So we decided to stop by the Nook.

Now RCV used to live above the Nook so I’ve stopped by a number of times and it’s consistently got good diner food.

But the outdoor seating in the spring summer and fall is really something!

The Nook recently went through a bit of a fixer upper situation for it’s outdoor seating and it’s quite nice.

One warning: Sometimes the wait is a bit much.

The bottom line is that when the Nook is jammed up the quality of service and food tends to suffer all around. I suggest moving on to somewhere else. Maybe Cafe Cubano or Rapture or somewhere else.

That said, today was great. I enjoyed the Byron Wrap – Scrambled Eggs, Salsa, Sausage and Potatos – YUM!

Service was good and the coffee was reasonable.

I’ve also enjoyed a number of other meals there – one thing I like particularly is the Turkey Rubin, an RCV favorite.

A good thing about the Nook is that you can get a really different meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

RCV gives the Nook a thumbs up, especially for the outdoor dining situation.

It’s all happening,

Mike Long

Restaurants Charlottesville (RCV) continues it’s investigation into the most enjoyable and tasty of Charlottesville many eateries and venues.

Boylan Heights (102 14th ST, 434-984-5707) is set on the corner of Charlottesville’s iconic UVA Corner, and for Restaurants in Charlottesville this is an interesting one…

…Built upon the remains of Espresso Corner and Orbitz Billiard (RIP), this fun hamburger joint/nightlife spot is one of Charlottesville’s newest hot spots.

That’s a good thing because Orbitz closing left a void for late night C-ville entertainment, especially for folks who love to shoot pool.

Here’s the scoop:

Probably the most popular University of Virginia meeting place since it sprung up about a year ago, the main thing about Boylan Heights is definitely it’s reputation for partying and events.

Food: While RCV has visited Boylan Heights on a number of different occasions, we’ve only had a chance to dine there once. Here are my thoughts:

“The burgers because they are organic and bought buy a local butcher (The Organic Butcher.)”

“It’s also nice because you can ask for a veggie burger instead even if it is a “Special Burger” they named.”

(RCV also had a custom created burger when we dined at Boylan Heights and we agree with MS X’s take on things.)

One of the best things about dining at Boylan Heights is their big airy outdoor windows on the first floor which they crank open come the spring. The patio is popular tool.

Music: Boylan Heights does a great job of blasting a stead steam of pumpin thumpin beats. They even occasionally have local bands especially upstairs…

RCV visited Boylan Heights on Halloween weekend and they had one of our favorite bands, William Walter & Company was rocking out, which led to a packed house and good times for all.

(This snapshot is from William Walter & Co playing somewhere else, but it looks similar to what they looked like playing Halloween at Boylan Heights.)

BTW If you haven’t heard, William Walter CO features William Walter, Tucker Rogers (An RCV favorite) and Stuart Holme and we highly recommend you check out one of their shows..

The music may detract from the “Sports Bar” side of Boylan Heights, but in RCV’s opinion the sports bar part has little to do with their popularity.

Events: Boylan Heights has a steady steam of events. On that same Halloween weekend I got a text message from a UVA 4th year saying that she was “intrigued” by the red carpet party at Boylan Heights. What can we say, people like events…even 4th years.

The best thing about Boylan Heights is that so long as UVA is in session you can probably expect a decent crowd on almost any night. And even on summer nights when the students are away, it’s still often worth poking your head in.

It’s all happening,

Mike Long

The box is the kind of place where people new to Charlottesville instantly become regulars…

Let me explain:

Restaurants Charlottesville (RC) continues it’s investigation of the best and the rest of the surprisingly diverse Charlottesville restaurant scene with a look a little hole in the wall bar that just might pack the most fun per square inch out of anywhere…

Now RC has a strict standard of only reviewing the spots that we’ve visited several times.

(Because after all, even the best of restaurants have off moments and even the biggest dumps have their moments of greatness. But with a town that has as many options as we do, there’s no need for folks to settle. As in: we’ve done our research so you don’t have to.)

Here’s the rundown:

The Box is located on the downtown mall on 2nd street between Bluelight Grill and the CVS, built on the ashes of the iconic Atomic Burrito…

(109 2nd Street SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902. 434.970.2699.)

Much like Atomic, the owners of The Box, most notably Chas Webster, famous for his backwards fitted Cubs ball cap, get the significance of music events when it comes to drawing a crowd…

The booming noise emitted by the tiny Box location, which is about as big as the office I’m writing this post from, is what’s drawn thousands of Charlottesville natives like fireflies to a searchlight.

