has opened its doors.
After months of preparation, owner Rick Molinari threw out the welcome mat at 10 a.m. Sunday at 815 Main St., across from Veteran’s Park.
Molinari said he planned to be open until 2 p.m. and to gradually extend the café's hours over the next week until he is serving his full menu of high-end coffees, teas, espresso and light food.
“I am going to do breakfasts one day, lunches the next and finish with dinners, late night beverages and pastries,” Molinari said Friday.
Customers may call (707) 927-3623 for the hours the café will be open the first week, Molinari said.
After the first week trial run, the business will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Although the menu isn’t extensive, it offers something for everyone and is very affordable.
Pastries, which Molinari gets from in Napa, range from $1.75 to around $8.
For the early birds, the menu also includes Umpqua Oats, a healthy serving of various oatmeals.
The goodies will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth from the early morning to the late-evening crowd, Molinari said.
The quaint café also has a plentiful selection of panini and and fresh salads.
Hungry patrons can choose from a salami, prosciutto, roast beef, turkey and tuna panini with all the trimmings. There is also a peanut butter and jelly panini for the younger set.
The sandwiches range from $6.75 to $9.
Among the salad selections are Cobb and a Greek salad, which is available only in the summer. The price of the salads start around $7.50.
And as for beverages, Molinari Caffé is there to satisfy everyone’s non-alcoholic thirst.
There are three upscale coffee machines featuring high end coffees such as Jamaican Blue and less expensive brews.
“We serve non-traditional coffee bends,” Molinari said.
Those who crave a little more kick to their coffee also have a choice with Molinari’s espresso drinks.
His shiny high-tech espresso machine is from Italy, he said.
Molinari didn’t forget the younger crowd.
“This is a family establishment. I also can make hot chocolate and other latte drinks. And we have Italian sodas,” he said.
The caffé sells packaged coffee beans.
The ambiance of Molinari Caffé is very inviting. The restaurant seats 25 people. There is a 10-foot long community table and another 10-foot bar located along the front glass window, giving patrons a view of Veteran’s Park, the Napa River and the bustle of busy Main Street.
For those who want to snuggle down into a warm chair to sip their beverage and munch on their food, the caffé offers two inviting overstuffed chairs and a couch.
“I consider the decor to be a combination of New York and LA,” Molinari said.
The back wall is decorated with local artists’ work which will change monthly,
This month's exhibit is glass artwork for Napa artist Patti Wessman.
The eatery also offers Wi-fi.
Alcohol beverages will not be served. The café has 10 employees who all are from Napa, Molinari said.
“I am very happy to be part of the Napa community,” he added.
