From the iconic seascapes of coastal Italy to the breathtaking vistas of Napa Valley, ours is a story decades in the making.
Our Story
Scala Osteria offers traditional Southern Italian, seafood-centered dishes meant to be shared with family and friends in a warm, welcoming dining room. Our menu is inspired by the Italian osteria, where simple, well-executed food is at the center of the table and the atmosphere is lively and inviting.
Giovanni Scala, of Bistro Don Giovanni, along with his wife, Minta, and longtime friends and partners, Aaron and Rosa Diaz, had been considering a joint venture for years. When a space on First Street became available, they jumped at the opportunity to open a restaurant they could pour their hearts into together. Scala Osteria opened in 2022, bringing that vision to life in downtown Napa.
While Giovanni was already well known for Napa favorite Bistro Don Giovanni, this project was something more personal, a place even closer to home, built around family, partnership, and shared tables. Since opening, Scala Osteria has been warmly received and has become a favorite among both locals and visitors alike.
Giovanni’s career in hospitality spans decades, beginning with the co-founding of the original Piatti in Yountville with his late wife, Donna, alongside partners from Auberge du Soleil. Giovanni and Donna went on to open five additional locations across California before leaving Piatti to open Bistro Don Giovanni in 1993, a longtime Napa Valley staple. They later brought their vision to San Francisco with Scala’s Bistro inside the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in Union Square. While these ventures each found success, his heart has always remained in Napa Valley, with a continued focus on the Bistro. Along the way, Giovanni has made friends who have become family, and it is with them that Scala Osteria came to life.
Aaron Diaz and Cristian Corro each began their careers with Giovanni more than thirty and fifteen years ago, respectively, starting as bussers and working their way into leadership roles. Aaron went on to build a strong career of his own, opening restaurants such as Cuvée and later taking over and continuing to operate Uva, a longtime local favorite. Today, he serves as Managing Partner at Scala Osteria. Cristian has built his career in Napa’s restaurant community, developing as both a leader and operator, and now serves as General Manager of Scala Osteria.
Rosa Diaz, a well-known and beloved figure in the valley, is known for her warmth, hospitality, and ability to connect with guests. She sets the example for the restaurant’s strong focus on guest relations and service.
Executive Chef Hugo Ortiz has been part of this extended family since 1994, working alongside Giovanni and Donna and contributing to the opening of Scala’s Bistro in San Francisco. He later played an integral role in the development of Scala Osteria and now leads the kitchen with a deep understanding of the traditions and flavors that define the restaurant.
Combining more than thirty years of experience in the restaurant industry with a PhD in literature, Minta Scala brings a unique perspective to Scala Osteria. Her decades in hospitality shape the service standards and attention to detail that define the restaurant, while her interest in storytelling informs the way the space is conceived and experienced. Working with local design team Shopworks, she brought to life an environment that is both stylish and comfortable, rooted in a Mediterranean sensibility, from the blue awnings and glowing storefront to the mural of the Gulf of Napoli and the hand-tiled oyster bar.
The Family
An osteria is a type of restaurant found in Italy that offers simple, memorable food and wine in an unpretentious setting. Our philosophy is to honor that tradition while bringing a more refined approach to both the food and the experience. The result is a space that feels casual, vibrant, and distinctly its own. We call ourselves both Scala Osteria and, more simply, Scala.
Scala focuses on Southern Italian coastal cuisine, with broader Mediterranean and California influences. Giovanni was raised in Torre del Greco, just outside of Naples, and much of the menu is inspired by the food of his childhood, from dishes prepared by his mother, Concetta, to the street food of the region. As a historic port city, Naples has long been a meeting point for diverse cultures and traditions, a spirit of openness that is reflected in our menu. Our wine list follows a similar philosophy, pairing Mediterranean selections with the wines of Napa Valley.
Scala welcomes guests in the way an osteria should. You can stop in for oysters or a panini, or settle in for a longer meal. Both are equally at home here.
From Napoli to Napa
California artist Jayde Cardinalli created our Pulcinella, as well as the large mural just left of the bar. Pulcinella, a character from the Italian tradition of Commedia dell’Arte, is closely associated with Naples and reflects the spirit of the city we draw from.
Both rustic and urban in nature, Pulcinella is at once a melancholic dreamer and a sly, slightly transgressive figure. You’ll find him throughout the restaurant in various poses and settings, including his primary form holding a piece of coral, a nod to Giovanni’s hometown of Torre del Greco, known for its coral craftsmanship.
