Bizou
119 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Bizou Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Charlottesville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Charlottesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
119 W Main St
Charlottesville, VA, 22902 - Phone (434) 977-1818
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Lindsey S.
Amazing meatloaf, great outdoor seating and extremely reasonable prices. 'Nuff said.
(5)May Y.
I would agree, the food was great. It's surprisingly pricey - its atmosphere doesn't show it. Had some amazing duck there. I would definitely recommend it.
(3)Gayle G.
This was my second visit to Bizou, and my second great experience and meal. The service is laid back but attentive. The food is inventive buy familiar and comfortable. Don't miss it.
(4)Joshua H.
Been here twice now. Both times, the food has been awesome, and staff has been very attentive. This morning had The Best French Toast in C'ville. Definitely recommend.
(4)L C.
This place is between 3.5 and 4. they have delicious food in a beautiful setting. you're definitely paying a bit of a premium to sit out on the promenade, but i found it worth the price. the calamari was the best thing we ordered, it was served with an Asian sauce above some cabbage salad.
(4)cmd s.
Weird. Everyone raves about the meatloaf and the fried chicken, but when I went for the first time this past weekend, based on some of these recommendations and looking forward to some good comfort food, I was disappointed. The meatloaf was "deconstructed"--served sliced in rounds,and grilled, as if they were sausages, without any kind of sauce and it was bland and flavorless. The fried chicken with herbes de provence turned out not to be succulent pieces of fried chicken, but rather, three battered chicken tenders on a plate. Another attempt at deconstruction? Or is the menu simply misleading? Either way, it was nothing we couldn't have gotten at the local bar. And it was dry. The only plus was being able to sit outside on a gorgeous day.
(1)Mike M.
Unusually good food in a very fun outdoor setting. Great salads and main courses. Friendly, efficient service. I'd quickly eat here again!
(4)Sarah B.
Catfish Quesadillas, mmmeow! Brie egg rolls, yum! Meatloaf with homemade catsup, delicious! Pleasantly surprised and quite unexpected to find great food with decor that is so contrary to the menu. Eat outside when the weather permits. The inside is nothing special, but I guess that is part of what makes Bizou unique.
(4)Molly F.
I would never have thought to go in this place if I had not read about it in the paper last year. I like how the menu changes a little bit each time, and I have never been disappointed with my entrees. The pork chops I have eaten there were delicious, as well as the half chicken. The desserts are incredible too- I recommend the grilled pound cake with caramel sauce. Yummm! One of the best restaurants on the downtown mall, though it is a bit pricey. I like the upscale diner feel though, as well as all the old movie posters they have on the walls. Every time I want to go there now I make sure I am waiting outside at 5:00 when they open, because it fills up fast on the weekends!
(4)Sue K.
Located in the pedestrain mall of old town Charlottesville, a several block area full of good places to eat, listen to music, shop, see a movie and people watch. We enjoyed delicious fresh yellow tomato soup, salmon and "purses" of kale leaves filled with vegetables and couscous. Service was excellent and the plates well presented. Go!
(5)James F.
We ate Sunday brunch at Bizou today with a large group (15) and a couple of babies, for a friend's birthday. They were very accommodating, helpful, and the food was fantastic. My wife and her girlfriends go out for brunch every Sunday morning to different places in town and this is one of the best places they said they've been to. My wife had eggs Benedict with meatloaf, and it was fantastic (she's a sefl-proclaimed connoisseur of eggs Benedict). I had the hanger steak and eggs and it was great too. The waffles and french toast looked amazing and I wished we had room to try the great menu of desserts. Both my wife's and my dishes came with potatoes and a small salad for a great price. We also had a side of cheese grits (we asked them to put cheese on them) and they were amazing and I usually don't like grits! My toddler downed half the bowl himself! I highly recommend this place. Great service, good prices, and great food! If only the place was a little bigger-it was tough to seat our party, and we took up many of the tables.
(5)Tosha B.
