The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

I went to the CIA and was shocked at paying a lot of money for being bullied throughout the whole program. Would you want your family member to pay a lot of money to have their dreams shattered. Two pastry chefs in general where very rude and unprofessional at such a very prestige environment. I’m sure that if this was at Hyde Park CIA this would be not tolerated. I know for a fact that I was not the first person this has happen to. What would you do if this was your family member.

Visited on 6÷21÷16.
Drove up to a gorgeous property and building. We chose to valet since I had blown out a knee and was doing the limp/​crutch this whole trip. Sat at the valet stand for two minutes while the valet kid just stared at us not moving.
Why we made reservations I’m not sure as the place was empty. Sat down and my partner asked about students. We were informed that as of ⁶⁄₇ months ago students only now do lunch service. Probably should as left as we wanted to be part of that experience.
By price and menu this is supposed to be fine dining. To me it missed the mark in service and quality. We both had starters that while works of art resembling puke just offered nothing with taste. And if you can’t have taste give us quantity. This provided neither. Both main courses relied on way too much salt to enjoy. Both desserts were great. Funny enough though the menu had two different names on two different menus for the same item. Come on details here.
We will not go back.

Both food and service are excellent here! My husband and I decided that we would come back here when we return to the area. Too bad it’s far from home.
The service was attentive but not too overwhelming. We ordered 2 first course items and 2 entrees followed by a shared dessert. While it’s not cheap here, we were comparing this to other restaurants we have visited when we had a similar cost and the food here was far superior. The pork entrée was probably our favorite.
The restaurant is extremely spacious so it was comfortable to dine here.
The CIA building, café, and store are all worth a visit. We hope to catch a demonstration next time we’re here.

This was my third visit back to CIA. I loved it the first time, hated it the second time and somewhat liked it this past weekend. We had 8pm reservations and were seated promptly though we would have been happy waiting in the patio with some drinks. The patio with the red tables and chairs looked like a fun place to relax. I didn’t have high expectations over this visit because I was immensely let down last time. Unfortunately, CIA did not impress once again. I had the Brussel Sprout Salad to start and it had some browned leaves of sprouts on top that added flavor but the salad itself was a little bland. The portion seemed kind of big for a starter especially when compared to the measly Beet Salad my friend had. There were probably just 7 or 8 small chunks of beets with a large scoop of either Burata or Mascarpone Cheese. The cheese dominated the plate. My husband had the Pork Belly with Squid Ink starter and it was perfectly prepared, plated and seasoned. My other friend had a Butter Lettuce Salad and it was huge. She enjoyed eating it. As for our entrees, I had Halibut served over Risotto and Peas and Carrots. It was rather boring and the peas and carrots reminded me of my elementary school lunches though these were fresh and crunchy. I just think it would have been better with other vegetables. Maybe mushrooms or asparagus since it’s in season. The Chicken was super tiny made with half a breast and the Roasted Pork was a big portion, so big my husband didn’t finish it. One friend asked for a Vegan dish and the kitchen sent out a beautiful array of grilled vegetables. She really enjoyed it. I felt bad for the guy who was shortchanged with both the beets and the chicken but at least he said they were both good. I think the overall experience was lacklustre. The portions were all over the place and some dishes were full of flavor and creativity while some fell flat.

Made a reservation for 12pm at their restaurant. Came early to explore the building building that holds the bakery and culinary store. There was also the stadium seating classroom with a huge kitchen. The store had a lot of extraordinary cooking tools that I’ve never seen before. It was hard to walk out empty handed.
A short walk up the hill to the restaurant where the students serve and cook you food. Mom ordered the Mediterranean chicken sandwich and I ordered the cioppino. This place is quality over quantity and the food was superb. The seafood was tender and the sauce was addicting. The sandwich was juicy and had great flavor. We ordered the baked apple for dessert which came with cinnamon ice cream and granola/​pomegranate seeds on the side. It was full of texture and flavor. Not overly sweet either.
I loved the experience and talking to the students about their journey. You never know what kitchen they’ll be running one day. The presentation of the food was very pretty and 5 star quality.

