Elements Restaurant and Enoteca has opened in downtown Napa in the site that formerly held Pizza Azzurro at 1400 Second St. The menu developed by chef Charles Weber is an mix of small and bigger innovative plates priced from $5 to $17.

As an enoteca, it offers many wine choices.

For more information, 224-4518 or www.elementsnapa.com.

   

Restaurant for kids to replace Loco’s 

Loco’s Tex-Mex restaurant has closed, and the small spot behind the Opera House should open in about a month as The Little Gourmet, a kid-oriented restaurant that also has specials (including wine and beer) for adults.

   

Cucina Italiana first green restaurant

Cucina Italiana at Spanish Flat Village Center at Lake Berryessa is now certified as a Bay Area Green Business, the first restaurant in Napa County to achieve this distinction.

You can get information on how your business can be certified green from the Napa County Department of Environmental Management.

Silo’s grand opening Friday   

Silo’s wine and jazz club holds its grand opening Friday night, though it’s been open for a few weeks already.

The club features singer Wesla Whitfield and pianist Mike Greensill on weekends, and Greensill Wednesday and Thursday. It offers local wine, Napa Smith beer on tap and desserts.

Silo’s is at 530 Main St. Call 251-5583.

Michael Mondavi introduces top ‘M’ cabernet

Folio Fine Wine Partners will introduce its signature “M” by Michael Mondavi cabernet sauvignon this month.

Tony Coltrin is the winemaker and Michael’s son Rob assists him in the cellar.

The wine comes from Mondavi’s Animo vineyard in the Foss Valley of the Atlas Peak appellation.

He made 700 cases. It sells for $199 per bottle.

   

Bertotti wins award for Black Stallion Winery

Bertotti Landscaping was recently honored by the North Coast Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association with a first place 2008 Achievement Award for its landscape installation at the Black Stallion Winery in Napa.

   

Salzner appointed president of Castello di Amorosa

Dario Sattui, owner of Castello di Amorosa winery, has appointed Georg Salzner as president.

Salzner returns to the U.S. after 13 years in Vienna, Austria. He most recently served as Director for the Public Gastronomies for Compass Group in Austria.

The winery currently produces 15,000 cases per year, much from the vineyards surrounding it. The wines are sold only at the winery.

Castello di Amorosa is at 4045 Highway 29, north of St. Helena. 

   

Ovid appoints Janet Pagano manager

Ovid Napa Valley proprietors Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson have appointed Janet Pagano managing partner.

Pagano has been with Ovid, a producer of a super-premium Napa Valley bordeaux blend, since its inception.

Previous to her position at Ovid Napa Valley, Pagano was general manager and winemaker at Codorniu Napa/Artesa Winery, general manager at Stonestreet, and president of Mt. Veeder Winery.

   

Opera House names Tsai executive director

The Napa Valley Opera House has named Larry Tsai executive director and chief operating officer.

Tsai was chief marketing officer at Copia. He previously worked in branded consumer products.

Evy Warshawski continues as artistic direction.

E-mail news to paul@napalife.com