I checked Yelp before coming to this place and it had 4 stars, so I thought I'd be satisfied.....wrong! The food at this place just didn't taste good at all, which was a complete bummer considering that they have all local meat and produce. I ordered a salmon wrapped in phyllo dough and my husband ordered the filet. When they sat my food down, the phyllo dough was clearly burnt and the server didn't say anything. I tried it and the salmon was overcooked and had zero taste. I also had potatoes and they were bland with no kind of flavor. My husband's filet was just ok, but his sides were underwhelming as well. This place gets a lot of business mostly based on their location in the middle of the downtown pedestrian mall, but the food was bad and we won't be going back.
(2)K C.
Delightful! Very impressed not only with the quality and ingenuity of the food, but also with the reasonable proportion sizes. My husband and I shared an appetizer, each got an entree, and shared a dessert for a perfectly filling meal without feeling stuffed. HIGHLY recommend the Golden Beet Salad! Great beer, wine, and cocktail selection. Awesome street-side searching allows for people-watching and serenading by local street musicians. Wonderful way to spend an evening!
(5)Sarah F.
Lunch on the downtown mall under a canopy of trees. Bloody Mary. Intended to have a golden beet and walnut salad with salmon. Chose instead the fried catfish salad with corn and cilantro. Delicious. The man found a cheeseburger that met his neat and potatoes needs. Lovely!
(5)Mariam S.
Went here for brunch and the food was really tasty. The portions were a decent size as well. I had the shrimp and grits, it came with seven shrimp and the grits were very cheesy, which I liked. I also enjoyed the tomatoes and small salad on the plate as well. The smoked salmon entree was also fantastic. I would definitely return here. The service was great too.
(5)MarÃa A.
This is the best restaurant that i have visited in the last year! We loved it! We went to Bizou for a early dinner on our anniversary. We went with our 1'year'old son because we wanted to celebrate with him too :) The server was very nice and accomodating. All the time worried about us being comfortable and having everything we need, especially for our little one. We are vegetarians and the vegetarian options were amazingly good. We ordered the Vegetable Tower and the Beggar´s Pouch (i think that´s the name of the plate) which were super fresh, tasty and healthy! They use local produce and ingredients! For drinks we ordered white wine for me and a beer for my husband! But the best part was the dessert! Sweet potato dumplings with a caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream... Simply delicious! Even though that on average it is pricey, i can´t wait to come back!
(5)Susan A.
Small restaurant with OK service and decent food. I got one of the only vegetarian plates on the menu, a grilled vegetable burrito. I enjoyed the creme fraiche sauce it came with. It was good, but nothing special. I probably wouldn't come back to this restaurant, since there are several other restaurants nearby that look interesting.
(3)Melissa W.
After reading the reviews I decided to give it a try. Pretty underwhelming. Lacked taste with the exception of the basaltic that was on the caprese. My waiter never brought bread with the caprese so I had to inquire with another wait person. I had the salmon in phyllo with pesto, but unless you had some pesto it was lacking flavor. Not sure I would recommend it with sooooo many restaurants in the area. And they don't take American Express.
(3)Casey D.
Here traveling on business and staying at the Omni. Ventured out with a friend originally set on The Whiskey Bar, but it seemed loud and crowded. So settled here instead. Immediately greeted by smiles and given the leisure to pick our own seats. Everything on the menu is local and all seems very fresh. Our waitress was very friendly and had a superstar memory to spit out the specials the way she did. I'm not sure you could go wrong with anything on the menu. I couldn't choose, so I decided to pick a little from here and there. I am a lover of all things with beets, so I happily started with the Beet Salad for an app. You can order a small or large order. It was delicious with both red and golden beets and exactly what I was hoping for from a beet salad. Then I had the horseradish salmon, which was recommended by the waitress. Very good as well. The Salmon veared a bit to the overcooked side for me, but the flavor compensated for that. The dish was very beautiful as well. And it's not really a meal if you don't have dessert, so I ordered the apple fritters with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. If prices scare you...skip dinner and go straight to dessert. Completely worth it! If I'm ever back in Charlottesville, I will make my way back to this gem. Delicious food and wonderful customer service. Happily stuffed :)
(4)Teri H.
The root vegetable salad was very good and the wine was great. The service was excellent. The lemon crepes were slightly disappointing with a slight lack of lemon filling. The ambiance was great and the staff was very friendly.
(4)B B.
We sat outside on the mall and had a great lunch. I had the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I did not leave anything left on the plate. It was delicious. The price was good and would definitely come back. Great spot on the mall.
