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    Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

    4.1 (408 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar Photos

    Business Info

    ORZO KITCHEN & WINE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Grilled fish of the Night.
    Nicole R.

    Orzo was heaven to me. I had the salmon dish and it was cooked perfectly. Well seasoned, each bite melted in my mouth. My companions had the bolognese and the grilled New York steak and there was not a single complaint. They had a wonderful wine menu and a decent beer selection. Our server Stephen was phenomenal, extremely personable and attentive to our needs. It's a fairly dark restaurant, not loud, comfortable vibe.

    Grilled Fish
    Grant P.

    My first restaurant post-move-in to Charlottesville, and it was FANTASTIC! I cannot recommend Orzo enough, and I'm already starting to feel the charm of Virginia. The food was delicious, and so was the atmosphere. Shoutout as well to our server, Stephen, who made the night quite enjoyable. A friendly face is always comforting when moving to a new city, so having a kind server who took the time to chat with us was great. Once we were seated, we started with the 2020 Artimino Poggilarca Super Tuscan. The price was reasonable relative to the quality of the wine. Orzo is an Italian restaurant, so why not go with a Super Tuscan, am I right? Next time I might splurge on the Super-Duper Tuscan, haha! Moving on to the food, we started with the halloumi and some bread. The halloumi was delicious, and we all particularly loved the sauce that accompanied it. Stephen mentioned they made it with ouzo, which I usually do not care for, but cooking it together with the other flavors in the sauce changed my mind! The bread, I believe, is freshly baked, and they serve it with great olive oil. Having family in Italy and close friends from Greece means I've enjoyed great olive oil and this was really good olive oil. For our mains, two of us had the Risotto D'Estate, one had the braised lamb, and another had the grilled fish. I do want to preface that the fish and the lamb were from their rotating "Passport Menu," which Stephen said changes every 4-6 weeks. Regardless, the quality of the dishes tells me that whatever they have on this changing part of the menu will be good no matter what. The fish was a light, delicate cod with the right amount of smokiness and earthiness. The vegetables that came with the dish were well seasoned and not too mushy either. The braised lamb was very tender, and the quality of the meat was clearly good. The accompanying sauce had great flavors. For the two of us who had the risotto, we were also very happy! This is the dish I had, and it was a lovely blend of flavors. The pistachios in it balanced out the salty/sour-ish (not the best word, but you'll know what I mean) flavor from the cheese in the dish. It was outstanding. Finally, we capped off the meal with a tiramisu, the chocolate pot de crème, and some limoncello. The limoncello, I should add, is made in-house and OH, that was a treat! I didn't try the tiramisu, but was told the creaminess was perfect. Some tiramisus can be too watery and the ladyfingers dry, but that was not the case here. Similarly, my pot de crème was to die for! I am a chocoholic and have been baking/making sweet treats for nearly a decade now, so I know a good dessert when I try one. The only thing they could add to their menu is espresso! They have regular coffee, but an espresso is really what I enjoy after dinner. Overall, we had a fabulous meal, and I cannot recommend Orzo enough. For my first culinary endeavor in my new home of Charlottesville, I could not be happier. Please check out Orzo and say hello to my new friend Stephen!

    Bolognese
    Gary D.

    I visit the area for business reasons and this restaurant is one of the closest to my hotel and, wow, what a surprise because the service was great, the food I had was wonderful. It was a Tuesday night and I sat at the bar, which I prefer as a business traveler, and I thoroughly enjoyed my drinks, food, and dessert. I had the bolognese and the budino for dessert.

    Braised Lamb Tagine
    Namir J.

    I came in at 1600 on a random Tueday. The service was swift and the food followed suit. I ordered the Butternut Squash soup for an appetizer, AMAZING. For my entree I had their Braised Lamb Tagine which was okay. Tender, but I found the flavor lacking a bit. The ambience was nice and festive, I sat by a mini christmas tree at the bar, which was a nice touch of festiveness.

    Orzo's Hummus
    Lauren G.

