Grace's Table

What it's like

Grace's Table is a friendly bistro at Second and Franklin in downtown Napa, run by chef-owner Mauro Pando. The kitchen calls itself a global kitchen focused on France, Italy and the Americas, and the menu reads that way: comfort food from several heritages rather than one tidy cuisine. It has been recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which is the guide's nod to good food at a fair price.

Who it's best for

Families, couples and small groups who want a meal that is satisfying without being fussy. It is also one of the more useful downtown choices if you are hungry early, because the restaurant opens at 9:00 a.m. every day and serves through the afternoon before closing briefly and reopening for dinner.

What to order & how to book

Morning dishes include eggs benedict and the house cornbread, plus chilaquiles. Later in the day the signature plates include shrimp and grits, a hanger steak with frites, Alaskan halibut and duck cassoulet. If you are there for brunch, the drinks list leans toward things like a blood orange spritzer.

Hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations are available through the restaurant's reservation page, and are worth making for dinner and for weekend brunch with a larger group. For a standard weekday breakfast you can usually expect to be fine without one, but check current details on their site if you are traveling with several people.

You can reach the restaurant at (707) 226-6200.

How it fits into a day

It works at nearly any point in a Napa day: a big breakfast before an 11:00 tasting, lunch between appointments, or a relaxed dinner with no wine-country formality. It is a short walk from downtown Napa's tasting rooms, the Napa River and Oxbow Public Market, so you can leave the car parked. If you plan to drink at dinner, book a rideshare or a designated driver for the trip back.