(5)Vicky L.
Loved dining outside at this lovely restaurant. Food and service were good as were the specialty drinks.
(5)T C.
Had a quick brunch here right when they opened at 11am. Food was very good. Service was excellent. They were extremely attentive (lots of quick coffee refills) and checked on us multiple times during a short meal. We had the huevos rancheros, white cheddar omelet, and fried green tomatoes. We really enjoyed everything. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a quick drop in brunch.
(4)A.M. D.
Cozy place with good service and decent food... but a bit too pricey for me to come back. Took my girlfriend here for her birthday. We were visiting from Richmond, did a little shopping in the mall, and chose this place purely because the menu posted in the window looked like we could get a decent meal at a decent price. There are pricier restaurants in the mall, as well as some cheaper ones (grill type). This one seemed to be a good "middle ground"... and my girlfriend wanted a glass of wine (not all the restaurants serve alcohol). We were seated in a back booth, near the restroom, which was fine with us. Very cozy, and given it was a cool, overcast, drizzly October day outside, we really liked the comfortable, casual ambiance. The theme decor at this restaurant is "old/retro movies"... and there are movie posters all over the walls (including the rest rooms), and an old style table top "juke box" on the booths. We ordered the cheapest red wine on the menu, which was $38 ! (before tax, of course) Instead of ordering entrées, we elected to share a few appetizers (partly to save money). We split the Bread Plate, Calamari and a bowl of the Soup Du Jour... which was either butternut squash or pumpkin... can't recall. The Calamari and soup were pretty good, though the bread plate was a waste of money. The bread all had a relatively hard/stale consistency, so we only ate about half of it. Since it was my girlfriend's birthday, we split a chocolate mousse (served with a candle). It was VERY rich/dense. We were both pretty full so we didn't finish it. When the bill came I was shocked that it came to $83 for our few appetizers, dessert and bottle of "cheap" wine! After the gratuity, total price for our early evening meal was $99 !! Adding insult to injury, there is no free parking around the mall, so we had to pay $10 to leave the garage after our meal. Next time I visit this outdoor mall, I'll either eat at one of the cheapest restaurants, or not at all.
(3)Michael H.
My wife and I had Sunday brunch. Not terrific. I had hangar steak and eggs. My wife had the meatloaf sliders. Meatloaf was sweet with a texture like pulled pork- not the best. Hangar steak was ok, bearnaise sauce was terrible. Eggs were dry. Biscuit accompanying steak and eggs was dry. Service was quick although server didn't come around after serving to ask how everything was. Nice outdoor seating on the pedestrian mall but I would not come here again.
(2)Your M.
We were attracted to this place because of the great reviews. We were sat by a very friendly hostess and the food looked great. However, when the waitress came over she made it pretty clear she wasn't looking forward to serving us. She was not just abrupt (it was busy) but dismissive. She left quickly without providing any prices on the specials and generally being as intentionally unhelpful as possible. We waited for 15 minutes for her return, saw people seated after us being served their food, then we picked up and left. I have no idea why this girl didn't want to serve us, we would've spent lots of money and we tip well. I was not impressed with this place at all.
(1)Kathleen K.
We had a lovely meal here! The food was impeccable. We started with the bacon wrapped, mozzarella stuffed figs (a special) - really yummy, and a treat for me because I can't eat dates. No bacon-wrapped dates for me :( We also had the calamari, which was perfectly cooked. I loved the sauce. My husband tried one of the entree specials, a panko-crusted trout with a bean salad. Everything was perfectly cooked. I had the fettucine with sausage, shrimp, and vegetables, which was great. I appreciate that they do half portions. They originally brought me the wrong entree, but they fixed the mistake very quickly. All in all, a great meal, and I would gladly come back here.
(4)Melissa S.
Outdoor seating was nice, but the lunch menu was very small as were the portions. The sausage sandwich was flavorful but the cheese and bread plate was slightly lacking. For the price I would like a little more. The service was fast and efficient. I personally would try another restaurant before going back.
(3)Stephanie B.
My husband and I were less than impressed. Our service wasn't very good, we didn't enjoy the environment, and the food was not good enough to justify the price. We probably won't be back.
(2)Chris N.
