A private dinner amidst endless bottles and endless knowledge of all wine. A wine store with thousands. We tasted several reds and whites, all unique choices new to my palate. And double decanted reds, so ready to drink and fully open. The proprietor has a seemingly bottomless command of wines, vintages, palates, and the wine business. Our group had three options of entrees, duck, sirloin, and a wild-caught salmon. I saw nearly all plates cleaned. Certainly, the salmon was perfect, and a far (flavorful) cut above the typical farmed salmon we eat regularly. He was right to call it out as their pièce de resistance. And yes, a chocolate mousse that looked remarkably like... well, judge for yourself.... read more

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Came in here kindly and un-obnoxiously during posted business hours and couldn't even get the curmudgeon owner (Bill) to look up at me. He was not warm or friendly, just asked me what I wanted - wouldn't even give me the respect to look up from his computer screen. He didn't HAVE what I wanted but I would've been totally open to local suggestions. Was ready to spend money (as I always am on wine!) but totally reconsidered after the way I was treated. My mother had been a customer for decades so I never would have expected this. Well, he lost meand my loyal mother too. read more

Don't be fooled by the garish decor at the restaurant, the selection of wines is impressive. As Alley Light was packed Saturday night, I decided to check out the local wine bar instead and made the right call! It's not a fancy wine bar with different flights to choose from with cheese or chocolate pairings. There's plenty of food on the menu though. Although you can order a glass of wine, I recommend shopping around the store and picking out a bottle! There are at least 300 bottles to choose from ranging from local wines to Europe. We enjoyed a glass of red wine and port. The owner, white bearded man, is a wine connoisseur as he's been selling wine for 44 years. He kindly helped us pick out a sweet bottle of dessert wine, which we brought home and thoroughly enjoyed. Although I had a fun experience, I think the restaurant needs a makeover with updated furniture and a streamlined menu for small food pairings. Tastings has a lot of potential to deliver a full throttle experience. read more

Tastings - two glasses of wine on a wooden table - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I only give reviews if I like my experience and if not, I don't really give a review at all. In this case, I would like to rate this place a five star. The selection of wines they have is extensive from local to the Italian ones, German ones, Spanish ones, and the list goes on... I tried the sautéed mushrooms. They portrayed an earthy feeling and I also had a selection of 3 types of Pinot Noir. My experience was marvellous. And yes, I did not get paid for this review, obviously. Instead, I paid them a partial of my paycheck for a great selectionof wines and very fine dining experience that I had. Highly recommended. I think they read our comments here on Yelp too, so they changed their customer service level. It's now upgraded. The waitress is highly responsive, friendly, and consistent with her time checking in on me. But again, there were only a couple customers when I came in - so I can't say what would happen if they have a thousand people in the restaurant. read more

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The food here is top-notch! I love coming here because it feels like home. In fact, I have been coming here for nine years. My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner here in 2010. If you like good food and good wine, you would do well to check this place out. The owner knows his craft -- ask him for a pairing recommendation. P.S. The foie gras appetizer is my favorite. read more

An excellent find slightly off the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville (a town blessed, it seems, with more than its fair share of good eating options if my short visit is anything to go by). Tastings is a combined Wine Shop / Wine Bar / Restaurant, and offers diners the option of 1/2 sized glasses to increase the range sampled during a meal (great if you're driving). For starter I went with Wild Mushroom and Shallot Soup with truffle oil (complimented by a very good Chester Gap Viognier, Virginia 2009), and the main course was Veal Strip with wild mushroom risotto (local Ox-Eye Pinot Noir - also very good, and a nice light style rather than the fruit forward approach often found in New World). Food, wine and service (which was in part from Owner Bill Curtis) all excellent. read more

