Ad HocFood is as good as it gets ANYWHEREThis is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Napa Valley. They need to work on the noise level but other than that, it's fabulous.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Keller restaurantAnother Keller restaurant without all of the "snooty" happenings. This is a great place with a great staff and wonderful food, you will not be disappointed!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat late night dinnerWe arrived in wine country after an evening flight into Oakland and were able to get the last reservation on a Monday night-9:30. This was our third time eating at Ad Hoc. It was very busy and although we arrived on time we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. It would have been nice to have been offered something while we waited (we had traveled from the Central Time Zone), but once we were seated we had a great meal. Fried chicken was the main course. We did appreciate that even though we were the last diners seated for the evening we never felt rushed. We chose to go with Ad Hoc's wine pairings with the meal and felt that their choices were excellent, complementing the food very well.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful first-time experienceThis was our first visit to Ad Hoc. We made the reservation well ahead of our trip to the Napa Valley and really lucked out in that the house specialty fried chicken was served on the particular Monday that we were in town! An absolutely wonderful experience. you can't go wrong with anything Michael Keller does!6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved ad hocThey serve one entree per night--make certain you're going to love it6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent brunch!Brunch was excellent!! This is our second time here. Highly recommended to all the foodies out there. Now next on my list will be Monday - "Fried Chicken Night"! Can't wait to come back.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFun, Unpretentious, AMAZING foodWe had the salad, black cod, lasagna and pork, the cheese course and a sweet dessert pot de creme. I have to say, the lasagna, cheese and desserts were the highlights. The lasagna sauce was sweet and savory, the cheese was the perfect pairing after a hearty main course, and the dessert, while surprisingly sweet was still SO tasty.
We left so full it hurt, but I'd do the same thing again in a heartbeat.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat part of Yountville experienceTerrific preparation of and presentation.
Warm service and accommodation by staff. We missed our reservation and when arriving they worked very hard to get us seating in their fully sold restaurant6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic Food!Ad Hoc did not disappoint. The food was excellent! Everything from the salad to the dessert was drool worthy. Our favorites for the night were the Hay smoked pork tenderloin (w/ onion rings, potatos & asparagus) and the Caramel panna cotta. We cannot wait to return and try a new menu selection!6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWould got to Bouchon over Ad HocJust got back from a great trip in Napa (6/5 - 6/6 2013). Stayed in Yountville - perfect place to stay if you are eating in town -- the best places to eat in the valley are here. Ad Hoc was good but I wish I would have gone for lunch and had the fried chicken or been there on Monday night when that is what is being served. Family style with a set menu. We did the wine pairing - DONT DO THAT. For the $42 a person it cost us - I would have rather chosen my own bottle or two and not had to wait on the next round (I'm the fast drinker in the group). The food was great, service a little slow and impersonal. After eating at Buchon the night before I was disappointed that I had not chosen to eat at Bottega instead.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic ExperienceWe went to Ad Hoc with three generations of my family and everyone thought it was one of the best meals they have ever eaten. The menu was exciting and everything was perfectly prepared. There was a great deal of thought in each dish and the flavors were amazing. The wine parings complimented each course and we would all return without hesitation.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Anniversary BrunchMy wife and I bought-out Ad Hoc almost 2 years ago for a wedding celebration and the experience could not have been better. For one reason or another, this was our first chance to return since then. We went for brunch and the food, the staff and the sense of place matched our very fond memories.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMIf I'm Being HonestService: great, arrived really early and got sat right away. Server was great, very nice. Changed the dessert on dietary request.
Food: was good, not great. A little simple for my expectations of Thomas Keller. Food was not hot, it arrives so fast they must be just re-heating as we had roast veal. Some dishes needed salt. Pasta was bland, tomato sauce tasted of canned tomatoes and needed salt.
Atmosphere: nice home feel, bright
Overall: 7/106/2/2013 12:00:00 AMCasual, great for foodiesAll the food was great. You should note that each night has a set menu, so not good for picky eaters. They did accommodate a vegetarian in our party with no problem. The dessert was an ice cream sundae, which was a little disappointing. We would have preferred a more unique option.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat eatsAs usual, Ad-Hoc does not disappoint. This was our first time for brunch and we enjoyed it (especially the salad).
