I live in Los Angeles and dine out frequently. Visiting Charlottesville to see my son who is an…read moreathlete at UVA and I wanted to take him to a "nice" dinner after a big competitive day. First of all, I love the speakeasy style "alley" entrance of this restaurant. No signage and you'll walk right by the alley if you're not careful. Very cool. Second, once you're inside, the custom cocktails are amazing and the food is delicious. You order "tapa style" for the table to share and it all comes out as it may. I like that a lot, and it keeps dinner engaging and interesting. I enjoyed the chorizo and chickpea crostini, as well as mushroom crêpe and the beef tenderloin. My son's favorite dish was the pork belly. The simple salad had a tangy vinaigrette and was refreshing. Instead of cauliflower augratin, I was really envisioning a cauliflower scallop (potato) style dish, which I think Chef should consider. I feel if the cauliflower was scalloped and integrated with the cheese and cream in a way that would melt in your mouth, it would be more delectable. this was my second time here and I would come back again and again. I really love this place. Five star experience!

One of my favorite spots for a date night in Charlottesville. It's a small place, but we've been…read morelucky enough to grab a couple of seats at the bar most times we've stopped in. Cocktails are rotating and seasonal, but one of my all time favorites was the peach whiskey sour made with local peaches, and a coconut jasmine (gin?) drink that was the Dealer's Choice option. For a light app, I really enjoy the goat cheese and fennel. The ambiance is cozy and upscale, and the staff is incredibly attentive and knowledgable.

What a great place that begins a few feet before you get to the door and the staff have opened it…read morefor you. When dining here, I enjoy the superbly prepared food, a very high level of attention and a cozy, classy and quaint atmosphere. The restaurant is small but the food taste is large. Before I describe my courses, there were many bonus bites, starting with an amuse bouche and then other small and wonderful taste surprises between the courses. Had the small, bite-size food gifts been a full course, I would have been quite content. For example, one plate of small tasty delights had 5 items to enjoy. That little dishes included quail egg, beet, steak tartar, stuffed corn cakes, avocado mousse and corn jam and some creamy pistachio. There was also the delicate and frothy egg yolk with a ginger and carrot salad. I was also given a surprise small portion of delectable soup, which was root vegetable-based with a truffle cream dollop on top. I enjoyed the carrot and rich parsnip flavors in that soup. Of course, there was some fresh warm bread with a yummy, garlicky butter. i had a glass of champagne whcih had a light, clean grassy taste with an nice acidic bitterness. My three courses on the Prix Fixe menu started with the Tagliatelle aux fruits de mer parfumee a la truffle. This seafood pasta dish, with a truffle accent, was a wonderful balance between the earthy flavor and the slightly sweet and perfectly-seared scallops. The next course was a Bourride de fruits de mer. This dish is a seafood stew in a tomato soup. As usual, the flavor combination is so sublime and so interesting on the tongue. The soup arrived with a slice of flavorful garlic bread, perched above the bowl which was holding fresh seafood on the surface. The final course was La bombe au chocolat. This is a rich dark chocolate and raspberry mousse in a deep hot chocolate sauce. Of course, the chef was so kind in sending out another bonus dish with a type of of kouign-amann, a wonderfully tasty lime tart and yummy chocolate truffles in the center. What a spectacular experience!

Our dinner at Fleurie was absolutely flawless. As someone dining with a friend who has Celiac…read moredisease, I cannot praise the kitchen enough for their incredible accommodation. They made her feel completely safe and included by providing an experience just as elevated and refined as the standard menu. ​We began with a beautiful progression of hors d'oeuvres and a silky lobster bisque, followed by perfectly seared scallops. For the main courses, the venison was tender and masterfully seasoned, while the lobster was a delicate and buttery triumph. ​The in-between courses really set this restaurant apart. We loved the thoughtful amuse-bouche to start and the chocolate pre-dessert that served as the perfect bridge to our final courses. We finished with a dramatic Chocolate Bomb and a classic Grand Marnier Crème Brûlée, followed by a lovely plate of mignardises to close the evening. ​Fleurie is the gold standard for French dining in Charlottesville. It is intimate, professional, and genuinely caring about dietary needs. This is a must-visit for any special occasion.

We randomly came upon this restaurant late at night after a Friday night concert. Only to realize…read morethe place was closing in 30 ish minutes. Upon learning that information we decided not to order any entrees, just desserts. The food was okay. The pricing of this place is insane. Service certainly didn't dictate this level of ambiance. But I would try it again. Hard to give it a full 5 stars when the food was just okay. But the drinks were excellent.

Tonight we had a party of 4 and they squeezed us in. We started with the Caesar salad , onion soup…read moreand calamari. All were excellent. For supper we had the salmon chicken and squash risotto. The chicken Marsala was great the salmon was good. The risotto was meh. Then we had the fried banana bread and vanilla ice cream. Wow get this!! Crem brûlée and raspberry mouse all good banana bread was outstanding. For a place that was established in 1996 I have to hand it to them for doing so well.

