I have been to the local twice both with very large groups. Both times it has been a private event for 50+ people. They do a fantastic job with large groups. Both times we had the entire upstairs reserved with a select menu. At my most recent event diners had three choices. Meatloaf, salmon or mushroom pasta. The diners in my area all choose meatloaf or salmon. Both looked great! Thank you for accommodating a large party and your great servers and kitchen! read more

The Local - Meatloaf with green beans - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Came here for our daughter's 25th birthday. we did have reservations and everything went smoothly. our server Claudia was very accommodating. We ordered as appetizers the Crab soup, Crispy Shrimp and the Bison tostada. The crab soup and the Shrimps were exquisite . The bison tostada was so so. For main course we ordered the Crab pasta , Bison short rib and the NY strip steak, all were excellent. for deserts we had the. bread pudding and the crème brûlée cheesecake. Once again everything was delicious.. read more

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Ambiance was welcoming and warm. Jeremy who was our server was excellent - attentive and pleasant without being overpowering. Food was first rate. Each plate was superb. Our two sons had smash burgers that they rated 10/10. Crispy shrimp appetizer was the best we've ever had. Tenderloin special was exceptional as was the salmon. Do not miss dessert! You will not be disappointed! Rarely do we find a restaurant with this level of consistency which makes for such an outstanding meal. Highly recommend "The Local"! read more

The Local - The Local Resturant - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Crispy shrimp: crispy, lightly battered, paired well with a sweet crunchy seaweed salad. Meatloaf: this was really good. The waiter recommended it as one of the popular menu items and I was a little hesitant but it was packed with flavor. Fried chicken: has a little kick to it! read more

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My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary here. The food was top tier and staff were very helpful with recommendations. The short rib was fall of the bone tender, no knife needed. My husband was very pleased with the New York strip that was cooked to perfection. We look forward to our next visit! read more

The Local - Bison short rib and New York strip - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This was the most quintessential Charlottesville inspired upscale restaurant I have been too. Very fitting to be called the local. The food was solid, the drinks were great, and the service was good. The only reason I give this place a 4 stars rather than 5 is the price point. While not drastically overpriced the food I expected to blow me away. Maybe my expectations were too high and maybe I should give this another shot as many have told me great things about this place. I just walked away a little underwhelmed. Would try again. read more

The Local - Berkshire Pork Chop - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Kind of nice atmosphere, but the space is fragmented and crowded. Couldn't understand our server. Positions itself as fine dining, but tries too hard without delivering. Didn't offer bread. The salmon was good but ordinary, on a mystery sauce without flavor. We wantes to order dessert, but the server skipped us and vanished, had to order to go from the bar--stood there 15 minutes just to get a slice of pie in a box, got home and it was absurdly small, cost me $12, what a ripoff. No parking, had to do a pay app, cost $30 for dinner parking! read more

Really cute spot!! I grabbed a casual weeknight dinner here with a friend, and I was immediately impressed by how friendly the staff was and how cozy and relaxed the vibes were. We were seated outside in their covered upstairs patio, and it was delightful -- it was the perfect weather for a little in / outdoor seating arrangement, I loved the rustic decor, and the combination of the wooden deck and furniture with the dim glow of the string lights just made me feel like I was at home. Our server was equally friendly and attentive, despite how busy the place was, and it was such a delightful dining experience. I ordered the roasted salmon with potatoes and brussels sprouts, and my friend got the salad with added salmon. It was solid and came with a very generous portion, but I think that the food was generally quite average and not quite worth the final $30 per person bill. My salmon was a bit overcooked and dry, and I didn't love the way the potatoes or brussels sprouts were prepared. However, there's a ton of other stuff on their menu, so I'm sure I just ordered the wrong thing -- there was another fish dish that seemed really tasty, and I was quite impressed by their selection of vegetarian options! I can't wait to come back and hopefully find something that's a little bit more my speed, especially since the atmosphere was just so perfect. read more