The only disappointment to me was that they don't do scrambled eggs, so my wife got two sunny side up eggs. She didn't complain!6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMYumEverything we ate was perfect!!! I will dream about Ad Hoc till I go back.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMNear perfectionThe food, service and ambience really can't be duplicated in the Napa area. It's no easy task to get all the components balanced so perfectly.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing experience for iutAmazing experience for iut anniversary dinner. Well spent $ on amazing food with fantastic service! Steve was our waitor and he couldnt have been better!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMNever A Dull MondayWith all of the recent press Ad Hoc has received it should come as no surprise that it is a highly sought out meal -- whatever the night, whatever the menu. We were lucky enough to land there on one of the 'Fried Chicken Mondays,' and there was no denying it was everything that was raved about and more. The lovely casual, laid back ambiance was a perfect fit for Napa's rolling hills: very welcoming and enticing. After a short wait (definitely make a reservation), we were seated and greeted by one of the nicest servers ever!! This truly set the stage for what was about to follow -- the most memorable dining experience bar none! The entire meal was amazing, and we couldn't have been happier with our decision. No doubt you will be, too!5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was the best fried chickenIt was the best fried chicken in a long time. Ad Hoc is back at the top of their game!5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFried Chicken?I'll admit, at first I was a little disappointed when I read the menu for the day we would be having dinner at Ad Hoc, even though I had heard how great it is! I am from the south and fried chicken is practically a staple. Anyway, I didn't want to put a downer on our experience, so I talked it up to my friends and kept an upbeat attitutude. Since I had been there before, I knew that everything would be great, I had no doubt, I was just thinking about fried chicken being so ordinary. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the entire meal, including the chicken! It was amazing. My friends and family thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience! Thanks Ad Hoc for delivering once again!5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience at Ad HocFood was delicious. Restaurant is beautiful. Staff is friendly and competent.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the prix fixed menu.Loved the prix fixed menu. A lot of food. Volume could have been less.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousBest brunch spot in Yountville. Delicious food, great ambiance and friendly servers. I can't wait to go back!5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and DelightfulWe went to ad hoc this weekend with a group of 8 in town for a girl's weekend. Our server, Daniel B, was delightful and attentive and the menu was so delicious and worth every penny - fantastic!5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMYour new favorite restaurantAd Hoc is simply one of the best restaurants around, but that's to be expected by any Thomas Keller outfit. It's great to get such an amazing, fresh meal from one of the world's most renowned chefs at such an affordable price. I'll be back again and again.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious, forThe food was delicious, for who doesn't want to pay so expensive like The French Laundry , or couldn't find a reserve at the same, it's worth it. It's a nice place.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection!The food was crafted perfectly in terms of appearance, portions, courses and taste. Pure genius. Never disappoints.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Food, Excellent ServiceMy better half and I have been eager to try a Thomas Keller restaurant for a very long time, and we finally were able to do so at Ad Hoc during our Napa Valley getaway. I found that Ad Hoc's style of providing everyone with the same meal each day liberating rather than limiting, allowing the cooks to master their few dishes rather than worrying about consistency across several different foods. Further, since the cooks are making the same meal for everyone, the downtime between food was noticeably shorter than at other high end restaurants I have enjoyed. Each course was paired with a recommended wine or beer that complimented the meal very well. Finally, the service was stellar--our server, Josh, was very helpful in every way!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThomas Keller - always a joyWe finally made it to Ad Hoc for brunch, and were delighted when we found they were serving their famous fried chicken that we had heard so much about. Everything we had was outstanding - simple, family style, but done exquisitely. Worth every penny!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMSunday Brunch is a Must!We absolutely loved Ad Hoc for Brunch! Now, I must say, I've never spent that much on Brunch before but for a one time splurge it was worth it! I think it was around $36. a person for a preset menu. Our preset included a gorgeous salad, then fried chicken and waffles (sounds weird but delic! )and a wonderful sorbet desert. Bloody Marys were good too! Atomosphere is lively so be ready for upbeat music ! We would definitely go back and highly recommend Brunch which I think they only do on Sundays. Make a reservation it was quite packed even at 10 am!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my second trip toThis was my second trip to Ad Hoc. My first trip was excellent - fantastic service, wonderful food. This second trip was good, but perhaps less enjoyable. The menu deviated from what, at least I view, the style of the restaurant being - more of a Spanish influence than elevated American food. Maybe this is my misconception, and it is inherently the danger of a restaurant with a different menu every day; nonetheless, it is very disappointing to see the menu for the days leading up to and following your trip and see things that look delicious and along the lines of what you expect, while the day of your reservation is not in the same vein. Our server was also a bit sarcastic and not particularly pleasant.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food.This is a very casual restaurant with excellent food. It is quite noisy and crowded, with tables very close to one another. The concept is a prix fixe meal (with or without wine pairings) served "family style," which means for two people, each course is brought out in one plate or bowl to be divided up by the diners. I highly recommend the restaurant, but do be prepared for the high noise level. It is probably better to eat outdoors, where it may be less noisy.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing all aroundTheir menu changes daily but we had watermelon and watercress salad, pork roast, a great cheese plate and ginger panna cotta. Service was also excellent. The only thing that wasn't perfect was the lemonade bourbon cocktail - it was a bit on the sweet side.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMad hocwonderful time, food perfect, steve gave us special service...thanks5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Food but Too LoudTwo of us enjoyed an early dinner, but we had to ask *three times* before they would lower the sound level. (My dining partner was a musician, as it happens.) When I asked why it was so loud, I was told that "Thomas likes it that way." I don't think that is sufficient reason to drown out conversation. The high sound level is the only reason I gave a four star rather than five star review. So, if you like really loud music, go for it!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFried Chicken DelightBest fried chicken ever. Corn was grilled and OK, but not exceptionally sweet. Potatoes were OK. Bread and cheese outstanding and dessert wonderful....a coconut cream custard. Add on was good, but not needed as there was so much chicken served.
