Charlottesville Restaurant Reviews - French Food

EAT LIKE A FRENCH, IN AND AROUND CHARLOTTESVILLE

Many people have asked me where I eat when I go out. Here is a list of restaurants around town where I feel back in France, either because of the atmosphere, the food, or the people who cooked it. This is a very personal list that includes my true feelings about each place, along with some of my favorite dishes!

FLEURIE: Located on the Downtown Mall. Experience what we call “Nouvelle Cuisine.” Proportions are rather small, but you don’t leave the table hungry. A little bit of everything, like in France. In my opinion, the bill is a little hard to digest, but if you can afford it, go for it! It’s delicious!

BIZOU: Located on the Downtown Mall. Nothing fancy, just good fresh food. Great salads! Try the tapenade and goat cheese, my favorite appetizer. The inside can feel a little dark, but the terrace is amazing. It’s like eating at a French café. The experience feels quite European.

OXO: Located on the Downtown Mall. Great fresh food, nicely prepared and well presented. Their ginger soufflé is delicious! The inside is inviting and the patio is quite relaxing.

ORZO: Located on Main Street. Nice bistro ambiance. The food is great and well priced! Try the leg of lamb; every bite melts in your mouth! Highly recommended!

IVY INN: Located on Old Ivy Road. One of my favorites! The food is awesome and the restaurant is full of charm. It’s like stepping back in time. I have been going there for more than 10 years, and I have never been disappointed! Here is a little advice: if you get to eat outside in the summer, don’t forget the bug spray!

PETIT POIS: Located on the Downtown Mall, by the big fountain. The inside is small but the patio is large and very pleasant on a hot summer night. The menu has famous French dishes such as the “Coq au vin.” Food is simple and good. A great place to meet your friends.

BASHIR: Located on the Downtown Mall. Experience Mediterranean cuisine and ambiance. Ask Bashir to prepare you a couscous with Merguez. It’s delicious! If you get lucky, Bashir will end the night by playing the drums, so put on your dancing shoes and belly dance! Bashir loves to speak French, so go for it!

AROMA’S CAFÉ: Located in Fontaine Park
Great food! Fresh and extremely tasty! Amazing Moroccan desserts. The place is not fancy at all and doesn’t have much atmosphere, but the owner’s joy of life makes you forget about everything else! Whenever I go there, I feel like I am on vacation, eating at a good mom and pop’s place! The owner speaks French, and if you want an animated conversation, just pronounce the word “soccer” or shall I say “football.”

POMME: Located downtown Gordonsville.
Well worth the drive! I simply love it! The food is fantastic! Reasonably priced for lunch, more pricey for dinner. Try their “tarte aux pommes”, it’s a piece of heaven in your mouth! The owner is French and loves to chat!

THE FLAT: Located on Water Street, 1 block off the Downtown Mall.
This is the best place to eat French Crêpes! There are no tables and no chairs (just a couple of rusty benches outside), but the crêpes are delicious! The portions are generous and the crêpes are well priced. I wish this was a smaller stand like we see in France where you can see the crêpe made in front of you and most importantly, where you can smell it! So, in my opinion, even if the place is really small, it’s still too big!

If you don’t know what to order, try the Brie and ham crêpe, followed by a lemon one. My daughter’s favorite is Nutella banana. It’s messy but just exquisite! Make sure you bring your camera; you don’t want to miss a shot of that cute chocolate face!

THE MELTING POT: Located near the Charlottesville Downtown Mall.
I actually haven't tried it yet, since we often make fondue at home! Everybody I know who went there said the same thing: "A bit pricey, but great food and a lot of fun!."

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