First off--we live here and had never been. Saw reviews so we made a Sat night reservation. It's hidden close to downtown in a little neighborhood close to a few known local spots. The ambiance is casual and chill. With a bar and seating on the main level as well as a whole additional dining room upstairs! We were escorted up the stairs to a fantastic open space with wait staff and bar as well. Immediately was greeted by Will. He shared a bit of his personality and the specials. We got a couple of their mixed cocktails and looked over menu. The selections were hard to choose from. Beef tenderloin, trout, and a fan favorite meatloaf --were all available. We ended up with Short ribs and pork chops. Cooked perfectly and the sauce and glaze for both were delicious. The portion size was just right and we left feeling satisfied but not stuffed. The place was hopping --a wedding party was getting seated as we were heading out and close to 7pm the individual tables were filling up. The atmosphere is very engaging, relaxed, and upbeat. I wouldn't recommended kids here-- but of course at an appropriate time of evening they should be fine. There were couples, groups, and 20 something's throughout! It does get louder when filling up. So get there early if you want a quieter experience. Overall, what a great space! Will definitely be returning. If you're in Cville, it a must stop! read more

I've been in town this past week visiting my daughter in Charlottesville. Last night was our last night in town so we stopped by the local place for dinner. The establishment is very rustic and is a skillful use of repurposed architecture. There were four of us so I fully expected to spend a few dollars. With that being said. I have high expectations and unfortunately they weren't met. The service was not very good we waited 15 minutes for our server to say hello and another 10 minutes for him to return. We placed our drink order and received weak cocktails that were junior size drinks. One would expect a premium drink for a premium price this was not the case. After our appetizers arrived our meal came out shortly afterwards. My wife and I each had the bison short ribs. The ribs were hot and tasty. The rest of the dish was not so much. In addition to the ribs, mashed potatoes, onions, and grilled carrots listed on the menu. I received two carrots mashed potatoes that were both hard and cold.and no onions. My wife received one carrot,1/2 onion and cold mashed potatoes. I'm not trying to split hairs, but if you're going to drop some coin on an expensive meal, you should get What you ordered. During dinner, it was very difficult to get our waiters attention so much so I had to get up and get my own salt. When it was time to settle up, we spent well over $200. The overall experience was disappointing, and I would be reticent to come back again. If you're going hold yourself up as being a fine dining establishment then act like one. One thing to mention not once during our visit did a manager or anyone else asked us how our food was. There are a lot of dining options in Charlottesville this one I won't be coming back to. read more

The Local - Bison Local Buffalo Creek Beef Short Ribs - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Genuinely, Without Exaggeration, the Worst Restaurant in Charlottesville Go ahead and laugh! My track record in writing positive reviews speaks for itself. This place is horrific. I am upset that I'm spending any time at all talking about this abomination, but I care about the Cvillians who might consider sacrificing their stomachs and sanity to eat here. My family went here on Mother's Day. We arrived 8 minutes early for our reservation. We were greeted by a manager who immediately complained about us and other people being early for our reservation and how difficult that was for them. Strike 1. We sat down outside. Our waitress was friendly, but was responsible for nearly every table outside, and they were packed. At one point, she was reduced to tears from the stress. It appeared that off to the side, the manager was lecturing her for crying. Strike 2. I ordered She-crab soup. It came out and looked like vomit. There were no crab bits. It tasted bland. I waved down someone from the kitchen and asked to return it. They agreed that they don't even like it. Strike 3. My wife ordered a salad appetizer specifically as an entree. It came out 20 minutes before anybody else's meal. The croutons were stale. Strike 4. The manager came and apologized to tables for his rudeness. He said we can understand that sometimes, we have bad days. Strike 5. My gnocchi came out. It tasted like Chef Boyardee Ravioli. I ran to the bathroom and nearly vomited. Strike 6. Everyone else's meal was also terrible. Strike 7. My pregnant wife, my mom, and my grandmother were all unhappy. On Mother's Day. Strike 8. Go ahead. Ignore me. Pay $18 for canned meat and greasy noodles. I hope people wise up and avoid this place so that it can promptly go to Hell. read more