My husband and I decided to give this little restaurant a try in the hopes that it would be a place…read morespecial enough to bring two dear friends coming to visit us in the near future. Petit Pois surpassed our expectations! It has such charming character both inside and outside. It has a very intimate outside dining area that in enshrouded by beautiful trees and plants. There are many tables with seating that is so eclectic which only adds to the outside ambience. The inside area has about 7 to 8 tables making it perfect for a date night or lunch with friends. It also has a small bar area if one is just looking to have a glass of wine or cocktail. And the bar is fully stocked with an endless array of liquor for any type of cocktail one might be in the mood for. The service was absolutely fantastic. The waiters were attentive but did not hover. The menu is small but had items that could even accommodate my KETO diet. The prices were very reasonable given the incredible quality of the food. My husband and I shared a glass of delicious Sauvignon Blanc that was so refreshing on a very hot summer day. He and I ordered an appetizer. I had a delicious mixed green salad with goat cheese and tomatoes. He had a bowl of gazpacho. Once done our entrees arrived. I ordered the trout with green beans and he the shrimp risotto. He and I agreed that both of our meals were out of this world! Never had I eaten trout and the way this was prepared melted in my mouth. My husband's dish was absolutely delectable! Petit Pois is an amazing little gem in the heart of Charlottesville that is open for both lunch and dinner. I HIGHLY recommend that anyone living in the area or visiting make a point of dining there!!

Some friends and I did a day trip to Charlottesville. While walking along the main shopping area,…read morewe noticed this restaurant which had a nice tree covered outdoor patio. We sat outside and each ordered lunch and a beverage. The lunch menu was full of varied offerings so we were each able to find something we liked. I opted for the house cheeseburger and frites. The burger was everything you'd want it to be, flavorful and juicy, and the seasoned frites were thin and tasty. The salad was just a pile of greens with no dressing, so wasn't a big fan of that. I got a Kronenbourg 1664 French lager with my lunch and it was really tasty. The waitress was friendly and attentive. I'd definitely eat here again, especially on a nice day in their patio.

Perfect. Swordfish is cooked to perfection, great old drinks. Awesome service - very…read moreknowledgeable about gluten allergies. Lot of options for GF customers.

Friends of mine have been raving about here for years. I finally had the chance to stop by and it…read moredidn't disappoint. I sat in the outdoor area on a nice day, with live music playing down the street. My server was quick to chat me up and give recommendations. I went with the mussels and a glass of happy hour wine. The wine was OK, but the mussels (and that broth!) were great. I'd have given it 4 stars, if not for the very attentive server. Totally worth a revisit.

We went on a Friday night in July with a 7pm reservation. It was moderately busy but I think this…read moreplace should have been packed. Probably will be when the students come back. What a treat for an elevated meal out. We liked that it was fish forward and very well prepared. It has other option though if the sea is not your thing. The service was friendly and prompt and the vibe was French farmhouse. Loved the banquette seating with cushions. Probably the most comfortable I've ever been in a restaurant. The wooden chairs could probably use a pad though. We started out with a cocktail, a beer and an iced tea with its own little cut carafe of simple syrup. The cocktail was the Madam George and it was just as described: Complex, bitter and sweet. Loves that they had descriptions under each cocktail. So helpful! My husband really enjoyed his dark beer from Von Trapp. It was smooth and lighter than most dark beers so perfect for a summer night. To start the meal we received a complimentary amuse bouche of crab salad. It was a delightful briny and citrus bite. For apps we got the burrata and seafood board and both were great openers for our meal. The burrata had a lovely smooth and creamy texture and the tomato and sauce were a nice complement. Needed a tad bit more crostini but we used some that came on the seafood board which was full of tasty and unique seafood delights: the tea smoked scallops with ponzu were my favorite! For entrees we got the bacon wrapped trout, the branzino and the halibut. All three were delicious! Seriously couldn't decide what we liked the best because they were all so good. The trout had a depth of flavor unusual for fish because of the slight smokiness and creamy texture of the fish contrasting with the crispness of the bacon.. The branzino was light and fluffy with a nice tang from the yogurt sauce. The halibut was perfectly cooked with a creamy coconut risotto and a lovely ginger tomato sauce with a nice kick. The mango salsa with a perfect complement to give it an island feel. And to top it off there was a complimentary dessert bite that was a shortbread with caramel and chocolate ganache and a touch of salt. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Even the bathrooms were nice Can't wait to go back!

Sad.. they were my favorite new find and I wanted to go back immediately. To find thwybjad shit…read moredown. I cannot understand how such a great place went out of business...

A cute place to hang out as a family, friends, on a date. I enjoyed a yummy vegan chocolate bar…read morefrom Mulberry and Spring and some hot tea. please give this business some love as it deserves.

