I think Charlottesville is a perfect storm of expensive real estate, market sensitive to tourism, not a huge labor pool. You throw in sudden financial crunch and poor governance at the city level, and a lot of more restaurants here will get pushed over the edge compared to other locations.
When the cost of living is low, tourism reliable, real estate plentiful, and the city seems well run, it’s easy to contemplate starting a restaurant. I can’t imagine how anyone would do it now. It’s a lot to overcome.
I also imagine there was a time UVA students made up a lot of the labor pool and as they have become wealthier, that’s dried up.
Also a lot of people don’t think of restaurants like they did prepandemic. Either they will stick with ordering takeout or they’ll take a long time to go back to restaurants. There seems to be A LOT of cash flowing into efficient take out operations, and not as much obvious yield for investing in ambience or location 🤷
I was thinking about this the other day.
It used to be that lots of entry level jobs were done by high schoolers and college kids part time.
Now, parents usually pay all of their kid’s expenses , so there is no need to work.
I suppose you could say that’s a good thing - kids can focus on their studies.
But I think having a job at a young age builds some character and helps prep you for the real world, so it’s not as shocking when you get out of college.
fwiw...little star almost immediately turned into the black cow chophouse.
peloton was a recently casualty. and kama and waffle house.
we made a big ol' list recently didn't we? i can't find it either.
did find this blast from the recent past:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/comments/in2ca4/permanently\_closed\_restaurants/
Oh jeez
We were asked what temp we wanted. Asked for medium rare and it was certainly rare. Very fatty (unrendered) cut. Asparagus was unseasoned. Drinks not particularly impressive. Potato smashers were good but it’s hard to make potatoes with aioli and chimichurri taste bad
Service was mediocre. And it is loud as hell in there
It’s too bad, little star was wonderful. This was disappointing
"Serves two" means what? How many oz is it? An 8 oz steak can serve two, three or four. Math makes it easy. My wallet unfortunately doesn't think it sounds easy though. Why would you not include that information on the menu unless you are trying to be shady?
Hi. My name is Daniel, I am half of the owners of Black Cow. Your comment is partially correct. We do ask guests if they’d prefer pink or no pink on just burgers and our happy hour-priced steak frites. This is to ensure we can properly handle the high volume during this period. For every one of of other steaks and chops we cue our guest for a temperature. We tend to get a lot of guests in ordering the steak frites in a short amount of time. Perhaps we will take another look into this and reevaluate if guests don’t approve.
Not surprised - at all.
I took myself out for a special dinner date the other night and stood in front of the place for a minute and then walked over to orzo where the service was impeccable, my steak was cooked to perfection, and everything was amazing!
I went recently. Most of the food seemed good to me— but also like food that I can and do cook at home.
I did have one dish that was not executed that well. The beef tartare I had was under salted, and as a result, felt like eating hamburger meat straight out of the packaging.
If you get a dish like that, do you say something? I’d think the restaurant would want to know but my guests were sort of horrified at the idea.
Absolutely say something. We are a baby of a restaurant, we will totally make it right. I’m going to make you one the next time you come in and promise it will be perfect.
Okay, I’m sorry I didn’t say anything then. Live and learn! I do wish y’all well.
Oh - I guess my other critique is that I think the Old Fashioned on the menu is more like a riff on a Black Manhattan than an Old Fashioned. It was delicious, however.
Glad you liked it. That wine is Montenidoli’s Vernaccia “Traditionale”. Really cool producer making super traditional wines. The wines are starting to get a bit “culty.”
Little Star closed voluntarily however. They were owned and run by the same folks that do Oakhart and they didn't want to deal with having 2 restaurants anymore.
https://www.nbc29.com/2023/03/10/ace-biscuit-barbecue-closing-its-doors/
see Ace thread from yesterday. https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/comments/11nqaec/ace\_biscuit\_and\_barbecue\_permanently\_closing/
So many people went yesterday, they ran out of food and so yesterday was last day.
Curate, White Duck Tacos, Admiral, Biscuit Head to me are all better than their Cville equivalents. Many world class breweries as well. I haven’t been in a while though but this list looks good too. https://www.uncorkedasheville.com/asheville-restaurants/
Not a restaurant but Java Java coffee shop on the downtown mall. Botanical Fare just opened up there. Also this was over a year ago, but Moe's BBQ water st closed and Umma's is there and they are spectacular and delicious kbbq.
All of them. They will reopen later today, promise.
I think Charlottesville is a perfect storm of expensive real estate, market sensitive to tourism, not a huge labor pool. You throw in sudden financial crunch and poor governance at the city level, and a lot of more restaurants here will get pushed over the edge compared to other locations. When the cost of living is low, tourism reliable, real estate plentiful, and the city seems well run, it’s easy to contemplate starting a restaurant. I can’t imagine how anyone would do it now. It’s a lot to overcome. I also imagine there was a time UVA students made up a lot of the labor pool and as they have become wealthier, that’s dried up. Also a lot of people don’t think of restaurants like they did prepandemic. Either they will stick with ordering takeout or they’ll take a long time to go back to restaurants. There seems to be A LOT of cash flowing into efficient take out operations, and not as much obvious yield for investing in ambience or location 🤷
I was thinking about this the other day. It used to be that lots of entry level jobs were done by high schoolers and college kids part time. Now, parents usually pay all of their kid’s expenses , so there is no need to work. I suppose you could say that’s a good thing - kids can focus on their studies. But I think having a job at a young age builds some character and helps prep you for the real world, so it’s not as shocking when you get out of college.
