RESTAURANT
Zocalo
Runner-up: Mas
When this place opened, it won “Best New Restaurant.” Then, last year, it won “Best Restaurant.” Now here it is again with what some might consider the top prize in the entire “Best Of C-VILLE” universe. Wow! Better get on the horn and make yourself a reservation at this Latin-fusion hotspot on the Downtown Mall. We hear Belmont’s tapas bar, Mas, isn’t too shabby either. And by the way, writing this is making us very, very hungry.
OLD-SCHOOL RESTAURANT
C&O
Runner-up: Miller’s
Here we are with a brand-new category. Which restaurants have truly entered the hallowed halls of Charlottesville’s history books? we asked. You answered: C&O, which recently celebrated its very respectable 30th birthday. Just check out the patina on this place near the railroad tracks on Water Street, which has faithfully delivered a killer wine list and delicious French-inspired fare, decade after decade. Miller’s gets props too for being the no-frills standby that just won’t quit (and, incidentally, got a tiny taste of revenge in the “Best Old-School Bar” category—not that we’re giving anything away.)
BREAKFAST
The Tavern
Runner-up: Bluegrass Grill & Bakery
Like the sign on the roof says, it’s where everybody—whether they be starving student or clueless Nebraskan tourist—gets a big ol’ plate of pancakes. No pretension here. And the long lines snaking out of Bluegrass on Saturday morning don’t lie: You like it a whole, whole lot. Especially that to-die-for homemade corned beef hash.
BRUNCH
The Old Mill Room at Boar’s Head Inn
Runner-up: Bluegrass Grill & Bakery
It seems that, as long as y’all are going out for brunch, you’re inclined to go all the way. What’s more civilized than eating both smoked salmon and Virginia sugar-cured ham in one meal, then throwing in a frangipane pear tart for dessert—all before noon? Truly, it is the way of kings. For the rest of us, Bluegrass is a beloved brunch standby.
LUNCH
Bodo’s Bagel Bakery
Runner-up:
Revolutionary Soup
We love our bagels, and not just for breakfast. Bodo’s pounded the rest of Charlottesville’s many good lunch options into a cream cheese-like pulp. Revolution-ary Soup waved a red flag of protest. All patted their stomachs contentedly.
DESSERT
Splendora’s
Runner-up: Arch’s Frozen Yogurt
Seems that for “dessert” Charlottesville prefers “ice cream.” And ice cream just tastes better when you call it gelato and serve it up in a super-stylish space on the Downtown Mall. The light fixtures are to die for, the flavors are listed on a computer screen near the door, and, oh yeah—the sweet treats are delicious. Those of you who are more concerned with calories than style made a strong showing for Arch’s. See the “Frozen Treat” category for some eerie similarities.
FROZEN TREAT
Splendora’s
Runner-up: Arch’s Frozen Yogurt
Looks like the colorful gelato joint has proved that less really is more—a small cup of savory Italian ice cream wins out over gooey candy and chocolate-blasted Arch’s when it comes to your sweet tooth. Even with two locations for fro-yoers to get their fill, there’s just something about the rich, smooth texture of gourmet ice cream. Let’s face it, who hasn’t taken a stroll down the Mall, neon plastic cup in hand, thanking their lucky stars that heaven comes in at least 24 flavors? And we can’t forget the mini-spoon, designed to be the perfect size to force you to savor every last teeny bite (or just look funny eating a whole lot faster). While that tried-and-true soft-serve may hold a soft place in every Wahoo’s heart, creamy gelato still reigns supreme among Char-lottesvillians this year.
LATE-NIGHT MENU
Littlejohn’s Delicatessen
Runner-up: C&O
Ah, to be in college. For late-night party-goers and Corner-crawling Wahoos, Littlejohn’s tops C-VILLE’s list yet again as the place to get hot subs and nachos at hours when most folks are asleep. If something a little more upscale is to your tastes, you can always head Downtown to runner-up C&O.
MEAL UNDER $10
Bodo’s Bagel Bakery
Runner-up: Marco & Luca’s Noodle Shop
Who can resist the allure of fresh-baked bagels (and bagel sandwiches) at dirt-cheap prices? Obviously not the people who voted Bodo’s No. 1. And when you’re on the Downtown Mall, check out runner-ups Marco & Luca’s dumpling place for some tasty, yet inexpensive, Asian fare.
