Stopped in to do an evening cocktail and contemplate dinner. Had two measured pour 2oz drinks for $30 before tax and tips. Nothing special going on here, but when you pay $15 for a not very robust cocktail, you have to question the value proposition. This is no NYC and the Oak Bar. Couldn’t afford to stay for dinner
Mario Elizondo
Good place to eat, limited food items, but more of a seasonal
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley
Love this placeFood is ahhhhmazing. Made with Love!Friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Costanza
Went here based on the recommendation of a fiend. It was Valentine's Day and I was alone (!), so the only option was to eat at the bar - not my favorite and I almost left. So glad I did not.The meal was wonderful - among the best I have had in a while. The bread with hummus and muhammara was excellent and the seared haloumi was sublime. The peasant pasta was excellent as well. Desserts were a little limited but the chocolate pots de creme was fine. The service was outstanding throughout.It'd be nice if they allowed singles to sit at tables (there were tables available throughout my stay) and the dessert offerings could be expanded a bit. That said, the appetizers and main were top notch - I'd definitely go again, this time with a companion.
A perfect Italian dining experience from start to finish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Sebunia
Amazingly friendly and attentive staff. Minor wait on a Saturday night for a seat but it is expected for the level and quality of this restaurant (reservations highly recommended if you want a table).Tried the NY Sirloin and it was so flavorful, some restaurants encrust the steaks in peppercorns and you can barely eat them, but here it was very minimal, and complimented by the sauce. Very well portioned sizes. Never left me feeling I was going to pop from too much food. My wife had the seafood passport seasonal dish (I'm not a seafood person) and she loved it, even used a spoon to eat up all the yummy sauce (in her opinion). I tried the lemon cocktail and I had to have a second one, also tried the sangria (very well flavored - I don't like tasting the alcohol in my alcohol and these did not disappoint)Oh sorry going out of order, we started with the halloumi appetizer. My wife was disappointed it wasn't on fire like she had experienced at other places but most likely a fire code issue, but the flavors made up for that very quickly.For dessert we tried the chocolate cream cup, wonderful level of chocolate flavor, only regret was ordering 1 to share! Will definitely be back on future visits to Charlottesville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef
Chat C.
First of all, we made a reservation for restaurant week. We were sat pretty fast upon arrival, water on our table, and waitress was ready to take our order when we were ready. Ambiance was date night vibes for my wife and I. Good first impression. Better impression: appetizers comes out within 5-10 mins after being ordered, in a packed-from-the-back-to-front of restaurant. Classic Minestrone Soup? Delicious. 18 Month Prosciutto di Parma Bruschetta? Freakin better than any bruschetta I've had in the past 2 years. Entrees were what stood out to me. Spaghetti pomodoro was just perfect. Balanced. Frequent hits of Basil touched the palate. Banger dish. Grilled Marinated Pork Tenderloin with whatever the hell dried cherry mostardo is (later I found out it's basically fruit and mustard), delicious. Oh and there's a hidden layer of smoked aioli. SMOKED AIOLI freakin smacked me in the face. The entire plate was cohesive af. Dessert. -Pot de creme: simple with two ingredients yet so so good. I'm going to attempt to recreate this at home. -Spanish Olive Oil & Rosemary Cake with the lemon curd. To die for. Bottom line: might be the best tasting restaurant I've been to in a long time, and that goes without saying I've been eating out on occasion.
Michael H.
Great Italian dinner. Great decor and Great wines. Great service. I have been there twice and enjoyed each visit!
Morgan D.
Was in town for work - landed in a snow storm. Arrived at restaurant after the kitchen was closed and they STILL whipped me up some food. They were so nice I could have kissed them! And the food was delicious!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joyce G.
Great service and ambience. The food was so delicious. Had the lamb shanks and my partner had steak with peppercorn sauce. Both were amazing. Generous portions as well. Too generous as I couldn't get myself to leave any in the plate!!
Good food portions. Limited menu. Red cabbage salad was wonderful. Fish was okay but bland. Lamb was okay but missing the taste I expected.Nice enough atmosphere. Pretty pricey to not light up our mouths with some more joy, though. For two it was $110 without dessert or booze.We did get their restaurant made hot sauce which was really good.Dietary restrictions: Many dishes have pork in them. Even the lamb. This further limits your options.Parking: Easy and immediately next to the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Lindsay J.
Cane here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. Food, service, ambiance all excellent. Would definitely return to try a la carte menu!
Judith Shub
Perfect menu, wine, service, preparation, ambiance - finished with house-made lemoncello. Couldn't have enjoyed our evening more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Wine Braised Lamb
Rex H.