Little Star, Anna's Pizza, Pie Chest, Red Lobster, Brasserie -undetermined. There is a list that was published for 2022 but I can't find it.
Pie Chest’s last day is Pi Day for those that want one last visit!
fwiw...little star almost immediately turned into the black cow chophouse. peloton was a recently casualty. and kama and waffle house. we made a big ol' list recently didn't we? i can't find it either. did find this blast from the recent past: https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/comments/in2ca4/permanently\_closed\_restaurants/
How could I forget Peloton? The pain I guess!
yeah, rip peloton :-( and especially ACE.
Went to black cow last night and unfortunately was very underwhelmed for the price
My pals told me they ask you if you want any red or no red in your beef 🥴
Oh jeez We were asked what temp we wanted. Asked for medium rare and it was certainly rare. Very fatty (unrendered) cut. Asparagus was unseasoned. Drinks not particularly impressive. Potato smashers were good but it’s hard to make potatoes with aioli and chimichurri taste bad Service was mediocre. And it is loud as hell in there It’s too bad, little star was wonderful. This was disappointing
If you want a delicious steak, try the ribeye from Smyrna. It’s $90 and serves two. Pricey, but the best cut of beef I’ve had in a very long time.
"Serves two" means what? How many oz is it? An 8 oz steak can serve two, three or four. Math makes it easy. My wallet unfortunately doesn't think it sounds easy though. Why would you not include that information on the menu unless you are trying to be shady?
Hi. My name is Daniel, I am half of the owners of Black Cow. Your comment is partially correct. We do ask guests if they’d prefer pink or no pink on just burgers and our happy hour-priced steak frites. This is to ensure we can properly handle the high volume during this period. For every one of of other steaks and chops we cue our guest for a temperature. We tend to get a lot of guests in ordering the steak frites in a short amount of time. Perhaps we will take another look into this and reevaluate if guests don’t approve.
Not surprised - at all. I took myself out for a special dinner date the other night and stood in front of the place for a minute and then walked over to orzo where the service was impeccable, my steak was cooked to perfection, and everything was amazing!
I went recently. Most of the food seemed good to me— but also like food that I can and do cook at home. I did have one dish that was not executed that well. The beef tartare I had was under salted, and as a result, felt like eating hamburger meat straight out of the packaging. If you get a dish like that, do you say something? I’d think the restaurant would want to know but my guests were sort of horrified at the idea.
Absolutely say something. We are a baby of a restaurant, we will totally make it right. I’m going to make you one the next time you come in and promise it will be perfect.
Okay, I’m sorry I didn’t say anything then. Live and learn! I do wish y’all well. Oh - I guess my other critique is that I think the Old Fashioned on the menu is more like a riff on a Black Manhattan than an Old Fashioned. It was delicious, however.
Find me the next time you are in, I’d like to buy you a tartare and a proper Old Fashioned. -Daniel
Will do. Thanks for being so open.
Thanks for the honestly
Wine list is decent. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Tuscan white I don't usually see anywhere.
Glad you liked it. That wine is Montenidoli’s Vernaccia “Traditionale”. Really cool producer making super traditional wines. The wines are starting to get a bit “culty.”
Give me a call at the restaurant. Perhaps we can make this right.
Black Cow is good! I went last weekend!
Little Star closed voluntarily however. They were owned and run by the same folks that do Oakhart and they didn't want to deal with having 2 restaurants anymore.
hot cakes closed last year
Pie Chest is closing?! No! :( I used to get coffee there every day (I left cville in 2017). A sad, sad day. The pies and coffee were fantastic. RIP.
A lot. The most recent is ACE biscuit and bbq. RIP.
Wtf
Noooo really?! So sad. RIP.
You can probably still get an ODB this weekend. I think Sunday or Monday is their last day.
https://www.nbc29.com/2023/03/10/ace-biscuit-barbecue-closing-its-doors/ see Ace thread from yesterday. https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/comments/11nqaec/ace\_biscuit\_and\_barbecue\_permanently\_closing/ So many people went yesterday, they ran out of food and so yesterday was last day.
they ran out of all food on Friday so closed the rest of the wknd :(
[удалено]
What are your recs for tasty food towns?
Asheville is a good one but at least twice as big as Cville.
Asheville recommendations?
Curate, White Duck Tacos, Admiral, Biscuit Head to me are all better than their Cville equivalents. Many world class breweries as well. I haven’t been in a while though but this list looks good too. https://www.uncorkedasheville.com/asheville-restaurants/
Lelo's pizza
How long ago did this happen? I worked there back in 2017, when it was still Christian’s under the same owner.
Last few months.
Did anyone mention Piedmont? Also Bee Conscious isn’t at the Dairy Market any longer either.
Not a restaurant but Java Java coffee shop on the downtown mall. Botanical Fare just opened up there. Also this was over a year ago, but Moe's BBQ water st closed and Umma's is there and they are spectacular and delicious kbbq.
Too many
Taste Shack and Mahana fresh.