    Amazing service. Our bartender was very attentive and quick to provide helpful recommendations on the menu. We came in without reservations and were able to get full service at the bar. It ended up being restaurant week so we participated in that. The hummus was super garlicky and really good. We also had the homemade tiramisu and pot of chocolate dessert which were rich and decadent. The pasta bolognese had great flavor we would get it again. The restaurant had cozy vibes and good lighting. I also had the chicken dish and lentil soup both of them were really good and flavorful id come again! My chicken was cooked perfectly also.

    VIC M.

    I went to Orzo to celebrate Restaurant Week. The sommelier was very helpful and attentive. The Nebbiolo wine was an intense red, with minerality and fruit flavors in balance. I started my meal with the Muhammara. I've never had this dish before but I'm sold on the delicious Mediterranean flavor. This is a dip from roasted peppers and toasted almonds eaten with flatbread (pita). Very tasty dish with a veggie-flavor sauce with a slight and interesting taste of heat. My main dish was an Octopus Pasta dish. The seafood was lightly cooked with a grilled-type of flavor - a light smoky taste to draw out the octopus taste. For dessert, I had the Olive Oil & Rosemary Cake slice. I like the wonderful balance between the sweet and savory, with enough sweetness to call this dish a dessert. The rosemary flavor was lightly drawn out by the sugar to make a tasty treat. Overall, the restaurant has a dark and warm interior with tables nicely spread out to allow for personal conversations. The server, Libby, was positive, friendly and attentive.

    Classic Tiramisu
    Zoe G.

    Went for restaurant week. Had the shaved fennel salad, beef and pork bolognese and the tiramisu. It was all so good and the service really elevates the experience.

    Kara B.

    Food 5/5 Service 5/5 I docked a star because it was soooo hot inside. I know it's summer but I was sweating and was very uncomfortable. I also docked a star because the drinks were weak. I had two martinis and didn't have anything close to a buzz. Spent 30 bucks on 2 cocktails for nothing. However, the food and service was excellent so I'd still return in a heartbeat!

    Excellent choice
    Linda P.

    Every restaurant was closed OR had an interminable wait time. We happened by here, went in and were promptly seated. The patio area is lovely, the menu had many intriguing offerings, excellent bar menu and very laid back ambience. We agree we'd like to come back the next time I'm up that way for a visit.

    Smoked Pork Tenderloin
    Cathy G.

    If I could give more stars, I would. We shared the shaved zucchini salad, salmon Crudo, fish of the day and smoked pork tenderloin. That zucchini salad with lemon and sumac dressing was out of this world!! There was a texture to the dressing that made my mouth happy. The salmon was creamy and fresh. The fish had smoked eggplant with fresh corn and string beans that were amazing together. I didn't think we had room for any more food but the pork tenderloin had beluga lentils and was highly recommended by our server. One bite had us forgetting how full we were and we finished the whole plate. We live in Maryland but whenever we are passing through, we will be sure to stop in again. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

    Peasant Beef & Pork Bolognese
    Bailey S.

    Pasta was excellent! Freshly prepared and tasted great. The halloumi cheese was recommended and did not disappoint! They also have options for kids (tomato sauce or butter noodles with either ravioli or spaghetti).

    Prosciutto Bruschetta
    Renee P.

    Great service and ambiance! Bf and I wanted to try this place and overall had a good experience. Quality of food was amazing, but the only down side is that the portions seemed a bit small for the cost (but it was very filling!) Prosciutto bruschetta: can't go wrong with this! Crunchy bread, good presentation, really flavorful peasant beef and pork bolognese: great pasta texture and even spread of meat, flavorful, definitely my favorite of the night grilled fish: happened to be salmon, which was super tender. came with some tomato slices and potato, which was a great add on. really delicious, but wish there was a bit more fish for the cost riviera: me and bf thought it was okay, not too strong. warning that once it dilutes it tastes like cucumber water though! sangria: bf and i both preferred this over the riviera. cant go wrong with wine bases. on the sweeter side. lovely place for a date night or any fancier occasion!