This place was soooooo good Had the lamb melt in your mouth Liked it so much heading there again tonight Wine offering matched perfectly with the lamb listen to the wait staff they know they are doing
solosian
Highly recommend their appetizers. Good service even on a very busy day! I enjoyed the lamb
Stopped in to do an evening cocktail and contemplate dinner. Had two measured pour 2oz drinks for $30 before tax and tips. Nothing special going on here, but when you pay $15 for a not very robust cocktail, you have to question the value proposition. This is no NYC and the Oak Bar. Couldn’t afford to stay for dinner
Good place to eat, limited food items, but more of a seasonal
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this placeFood is ahhhhmazing. Made with Love!Friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here based on the recommendation of a fiend. It was Valentine's Day and I was alone (!), so the only option was to eat at the bar - not my favorite and I almost left. So glad I did not.The meal was wonderful - among the best I have had in a while. The bread with hummus and muhammara was excellent and the seared haloumi was sublime. The peasant pasta was excellent as well. Desserts were a little limited but the chocolate pots de creme was fine. The service was outstanding throughout.It'd be nice if they allowed singles to sit at tables (there were tables available throughout my stay) and the dessert offerings could be expanded a bit. That said, the appetizers and main were top notch - I'd definitely go again, this time with a companion.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Peasant Beef & Pork Bolognese, Lebanese Muhammara
A perfect Italian dining experience from start to finish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazingly friendly and attentive staff. Minor wait on a Saturday night for a seat but it is expected for the level and quality of this restaurant (reservations highly recommended if you want a table).Tried the NY Sirloin and it was so flavorful, some restaurants encrust the steaks in peppercorns and you can barely eat them, but here it was very minimal, and complimented by the sauce. Very well portioned sizes. Never left me feeling I was going to pop from too much food. My wife had the seafood passport seasonal dish (I'm not a seafood person) and she loved it, even used a spoon to eat up all the yummy sauce (in her opinion). I tried the lemon cocktail and I had to have a second one, also tried the sangria (very well flavored - I don't like tasting the alcohol in my alcohol and these did not disappoint)Oh sorry going out of order, we started with the halloumi appetizer. My wife was disappointed it wasn't on fire like she had experienced at other places but most likely a fire code issue, but the flavors made up for that very quickly.For dessert we tried the chocolate cream cup, wonderful level of chocolate flavor, only regret was ordering 1 to share! Will definitely be back on future visits to Charlottesville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef
First of all, we made a reservation for restaurant week. We were sat pretty fast upon arrival, water on our table, and waitress was ready to take our order when we were ready. Ambiance was date night vibes for my wife and I. Good first impression. Better impression: appetizers comes out within 5-10 mins after being ordered, in a packed-from-the-back-to-front of restaurant. Classic Minestrone Soup? Delicious. 18 Month Prosciutto di Parma Bruschetta? Freakin better than any bruschetta I've had in the past 2 years. Entrees were what stood out to me. Spaghetti pomodoro was just perfect. Balanced. Frequent hits of Basil touched the palate. Banger dish. Grilled Marinated Pork Tenderloin with whatever the hell dried cherry mostardo is (later I found out it's basically fruit and mustard), delicious. Oh and there's a hidden layer of smoked aioli. SMOKED AIOLI freakin smacked me in the face. The entire plate was cohesive af. Dessert. -Pot de creme: simple with two ingredients yet so so good. I'm going to attempt to recreate this at home. -Spanish Olive Oil & Rosemary Cake with the lemon curd. To die for. Bottom line: might be the best tasting restaurant I've been to in a long time, and that goes without saying I've been eating out on occasion.
Great Italian dinner. Great decor and Great wines. Great service. I have been there twice and enjoyed each visit!
Was in town for work - landed in a snow storm. Arrived at restaurant after the kitchen was closed and they STILL whipped me up some food. They were so nice I could have kissed them! And the food was delicious!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service and ambience. The food was so delicious. Had the lamb shanks and my partner had steak with peppercorn sauce. Both were amazing. Generous portions as well. Too generous as I couldn't get myself to leave any in the plate!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food portions. Limited menu. Red cabbage salad was wonderful. Fish was okay but bland. Lamb was okay but missing the taste I expected.Nice enough atmosphere. Pretty pricey to not light up our mouths with some more joy, though. For two it was $110 without dessert or booze.We did get their restaurant made hot sauce which was really good.Dietary restrictions: Many dishes have pork in them. Even the lamb. This further limits your options.Parking: Easy and immediately next to the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Cane here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. Food, service, ambiance all excellent. Would definitely return to try a la carte menu!
Perfect menu, wine, service, preparation, ambiance - finished with house-made lemoncello. Couldn't have enjoyed our evening more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Wine Braised Lamb
This place was soooooo good Had the lamb melt in your mouth Liked it so much heading there again tonight Wine offering matched perfectly with the lamb listen to the wait staff they know they are doing
Highly recommend their appetizers. Good service even on a very busy day! I enjoyed the lamb