I went to Tastings only once, and it was about 10 years ago. I don't remember at all what I ate, and I was too young to drink, so I also can't say anything about the restaurant's main draw: its wine. So this will be a bit of a dud review. But it was an incredibly embarrassing moment for me because I had just started my first year at UVA, and my parents were visiting for Parent's Weekend in October. I was taking a poetry workshop, in which I let out all kinds of teenage angst about my life, including my family, of course. And guess who our waiter is. My damn poetry teacher! It was so horrible. First of all, who wants to be waited on by your professor? And secondly, who wants to be waited on by your professor who knows all your deepest secrets and has read rant after rant about your family and personal issues? Okay, so my rants weren't SO bad, but it was still pretty awkward. And that was my experience at cute, homey, tucked away Tastings restaurant. read more

We had the most delicious meal paired with the most exquisite wine in the most unpretentious restaurant in Charlottesville. What a gem! Blew us away. Bill knows wine and the service was down home friendly. Highly recommended. Look forward to returning for more mouthwatering delectibles. read more

Have a restaurant in a wine store? OK, I'm in. Bill, the wine guru will come over, ask you what you are eating, what kind of wine you like, and he'll hook you up. Bill's sommel-essence worked for us: his Gewurtztraminer pick was good with my wife's pork shank order, and his Chenin blanco paired well with my dish of mushrooms. We'd have never ordered those wines. So why not 5 stars? Service was off, lacked a pace. Even though the place was empty, it felt like long stretches between visits. There was a bread plate, but they never brought bread until they asked. The atmosphere felt odd with this weak classical music. Little things I guess. At the end of the day, the food was good and the wine pairing worked. read more

Tastings is a wine shop, a wine-tasting room, and incredible restaurant all in one. The owner, Bill, has a truly exceptional knowledge of wine and food and will help you learn more about what you like and why you like it and what wines you definitely need to bring home by the case. I highly, highly recommend this place! read more

Hidden gem. One of the best (top3) restaurants which we have visited in an almost a year in the US. Price-per-quality relation is simply unbeatable. They know their wines - and they definitely know their food. Highly recommended! read more

Still the best lobster bisque in town and love their local beef hamburgers - served with flies and a mixed vegetable. It's the best place downtown to get a steak for lunch, but only on Thursday's to Saturday. read more

Based on several five star reviews, four of us made reservations at Tastings for an anniversary dinner. The store/restaurant is kind of dumpy looking from the outside, and not much better inside. I guess I had expected a more upscale place, but the decor was not very attractive, and the interior was dark and sort of dingy. We knew what we were looking for in wine, and made our selection from the shop. This was the best part of the dinner. The service was very slow. There was no attempt to check on our needs, and we had to go looking for the server twice. The salads were nothing special, and the rolls were right out of the plastic bag, although nicely heated. We waited a LONG time for the entrees. The dry aged beef at $32 was a large portion, but had an "off" flavor, that was none too pleasant. Could have been the dry aging, but if that's what it gets you, I would pass. The fish was good, somewhat over cooked, and the accompanying veggies came from a frozen bag. In mid summer there is no excuse for anything but fresh. In summary, there must be better choices than this place. The idea of a wine store with dining is nice, especially with the $5 corkage. The reality is that the dining experience was third rate, and that is no bargain. read more

Went to Tastings with my parents and sister on a Saturday night - my father's choice of several restaurants that sounded appealing. The daily specials outnumber the relatively small standing menu. There were many appealing offerings. My mother said they had the best succotash she had ever tasted. Since she has tasted a lot of succotash, all 4 of us had the Grouper with Succotash. We also each had a different flight of wines from their selection which was great fun. On a purely local interest level, my sister and I ran into a couple we knew and my parents knew three different couples who were there (in a fairly small restaurant). The wine store that you walk through has a great selection. My father has been a regular customer for years. The restaurant is open for dinner only Thursday through Saturday, and lunch, Tuesday through Saturday. read more

'This is not a place where you sample wine' is what we were told when we walked into the business. The bearded, older gentleman spouted this off in a rather rude tone. We thought maybe a place called 'Tastings' would have tastings. He could have handled it in a completely different way. He could have said, sorry we don't have tastings like the local wineries, instead we(...). Four return/future customers were lost today. read more

