Massive and bland food - that was my impression of the Boon Fly. 
It was a couple of years ago, maybe they have improved.
Downtown Napa is very walkable. There is a short path along the Napa river and benches to sit on and chat if you need to. There are boutiques and bakeries that one can pop in and/or window shop.
My S is coming alone. Her H and kids are going to visit their grandma in LA. She needs to pick up wine at a winery between St Helena and Yountville. She vetoed Napkins as it’s just ordinary.
So I will look at menu at Bouchon more closely.
I’m appreciative of all the great information.
I believe the lunch and dinner menu are the same at Bouchon so it can get rather pricey. for lunch. The thing about Yountville (where Bouchon is located) that I really like (besides eating at Redd outside on their patio) is visiting the French Laundry gardens where they grow their herbs and vegetables, directly across the street from the restaurant.
If Bouchon is a consideration, then don’t overlook neighboring restaurant Bistro Jeanty. Our foodie friends rave about this restaurant.
Well…then if Brix is there, I can heartily recommend it. Gorgeous views, terrific food and service. Not inexpensive, but not French Laundry expensive either.
I would go back!
Just a couple more things and then I’ll shut up:
Brix also has a nice garden area along with good food and great atmosphere as thumper noted. But not in town so you would have to drive up to St. Helena or back to Napa for the shops, etc. This is also true for Bistro Don Giovanni and Boon Fly Cafe. Boon Fly would probably not be great for a party of 8.
I love St. Helena but the traffic is absolutely bumper-to-bumper in both directions these days. So, if you are not a fan of heavy traffic, Yountville is much less congested than St. Helena.
Since there are 8 of you, having a semi-private and quieter area would be high on my wish list. Redd in Yountville would be good for that. They would probably let you have the outdoor patio all to yourselves. It is not as picturesque as some of the other outdoor settings, but it has a nice quiet vibe. It should be noted that Redd has a fairly short list of offerings on their menu.
@jshain no need to shut up. I find your suggestions helpful. There will now just be 5 of us. I’ll find out what winery she needs to go to. I have a feeling my D will want one place and my sister another. My H will probably end up picking up the bill so I don’t want a place that is $50-100 per person before wine.
We had a surprisingly good meal at the Rutherford Grill. It’s not gourmet food - more on the comfort food end of things. They made a terrific kale salad. We had steak, cornbread and grilled artichokes. One nice thing about them is you can bring your own wine and there is no corking fee.
More info- her father in law gifts her H a year of wine club membership at Napa Cellars every year. She wants to pick up the wine while she is in the area. We are going on a Saturday and I’m noticing some places serve lunch where others serve brunch.
Have to say - how nice of your sister to treat your entire group to a gourmet lunch at your husband’s expense. There are no truly bad food places in Napa… But there are some expensive ones, for sure.
You might want to ask if they can accommodate your party of 5 at a ROUND table. (I did this a last year at Bistro Don Giovanni and got the absolute worse table in the restaurant, in a high waiter traffic area. Forgot to request a round table away from the kitchen entrance.)
@mom60…if your Sister has a membership @ Napa Cellars, she should be able to get you all a tasting flight for reduced or free–or some other benefit. (If she’s picking up wine, have her crack open a bottle 
). Also, IIRC, Napa Cellars has picnic tables that you can bring your own food in (maybe from Oxbow market?) along with bocce and maybe cornhole. (Disclosure: haven’t been there in two years.)
You won’t have to be rushed and can chat. Make a day of it–somewhat on her dime! But do make a reservation and make sure you can reserve a table…
And if you really want a restaurant, Bottega for lunch (very close to Napa Cellars) is not that expensive – for the area…and is delicious. There are other shops around and some grounds to stroll thru…
@gosmom - she does have passes for free tasting at Napa Cellars. Bottega is on the suggested list.
Go for the tasting! And I second the picnic option. Way more fun than eating in a restaurant.
Or as others said, eat at Bottega and then do wine tasting as your social activity.
H and I tagged along on a 5-day food/wine trip to the Napa area that one of his business partners (a serious foodie) organized for three couples. Napa (city) was our home base and we had meals there several times—went to Zuzu, Marimoto, and Torc. Loved them all. The night we were at Marimoto there was a big buzz in the room—Thomas Keller, French Laundry chef, came to the restaurant with his staff (so said our waiter). We were finishing our dinner—so we saw the Keller group on our way out.
We had dinner at the restaurants above—don’t know if they are open for lunch/brunch. We had brunch one day at Bouchon—it was fine. We liked Grace’s Table and a place called the Kitchen Door better.
H and I are thinking of going back to Napa in June and I am saving this thread!
@Bromfield2, Hopefully you are not planning on the weekend of June 22-24…Nascar weekend. Room and dinner reservations will be at a premium…if you can even find.
Making my room reservations as we speak! We will be there the prior weekend.
@BunsenBurner foodie friend of mine gave huge thumbs up to
Gran Electrica (downtown Napa) Mexican…west coast version of NYC restaurant
CHarter Oak (in old Tre Vigne building) in St. Helena
BunsenBurner, where you staying? I promise not to break into your room and short sheet the bed.
LOL! Thinking about using our Marriott points…