Any restaurant suggestions.
Where in town will you be? UVA is back in session so everything just got 15%-20% more crowded
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Birdhouse, Black Cow Chophouse, Oakheart Social, Public Fish, Ivy Inn.
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Forum hotel will be the base.
Suggestions above are all good (other than Black Cow Chophouse which I cannot opine on as I have not (yet) been there). Two others that are bit different than those. First, I have enjoyed Farm Bell Kitchen for brunch. Second, if you want something casual and can drive a few minutes (or if you are in the area generally), check out Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie in North Garden (place is kind of loud, beer is cold and fresh, pizza is quite good, and the non-pizza items are great).
Not sure how familiar you are with Charlottesville but you are pretty close to everything.
Most of the places I mention above have $20 ish corkage, so you can go see Matt at Wine Warehouse and then go to dinner.
You’ll probably want reservations at all places.
Also, I’ll add lampo for Neapolitan pizza.
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Not a whole lot to add other than Dave H is WISE beyond his years.
No first hand knowledge but I’ve heard rumor that the North Ground facilities around the Forum have upped their game beyond the normal college fare so you may be ok there in a pinch
Second the Ivy Inn, will throw out Vivace for Italian and a relatively decent wine list. I won’t put too much emphasis on heading downtown as you have plenty of choices already, but will second Lampo for casual and yummy Neapolitan pies, adding Fleurie for upscale French (Petit Pois more casual but less wine), and Mas Tapas for very good Spanish.
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Alley Light. Speakeasy concept and vibe. Fantastic cocktail program - one of the best I’ve experienced anywhere, especially if you sit at the bar and chat up the bartenders. They are stellar mixologists with housemade everything for their ingredients. Delicious food. Not terribly formal - dishes come out as they are ready (super small kitchen with not that many covers). Under the radar sleeper dish is the Vegetable Board in the summer. Wine list is thoughtful and interesting. Just double check that the online list is current with Chris (husband of the chef and front of house/sommelier) ahead of time before counting on a bottle. Currently some interesting older bottlings, but I’m not sure if it’s updated (for example, an older Huet and Calon Segur). Looks like a Larmandier Latitude at a good price.
Not a mixed drink person (have a hard enough time keeping a working liver in the beer and wine industry as it is), but yes to Alley Light and any of the Will Richey properties. RIP
I see that Duners still exists. It was an 80s fave, along with Eastern Standard and C and O. Still good?.
Mostly still old school but with some updating, worth the journey out
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Surprised no one has mentioned Tavola – fantastic authentic contemporary Italian, not the American-ized comfort food version they serve at Vivace.
Alley Light is the best overall, then Black Cow (steak), Public (seafood), Fleurie (French), Tavola (Italian) and Lampo (pizza) are the tops in their respective categories as others have noted.
I was a student at UVA law school in the late 70s and the only name I recognize is the Ivy Inn.
We really enjoyed Oakhart Social last year
For your sake, I’ll throw in a recommendation for a Gusburger on the Corner
Don’t remember that either. Is the Hardware Store still around?
Never went to the White Spot? Thought that was a requirement for every degree.
Hardware Store long gone, Millers and C&O about the only food sources remaining. Won’t even begin to describe the Rt 29 corridor
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