Best place in town for a glass and a bite. Whereas many spots in C'ville tend crank up the idea of a French style brasserie, Tastings is understated and cozy, part brasserie--part wine cellar. No pretense. Super extensive by-the-glass selection, with a food menu always in season. I typically go in for half-case and a glass at the bar. Owner operator Bill Curtis has a deep knowledge of the wines they sell, and will suggest wines based on food pairing and price point. read more

Anyone that has a bad experience at Tastings is only allowing their pride to get in the way of a true food experience. My wife and I have been to Tasting numerous times and can truly say we have never had a bad meal. Yes, some times the service can feel slow,but that usually when the place is packed. But even in those times we have enjoyed the time sipping on some excellent wines while waiting for dinner. We both love the oak grilled tenderloin, the Grouper, and especially the Brussel Sprouts. Keep up the great work Bill. B.P. read more

They have a great selection, however, the demeanor of the gentleman serving us was less than desirable. We felt as if we were bothering him and that he had much better things to do. When asked about where a local wine was made, he simply said Virginia. After our one drink, we left quickly and attended another local business. read more

I stopped in for a glass of wine and had the worst experience at a wine bar I've ever had other than meeting some other very nice customers. I'm sorry if this sounds like just complaints but I can't think of something good to say. When I asked for a wine list the person at the bar just pointed at a bunch, probably 20or 30, open bottles and said they didn't have one. I asked what had been recently opened and didn't get an answer. Only that they had a wine preservation system. With that many open bottles these things can only do so much and was told about one that was on special so I ordered it but since it was the bottom of the bottle asked if she could open another bottle and was read more

If you are looking for an exceptional meal with wine in Charlottesville, this is the place. I've eaten at first class restaurants all over the world, and the quality of food here is comparable. The appetizers my wife and I had -- fried oysters and crab casserole -- were the best we've had anywhere. Our entrees -- veal chop and grouper -- were also excellent. And you can pick your own bottle of wine from the hundreds of options in their integral wine store and drink it for a $7 corkage fee. We had a nice Amarone. Our young waiter was very knowledgable on both the wine and food. This restaurant is part of the downtown mall. Bypass the more visible restaurants on the main street of the mall, walk one block, and enjoy a meal with wine you won't forget. read more

We waited an hour and 20 minutes for our food, and the waitress never came by during that time to ask if we wanted refills on drinks - we finally had to flag her down. The Pinot Grigio my sister had tasted like it might have gone skunky, but it might have also just been a not-so-great wine. The crab casserole was more like a crab dip appetizer than a stand-alone meal. The crab cakes and grouper, however, were spectacular. Would have given it another if we hadn't waited for so long to eat. read more

Have enjoyed glasses of wine here, but today was taken aback by the rudeness of an older, bearded person who worked there. He was actually yelling at someone and I felt very uncomfortable, so we left.There are many other great places to enjoy wine and a good meal in the downtown area, this is not one I will visit again. read more

I visited my grandmother over Easter weekend, and she took us to tastings for a nice dinner on Saturday. It was fantastic. Pro/con list below: Pro - Food was outstanding. They are known for their lobster bisque, and it is a deserving reputation. The main menu is a bit small, but only because they have a large daily menu. I had the cassoulet, and it was very good. The white beans were very flavorful, the duck confit was perfectly cooked, and the fennel sausage was an excellent foil. Save room for dessert, if you can, as they are outstanding as well. - Wine. I mean, it's a wine shop. You walk in through bottles and bottles of wine. They have a great list, and the proprietors are very knowledgeable, as you would expect. We had an excellent local white, I'm terrible at wine names, and an excellent pinot noir, both recommended by the chef/owner. - Scene. It is a quiet place, and we went on a particularly quiet night. It is what it is. If you want loud and bumping, my guess is that this won't be it. However, if the main room fills up, it could get lively. Con - Not really a con, but the service was a bit on the slow side. However, this could be just how they operate. Also, they had a large table initially, and they were short staffed, so this should be taken with a large grain of salt. Overall, highly recommended. I don't come to Charlottesville very often, but I'd definitely go back. read more

