Napa Valley Grille, in Paramus's Garden State Plaza, closed its doors yesterday, apparently very suddenly, and presumably for good.
The chain, which is going through some downsizing, is down to just two restaurants, according to its website.
I happened to pop into Napa Valley Grille this past Saturday. And I wasn't going to go back, because it was just a mess.
I can't say anything about the food, because we left before ordering.
I can say that the staff seemed to be preoccupied with themselves, rather than making sure their guests were happy. A cocktail listed on the menu as having El Jimador (a 100% agave tequila) was about to be ruined with some crappy mixto, until I noticed called it off. The bartender said that they were out of El Jimador, and then the other bartender interjected "just use Cuervo."
No, don't "just use Cuervo". It's crap, and I don't want it.
"We never have El Jimador. I should probably tell the manager to take it off the menu."
Yeah, probably.
Neither seemed to understand the difference between these tequilas, nor did they care to.
Let's hope whoever buys that liquor license has sense enough to train their staff.
