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Petit Pois: Small But Big

May 14, 2013 By

If you’re looking for a delicious French-influenced meal in Charlottesville, you have many choices, but locals know that Petit Pois will always deliver the goods. The menu here is simple and clean, letting the natural flavors of the excellent ingredients come to the fore. For appetizers, the French onion soup is a favorite, packing deep, decadent flavors that satisfy. The frisee salad topped with poached eggs is also amazing. Entrees are equally top-notch, with frequent diners recommending the grilled swordfish with braised Napa cabbage, the flavorful, colorful beet risotto and the Provencal stew, which is served with slices of crusty French baguette for dipping. Leave room for dessert – their chocolate mousse is fantastic, as is the crème caramel. On sunny days, sitting outside on their tree-lined patio is wonderful, although the interior is nice as well.  Prices are reasonable considering the high quality of the food, and service is impeccable.

Petit Pois
201 E Main St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 979-7647
http://www.yelp.com/biz/petit-pois-charlottesville

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Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar: Touch The Sky

April 23, 2013 By

Some of Charlottesville's finest food comes courtesy of Chef Alex George at Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar. A graduate of the prestigious French Culinary Institute, Alex was raised in the South American nation of Guyana and that tropical influence inspires his clever, satisfying dishes. Regulars rave about the appetizers, with the yucca and goat cheese fritters and sautéed diver scallops with fresh chorizo both proving very popular. Entrees are equally awesome – some favorites include the Brazilian moqueca, a seafood stew served over basmati rice that absolutely bursts with flavor, as well as the crispy duck breast with green beans in confit.  They also make a selection of specialty cocktails – try their exceptional take on the mint julep made with Corner Creek bourbon. The Skybar is a separate space that sits atop the Downtown Mall that attracts a young, hip crowd with excellent drinks and small plates. Prices are a little steep but it’s well worth the splurge.

Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar
422 E Main St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 202-7728
http://www.yelp.com/biz/commonwealth-restaurant-and-skybar-charlottesville

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L’Etoile: French Perfection

April 16, 2013 By

This charming little bistro owned and operated by Mark and Vickie Gresge used to be known as the Tea Room Café until they dramatically upped their game and transformed it into a classy, casual restaurant that serves up a unique blend of French and Virginian fine dining. L’Etoile’s culinary sophistication is evident in every dish that they serve, and dinners here are some of the best in town. They source ingredients from the area’s exceptional local farmers for their ever-changing menu. Some of the best appetizers on tap include the creamy, awesome shrimp & grits, the veal sweetbreads, and the beet medley with arugula and goat cheese. For entrees, the ribeye with hand-cut French fries and a beer-based béarnaise sauce is not to be missed, and regulars also praise the duck breast with navy bean cassoulet. If you can’t decide, the chef’s $30 three-course meal is always rewarding. Service is excellent and the atmosphere is quite romantic.

L'Etoile
817 W Main St
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 979-7957
http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-etoile-restaurant-charlottesville-2

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The Ivy Inn: Championship Cuisine

April 10, 2013 By

If you ask local foodies about must-try restaurants in Charlottesville, The Ivy Inn will wind up near the top of most lists. This exceptional restaurant takes full advantage of the agricultural bounty of the area, sourcing awesome produce, meats and other products from the many farmers that do business in Montgomery County. But ingredients don’t mean a thing without culinary inventiveness in putting them together, and that’s where the kitchen here excels. Chef and owner Angelo Vangelopoulos is a second-generation restaurateur who graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and worked all over the country before purchasing the Ivy In in 1995. Some popular plates include the duet of lamb Greek style, which pairs a mustard-crusted rack of lamb with spit-cooked Gyro-style cuts, as well as the thick-cut pork chop with grits cake and Maker’s Mark jus. The staff is incredibly informed about the dishes on offer and make excellent wine recommendations as well.

The Ivy Inn
2244 Old Ivy Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 977-1222
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ivy-inn-charlottesville

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Lime Leaf Thai Restaurant: Splendid Spice

March 19, 2013 By

Locals know that for authentic, flavorful Thai food, no place beats Lime Leaf. This place uses the incredibly broad spice palette of Thailand to deliver flavors with deep, rich impact, incredible heat and complexity. Probably the biggest draw here is the wide selection of curries. The green curry is a revelation, packing serious heat into a creamy coconut-based sauce with your choice of protein. Noodle dishes are also very worthwhile, with the drunken noodles winning raves along with the Indian curry noodles. Try the chef’s specials as well – the choo chee tilapia takes an ordinary fish and makes it truly transcendent with a lively sauce, and the soft shell crab tempura is delightful. Prices are reasonable and portion sizes are quite large and filling. 

