Husband and I went here for dinner during our first night in Charlottesville. The pizza had great…read moretextures- thin crust on the bottom but bready at the edge, and the right amount of cheese and spicy sausage topping. We each got a pizza and were able to finish both since we were starving. We loved the pizza scissors! Our server was prompt, and we felt lucky to be seated right away on a Wednesday night. Their connecting bar was having a concert outside, with what felt like hundreds of people in attendance. We also learned that we could park in the industrial warehouse lot next door since it was after 5 PM. We'll be back!

SERVICE We came in on a rainy evening and were told the…read morewait might be about 45 minutes...and no space to wait indoors so we sat outside in the covered patio and they came by to let us order drinks as we waited. Thankfully, got the drink and were called in early about 15 minutes into the wait. That little surprise made things start off on a good note. Once inside, we sat at the bar since there weren't tables available and we were HUNGRY and cold! Even with the weather and a busy crowd, everything felt smooth and relaxed. AMBIANCE The place was small and cozy with a warm vibe that instantly made us forget the rain outside! The cool shallot-shaped lamps over the bar gave off soft light, making the whole space feel super calm and inviting. Sitting at the bar felt right choice for us for our first time -- close enough to the energy of the restaurant and people watching and seeing the pizzas get made but still comfortable! There's a soft buzz but cozy enough to chat and just feel at home. FOOD We ordered the Abruzzo pizza with beef and pork meatballs, fiore di latte, San Marzano tomato, basil, and pecorino. It was hearty and rich but still balanced. We also wanted to try the Prosciutto pizza, which was not the favorite but still good. The San Marzano tomato sauce for the Abruzzo was the star of the show. We were sad we didn't order another pizza with the tomato sauce to switch it up but oh well, another time right?! Loved the floppiness, the tomato sauce flavor, and the crust! Have to love the scissor-plate idea -- very clever and so easy. And size of these personal small-sized pizzas perfect for 2 people so we could have room for dessert and not have leftovers! We finished with the Zeppole "donuts" which were fried ricotta donuts tossed in cinnamon sugar with a hint of lemon (which I LOVED the lemon here and cinnamon sugar worked perfectly!). They were light, warm, crispy and just what you want at the end of a meal. The food was delicious, though definitely on the pricier side ($16-$18 each for the small pizzas, $9 for dessert. Still, everything felt thoughtful and worth it for the quality!

Waitress was great and attentive I had spaghetti with meatballs and it was very good I ate on the…read moreviranda outside

This is a cute Italian spot with very decent Italian food - the lasagne in particular is great! We…read morehad a a 7:45 reservation and were seated right away, but didn't receive our food until after 8:50. It was busy with a few large parties that evening, and our server was working hard to accommodate everyone. Unfortunately, we never received one of the drinks we ordered. The portions are large if that's your thing. I probably wouldn't return, but we did get a discount for the long wait which I did appreciate! Maybe they were short staffed this Friday evening.

Great menu and great chef. Maybe the best Mediterranean meal we've ever had. Our appetizers,…read moremains, and desserts all had a sophisticated and interesting mix of flavors and textures. Service was very attentive and friendly.

We went during the last day of restaurant week, not how we would typically order as we generally…read moreshare but the food was great! Service and atmosphere were awesome.

One word... EXCEPTIONAL! I've never been so excited to leave a review…read more Vinny, the owner, sets the bar for service, hospitality, and overall quality. He is attentive, generous, and ensures everyone's needs are met above expectation. He has a sense of humor as well that makes you forget he's the owner and want him to join you for dinner. Now the food... absolutely delicious! The mashed potatoes, butter chicken, curry, limoncello cake, spanish coffee, etc etc etc! Everything was so delicious, I didn't take any pictures, I lived in the experience! The staff were amazing as well. Always on it with refills, clearing the table, ensuring you have the best time. This is now a for sure stop when we visit the area. Add Vinny and the Fiorano team to your dining list!

Enjoyable experience…read more Came on a Wed night (day before Thanksgiving) around 6PM and were easily seated. They clearly spend a lot of effort/resources creating an inviting and upscale environment. "A" for effort there. They had a pretty extensive drink menu and had a local IPA which is good in my book. We started with the Bruschetta ($12) and my bride really like it. She ordered the Salmon Salad ($19) and really enjoyed it. I went with the Shrimp Salad ($18) and I was really pleased with the fresh ingredients. Service was prompt and friendly. Great dining option if you are in the area.

This place is somewhere in the range of unimpressive to disappointing…read more We were seated then promptly ignored. No waters, no wine list. We just sat there. Even heard the staff person who seated us say to a co-worker "don't forget about the table in the window." Asked for the wine list and ordered a bottle which sat sweating in plain sight on the bar while we ate our salads. My chicken dish was cold when it got to me. I sent it back and got a do-over plate of the same order. The re-do was better, but my judgement was clouded by that point. My fellow diners felt their entrees were decent, but that the bread was really the best part of the meal. I left wondering how and why this place survives. The whole operation feels like it just wants to nod off to sleep. Maybe a Thursday night is slow? Maybe outside of the school year there's a lull at this place? Those are the benefit of the doubt questions I want to ask in their defense. But ultimately I feel like this place seems to keep going out of some sort of "but we're a restaurant" obligation. Won't return; don't recommend.

On my quest to try every single Italian establishment in Charlottesville somehow I missed this gem…read more The food here was spectacular. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of my meal. The ambiance of the location was that of an upscale Italian eatery. The perfect spot to celebrate a big accomplishment or fancy date night dinner. Our server was something to behold. He waited in every table in the room. It was super crowded but he took time at each table to make the customers feel welcomed. Will definitely add this to the list of must try spots in Cville.

We recently had dinner at Sal's Caffe Italia and really enjoyed our experience. The interior is so…read morewarm and charming, with a cozy, old-school Italian feel. You can tell this place has been part of the community for a long time. I loved seeing the photos of the owners and family on the walls--it adds such a personal touch and makes the restaurant feel special. We started with the Caesar salad and bruschetta, and both were delicious. For our main course, we shared the spaghetti and meatballs. The portion was generous, perfect for sharing, and the flavors were exactly what you hope for from a family-run Italian restaurant. For dessert, we shared the cheesecake, which was a great way to end the meal. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. The outdoor seating area looked very charming as well, but it was a hot evening, so we opted to sit inside. Overall, a lovely dinner in a welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be back.

Sal's is an adorable Italian restaurant located on the Charlottesville pedestrian mall. They offer…read moredining inside and outside. The inside felt like an intimate New York restaurant. Portions are large enough to share, which is exactly what a couple seated next to us did for their appetizer and meal. Otherwise, you likely will be taking home what's left on your plate. Happy hour offers $3 off house cocktails, $8 glass of house wine, and $13 for a half carafe of house wine. Great deals! The staff are friendly and helpful.

We heard good things about this place so we decided to give a try. The pizza was not disappointing,…read morebut they totally forgot our sandwich, which happened to be spicy Italian beef... the sandwich is supposed to be dipped in the broth, so it would taste the best when serving fresh. And because it was forgotten, the bread got soggy and tastes unpleasant. They have some pizza sold by slice but you need to be there early or your option would be very limited. The dine in orders are also served in a way that can easily packed and to go. The place itself is friendly for solo dinners

This is an Italian market with a take out counter for sandwiches and pizza. Two small tables and…read morechairs to eat in. Pizza was very crisp but minimal flavor. Staff wasn't very friendly.