The Local - Gnocchi Bolognese de Chef Boyardee - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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This tiny spot is a hole in the wall in the best way -- serving the best food we had in Charlottesville. The dishes were fresh and fantastic, highlighting locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful seasonal flavors that stand out from the usual tourist fare. The atmosphere was cozy and authentic, making you feel like you're truly experiencing something unique. If you want a memorable meal that showcases Charlottesville's farm-to-table scene, this should be at the top of your list. read more

The Local - Goat cheese salad, crab soup Goat Cheese Salad Crab Soup - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

One of the best $30 steaks I ever ate. I had to stop in here on my way across Virginia to Petersburg because my family and I stopped in here on vacation two years ago. I got to sit at the exact same table. I ordered the New York strip, and it was exquisite just as I remember. They even had live music afterwards. Open mic Monday night! read more

The Local - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Go early. We got there at 6 on a Tuesday night. It was not crowded at that point, but it was by the time we left about 7:30. There were 4 of us, grandparents and grandchildren, ages 11 and 13. Our server recommended crispy shrimp for an appetizer and it was great. The grandchildren loved it. Two of us had salmon, one had crab pasta and one ordered off the kids' menu. Everything was good. Then, we ordered dessert. It was slow to be served, but it was good. The bigger problem was that the server was so busy he didn't get back to check us out. I had to take the bill and my card to the bar and ask for help. If I was going to go again I would go earlier in hope of avoiding the delays. read more

Went for restaurant week. Food was amazing. The cauliflower and Brussels sprouts were so good. read more

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The service was fantastic. The vibe was so lovely and the bar area was so cool. We loved how all of the food was locally sourced. The cheese plate was fantastic as well! Oh and the crab soup! This strip steak was so yummy and the sauce on it was amazing!! read more

The Local - NY Strip Steak - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Nice staff and very accomodating (we were late for our reservation). Our waitress was very knowledge about the menu and made great recommendations. The crab soup (cream of crab) was amazing. Almost had like a buttery taste to it. Perfect flavor and for $8 for a bowl, can't beat it! I enjoyed the steak fries but wish it was cut some more. It was flavorful and cooked perfectly. I didn't try the salmon but my friend cleared their plate so I think it was a hit! Delicious drinks too and the ambiance chill, small, and very much like a local spot. read more

The Local - Steak Frites - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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I rarely leave reviews, but I could not let this experience go by without commenting. Both service and food were troubling. I came with my family of four to celebrate a birthday. Ordered four dishes: 2 strip steaks with potato and green beans, a steak salad, and the roasted cauliflower dish. The strip steak plates came first. There was a considerable wait (about 7 or 8 minutes) for the other two dishes all the while the two dinners at the table were cooling down. When the other two dishes finally arrived, waffles and fried chicken were presented instead of the roasted cauliflower. After the waiter finally decided that HE had made the mistake, another 5 to 10-minute wait began. By the time we began eating, my dish was lukewarm-cool. The presentation was disappointing and ultimately unappetizing. The medium rare strip steak was tough and dry, the potato pave was tasteless, and the 6-1/2 green beans on my plate were undercooked and now cold. I would expect better from this long-standing Charlottesville restaurant. read more

Had a good time will be back. Server was nice and drinks were good. Homemade pasta and steak were delicious.