This is our favorite place to be on a nice day and spend sometime relaxing at one of their outdoor…read moretables. We usually get their big board (charcuterie) and pair it with one of their wines. Never been disappointed by the food quality or amazing service. Has been and will continue to be our favorite place in Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.

Love this place. Second time back in maybe 2 years and I had to come back for the Peasant Beef &…read morePork Bolognese. Didn't disappoint, again! Our server was so nice. Food was great, so was the dessert. If I come back again, I'll be in for dinner.

AMBIANCE We came in with reservation for a dinner with…read morefriends one evening. The place is easy enough to get to and we found parking luckily on the street. We strolled in, gave our name for reservation, and were swiftly seated in the back of the restaurant behind the bar area. It was a comfortable setting for dinner with most of the dining room in a pleasantly quiet a bit dark in a warm way but good enough for conversation and relaxing atmosphere for chilling out. FOOD We started with the housemade rosemary focaccia bruschetta ($14), and were recommended to order two servings for our table of four... so we did. About 10 minutes later, the appetizer arrived and the focaccia was a nice way to begin the meal, and was surpised it wasn't pre-cut but it was fine to cut it at the table with the cheese and share...it tasted good but was not especially remarkable for what you'd expect (forgot to take a photo) For our entrées, we ordered the grilled branzino ($39)...a bit overly oily for me, the fish of the night ($39), coastal tagliatelle ($28), and spaghetti pomodoro ($23). The dishes were solid portion and generally enjoyable. I suppose I expected more of a WOW that I didn't get from the menu options or the service...probably didn't help we were seated next to a large and very loud group in the back. Overall, the food was fine and satisfying, though nothing stood out enough to make the meal especially memorable. We skipped dessert. SERVICE Service was acceptable and kept the meal moving, but it did not add much to the overall experience... Overall, this was an okay Italian spot with a comfortable ambiance and a solid selection of dishes, but it did not quite deliver the exceptional food or memorable experience expected from a well-raved restaurant that others had hyped up. I personally wouldn't visit this spot again in the area for Italian food, knowing that there are spots nearby with warmer service and more interesting menu options....so this rating is relative to those spots.

As a four-time visitor, I've found that while the food here is consistently flavorful and…read moreinventive, the value proposition remains a mixed bag. This is particularly true for the wine program; for a venue with such a massive retail selection, the curated menu feels surprisingly stingy. I had high hopes for their Cheese Board, but unfortunately, it mirrored my general experience here: great flavors, questionable value. The Highlights: The presentation on the bamboo board is lovely. The bread was exceptionally fresh and flavorful, and the fruit accompaniments; Persimmon, guava, grapes, and strawberry, offered a bright, acidic contrast that paired well with the selections. The Letdowns: Zero Transparency: The cheeses weren't listed on the menu, and the server didn't offer any information on what was being served. Half the joy of a professional board is the "story" knowing the origins and profiles. We were left entirely in the dark. The "Bread-to-Cheese" Ratio: Most of the selections were hard cheeses, and the two soft cheeses provided were literally the size of a quarter. Every sample was sliced remarkably thin. While the bread portion was generous, there wasn't nearly enough cheese or fruit to sustain it. It felt less like a cheese service and more like a bread board with a cheese garnish. Bottom Line: The Crush Pad clearly has access to great ingredients, but the portions should be more than "tastes." I want to love this place, but the value for the price just isn't quite there.

There is elegance and comfort to be found in Crush Pad Wines, in the downtown mall in…read moreCharlottesville. They have an excellent wine selection with a knowledgeable staff to back up any questions you ask. I did not expect there to be a full kitchen, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food we ordered. The Mushroom Crostinis in particular played into the refined vibe the entire bar was giving off. A fun stop for a quick glass of wine, or a seated meal that will be accompanied by excellent taste.

We recently had dinner at Sal's Caffe Italia and really enjoyed our experience. The interior is so…read morewarm and charming, with a cozy, old-school Italian feel. You can tell this place has been part of the community for a long time. I loved seeing the photos of the owners and family on the walls--it adds such a personal touch and makes the restaurant feel special. We started with the Caesar salad and bruschetta, and both were delicious. For our main course, we shared the spaghetti and meatballs. The portion was generous, perfect for sharing, and the flavors were exactly what you hope for from a family-run Italian restaurant. For dessert, we shared the cheesecake, which was a great way to end the meal. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. The outdoor seating area looked very charming as well, but it was a hot evening, so we opted to sit inside. Overall, a lovely dinner in a welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be back.

Sal's is an adorable Italian restaurant located on the Charlottesville pedestrian mall. They offer…read moredining inside and outside. The inside felt like an intimate New York restaurant. Portions are large enough to share, which is exactly what a couple seated next to us did for their appetizer and meal. Otherwise, you likely will be taking home what's left on your plate. Happy hour offers $3 off house cocktails, $8 glass of house wine, and $13 for a half carafe of house wine. Great deals! The staff are friendly and helpful.