BAKERY
Albemarle Baking Company
Runner-up: Chandler’s
With its glamorous location in the Main Street Market, bread and pastry chefs who are Food Network-worthy (keep your eye out for the National Bread and Pastry Team Championship!), and—oh yeah—really great baked goods, Albemarle Baking Company kills the competition, then puts a dollop of real whipped cream on top. But Chandler’s in Albemarle Square has its committed devotees, as well.
TAKE OUT
Asian Express
Runner-up: Bodo’s Bagel Bakery
Some people believe Chinese food is Chinese food, but not you, Charlottesville. You know a standout take-out joint when you see one. With cheap dinner specials and sushi, Asian Express wins the Asian take-out battle hands-down. Of course, it wouldn’t be a food category without our favorite bagel stop. Quick, healthy bagel sandwiches, salads, and soups—with a dash of authentic Charlottesville feeling—lifted Bodo’s into second place.
CUP OF COFFEE
Mudhouse
Runner-up: Greenberry’s
Despite its recent price increases, readers still prefer Mudhouse for their morning jolt of caffeine. With its flagship Down-town location, its laptop-toting customers lining the back walls, and the anti-Musak music always on rotation, it’s a clear favorite (we guess you like the coffee, too). You love it even more because you can find that signature black cup in four other locations around town. But “rock on” and gnarly gargoyles don’t do it for everyone: Some prefer the more subdued tartans of Greenberry’s, with its Barracks Road shop and service at Alderman Library and the Law School.
FAST FOOD
Bodo’s Bagel Bakery
Runner-up: Wendy’s
With the addition of their new Corner location last year, Bodo’s was sure to win even wider acclaim this year—and sure enough, they did. If you’re looking for a quick bite farther away, you might swing by Wendy’s, which readers ranked second place for fast food.
VEGETARIAN FOOD
Ming Dynasty
Runner-up: Milan Indian Cuisine
Asian cuisine—particularly that on the 29 corridor—takes home the vegetarian category. Most of you preferred the East Asian treats and plentiful fake meat at Ming Dynasty. There, vegetarians get to play carnivore as they chow down on pretend pork, beef, chicken—and even shrimp. Those who prefer their veggie options to look like vegeta
bles can also get their fill at the restaurant, which serves 28 separate meatless dishes for dinner and 25 for lunch. A sizable minority chose the spice and savor of South Asia, favoring Indian restaurant Milan, where vegetarians can revel in dishes of chickpeas, spinach, potatoes, okra and other subcontinent delights.
KIDS’ MENU
Red Robin
Runner-up: McDonald’s
There’s fast food, and faster food. If you have kids, you understand why.
ASIAN
Thai ’99
Runner-up: Lime Leaf Thai
It’s all about Thai with you people. From its cozy, student-popular Fontaine location to its larger, flashier suburban spot on Route 29N, Thai ’99 is C-VILLE readers’ favorite place for rice- and noodle-adorned cuisine. You also love the Siam-samplings at runner-up Lime Leaf Thai, which is known for its elegant dining room and loads of vegetarian options.
MEXICAN
Guadalajara
Runner-up: El Puerto
Unlimited chips and salsa, huge portions, and lightning-speed service.That’s what continues to fuel your love affair with the multilocated Guad. Your second favorite place for south-of-the-border grub is El Puerto in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center.
ITALIAN
Vivace
Runner-up: La Cucina
Twinkling lights and tasty food: Vivace takes home the gold for another year. Runner-up La Cucina pulls in the Downtown crowd with great dishes like homemade tiramisu. Bellissimo!
SEAFOOD
Blue Light Grill
Runner-up: Tiffany’s
It may be the runner-up for “Best Pick-up Spot,” but Downtown’s Blue Light Grill is second to none when it comes to food that once swam in the sea. We suppose this means you can go there and enjoy a top-notch dish of fish while perusing a not-quite-top-notch coterie of cuties. Of course, if down-home and old-school is the way you like your piscine plate, head over to Tiffany’s on Route 250 West.
BURGER
Five Guys
Runner-up: Riverside Lunch
In this battle of the belly bombs, Northern Virginia chain Five Guys once again edged out celebrated local greasy spoon (and we mean that in the most laudatory way possible) Riverside Lunch. While we tend to pull for the underdog, even we have to admit that Five Guys’ huge double-patty delights and fresh-cut fries are almost impossible to resist (not to mention the perfect hangover cure). The fact that they have three Charlottesville outlets surely gave them a burger-flippin’ advantage over Riverside, which serves their seared-beef-on-a-bun in only two locations.
