Embattled Chef Michael Chiarello Quietly Opens Ottimo in Yountville

It’s been over a year since it was announced that chef Michael Chiarello would turn his NapaStyle marketplace into an Eataly-style emporium with both dining and retail experiences. Now, Ottimo has launched in the Yountville space at 6526 Washington St. with a cafe, market, and mozzeria.

Ottimo was originally slated to open last spring; Chiarello told the Napa Valley Register that he decided not to rush things. (His decision could also be the result of a lawsuit that emerged in March of 2015, with allegations of sexual harassment and wage theft, followed by DUI and drug possession a few months later.) From photos and online reviews, it appears that Ottimo softly opened sometime in February, without much fanfare.

The Cafe and Mozzeria are open for pastries and Stumptown coffee in the morning, lunch, and early dinner (from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.). Choose from personal pizza from the wood-fired oven, panini-like sandwiches called crescentines, and fresh mozzarella made hourly and accompanied by items like antipasti, salumi, and a variety of sauces. (See the full menus below.)

The Mercato is Ottimo’s retail space, filled with artisanal salts, antiques like a grape picking basket from France for $298, and Chiarello’s favorite cooking tools. Many items were custom-designed by Chiarello and his team, including brushed silver flatware from Florence. Areas for sampling pantry items like preserves and Calabrian chiles imported from Chiarello’s mother’s hometown are scattered throughout.

Mozzeria is open for lunch from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day, and for breakfast on Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.

• Chiarello's Ottimo: Where Italy Meets Napa [Napa Register]
• Celebrity Chef Michael Chiarello Hit With Sexual Harassment Lawsuit [Update] [ESF]
• Michael Chiarello Responds to DUI and Drug Possession Arrest [ESF]
• Michael Chiarello to Rebrand NapaStyle as Eataly-Style Food Emporium [ESF]
• Ottimo [Official Site]