Can a Dog sit at the Table in a St Helena, Napa County Restaurant?
In Wine Country’s city of St. Helena, part of the Napa Valley, home to world-famous vineyards, wineries, and gourmet dining in a picturesque, storybook setting and situated on the Main Street in the city’s quaint shopping district, resides Pizzeria Tra Vigne; a local favorite for pizzas topped with ingredients the region is known for, offered in a fun and family-friendly environment; and serving well-behaved pets and their people in the outside patio area. If you’re looking for yummy Italian food in a casual, quaint Wine Country setting, go do the CANGO at Pizzeria Tra Vigne.
PIZZERIA TRA VIGNE: HOW PET-FRIENDLY IS IT?
The comfort level of the pet-friendly area is good. The surrounding area is not polluted but it is off the main drag, so it can get congested in terms of traffic primarily during commute hours, although I have filmed events in the area and hit traffic even on a Sunday morning. The pet-friendly area is very quiet and set away from the main drag in a relaxing garden setting with a nice fountain in the background. There is a fair amount of privacy since the garden area is only shared with some small businesses and a hotel, but it appeared to be mainly used by restaurant patrons. When seated in the pet-friendly area, you still feel included in the overall restaurant even though you are outside. Yet, I would think that the landscaping would act as a bit of a buffer if some people were playing bocce ball next to the dining area. You cannot really hear the televisions from the interior in the outdoor area or the outside guests in the interior.
The interior seemed to attract two crowds: (1) happy hour types who may frequent the establishment to watch sports on the two big-screen televisions or get a drink to unwind after work, and (2) families. The two times I was there I witnessed three birthday celebrations (mainly children). The outside area also seemed to invite those looking to drink and/or dine after work, as well as friends just handing out and catching up.
The level of service was good. I dined both inside alone and outside with my dog, Lovie. The service in either location was friendly and professional, though I think that the response time may have been a little faster inside, possibly because the waiters had to go back and forth and may have focused more on the interior tables.
They do have outdoor heaters and lighting. They do not have dedicated water bowls outside in the patio or bocce ball court area, but they will bring out a bowl of water for pet(s). Although they do not offer pet patrons a special complimentary treat, they do offer pet-friendly food for purchase including plain pulled meat and meatballs sans sauce. They do not have any special considerations or rules for pet visitors other than the obvious, as a park buddy would say “four on the floor”, meaning no pets on chairs or the table.
Visual Description for Tra Vigne Pet Friendly Video
The video begins with day and nighttime shots of the pet-friendly outdoor seating, showing the contrast of shade and natural lighting durinf the day and moderate string and globe lighting at night. Boxy wooden chairs surround rectangular and circular mable table tops. Landscaping defines a separation from the pathway between buildings that include offices and a hotel neighboring the restaurant. A long bacci ball court sits next to the outdoor seating on the otherside of the hedge. The balls are stacked in a triangle and their colors are like muted Christmas ornaments: pale green and red.
IS PIZZERIA TRA VIGNE CONVENIENT OR A PAIN IN THE —?
Parking is very easy, with ample free parking in a shared lot.
The surrounding area is pedestrian-friendly once you cut through a pathway to cross the train tracks, (Cynthia, one of the co-owners showed me this tip; you can see a glimpse in the Main Street video walk-thru on this page), you can go window shopping in the downtown area that makes you feel like you have been transported back in time to another era. It is also safe and comfortable to walk around with a pet right around the “block” that surrounds the small business park, hotel, and restaurant with shade and foliage around a clear, easy to navigate pathway that also hosts a small creek during the rainy seasons.
There is a little grassy area on the property, just big enough to let your dog “go” before sitting down to eat. The closest outdoor exercise-oriented pet-friendly activity is Wappo Park located inside Stone Bridge Park at 201 Pope Street in St. Helena; it is just over a mile away or a 4-minute drive.