottle, and the selection will rotate.
Guests will be able buy individual bottles for home consumption, or buy a Brassica 12 12-pack (that’s NOT a typo! That’s a Brassica 12 12-pack!) for take-out.
Brassica, 641 Main St., St. Helena. 707-963-0700. Reservations suggested.
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