Summary: great food, nice staff, comfortable room, reasonable prices. I have been to Bizou about ten times the last 5 years. I keep going back because it is a really appealing place for me. The food is really good: one highlight is the hanger steak with frites. Pork chop good as well, as is the meatloaf. The wine selection is very nice and good beer selection. The service is always very good: friendly and helpful, not pretentious or snooty. I always feel comfortable in this place, either dining inside or outside in the summer. And the average price per main course is about $16 which I find very reasonable given the quality. As long as these things remain consistent I will keep coming back. If you've never been, you should try it!
(4)Christine F.
Staff was friendly and attentive but food was just so-so. Bisque soup was overly fishy. Gnocchi was awesome, best part if the meal. Squash ravioli was too sweet without savory balance and drowning in butter/oil. Wine menu was impressive. Decor could use a good cleaning and update.
(3)Meagan T.
This place was awful. I had high hopes for it because the reviews were good but the food was terrible. Our calamari was way over cooked - but the sauce on it was good. I had the stuffed squash which was mushy and overly spicy. My husband had the rock fish special which was overcooked and cold. We basically wasted $60 and left hungry. Positive note is that the staff was friendly, only reason I can give a star at all.
(1)Kathryn D.
I have a really hard time understanding what all the positive fuss is about here. I came with a group of six friends on a Saturday night (Sept 20) and sat down around 7pm. Service was acceptable but not stellar and the servers were clearly scrambling to keep up with a packed house. I ordered a glass of rose and the chacuterie platter as my main. My friends ordered combinations of salad/pasta plates. While my wine was yummy, all other aspects of this meal were disappointing. Maybe I am a snob and maybe I've been spoiled by Birmingham's boom in amazing charcuterie options but for $15 this was a pitiful showing: soggy meats in low quantities, near stale (not toasted) bread, seemingly store-bought mustard and runny preserves... all in tiny quantities. I wasn't super hungry and wasn't looking for a gut-busting meal but I was expecting robust flavor profiles and something more put together than a hurridly assembled cutting board. Furthermore, I was never told what was on my platter... usually a server will at least quickly identify meats/preserves/cheeses, etc but when I asked I got a shoulder shrug and turned back. Looking around, the salad/pasta combos didn't seem much better: miniscule portions and nothing to write home about in terms of flavor as evidenced by a stolen bite from a friend's. It's one thing to serve a tiny dish and pack it was knock-your-socks off ingredients/flavors but this was blase at best. Overall, very disappointing. This is one of the first times that Yelp reviews have led me astray. Fair warning to any potential future patrons... this place might be a bust.
(2)Stevan J.
Took my mother-in-law for an impromptu pre-Mother's Day dinner. Great location, good food and excellent service! Location: A Price (you get what you pay for): A- Service: A+ Food Quality: B+ Ambiance / clientele: B+ Overall: A- I'll definitely be back!
(4)Kelsey Q.
Pretty good. Not my favorite place in Charlottesville but it is reliable in my experience.
(3)Glen C.
I tried Vegetable Burrito at Bizou. Apart from the regular ingredients you get in a veggie burrito, this one had a ton of kale in it; which would have tasted much better had it had a little bit more seasoning. My friend tried Herbes De Provence Fried Chicken and had similar thoughts.
(3)Albert S.
We came across Bizou after trying to find a restaurant in the often busy downtown of Charlottesville. We got right in which was a surprise so we were kind of wary about the place. We were pleasantly surprised. I had the garlic soup which was excellent. Many times I've had garlic soup and it has way too much garlic. This was not the case. Very balanced. For my main course I had the trout which was excellent. My two dinning companions had the duck and the chicken pot pie. They said both were excellent. The serving staff was very friendly. My only criticism would be that the beer selection was somewhat limited and the booth we were in was extremely tight and uncomfortable.
(4)Tiffany N.
Delicious food, delicious (and affordable) wine, and wonderful patio seating on the mall! Highly recommended.
(5)Amber M.
Food was awesome!! I didn't think the atmosphere matched the food but it is some of the best cuisine I've had in a long while! Service was excellent as well and I tried anchovies for my first time! Quite interesting!
(4)Dalia B.
Amazing dinner! We had bread plate to start and pork, meatloaf and fettuccini dinner. Finished with amazing apple fritters.