Noise level higher than I prefer.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for brunch on Mother'sWe went for brunch on Mother's Day. We had an excellent meal, served family style. The service was friendly and attentive. We will certainly return, when given the opportunity.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe poultry was outstandingI thought everything was fabulous. None of us cared for the cheese selection and we all love various cheeses. The server forgot my glass of champagne, I asked him about it and it came during the middle of my entree. I thought that was odd, but its all good. I placed an order to-go for my husband and when he opened it he didn't have two of the courses, I understand not having the dessert (it was ice cream) but he didn't have the fennel gratin either; however, we were still charged the full price of the meal. I will certainly return but most likely on a different day and not mother's day.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMothers Day BrunchAd Hoc is a new favorite of mine. The food- a mixed green salad with toasted corn and guacamole mousse, eggs benedict crabcakes with red pepper hollandaise, diced potatoes and vegetables, almond blueberry pancakes with lemon butter, and strawberry panna cotta with shortcake cookies- was absolutely delicious and even better than it sounded.
Portions were appropriately sized and paced to leave a hungry person full by the end. Atmosphere was nice outside with pleasant music playing at a nice volume, and service was attentive. Prices were reasonable considering the quality and atmosphere. I'll definitely be back.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAd Hoc DinnerGreat food, and really fun set up. Really enjoyed the flow of the meal, and one of the best cooked meals I have ever had.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and pretty affordableDelicious and pretty affordable way to end a day of wine tasting. Highly recommend.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, but very loudThe food is flawlessly prepared. Fixed menu but there are a few options to add to your meal if desired. It's all served family style and portions are generous. The bar is limited so if you want a cocktail before dinner, choose either one of the drink specials of the day or stick to something basic like a vodka martini. My husband viewed the drink specials with skepticism but decided to take a chance, and the one he chose was superb. Definitely go for the wine pairings. Service is professional and friendly. Ad Hoc is more casual than Keller's other Yountville restaurants but that's okay. Caution: It is VERY loud during peak dinner hour and I would not recommend it for anyone who has difficulty hearing. The outdoor tables might be quieter.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMA beautiful day in the valleyFood was very good and the drinks and wine list was amazing. Our server was extremely good. The table next to us had a million questions and he was able to answer every thing they could come up with. Very impressive! Everyone should add it to there list of must do's in Napa valley.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMMy cousin and I were reallyMy cousin and I were really excited to eat at Ad Hoc during our visit in Napa. We loved our salad course which consisted of arugula, golden beets, pingpong radishes, prosciutto, olives and these wonderfully addicting chewy croutons. Our main was the lamb which was good but slightly disappointing. The lamb was cooked perfectly but there was a lot of fat and gristle. We added the supplemental squid ink pasta which was our favorite dish of the evening. Dessert was ok because both of us found the flour-less chocolate cake a bit too sweet for our liking. Overall it was a decent meal. The ambiance of the restaurant was excellent and lovely. I would love to go back and try a different menu.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMQuaint but trendy, fun, greatQuaint but trendy, fun, great food, excellent service.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Brunch EVERDelightful light salad course paired beautifully with the superlative mimosas to suggest a light, but satisfying fare was ahead. Then came the surprise - what one might have believed would be a "lighter" version of bacon & scrambled eggs in ad Hoc's hen eggs and pork belly turned out to be a rib sticking explosion of hearty fare that was only compounded by the "Graceland" pancakes (3, 5" pancakes with bacon in them topped with bananas & "fresh" homemade peanut butter - uh, thank you, thank you vury much). This was topped off by their version of a "Twinkie" (Financier as it was called) with a raspberry jam addendum. Sign up for their menu emails & see how their unique menu changes every day. Reserve WELL in advance.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat night out!my husband and I spent a great weekend in napa for our birthdays. ad hoc was an excellent place to celebrate. the food was greatand the service was fantastic. definitely worth the drive from san jose.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat restaurantthe food was delicious, the service was impecable and the ambience outstanding. too bad it is all the way in Napa. the place is a bit pricey but totally worth it!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMMore than just fried chickenAd Hoc has, perhaps, the best fried chicken anywhere. For the first time, we were here for steak night. It was fabulous! I can not say enough about the service and the food - everything was spot on!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AM