Eh. Certainly not the worst dinner I've had but when the Local stacks up against other New American fare in Charlottesville it doesn't quite hold up in comparison. 3/5 TLDR the food is fine but not the best I've had here. If you're looking for ~$20 per person entrees for a decent night out you'll find it, but better and similar fare can be found at other spots around town. The service and the ambiance are both good, it's very cute inside and old wood and bricks. The building is historic and it's well curated with local art. Tables are far too close together we were basically sitting on top of the people behind us and that was uncomfortable. Dining room was way too cold in the winter -bring a jacket. The start we had a cheese and fruit plate. The cheese was pretty boring IMO - Brie, smoked Gouda, and then two white cheeses probably a cheddar and Parmesan. Fruit was grapes and apples. Good, but again kind of just meh. For entrees, we had two pasta dishes at our table and two meat entrees. I had the shrimp carbonara, my friend had the truffle mushroom linguine, my boyfriend had the meatloaf (recommended by our server) and my friends boyfriend had the steak. All of us felt very meh - there was no standout dish everything was kind of just meh. My shrimp carbonara was okay, the pasta was the star. It was perfectly cooked and the pasta tasted handmade. The shrimp half was tail on half was tail off and it felt cooked unevenly - some pieces were cooked too long and super curled and rubbery, some pieces were juicier. The sauce was a letdown - for a carbonara, this was like eating cheese water. Thin and very little flavor. I did not finish it and didn't bother taking more home. Not the best pasta in Charlottesville. This was the second dish our server recommended. My boyfriend had the first recommended dish by our server, the meatloaf. It was wrapped in bacon atop mashed potato's and green beans. He said the green beans were slightly undercooked without much flavor but the mashed potato's were good. Meatloaf was good but could've used more sauce. My friends mushroom pasta smelled delicious - she had similar takeaways about her pasta that I did of mine. Good pasta, but lacking in some flavor and thin sauce. Good, but not great. Her boyfriend ordered a medium steak and this was definitely a disappointment. Let's just be honest - this steak was rare. He said the sides were good but the steak being undercooked and under seasoned was a let down considering it was a pricier item. Beer was good, selection is decent. Dessert was good we had peanut butter brownie w ice cream and a pecan pie. Very average but still good. Overall I didn't feel like anything really stood out to me except the prices - C&O, Orzo and the Ridley, even Mockingbird all kinda have similar fare to the Local with some minor variations but all do a better job than the local with everything except price. Everywhere else charges about $30+ per person so I was happy we paid a little less but would've been willing to pay more for better food. Overall the local is good but not great - personally Charlottesville restaurant scene is so competitive I would probably look elsewhere in the future for New American fare. read more

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Service and food were great when I went for restaurant week! However, I contracted the norovirus immediately after dining here, so I am wary to return. read more

The appetizers were better than my meal. I ordered the New York strip. It was cooked too well. I also had the berry cobbler. I was expecting it to be hot and it wasn't, so the ice cream did not melt into the baked dish. But the appetizers were delicious. The Burrata, the cheese plate, crispy shrimp, and something else can't remember but all apps were delish. read more

Holy cow, where do I even begin with this absolute trainwreck of a dining experience? "The Local" isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary torture chamber, and my recent visit was a soul-shattering testament to its incompetence. If I could give zero stars, I would. From the moment we arrived, 10 minutes early for our 5:30 PM reservation (the restaurant opens at 5 PM, mind you!), we were met with an almost comically hostile reception. The manager at the host stand, a beacon of what was to come, looked at us as if we'd personally insulted his lineage. His scowl alone was enough to curdle milk. Apparently, being punctual is a cardinal sin at "The Local." Then came the seating. Months ago, we'd meticulously planned this Mother's Day birthday celebration for our grandmother, making a reservation well in advance. And where did they banish us? Outside. In the heat. After making a reservation months ago, you'd expect a table that wasn't akin to dining in a convection oven. The food, if you can even call it that, was a monument to culinary apathy. The "crab soup" was a cruel joke, a bland, watery broth utterly devoid of any discernible crab. The New York Strip, along with everyone else's at the table, was so tough it felt like they were gnawing on shoe leather. And the truffle pasta? So aggressively oversalted and over-seasoned it was practically inedible. Not a single person at our table finished their dish - a truly damning indictment. But the real tragedy unfolded with our server. This lovely, diligent individual was clearly and unfairly burdened. We watched in horror as they were mercilessly sat with every single outdoor table, their face growing increasingly overwhelmed. Then, just when we thought it couldn't possibly get worse, the aforementioned manager, the scowling gatekeeper of misery, pulled our poor server into another room. Moments later, they emerged, tears streaming down their face. It was utterly heartbreaking to witness. The sheer lack of respect and humanity shown to their own staff was appalling. The final insult to injury came with our grandmother's birthday surprise. We had pre-ordered tiramisu, a special treat for her Mother's Day birthday, when we sat down. We were then informed, after all of this, that they had "run out." Ran out? For a pre-ordered dessert on a major holiday? The incompetence knows no bounds. And for me personally, as I work in the industry, the food runners added another layer of bizarre incompetence. They "auctioned off" each dish, one by one, from one end of the table. So, one side of the table would have all their food, and then we'd be forced to play a ridiculous game of hot potato, handing dishes down the line until they reached the correct person. It was an absurd, unprofessional, and frankly, lazy way to serve food. Overall, "The Local" was a catastrophic failure. Disappointing doesn't even begin to cover it. It's not worth the price, the monumental effort to even get a reservation, or the sheer agony of the experience. And to top it all off, the experience was so utterly, irredeemably awful that I didn't even bother to take a single photograph. There are some memories so profoundly disappointing, so utterly devoid of any redeeming quality, that you actively don't want to memorialize them. Our visit to "The Local" falls squarely into that category. It was so bad, so completely devoid of any joy or satisfaction, that the thought of capturing a single moment felt like an insult to my camera roll. It was a day to be scrubbed from the memory banks, not preserved. (Sorry Yelp) These "locals" will most certainly not be returning to "The Local" anytime soon. Do yourself a favor and dine literally anywhere else. read more

