Cook St. Helena

What it's like

Cook is a small storefront on St. Helena's Main Street, and it feels like one: tight, busy and friendly. The cooking is Northern Italian, using locally sourced ingredients, with a focused menu of things done carefully rather than a long list to wade through.

Who it's best for

Couples and small groups who want a pasta-and-wine meal without ceremony, and anyone who prefers a simple Italian lunch to a long formal dinner. Because the room is small, it suits twos and fours better than a big party.

What to order & how to book

Look for the daily rotating risotto, house-stretched mozzarella and burrata, ricotta fazoletti with Bolognese, and the grilled octopus salad with potatoes, olives and tomato dressing. Mussels with house-made sausage in a spicy tomato broth and grilled bread also appear on the menu.

Cook is open Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and closed Saturday and Sunday. That is worth knowing if you are planning a weekend trip. Reserve on OpenTable or call (707) 963-7088. Reservations are a good idea because the room is tiny and fills up.

How it fits into a day

Cook is a good weekday lunch between morning tastings, or an early dinner before heading back up or down the valley. It is in the middle of downtown St. Helena, close to the shops along Main Street. If you are having wine with lunch, plan a rideshare or a designated driver. For a weekend visit, look at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch or The Charter Oak instead.