Back in November we learned that the very fancy, Michelin three-star Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena was preparing to open a casual spinoff in downtown St. Helena, in the space long occupied by Tra Vigne. Today they announce that the new restaurant will be called The Charter Oak, after the street that the restaurant sits on. (Not to be confused with Charter Oak Winery, which is also at the end of that same street.)
The Tra Vigne space, most famously, is where chef Michael Chiarello launched his career and Napa-related personal brand in the 1980s, ultimately leading to his Food Network fame in the early 2000s. Tra Vigne, which Chiarello eventually sold, closed in December after 28 years in business, and Inside Scoop earlier reported that the historic building was in serious disrepair, in particular its roof.
The Meadowood team of chef Christopher Kostow and Nathaniel Dorn say in an email today, "We are thrilled to be opening a casual restaurant where our family and yours can come together often; sharing moments big and small over good food and drink."
They've put up a website and Instagram account, both bearing a T.S. Eliot quote, "For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice."
There's still no opening date, however.
Previously: The Restaurant at Meadowood To Open Casual Alternative In St. Helena