(5)Luciana B.
After trying to get a table at Revolutionary Soup with no success, we headed to the downtown mall, a charming pedestrian street (Main St.) We went to Bizou without knowing anything about it, and were pleasantly surprised. It is like a dinner with home cooking and they have several special options every day. I had the crab cakes, and everybody else had the catfish sandwich. My crab cakes were delicious. served on top of a potato gratin (unusual) and a salad, and had a little pesto on it. It was really good. I had a bite of the catfish sandwich, and it was also good.
(4)Seth R.
One of the best spots on the downtown mall. Very good food with ever changing menu, though a few staples like the tuna tacos are always good. Great service and outdoor seating.
(4)Anna W.
We had the tuna special and the butternut squash ravioli --- yum! The only thing that would improve this place would be beer on tap. Well, that and retraining the bus servers to be more careful with their cleaning solution; they went to clear off a table next to ours, and the blowing wind (we were sat outside) blew the mist all over me and my dining companion, as well as our food. Gross!
(5)Mary F.
Sunday night. Walked by Bizou. Crowded. All tables taken. We asked for a table. And had an excellent FILO wrapped salmon and outstanding chicken pot pie. Cream sherry sauce. Delish. The proseco I ordered was nicely cold and very bubbly. Would have been five star but our waitress never checked back to see if we wanted anything else. We did.
(4)SJ W.
Great place !! We had lunch here and the menu was quite nice, service great.
(4)Jon L.
If it's a comfort food diner with character you're looking for, this is the place! In C'ville for a business thing and out on the Mall to try some new restaurants. Read some good yelpreviews and selected this place for a Monday evening dinner. I tried the Cerviche TunaTaco's for my starter...excellent! Three tasty treats flavorful and a great palate pleaser. It got me primed for the main course, homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes and kicked up with chipotle ketchup. What a hit, a real home run in my lexicon of food love. Nice size portion, each bite better than the last. I was persuaded to try the apple fritters with ice cream, my arm is still sore! Shawna sure has a grip and nearly twisted my arm off! They have a great staff, Shelley is in charge and runs the place, manages the bar and keeps the tunes going from her ipod piped through their sound system. All the gals are so cute and classy in their black dresses. All this for $35.00, the only slight down side was no sweet tea, oh well, close enough to merit five shining stars!
(5)Jessica H.
3.5 stars, rounding down due to price. We had a nice time sitting outside in the pedestrian mall on an unseasonably warm evening. Someone even had a wheelbarrow full of puppies behind our table that we could watch (no joke). The menu was inventive and the service was prompt, friendly and polite. The food was kind of... normal. Nothing I would pick out as being special, and for the price, I just wanted it to be more interesting and/or memorable. We're talking $20+ for entrees, $8+ for appetizers. If the fatty lamb steak were $15 instead of $26, this would be four stars. For entrees, we had the pork loin with tropical fruit and the Mediterranean-style lamb steak special on a bed of hummus. For an appetizer, we had the olive tapenade and chevre with baguette slices. The chevre was just broken-up chunks of goat cheese, which made it almost impossible to eat because it couldn't be spread and it kept falling through holes in the bread; the tapenade was good. We had a chocolate bread pudding that had a burnt-tasting caramel sauce and some normal ice cream next to it. I might come here again if I wanted a nice table outside with excellent service, but I also might try Brookville or somewhere else on the mall.
(3)Jesse V.
I really like the vibe here. The kitchen is right in front of the bar as you walk in, you don't see open kitchens like that very often; fun. The staff are very friendly. Most recently I had Sunday brunch here with my sister, she was a bit hungover. The dish she got cured her right up. Breaded chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and biscuit. I had an excellent salad. The chicken was stellar, great breading. Great spot to relax, quiet, good food.
(4)Stewart K.
Outside patio, piping hot food, affected and scholarly clientele, this was done right. Essentially a high-end yuppy eatery and diner prices. Got a crab cake sandwich. Crabby lumps, not much filler, decent bread, too heavy on the sauce, but overall a very enjoyable lunch.
(4)Benny R.
Bizou is one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville, and remains a must visit whenever I am in town. The food is delicious and reasonably priced; the atmosphere friendly; and the service top-notch. The salmon is always good.