Just a tasty pint at the bar, but the music was great, David the bartender was on point and the aroma from the kitchen was divine. I'll be back for some food asap! read more

The Local - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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These 10 locals will NOT be returning to The Local. We had planned this night 3 months ago and picked The Local since it had great reviews, many food options, and could accommodate 10 people. We were celebrating Mother's Day and my grandmother's birthday. The night started off on the wrong foot. We arrived at our reservation 10 minutes early, and the manager was extremely rude about it. He said, "Everyone is arriving early to their reservation tonight!" and made a face about it. My mother (on Mother's Day) pulled him aside later and spoke to him about what happened at the start of the meal. He later came over to the table and apologized and gave us a cheese plate platter. Also, we were sat outside despite making the reservation months ago. There were clearly tables inside that could have been manipulated into a 10 top table. We were not very happy about being seated outside. Appetizers: The fried shrimp were delicious, but the rest of the appetizers were not. Three of us ordered the she-crab soup, and one of us sent it back. When the manager from earlier came over to grab the soup to send back , he said, "I don't really like it either," and we were all stunned. Entrees: The entrees as a whole all tasted lackluster and were either overseasoned or underseasoned. My grandmother had the steak and could barely chew it because it was so tough. My mom also had the steak and had a difficult time chewing it as well. She also said the sauce was disgusting. Three of us ordered the mushroom pasta and it tasted okay, but was overseasoned and there was too much truffle in the sauce. We all felt that the food was mediocre at best, definitely not worth the price. None of us finished our food and none of us took leftovers. To top off our disappointing evening:: Dessert: We had secretly ordered the "special" tiramisu at the start of the meal for my grandmother, since it was her birthday. At the end of the meal, however, the waiter came over and informed us they were out of the tiramisu. We reluctantly decided to surprise her with the ice cream sundae instead. Service: We watched as our waiter was pulled in many directions throughout the entire meal. At one point, they/she was pulled aside by the manager and left the conversation crying. After watching that conversation, we felt bad asking for anything. They/she was very nice but was obviously overwhelmed and had too many tables. Overall, we felt this experience was horrible. The food was mediocre, the manager was rude, and the service was disappointing. From start to finish, this was a bad experience. My husband is a manager of a high-end restaurant in town and was astounded by everything he witnessed. All of 10 of us live in Charlottesville, and NONE of us will be returning, nor will we be recommending this place to any of our friends. If you need a great place with delicious food with similar pricing , try "Marigold by Jean-Georges" in Keswick, "The Black Cow," or "Tavola". Steer clear of this place!! read more

