Today marks the debut of French Blue, the new restaurant from local wine guru Leslie Rudd (Press), architect Howard Backen, and managing partner Stanley Morris (Teatro ZinZanni) in downtown St. Helena. The concept is “contemporary-country neighborhood restaurant” with wood-burning ovens and grills in the open kitchen and a locally sourced menu from chef Philip Wang. (Scope out the full menu right here.) The restaurant joins the recently opened Goose & Gander (in the former Martini House) and the revamped Oakville Grocery among brand new food options in this section of Napa. But if you’re on the other side of the hills in Sonoma, we’ve got some news over there too.
In Healdsburg, Scopa chef-owner Ari Rosen is expanding just around the corner, near the town square at 330 Healdsburg Avenue. It’s the former Divine Affair space, and the new project is called Campo Fina. BiteClub reports that it will be open very soon, in mid-June, and the menu will center around pizzas and wood-oven-roasted small plates. Chef Jamil Peden, most recently of Petite Syrah in Santa Rosa, will be co-executive chef with Rosen, and there will be wine-based cocktails by Erika Frey, who took over from Scott Beattie as bar manager at nearby Cyrus. Stay tuned for their exact opening date, TBA.
French Blue - 1429 Main Street, St. Helena - 707-968-9200 - Open for dinner only May 29 to June 3, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Open for lunch and dinner starting June 4, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and breakfast starting June 13 at 7 a.m.
Scopa’s Ari Rosen to open Campo Fina [BiteClub Eats]
Earlier: French Blue in St. Helena Announces Chef, Opening Date