The CIA.
The building is stunning & has quite a presence.
Since it is one of the best cooking schools in America, it’s well worth a stop. And now there’s a full running café, in case you miss lunch or dinner hours.
Tour the school, have a meal, take a class. Grab a cappuccino & a pastry at the café. Browse the cookbooks in the gift shop. Whatever you choose to do, it’s hard not to be impressed by the caliber of this facility.
I’ve attended a wedding here. What a great idea, right? Get married at what looks like a castle, on a hill overlooking Napa valley, then have your wedding dinner prepared by the best trained chefs in the land? Brilliant.
I also attended an intensive coffee course by illy coffee here. 8am sharp, 2 full days. The top guy from illy flew in from Italy just to instruct us. They let us join the cooking students for lunch on the 2^nd day. What a spread! A GIANT table filled w food, buffet style. And you walked around the entire table (instead of one lengthy side of the table being backed up against a wall). Everything labeled, like you’re at a catered event. And there was ANOTHER huge table, solely for desserts.
In other words, the student lunch here is the way most of us only eat when we go on a cruise or vacation. Or, to a wedding. #thelife
It was fabulous.
Plus, I earned CIA credits, & a certificate from illy.
A must visit for any food lover.
5 stars.

This is such a cool place where all foodies should visit at least once. Now you can take your own self-​guided tour of the historic Greystone building and grounds which makes for a quick or lengthy visit of your choosing. There’s a cool corkscrew collection, a Ghirardelli chocolate discovery center, the Vintners Hall of Fame and more cool stuff to see. Stop by the information desk at the front entrance and they can give you the scoop.
The gift shop alone is worth a stop — you can buy all sorts of super cool kitchen gadgets, knives, chef’s coats, cookbooks, spices and more. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to see a class through one of the big glass windows. I always enjoy watching the students making chocolate candies!
The CIA houses several student-​run restaurants that are open to the public. My favorite is the quick service Illy Café, a great spot to grab a quick lunch, delicious traditional Illy espresso, a lovely «too beautiful to eat» pastry, or a loaf of crusty, freshly baked bread. Throughout the year the school runs several food, wine and cooking classes so check their website for a schedule. They also have public cooking demonstrations on the weekends but you’ll have to make a reservation.
The architecture is gorgeous too, so you’ll want to bring your camera. Note that you have to climb a set of very steep stairs to get from the lower parking lot to the front entrance (just throwing that out there in case you have any elderly or handicapped folks in your party).

This place smells awesome makes me really hungry.
I feel like going to Culinary school. The best one I’ve ever seen so far I’m very impressed.

All things foodie in here! Have lunch at Greystone restaurant, watch a demonstration, peruse the bookstore with cookbooks galore and cooking utensils. Peek in on a cooking or baking class in progress with the students. Impressive and massive building. Even if you don’t give a hoot about cooking, the architecture alone of this building is reason enough to stop and check it out.

Went here this last wknd on a total whim. The hubby and I were visiting in Napa for the day. We were very pleasantly surprised by our experience here. It was a busy night there, but the hostess did her best to seat us as promptly as possible. We ended up sitting at the bar because of reservations taking all of the tables. Jeremy, the bartender was funny and helpful. When things would slow down for him, he would engage in conversation. Kelsey, I think she was front of house, was great. You know it’s a good thing no one someone gets excited about the menu options. We love to each one of her recommendations. Our most favorite item on the menu was their take on a S’more… Oh it was a amazing.
Definitely worth checking out and seeing what they have to offer. Will be here next time were in Napa for sure :-)

This place was amazing! It was the off-​season so there weren’t very many people in the restaurant which worked out well for us!
When we arrived, we were immediately seated at a table near the fireplace. We were immediately asked for beverages and of course we ordered wine!
Everything that we ordered was delicious we had a variety of things from fried chicken to fillets, and it was all done very well and very tasty! If you have a chance to come to the culinary Institute of America, you are lucky! Some of the greatest chefs have trained here!

Goes beyond just the food. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Embodies California wine country: effortlessly elegant, surprisingly satisfying and a sheer delight that shouldn’t be missed. Set in a town filled with charm and treasures so come early and explore before your meal… good way to work up an appetite.