This restaurant is part wine store-part restaurant. Only a few tables available but so worth it! The food was amazing! Locally grown produce and organic meats. Delicious. The wine recommendation was spot on too!! Definitely worth a visit if you are in Charlottesville! read more

Been going here for lunch for years and always enjoyed it and recently tried it for dinner. I had to go back for the Cassoulet. This is extra-fine bistro food. And the roasted game bird (chicken) with that sauce and the rice; wow. The website menu does not do Tastings justice. It's the six or eight specials on the blackboard the chef pulled together each day you're going to want to try. I just wanted to add a note on Yelp, but I just realized that what the big deal at Tastings is not made clear here. If you want to really, really get into wine in a thoughtful, real-world way, this is the place to go. Tastings will let you (encourage you) have three glasses on the table from the shop that you can pair with your meal. (Wines taste completely different with food; and they taste different with different foods.) I worry that this sound like Tastings is some place that is trying to make something simple (food and wine) more complex than it should be, but it's not. It's fun and very easy. And, yeah, you have something to talk about at the table other than what you did that day. It's an escape into another world of taste, texture and aroma. The staff knows wine, especially Bill Curtis. (Can't miss him; he looks like Santa Claus' younger brother. He runs and owns the place.) Despite all of the above, it's a very relaxed, but professional, restaurant. Some are likely to find it too relaxed. But, if you appreciate well-prepared meals made with fine or unique ingredients (the restaurant has gotten into organic and locally raised foods, but it does not make a big deal out of it) and outstanding wines (and that does not mean expensive wine, although if you wanted to go $$$$ on a bottle, this would be THE place to do it so as to get the best bang for your buck)-- AND learning something new--Tastings cannot be beat. Go. read more

Found this accidentally while wandering around trying somewhere to have a drink. Beautiful shop, amazing selection and good food. I wish they had a printed menu when we had gone as we had no idea the prices of the wines we got. read more

The service at Tastings was outstanding. The staff is very knowledgeable regarding their menu. Our waiter was able to give us a very detailed description on every dish and wine. We will be back simply because of the wonderful service. The mushroom soup was better than any I've had in the U.S. or any other country for that matter. Amazing. The 80-proof run cake was also simply delicious. read more

The food doesn't rise to the occasion (or cost). The execution of the dinner felt like a high school cafeteria worker try to cook with fine dining ingredients. The restaurant charges nearly $40 for an entree. The entree was under-seasoned, not well plated, and contained frozen peas. You know, frozen peas that you buy for 99 cents at the supermarket. Dried out, pock-marked frozen peas that were probably heated in the microwave. These peas were mixed in rice that was risotto rice, but it was not served as a risotto, but literally as a ladle full of unseasoned rice in the center of the plate. I wouldn't doubt that the restaurant is near the end of its tenure. On the menu, a previous lower price was crossed out and a higher price was written in for a couple of items. The restaurant could probably be a resounding success as a tapas style wine bar, which would require it to give up its attempt at being a fine dining restaurant. The chef or owner, which might be the same person, needs to take a good look at his competition, and there is a lot of competition within in a couple hundred feet of his doorstep. The execution of his food isn't up to par. The price is way out of proportion. And the finishing details or ambiance of the restaurant don't say "high priced fine dining." I'm not in the business of writing yelp reviews. This is actually my first and hopefully only yelp review. But, we picked this restaurant in part because of the yelp reviews and I felt that they were misleading. read more

Owner and staff are lovely. Selected excellent wines to go with each course. I was spoiled here. read more