    Green gazpacho, Shaved Cabbage & Kale Salad, Peasant Beef & Pork Bolognese

    The green gazpacho is in my top 3 favorite soups ever. They mention "cucumber, grapes, breadcrumbs, almonds, olive oil, sherry vinegar". The almonds are carmelized and toasty -- almost smoked. There's a parmasean-like super umami, then the olive oil drizzle is amazing. I thought grapes would be weird but they are little kisses of fruity sweetness against a garlicky, salty, tangy soup. Any gazpacho would have done well on a hot day, but I didn't expect this well. I've eaten here once before and the food was solid, maybe a bit pricey -- but this is second time, where I got takeout as a treat, and it was pretty great. What a pleasant surprise. Thanks, Orzo.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

    Crush Pad Wines - Lovely selection

    Crush Pad Wines

    3.7(32 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    As a four-time visitor, I've found that while the food here is consistently flavorful and…read moreinventive, the value proposition remains a mixed bag. This is particularly true for the wine program; for a venue with such a massive retail selection, the curated menu feels surprisingly stingy. I had high hopes for their Cheese Board, but unfortunately, it mirrored my general experience here: great flavors, questionable value. The Highlights: The presentation on the bamboo board is lovely. The bread was exceptionally fresh and flavorful, and the fruit accompaniments; Persimmon, guava, grapes, and strawberry, offered a bright, acidic contrast that paired well with the selections. The Letdowns: Zero Transparency: The cheeses weren't listed on the menu, and the server didn't offer any information on what was being served. Half the joy of a professional board is the "story" knowing the origins and profiles. We were left entirely in the dark. The "Bread-to-Cheese" Ratio: Most of the selections were hard cheeses, and the two soft cheeses provided were literally the size of a quarter. Every sample was sliced remarkably thin. While the bread portion was generous, there wasn't nearly enough cheese or fruit to sustain it. It felt less like a cheese service and more like a bread board with a cheese garnish. Bottom Line: The Crush Pad clearly has access to great ingredients, but the portions should be more than "tastes." I want to love this place, but the value for the price just isn't quite there.

    There is elegance and comfort to be found in Crush Pad Wines, in the downtown mall in…read moreCharlottesville. They have an excellent wine selection with a knowledgeable staff to back up any questions you ask. I did not expect there to be a full kitchen, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food we ordered. The Mushroom Crostinis in particular played into the refined vibe the entire bar was giving off. A fun stop for a quick glass of wine, or a seated meal that will be accompanied by excellent taste.

    Photos
    Crush Pad Wines - Shrimp Cerveche.  Fresh and flavorful.

    Shrimp Cerveche. Fresh and flavorful.

    Crush Pad Wines - Bar

    Bar

    Crush Pad Wines - Chilled red of the day

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    Chilled red of the day

    Bizou - Duck dumpling

    Bizou

    3.9(328 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Tonight we had a party of 4 and they squeezed us in. We started with the Caesar salad , onion soup…read moreand calamari. All were excellent. For supper we had the salmon chicken and squash risotto. The chicken Marsala was great the salmon was good. The risotto was meh. Then we had the fried banana bread and vanilla ice cream. Wow get this!! Crem brûlée and raspberry mouse all good banana bread was outstanding. For a place that was established in 1996 I have to hand it to them for doing so well.

    Stopped by Bizou to grab some take out for dinner and wasn't disappointed…read more I went in on a Tuesday evening and it was pretty empty, a few people sitting inside but it was a nice night out so most people chose to sit outside. The inside is pretty small so if you have a larger group and you want to sit together, just know dining outside maybe your best option. Anyway! I ordered their garlic bread appetizer, short rib entree, which came with a side of mash potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts; and pistachio cheesecake for dessert. The garlic bread appetizer is a must! It comes with enough pieces for about two people to share and is paired with a fresh bean paste as a dip - trust me it's delicious! The short rib was just as delicious! The Brussels sprouts did seem a bit undercooked, but it wasn't a deal breaker. Finally, the cheesecake was solid was well! Everything was a decent portion size and worth the price in my opinion. If you're in the area and looking for a nice place to dine, you should check them out.