WINGS
Wild Wing Café
Runner-up: Buffalo Wild Wings
Thirty-three "fabulicious" flavors of hot wings, a long line of beers on tap—all at the train station. Need we say more? Crosstown rival Buffalo Wild Wings couldn’t muster the votes to dislodge the reigning champs.
BBQ
Big Jim’s
Runner-up: Jinx’s Pit Stop
Big Jim is the big man again this year in this hotly contested category. Although the highlights of the place are the sliced barbecue pork plate and the shredded pork sandwiches, the menu also offers fried catfish and chicken tenders. Try the hash barbecue sandwich topped with coleslaw and a pile of fries. The close second, once again this year, is Jinx’s Pit Stop at the east end of Market Street. Jinx’s tiny stop boasts a real hickory smoke outdoor cooking pit (which, Jinx is quick to remind you, is the only authentic BBQ method). It’s the home of the quickest pulled-pork sandwich on plain white bread you can find (and put in your mouth).
PIZZA
Christian’s Pizzeria
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom
No surprises here. Yet again you’ve voted for the New-York-style pizza place that loves piling on eclectic toppings, from feta and avocado to barbecue chicken. The pies, like Red Light District prostitutes in Amsterdam, line up along the counter top to display all they have to offer. And for a second year in a row, Mellow Mushroom earns the silver—perhaps for its thick, buttery crust, which comes heavily coated with parmesan.
CHAIN RESTAURANT
Five Guys
Runner-up: Outback Steakhouse
Available at Barracks Road Shopping Center, Hollymead Town Center and the Down-town Mall, Five Guys won over your hearts, your minds—and your guts—to beat second-place Outback Steakhouse, located on Route 29N. We’re guessing it’s the fries.
OLD-SCHOOL BAR
Miller’s
Runner-up: C&O
To be honest, we’d be shocked if Miller’s didn’t win this category. Although it’s recently changed hands, Miller’s will forever hold a place in local drinkers’ hearts as the place where Dave Matthews slang drinks before he made it big. The addition of a cheap pool hall (with the rockingest jukebox in town) on the top floor has only added to the bar’s fan base. Equally venerable watering hole C&O came in a very close second, with voters lauding this Charlottesville institution for its intimate atmosphere and delicious bar food.
AFTER-WORK WATERING HOLE
South Street Brewery
Runner-up: Miller’s
Even if the all-night cheap drafts on Tuesday are a thing of the (oft unremembered) past, readers still rate South Street as the best place to blow off steam. You get your choice of seating style—booth, bar or couch—as well as your choice of microbrewed beer, ranging from South Street signatures like Satan’s Pony to the prize-winning JP Ale. And you can still guzzle for cheap on Tuesdays before 9pm, so stop complaining! Those who prefer to people-watch on the Downtown Mall chose Miller’s, where drinkers can practice their wolf-whistles while reclining in the outdoor seating.
SPORTS BAR
Wild Wing Café
Runner-up: Buffalo Wild Wings
Apparently wings and sports are inextricably linked in this town. Wild Wing Café—where diners can simultaneously watch the game, eat dinner, and wait for the Amtrak train—wins the top spot for public sports consumption. Voters seemed willing to forgive the Southern chain’s all-too alliterative menu (“Souper Soups,” “Mucho Munchos,” “Ribroarious Ribs”), focusing instead on the TV-filled upstairs bar and seating, which also includes a big-screen projector. The outdoor seating also provides the opportunity for sports fans to broadcast their team’s victory (or loss) from the rooftops (literally). Second place goes to Buffalo Wild Wings (or BW3, as the alias somewhat inexplicably goes), a national chain that offers you four big screens, in addition to a plethora of TVs, at its Barracks Road location.
DRAFT BEER SELECTION
Mellow Mushroom
Runner-up: South Street Brewery
Once again, Mellow Mushroom takes the honors for providing the Corner with 39 beers on tap—far and away the most extensive selection in the city. Mellow’s variety allows local hop heads, Abbey ale-ers and Pabsts’ plebes to drink in cheerful camaraderie. The array of taps cover all of the usual suspects, like Bass and Newcastle, as well as choice stuff from America’s finest smaller breweries: Abita, Racer 5, Clipper City and Dogfish Head, to name a few. Those more interested in th
e native microbrews chose South Street, the brewery and restaurant near the Downtown Mall with its perennials like JP Ale and Satan’s Pony, in addition to seasonal brews. You also love South Street’s option to take home a growler of your favorite selection.