I wish I'd taken a minute to take a picture but the food was outstanding! My husband ordered the mushroom pasta with truffle and I had the beef tenderloin. I have no pictures because we ate it as soon as it came out. Small place but great customer service and food was amazing. We will be back! read more

Incredible restaurant in the center of Belmont neighborhood. You can eat inside or on the sidewalk. Food's great; service is incredible. Many great menu options. read more

The Local - Great neighborhood presence - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

So incredible! Loved the crab soup and cheese plate. Had the fried trout for my main dish and it was so good!! Also! The cocktails. Loved the apple Ginny. Can't wait to come here again!! The service here was so incredible, so welcoming and joyful. read more

Great restaurant in fun area. Went early with 2 year old! Everyone's dinner was delicious - salmon, mushroom pasta, trout, soup special and crispy shrimp. The wine, Pinot noir 3 Sisters was excellent! Service was top notch and friendly. read more

Visiting Charlottesville with close friends from UVA, they raved about the food from the Local. I ordered crab soup, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and a heavy pour of cabernet sauvignon wine. The crab soup was decadent, featuring a buttery taste with chunks of lump crab...tasty! The meatloaf was flavorful, with the bacon adding a savory finish to the soft beef and tangy sauce. Wine soaked all the flavors and kept our table conversations as candid as ever. I appreciated our waiter's knowledge of the menu and the upstairs dining area. I'll be sure to stop here again on future Charlotteville trips. read more

The Local - Meatloaf - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Service was friendly and attentive. The food was...meh. The entrees came out lukewarm despite it being a half empty restaurant. My white wine was also lukewarm instead of cold. Meatloaf texture was mushy . Fresh pastas were nice but would have been better hot. Beautiful atmosphere but we probably won't go back. read more

We came here for dinner on the Monday night just before NYE. The food was fantastic. The bison boa was awesome with lots of wasabi spice. Crunchy shrimp delicious. The short ribs did not disappoint. Then a host of musicians streamed in and a singer-songwriter open-mic followed. The music was great. The vibe fantastic. We loved our server. This place is a must, especially if they have music that night. read more

The Local - Crunchy shrimp - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Our first time at this dinner restaurant. First of all our server was Claudia. She was very attentive and helpful with our selection. We never had to look for her. She was always at hand. So sorry we didn't take pictures. But we dived into our plates right away. I had the clam chowder which was fabulous. I actually had an additional serving to take home. My husband had the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and I had a taste. It wasn't burnt over cooked. Crunchy and savory. I had the salmon and my husband had the short ribs, that fell off the bone. We will definitely be back. The drinks were mixed generously. Great atmosphere and you will need a reservation. read more

My birthday was on a Monday evening. Many places in Charlottesville are closed on Monday's. The Local was recommended by the staff at The Oakhurst Inn. It was a great recommendation and end to a perfect weekend spent in Charlottesville. The Low Down: Call ahead early for a reservation. The tables on the front right side are going to be close to the host or hostess. Try to sit closer towards the back or over to the left to avoid hearing their conversations with guests during your dinner. The food: it's made with locally grown produce and is very fresh. The roast local squash was stuffed with cheese and oozing with flavor. This dish was devoured. The gnocchi bolognese had a creamier sauce- it worked really well with the cheese and hand made pasta. The dinner was memorable and a great way to celebrate on a Monday evening. read more

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The service was great! The food was sadly not. Three of us went for restaurant week and all had different apps and entrees. The highlights were the crab soup, the bison short ribs and fries with aioli but even those were mediocre. The salmon was dry and fishy. The fried chicken was also very dry. The cheesecake tasted like a clumpy mixture various cheeses and the flourless chocolate cake was bitter. Ambiance- the music was so loud and overstimulating. read more

The Local - Crab soup and French fries. - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Wow, what a great find. We were in Town for just a couple of days. Found the Local on yelp really liked the menu and commitments to local. We arrived late on a Sunday and Jeff fit us in. I had the Dbl H pork chop, wife the Spanish Adobos spiced Salmon, daughter the Cauliflower Steak. We all shared and couldn't decide who made the best decision. Everything was fresh as expected BUT the green beans with Cauliflower Steak were the best I've ever had. Young server who was very much on top of his game looked after us. Comfortable noise level for my aging earsl read more

Great service and great food! Their charcuterie platter is a meal unto itself! Filled with local cheeses and meats this is a must!