    Photos
    Bizou - The joint.

    The joint.

    Bizou - Steak frites, Bread Plate, burrata, pasta

    Steak frites, Bread Plate, burrata, pasta

    Bizou - Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned

    Smyrna - BEET SALAD bitter greens, hazelnuts, cacao nibs, kaymak, pomegranate vinaigrette

    Smyrna

    4.7(116 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Went tonight with my daughter who is a total foodie! The…read moreservice was very personal with our server knowing every detail. The managing partner also came by our table very casually and friendly- I just googled their bios and its very interesting. So I wasn't sure I would like everything we ordered- I only wanted the beet salad. It was amazing!!!!!!! We also had the dip trio which I liked the hummus best with yummy bread. My daughter, her friend and her mom LOVED the calamari and said it was light and delicious. Lamb kebob was tasty. Desert chocoholic was scrumptious and the lemon granita was light and interesting with homemade cotton candy that we laughed looked like ratchet barbie hair but tasted so light. Absolutely delicious!

    SERVICE We came in for a belated Valentine's Day dinner,…read moreand the staff immediately seated us when we got int. Everyone was friendly and professional without being too formal. Our server served us waters and let us peruse the menu. Most spots will have the waiter come by and ask you how things are, and our waiter didn't come by at all after setting down the food which was interesting -- not good nor bad but probably were also busy. AMBIENCE The space felt upscale but still easygoing, which made it perfect for our Valentine's night out. There's no dress code, but most people looked like they'd put a little effort in, matching the polished but comfortable vibe. Loved the open kitchen all the way towards the back by the bookshelf area gave the room some energy without making it feel noisy. Definitely struck a great balance between date-night fancy and laid-back cool and casual. FOOD We started with the Beet Salad Ribbons and the Meze Trio. The beet salad mixed earthy ribbon-sheet beets with hazelnuts and a bright pomegranate vinaigrette that surprised me! Loved the pairing of the beets and cheese and hazelnut crunch. As a texture fan, this really hit the spot! It was colorful, fresh, and really well balanced. The Meze Trio had charred eggplant, a yogurt-goat cheese dip, and a seasonal hummus. Each had its own flavor and texture, and everything felt super fresh and well-seasoned. Favorite was the seasonal hummus. The yogurt-goat cheese dip was good but definitely sweeter than I personally perferred! The Calamari was also quite good and had decent number of chunky pieces that weren't just breading. The only small letdown was the pita bread since we had more dips than pita left. We expected refills might be complimentary, especially for a place like this, but they weren't. Not a big deal, just something that stood out in an otherwise smooth and thoughtful experience! The Manti Dumplings were a highlight too -- probably so much handwork in making these look like they do! The Sharondale mushrooms gave them a rich, savory flavor, and the pepper butter sauce added just the right touch of spice. The burger was also great -- juicy, flavorful, and paired with house fries and an amazing urfa pepper aioli. You could tell both dishes were elevated but still comforting, showing off the chef's fine-dining background in a really approachable way. For dessert, we shared the Baklava Cheesecake and a Chocolate Hazelnut special. The cheesecake was unique -- cheesecake filling sandwiched between baklava. It was delicious but not what I was expected! It was creamy and nutty with pistachio layers, and the chocolate dessert was incredibly rich without being heavy. Both were perfect finishes. We even took home the leftover goat cheese dip because it was that good. Overall, pices were a little on the higher side ($23-$29 for mains, $14 for dessert), but for the quality and thought put into every dish, it felt worth it and would come back again for a special occasion! This was definitely elevated ambience and the food was well executed in our opinion. I can see the hype! Definitely not a spot I'd frequent often but for the special days -- this is it to impress your date or family!

    Photos
    Smyrna - Bar

    Bar

    Smyrna - Meyer Lemon Granita (with strawberries and Turkish cotton candy)

    Meyer Lemon Granita (with strawberries and Turkish cotton candy)

    Smyrna - Manti Dumplings

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    Manti Dumplings

    Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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