Christian Brothers historic Greystone Cellars had this building from 1932 to 1989. The Brothers were renowned for their generosity at the tasting room. One could sample 20 or more wines and their big money maker, the brandy and all for free. Fortunately, I was not the driver. Touring the facilities, one could see giant oak casks 25 feet tall and 50 feet long. The massive stone walls always housed a cool interior so it was good to go there in the hot summer.
In 1995, the CIA launched The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in the heart of California’s Napa Valley (St Helena) First offering continuing education programs for food service professionals, the campus also features the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, with special focus on food and wine pairing.
Viewed from the highway 128 (Foothill blvd), the massive edifice looks like a huge stone castle. Drive in, and around the right, drive up the hill to the free valet parking and restaurant entrance.
There are three restaurants The Wine Spectator Greystone and The Conservatory at Greystone. There is also a very good bakery café. The Conservatory is a farm fresh American food with a daily menu prepared by students of the Institute featuring what best from their own sustainable gardens. This is at leisure dining and ala carte. The food and desserts is among the best available in the Napa valley.
The facility is wheelchair accessible. There is no dress code for this restaurant and most visitors go casual. The view from the terrace is splendid and looks out over the Charles Crug winery and Napa river. One may order wines by the glass. Service is good but leisurely, if at peak lunch or dinner hours. I prefer to arrive at 3:00 PM before the crowds. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner hours. I have dined here four times and give it my highest rating for FUN.

Definitely pay a visit during your stay in Napa at least once. Their Bakery is excellent for lunch, the Greystone restaurant is highly recommended for dinner, and their gift shop provides cooks and foodies a variety of cookbooks, cookware, cooking utensils and more. No reservations are needed for the Bakery and is open to the public. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner.
The CIA is located on the left immediately after Beringer’s Winery heading north on Rt 29.

I’m giving a review for my hubby & 2 of his friends who had $ 200 lunch that was:
–Foie gras
–salad
–Tuna/​cheese sandwich
–dessert (choco mousse etc)
–wine (Saintbury Carneros 2012)
My hus said:
–One of his friends wasn’t happy with 17% gratuity.
–In spite of their large # of servers (students?), their service lacked.
–Foods were fine, but nothing wow.
–The place was just plain good, no absolute complaint.
17% pre-​charged gratuity might not be a good practice when the students are idle. Is it only I who think people overtip these days, like even for take out? I do so, but sometimes I think people take it for granted. My hus said he’d give 15% or so anyway, so just be it.
About the wine if you buy a bottle @retail, it’s $ 28, @the winery $ 36, and @CIA one bottle pours 5 glasses, not bad, my hus said.
A little off the review: They went to the Opus winery to buy wines because 2012 wasn’t available at retail yet. One of them bought 9 bottles in cash, and that’s how much he wanted them. If you can wait like other regular people, ‘Artisan’ sells $ 25 ($ 230) cheaper, but they only accept reservation now.
I call it a sheer irony that I can’t drink, but I keep on gaining knowiedge about it.

After sitting in a car for an hour and a half, Tina T. and I were ready to get out! However, once we reached the Culinary institute of America at Greystone twenty minutes later, we knew the drive was worth it. The place is drop dead gorgeous!
We came here for my high school best friend’s wedding, and everything was perfect. The ceremony and cocktail hour events were hosted outdoors. The weather was warm with a light breeze, and the décor was classic and very pleasing to the eye. The reception was indoors, and the hanging lights made everything so magical. Everything from the table signs to the place settings looked Pinterest-​perfect.
Dinner started with a salad as an appetizer which was dressed nicely. Then we had steak, lobster, and mashed potato. The potato was actually shaped like a biscuit… and because I eat with my eyes first, I was expecting it to be a biscuit. Imagine my surprise!
Food and drinks are fantastic here. And the beautiful venue was definitely fit for the beautiful bride! :)