(5)Erica T.
Honestly, I gave this restaurant 2 stars primarily for the service. We dropped in on a Saturday evening, host sat us right away, loved the diner feel to the place and our waitress was very attentive. Now the food.... we ordered olive tapenade and chevre cheese with bread for an appetizer. This would have been yummy if the cheese wasn't so crumbly. There was no way to spread this on a piece of anything. We also got a smoke salmon appetizer and the bread was sooooo oven-grilled that it almost tasted like we were eating cigarettes. Although this sounds dramatic, we both agreed on that description. My husband ordered the Hanger Steak and thought it was very good with the exception of the price ($22). For the amount of GOOD meat to actually eat vs. the price, not so great. In fine dining restaurants, it is common that the price is high and the portion is low, but at this place, that shouldn't have been the case for Hanger Steak and french fries...just saying. Good, but not $22 good. Last but not least, my dinner. I ordered the Homemade Meatloaf from the "classic fare" section thinking that if this place was going to do ANYTHING A+++ it would be a dish from their classic fare section-dishes they do often and are requested enough that they repeat them on their changing menus. Although the price was semi-ok ($13), I got somewhat soggy Meatloaf wrapped in aluminum foil placed over a bed of runny, thin mashed potatoes. In my opinion, the meatloaf was just OK. For a place that gets such good reviews for this dish, I was not impressed. Also, I don't know how anyone could mess up mash potatoes, but they did, and thats sad. Overall, I wouldn't personally eat here again or recommend it to someone if they asked. I'd return for drinks outside in their patio area and for their service- the food was nothing to rave about or spend that much on. I would've been happier to go to Cinema Taco and spend $20 :-)
(2)Greg M.
Good food. Decent prices. Interesting food combinations. Disgustingly filthy restaurant with months of accumulated grease, grime, and detritus.
(3)Howard J.
This place is absolutely incredible.. My favorite place for lunch in Cville. I would recommend to anyone looking for an excellent quality and quantity of cuisine.
(5)Elizabeth F.
A sort of funky up-scale diner with some really creative and delicious menu selections. I have always had a great meal here. I like it so much that I chose it for my first date with my husband. Their meatloaf is worth ordering, with the presentation (a certain architectural element to it) as lovely as the taste.
(4)Benjamin H.
Bizou is one of Charlottesville's best. Efficient, knowledgable and always friendly staff over a fantastic wine list. I have the meatloaf every time we go, and it has never failed me- a perfect meatloaf recipe served with mashed potatoes and ketchup with a great kick. Go here prepared to be made comfortable and served something expertly done.
(5)John H.
Their chicken pot pie is an art form!
(4)James M.
My wife and I met a good friend there for Sunday brunch as the location was highly recommended to us by our friend. The place must was obviously a popular spot as there were people gathering around the door waiting for the establishment to open at 11 despite it being rather cold outside. The menu while limited in the number of offering for brunch was very diverse and a welcome change to standard breakfast fare. The interior was somewhat of a cross between an American dinner and a European Cafe, which is very appropriate choice of decor considering the cuisine. We were both thoroughly impressed with the taste and presentation of our meals. Waffles with fruit and whipping cream for my wife. For myself A brioche filled with sausage, accompanied by home fried potatoes, sausage links, a few vegetables and topped with a sunny side up egg and hollandaise sauce for myself, that was named after someone for which it was a tribute to and who I cannot remember. My meal was fantastic and despite the diversity of the flavors presented on the plate it all worked well together even the small side salad it was served with. The table ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, which were served as 4 slices and were the only thing not memorable about the meal as they were not finished. The service was prompt and attentive and while they were not able to answer all of my friend's questions about certain menu items the waitress quickly state she would ask the chef and returned rather fast to inform him. Very excited to try this location for dinner the next time my wife and I are in town.
(4)Alison P.
Food was bland. It felt like they were trying too hard and missed the mark. Staff was friendly. I ordered a dish that was labeled on the menu as gluten free and it came with a slice of french bread on top. Fail.
(2)Sophie B.