I haven't sampled the restaurant fare at this establishment, but a friend of mine and I did stop by to browse their wine selection. The food may be great, the wine selection may be excellent, but the owner is a racist. I guess it was because we were both white, but the owner struck up a conversation with us about yard work, and we shared about a friend of ours that had recently gotten hurt clearing his gutters. It was at this point that the owner made a reference about that being why you send "yard apes" up to do that kind of work. I didn't say anything at the time, because I thought *surely* I must have misheard him. He can't possibly have really just said that. But after we left, I asked my friend, and she verified that was indeed what he said. She thought maybe there must be some other definition. I don't think so. So, if I ever step foot in that place again, it won't be to buy wine, or sample tasty delicacies, it will be to give the owner a piece of my mind. read more

Tastings is a gem. The owner, Bill, is a walking wine encyclopedia. Some reviews here mention the wait. Folks, Tastings is the French style of dining; nothing here is hurried. Being at Tastings gives you time to savor your wine, let it roll around on the tongue, appreciate its uniqueness. Stroll around the store and admire all the wines. Order a flight so you can compare and learn. This place sells some of the finest wine in around. Sit back and relax. At the end of the wait you will discover some very fine food. The fried oysters, the lobster bisque with pieces of lobster, the chanterelles or the mixed mushroom soups, a real French onion soup, the crab meat casserole, the veal shank, the duck cassoulet, the halibut or other fresh fish. You can't go wrong. The menu changes according to the season and the market. If you ask Bill will make sure you have a wine that perfectly suits your food. Let yourself be educated while enjoying first class wines and food. read more

Tastings is now (2011) one of the oldest restaurants in Cville, and certainly one of the most reliable: an unusual combination of a wine store (prob. the largest in central VA) and restaurant, with any bottle in the store available for drinking in the restaurant for a $5 corkage fee. The food is American grill. The owner, Bill Curtis, is the dean of Cville restauranteurs (he started at the old Monticello Hotel on Court Square in the late 1960s). Fairly expensive, but worth it. read more

Best wine bar in Charlottesville. Food and service are also great. I can't believe I have looked at it for decades and thought "someday I should check it out" and never did. Best kept secret on the mall. It's essentially a wine store (a good one!) with a small bar--about 5 seats--that opens onto a small restaurant with about 10 tables. They haven't prioritized decor or other things, they prioritize the experience you came for: huge selection of wine, very knowledgeable and friendly people, great food choices ranging from nibbles if you're there for the wine, to a full meal if you're there for a nice supper with special friends. (Somehow I don't feel I am doing the menu justice. It's more than just a wine bar that plays a restaurant in its spare time. The restaurant aspect of it is an equal participant and shines in its own right.) The ambience is quiet and comfortable, and if you want a place to go and spend quality time with special people, this is it. read more

This place was amazing. We live in DC and would go back to Charlottesville just to go here. We were a little confuse at first as to how everything worked, but once we figured it out, it was great. It's confusing because this is a wine store with a restaurant in it, so we didn't really know how the whole thing worked. The staff was knowledgable, courteous and extremely accomodating. My husband and I each ordered a flight of wines to start, which is 3 half glasses - he got a flight of white and I got a rose one. You tell the staff what you like and you don't like and they pick the wines for you - you can pick if you want, but there are hundreds to choose from. Also, we didn't see a meat and cheese plate on the menu, but asked if they had one and they said of course, we'll put something together. For dinner, we each got a flight of reds and split the roasted duck entree. Again everything was amazing. We ended up buying several bottles of wine from the ones we tasted, they were so good. The tasting price is relative to what they pour you. We tried wines from $15/bottle up to $80/bottle.I'm sure you can tell them if you want to stay in a certain price range, but I think its a good way to try some expensive wines I wouldn't normally buy. This place is very casual, laid back and definately a fun place to go. read more

Great wine selection and big personality owner, that's a recipe for a good time! Food was upscale and pretty good. Definitely could have been more lobster in the lobster bisque. read more