If your a food enthusiast or ‘Foodie’ (I know… some frown upon that word.), or have a passion for cooking, or maybe even thought of becoming a Chef at any point during your life, then I highly recommend a visit to the Culinary Institute at Greystone while in Napa. You won’t be disappointed… trust me.
I apply to all of the above…(& I can call myself a Foodie too, without possessing a hint of arrogance, go figure…). If I had to choose a culinary school, the CIA at Greystone would be THE ONE.
The campus felt serene, the gorgeous trees, landscape, mountain view, all calling out my name… This historic ‘castle like’ building with exposed stone was charming and inviting. Everything just ‘felt right’…an inspired feeling, really. Not to mention lucky? This is what I was told when a pigeon decided to ‘let loose’ precisely on my heart, while walking around the campus… yes, everyone kept saying ‘It is considered luck when it ‘hits your heart’. while I didn’t feel lucky, it was certainly funny when I bolted to the lady’s room to ‘clean up the mess’…ohhh, the memories…
The interior dining area offered an exposed kitchen where you could ‘watch all the action’ from the culinary students artfully crafting & plating your dish of choice. We went with the 5 course seasonal menu and ordered various entrees so each of us could sample. (if I could remember each dish, I would definitely tell you as I love describing food, and since this is Unilocal,I believe food is worthy of a description & an explanation, and while my reviews can be rather lengthy, I know. — I take pride in being the ‘Foodie’ that I am.). I will say everything was delicious & beautifully plated. Our ‘Chef in training’ was attentive, friendly, accommodating and helpful. A great experience overall. Would love to try a Culinary Boot Camp here!
I couldn’t resist stopping in the Marketplace to check out any & all kitchen items, CIA worthy… Much restraint was needed… they have EVERYTHING, as they should. And if you love to cook, you’ll need restraint too… give your credit card to a trustworthy friend. Pick up some tokens like a well constructed CIA kitchen towel, spoon rest, AND CHEF’S HAT!
My dishes have come out 10 X’s better since wearing it! I swear it’s true! But if yours doesn’t, don’t blame the hat — just be happy to provide some ‘free entertainment’ to those around you laughing hysterically at your silly self! :p

In midst of the CIA within St. Helena, there is a little resturant where the students get trained by professional chefs and with their supervision, cook up some amazing meals.
I had the pleasure coming here once (and soon to be twice) and their seven course pre-​set menu is one of the best things I’ve had there.
We sat by the kitchen and you can see where the instructors is teaching the students how to cook as they are preparing the meal, it’s pretty cool that the students get first hand experience to what it’s like in a professional kitchen. They aren’t line cooks by any means, it’s much slower and the pre set menu gives them time to prepare what they are going to serve that night, but it’s pretty unique nonetheless.
The price of this place isn’t cheap, but it’s worth eveyr penny.

Watch a live cooking demonstration from world renowned chefs at the CIA? The idea sounded cool and being a foodie, I was super excited to visit this place. The outside looks like it could be part of the Hogwarts set and makes for a really nice photo. The inside is more modern and their classrooms are fashioned like a mini auditorium with a stage and TVs which project what the camera is filming (ie. the cooking demonstration). You literally feel like you’re on the set of a cooking show which is an experience of itself.
Honestly, I think this place has so much potential and I probably would’ve rated it a 4 if I happened to have a better chef and possibly a better menu the day I visited. Our chef for the day was SUPER BORING and talked so slowly, I was literally falling asleep in the front row. The dish for the day was a chicken dish that was so forgettable and frankly tasteless. After the chef droned on and on for an hour and a half on how to flavor the chicken and bake it in the oven, I was expecting to taste the best chicken of my life. However, this was not the case. Even my sister who is not a picky eater at all was super disappointed. I’d say if you’re a foodie, take your chances and go because this could potentially be a really cool experience. I just hope you don’t get the same chef I did :(

In my dreams, I come across a bag of money and I can quit my day time job, come here for school and cook happily ever after.
The institute is gorgeous, it was basically gifted after suggestion of Robert Mondavi and a tour is a must. The students are responsible for everything, from washing dishes to cooking and I cant wait to try their restaurant.
The price of the tour is worth every penny for those of us who love food and appreciate culinary art.
The café was closed when we visited, I recommend you try a tour and ensure the café and gift shop are opened, the restaurant requires reservations ahead of time.
We did a cooking demo and learned to make roasted garlic soup, delicious!