I've been going here for years and it has never been anything but excellent. The indoor seating is cozy but I always love to sit outdoors and people watch especially in the summer. The staff are always friendly and service is surprisingly quick! I would recommend the chicken pot pie, calamari and definitely the grilled banana bread for dessert. It is heavenly! Also the meatloaf always gets compliments but I haven't tried it so I can't agree or disagree. Love this place!
(5)William W.
The Bizou that I experienced a year ago would have received four stars, but the Bizou of today gets only two. Remembering how delicious the chicken pot pie was during my first visit, I decided to order it again during my second. While the dish had the same appearance, the food quality was... off. Simply wasn't very good. I might have chalked the discrepancy between my two visits up to the fact that the dish had recently been reintroduced, however my dinner companion's meal was even worse than mine. Bland, with a nasty, oily aftertaste. Unfortunate, as I had thought we had found an inexpensive place with above-average food.
(2)Michelle N.
I can't recommend this place enough. The menu had a large variety of southern influenced cuisine. My husband and I shared the half chicken and the meatloaf. Our order came within minutes and we couldn't believe how quick it was. The food was amazing. The chicken was moist and the potatoes amazing.
(5)Susan J.
The iced tea tasted like instant ice tea (I sent it back and they still charged me for it!) and the bread plate was served with refrigerator cold marinara! The bread itself was mediocre. Pass on the bread plate appetizer. The bleu salad was good. Not overdressed. I had the homestyle meatloaf and my companion had the roasted chicken. The meatloaf was hot and delicious. Ask for a side of the sauce! Yum. My companion ordered the half-chicken, but it was more like a quarter-chicken, but he said it was delicious! We shared a chocolate bread pudding for dessert. We liked that it was not overly sweet, but thought it could use a little texture. Nice to sit outside on a beautiful day.
(3)Dan H.
The menu is unique and tasty. The service adequate. The bill...on the high side. Overall, I was pleased with the experience.
(4)Jaclyn S.
I came here for lunch and thought it was good. The location is great, right on the downtown mall with lots of outdoor seating. I had a beet salad that was good, but I was told that I couldn't add grilled chicken, they only had fried. I thought that was kind of strange, but it was a good spot otherwise.
(4)Loraine B.
The hanger steak was perfect. Bleu cheese sauce, caramelized onions and house fries. Delicious and satisfying!
(5)Beth M.
What a great little spot! Bizou is right on the Downtown Mall which is a great place to spend your afternoon. Bizou is considered a casual dining experience with an upscale-down-home cooking style, for whatever that means! The menu is varied from vegetable burritos to meatloaf. I went for lunch and had a great hamburger (the special of the day) that was topped with fresh mozzarella and served on a baguette. Yum! Friends had salads which looked delicious. We were able to enjoy the outdoor seating (literally in the middle of the pedestrian walkway on the Downtown Mall) which made the day even better. Prices aren't bad for lunch and my meal cost $15 for a burger and a beer (Starr Hill, a local brew). I hear dinner is more expensive, but still as tasty, and I will definitely have to go back!
(4)Oleg B.
Great spot for either Sunday brunch or a weeknight dinner. Food is ok. Great outside seating area- perfect for some people watching. I keep coming back for lemon custard crepe, as it is to die for.
(3)Tara M.
Great restaurant on the downtown mall. Originally we were waiting for a table at Commonwealth, but the wait time was an hour and a half so we called Bizou and asked how long their wait was. Thankfully it was only 15 minutes. Good thing too because I was hungry and I make babies cry when I'm hungry. I started with the beet salad which was very tasty and then the short rib for dinner, also excellent! Only gripe was that the chocolate pudding was very dense and too rich. They gave it to you in a soup bowl so it was way to much for the three of us at the table to even eat half of it. It would have been much better if they used it in a parfait and layered it with some fruit and whipped cream to cut some that richness.
(4)Jaron H.
Amazing brunch. Kids loved the French toast. I had the white omlette and my wife had the huevos rancheros, both of which were phenomenal. Highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)Denis H.
Best quesadilla I've ever had. Its catfish which I thought would be a little weird but it was great. I also ordered the Chicken Pot Pie which I was informed may no longer be on the menu. The sauce for it was perfect, a great mix of a homemade dish meets a professional dish.
(5)Andrew M.