Lime Leaf Thai Restaurant
1958 Rio Hill Center
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 245-8884
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lime-leaf-charlottesville

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South Street Brewery: Tap A Keg

March 12, 2013 By

The microbrewery craze has crept to every single state in the union, and Virginia is no different. One of the best in the state is the South Street Brewery, located in the historic H.H. Hankins hay and grain warehouse. The upstart brewery built a completely customized setup in the space in 1998, and they use the state of the art equipment to produce an assortment of very well-received ales and lagers. Some of the best offerings include the J P Ale, a variant on a classic pale made with plenty of hops for an assertive bouquet, as well as the BelgoPale golden ale. On Tuesdays, you can get a pint for just two dollars, which is an incredible deal. They also serve a variety of high-quality pub food, with the nachos drawing special praise from regulars. The North Carolina-style pulled pork is also worth a try. Every Wednesday night, they host local musicians starting at 10:00 for live entertainment.

South Street Brewery
106 South St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 293-6550
http://www.yelp.com/biz/south-street-brewery-charlottesville

 

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The Pigeon Hole: For Breakfast and Lunch

January 22, 2013 By

This tiny Charlottesville breakfast and lunch spot makes up for cuteness what it lacks in size. The Pigeon Hole's mission is to serve up tasty vittles at a reasonable price using the freshest ingredients. Their Breakfast of Champions menu features tasty day starters like Biscuits & Red Eye Gravy, French Toast with warm spiced apples, Huevos Rancheros with black beans and the aptly titled Pigeons in a Hole, with two eggs sunny side up nestled on grilled toast. The Lunch to Keep You Truckin’ menu serves up a Tuna Melt with albacore tuna and swiss cheese, a Turkey & Dressing Sammich with roast turkey, cornbread stuffing and cranberries and a Turkey Pot Pie topped with biscuits. Stop in for weekend brunch and relax with a pitcher of mimosas! 

11 Elliewood Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 977-4711
 

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Brookville: Fresh and Seasonal Fare

December 11, 2012 By

Delicious seasonal fare using local ingredients are what make Brookville a popular spot on the Charlottesville dining scene. Run by a husband and wife team, Brookville features a changing daily menu that partakes of what’s fresh and available from the area’s farmers and producers. A sampling of the September menu features yummy seasonal fare like Broccoli Soup with cheddar croutons, a Pulled Pork Sammy with cilantro and apple slaw, a Warm Beet Salad with horseradish cream and cilantro, Shitake Crepes with mustard greens, Boneless Pork Chop with BBQ collard greens and Braised Shank and Neck of Lamb with parmesan grits. A charming dining atmosphere with exposed brick walls and large windows makes this a great spot for a tasty and relaxing repast. Located in a spot not far from Lakeside Apartments, Brookville is open for dinner on Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Brunch on Sundays.

225 W. Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 202-2791
 

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Blue Moon Diner: Classic Diner Fare

November 20, 2012 By

This laid-back café features a quirky 60s atmosphere, reasonable prices and down-home cooking all in a Charlottesville spot not far from Lakeside Apartments. Need to fuel up for the day ahead with a hearty breakfast? How about a tasty Shrimp Omelet with 3 eggs, shrimp, roasted garlic and tomatoes, served with hash-browns and toast. Then again, maybe you’d rather have something sweet, like the Blueberry Cakes, with 3 buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh blueberries and a big swirl of whipped cream. Lunchtime you can fill up on a ferocious hunger crusher like the Roast Beast Sandwich with shaved roast beef, horseradish sauce, lettuce and tomatoes on toast. Dinner features fare like White Bean Cassoulet, a slow-cooked stew of white beans, pork, potatoes, onions and tomatoes, served up with a side salad. Craft beer on tap and live music make the Blue Moon Diner a great spot to chill out.

512 W. Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 980-6666
 

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Eppie’s: Southern Cuisine Done Right

November 13, 2012 By

Garden fresh salads, locally made pastas, vegetarian and vegan dishes, awesome sandwiches, homemade soups and freshly baked breads are what’s on the menu at Eppie’s. Fans say they love the down home Southern cooking and super-fresh ingredients at this friendly little café not far from Lakeside Apartments. The prices are nice, too, with entrees coming in at anywhere from $7.50 to $10. Favorites are the Lemon Chicken, Greek Salad, Mac & Cheese, Jerk Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Turkey Meatloaf, Chicken & Dumplings, Virginia Ham, and last but not least, the delectable pumpkin bread. A tasty kid’s menu has some nice treats for the little ones, like the Build-Your-Own Peanut Butter Sandwich, with peanut butter additions like honey, bananas, marshmallow fluff and strawberry jam.

412 E. Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22906
(434) 963-9900 
 

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