Otherwise you’d hardly even know that it even exists!

And yet as often as not the Box is packed so tight that there’s hardly anything else to do but dance and enjoy the music…

Heck, they even have the iconic Mr Miyagi stamped in color on the chalk board next to the “last call gong.”

Now normally in a restaurant review I’d have at least touched upon the food, but in this case I had to think back to remember what on earth it is that The Box serves!

That’s because Chas has so embraced the excitement generated by live musicians and DJs that probably the majority of his guests have done little more than drink, dance and enjoy…

The best of The Box is every Tuesday night when two local musicians, Tucker Rogers, Dave Matthews Band (DMB) archivist and local guitar legend, and singer/songwriter Travis Elliot, of the Travis Elliot Band, which used to open for DMB, come together nearly every week to instigate musical magic…

Here’s a video clip I recorded of Tucker and Travis:

(This video has over 1700 views on YouTube.)

Tuesday nights aren’t the only time the Box is rocking. Most times Friday and Saturday are good.

Other nights can be hit or miss, depending on who stops by and who’s playing…

…But if you’re making the nightly rounds on the downtown mall, then it’s just silly not to poke your head in the door to see who’s there.

As far as the drinks and fare is concerned, the Box used to be famous for it’s noodle boxes…thus the name “the Box.”

…However, much like most of the other regulars, I couldn’t even tell you what they serve for food during the long afternoons leading up to when The Box turns into one of Charlottesville’s premier adult playgrounds.

The drinks are great. Chas serves up more shots per square foot than anybody in C-ville, guaranteed.

(Saki bombs are a big favorite if you want to fit in right away.)

The best tip I can give you when it comes to the Box is that if it’s rocking, stop on by…

…If not, keep on walking.

It’s all happening,

Mike Long

P.S. Next: Another Charlottesville Phoenix, this one built on the ashes of Orbitz and Espresso Corner: Boylan Heights, UVA’s hottest hot spot.

I decided to start my review of Charlottesville Restaurants with one of my favorite places to eat, C&O restaurant.

(Located at 515 East Water Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 on the Downtown Mall. 434.971.7044)

C&O has been open since 1976 and is a staple in many folks diets…and a place where many folks in C-ville go to meet up.

It’s got 2-sides: conservative upstairs and casual downstairs…

While C&O serves its dinner menu (the best item on the main menu in my opinion is the Steak Chinoise, which is tender with a terrific gravy) until 11, they are one of the few places to eat in Charlottesville late because they offer a late night menu until 2 AM.

The best thing on the late night menu as far as I’m concerned is the barbecue chicken which is served with the C&Os hot bread, but the artichoke dip is fantastic if you’re looking for a change-up…

Many folks go to C&O for the drinks and the company. Live bands occasionally play downstairs, but actually it’s sometimes too crowded when that happens, so I’d advise to go on nights when they don’t have entertainment if you’re a bit claustrophobic.

(Props to the folks at C&O because it’s unusual for this town because most places without an event have a little bit of difficulty drawing a crowd.)

The wine menu is great, stocked with many Virginia wines. Ask the bartenders for recommendations.

The patio seating is a nice change of pace if you’re on a date, but I find the upstairs a bit stuffy.

Actually, I find the informal basement a lot more fun, and I rarely eat upstairs.

The best thing about C&O in my opinion is the consistency of the service and the menu.

Most of the folks who work there are dedicated and professional, and the food hasn’t changed much in the ten years I’ve been going there.

More recommendations from the main menu include the Cubans steak, which is a marinated rib eye. If you’re a fish lover the Pan Fried Trout is good.

Now I will warn you that the main menu is pricey for C-ville dining. Perhaps that’s one reason that I tend towards the late night menu…

But it’s difficult to beat C&O for a nice date or a special occasion.

It’s all happening,

Mike Long

Mike owns Bring the Fresh, a high value online marketing advice site. He’s a long time Charlottesville Restaurant aficionado.

P.S. Next time: One of Charlottesville’s best kept secrets, especially for music lovers: the Box.

I’ve lived in Charlottesville for the last 10 years and one of the best thing about Charlottesville is the restaurants.

So I decided to create this site to review the many great spots to eat in Charlottesville.

Restaurants Charlottesville is finally sharing the results of our extensive investigation into Charlottesville’s hot spots.

From the Downtown mall to North 29 and from the Corner to Bellmont, RS has you covered when it comes to insider information on where to go and when.

Check back soon!

Mike Long