We came here on Halloween day. All the restaurant staffs were wearing a Halloween costume. We sat at the table on the second floor. The waiter suggested a simple pasta for our kids even it is not on a menu. The restaurant is very friendly and accommodating. We had a crab soup. It was nicely creamy and seasoned properly. It had a lot of crab. I had tenderloin steak. It was nicely cooked. However the sauce was kinda bland. The green beans were overcooked. So it was my best dish. The blueberry cobbler was sooooo good. It was not too sweet and the combination of ice cream and blueberry was perfect. This is a great place to have a dinner with your friends. read more

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One experience at the Local, and it looks like this: Early reservations got us a table in a satellite space next to the main dining room, which looks like their wine cellar. Bare brick and wine bins were the vibe, with a server station tucked away in a corner. Tables were a little tight, which makes the place cacophonous when there's a large well-served six-top seated in the corner (ask me how we found out). The menu was comfort-heavy from an entree standpoint (everyone ordered either steak frites or the braised short ribs, although there were three different gnocchi offerings). The apps were equally easy to choose from: we grabbed a cheese plate and the burrata caprese salad. The cheeses were fine, four large cubes of various white cheeses and a little round ball of chèvre. Plenty of grapes, cut apples, and box crackers made this a decent little appetizer value for four. The caprese offering was a great way to bring forth the current burrata trend by plating it on top of large sliced tomatoes over arugula, with a lace of a balsamic reduction all over the top. The steak frites was passable, fries served on the side in a little bistro basket. The steak was played on top of a horseradish-artichoke bechamel (I was so stoked for this, but alas, literally, weak sauce: thin, no sense of horseradish bite at all). To be fair: not sure if this is a case of incorrect expectation versus execution. It wasn't bad, just not sure what I got. The short rib was a nice long-braised short rib over a decent mashed potatoes: easy, accessible. The wine list at the Local is simply lovely. We were seated right beside all of the several vintages of Stag's Leap: they are not playing around when it comes to wine. The by-the-glass list is simple, accessible, and affordable. All in all, the Local fit the bill for a family dinner out. It's comfortable food and wine that hits the table really quickly (we were in and out in less than an hour), and has something for everyone. read more

Came here with a friend for dinner. The food was great, and I loved my experience. The restaurant consists of two floors and has nice outdoor seating on both. The inside of the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with warm lighting and exposed brick. I also love how the interior supports local artist's paintings and stain glass works. We ordered Crispy Shrimp Appetizer, Sauvignon Blanc, Meatloaf, Gnocchi Bolognese, and House Made Blackberry Cobbler. The Crispy Shrimp was lightly fried, cooked well, and tasted great in the sauces. The seaweed salad that came with it also complimented the dish nicely. The Gnocchi was perfectly cooked and had a nice bite to it. The sauce was hearty, and the overall dish was delicious. The Meatloaf was awesome. The bacon was a nice touch, and it was one of the best meatloafs I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and green beans were also cooked well. It's a great meat and potatoes dish. The entrees we ordered were 17 dollars each and I thought the portions and quality were great for the price. For dessert, we tried the House Made Blackberry Cobbler. It was probably the most underwhelming order of the night; however, it wasn't bad. I would have liked a nicer crust on the top and bottom because I couldn't really find any crust. I also would have liked the blackberry filling to be thicker because the consistency was more on the liquid side with solid pieces of blackberry sitting inside. However, I thought the vanilla ice cream was good and it was freshly made which I liked. Overall, I enjoyed my food and dining experience here. I love how The Local embodies their namesake as a locally owned business that sources ingredients from locally owned and operated farms, and even showcases local artists in their restaurant design. The dishes were great for the portions and price. The restaurant is a new favorite for me in the area and I can't wait to come back. read more

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