Very nice restaurant on the downtown mall. One of the few open on Mondays. Has posters of cult movies all over the walls, and a kind of combination nice restaurant / diner / dive feel. The menu, however, has very nice dishes overall. We had the braised short rib special and hanger steak. Each was excellent, we couldn't tell which one we liked better. For appetizer, we had shrimp + grits (highly recommended) and a special crab soup appetizer. For desert, a crepe w/ ice cream. Everything was very good, service was attentive, overall we were impressed.
(5)Michael C.
My wife and I went here for her birthday. The food was great. They have some interesting twists on some pretty basic cuisine. My wife had the small bleu salad and said it was very good. She then had the small seafood pasta and said it was "pretty good." She had the small portions and they seemed to compliment each other well. I had the catfish quesidilla and it was very good. I also followed that up with a Makers Mark for $8 which is a pretty decent price for an after dinner drink. We both shared the chocolate bread putting and it was excellent. They have great outside seating on the mall.
(4)Krissy M.
Pretty tasty. Not sure how to pronounce the name of this restaurant - if you know, please message me so I can discuss my experience with friends in social settings - but we popped in before watching a movie at the Regal Cinema last Friday. It was kind of a spontaneous decision, but the menu looked good, and there was inside seating - very important selection criteria, since the sky looked like it was about to open up! Inside, the place was surprisingly large. Kind of dark - mood lighting? Anyway, our server was prompt with the drink order. She was nice enough, though she did seem kind of annoyed to be there. Once we made our food order (there were four of us - fun double date!) we did enjoy the surroundings more, poking around the little jukeboxes and commenting on the unusual decor. Our drinks were filled in an expeditious manner, though by this time we were getting pretty hungry, smelling the other patron's dishes! However, we knew the kitchen was really small (you walk by it on the way to the back) so we had time to chat more. When the food finally came, well - it was worth the wait! I had the veggie burrito (which the waitress had warned, was not 'traditional' - i.e. no beans or rice) and it was phenomenal! Soo delish - sauteed veggies and a creme fraiche drizzled atop it all, served with a salad on the side. Winner! My tablemates enjoyed their dishes as well - pork loin, salmon and baked chicken. Important to note: I wonder if things have changed since Paul M. visited (earlier review) because my husband asked what they had on draft and they said, "we only have bottled beer."
(4)Paul M.
I chose this place the 20th century way - by walking up and down Main Street and seeing what looked good. I'm glad I did. Narrow bar faces the open kitchen down home food well prepared, friendly service and a 20th century TV on a high shelf to watch a Monday night game. Decent beers on draft. Well priced. Recommended.
(4)Jasmine M.
Something to please everyone, but nothing particularly exciting. A big plus? The food here is really affordable especially given the atmosphere and portion size. But the food definitely could use some more flavor. Not bad, just not memorable.
(3)Becca C.
Bizou is one of those places where you don't remember what you actually ate there, but you know you had a really good time. They have a blackboard with changing specials, and the decor is very interesting...think bold reds in an Old World charm. But they have nice outdoor seating for the most perfect al fresco dining experience in downtown Cville, in my opinion. I had a caramel apple crisp there once that was decadent!
(4)Kristen B.
With so many choices in the common area we choose bizou because of the intriguing menu options. Surely anyone who puts venison on the specials board can back it up with a fantastic meal? sadly the answer was no. I choose the pork over horseradish cole slaw (I'm a sucker for slaw- throw in the horseradish and wow!) while Pete had the roasted chicken. Both sounded great based on the menu descriptions but sadly both were more than mediocre upon arrival at the table. the pork was tough and flavorless and the slaw was somewhat interesting but not enough to save the dish. The roasted chicken was also a huge disappointment and upon sensing our great dissatisfaction, the waiter was less than accommodating. He sincerely apologized but made no efforts to correct or compensate for the disappointing meal. Basically I would categorize this as a restaurant trying to make gourmet food into fast food. The descriptions were tantalizing but they just could not back it up with the actual food that the kitchen was cranking out. Had we paid TGI Friday prices for the TGI Friday type meal we might have had lower expectations but when entrees come in at 20$ per, you do expect a certain level quality.
(2)Karen D.
The food is mouthwatering good here! A real find on the downtown mall.
(5)Katrina C.
Very cool ambiance and delicious food with unique menu items and great service! No beer on tap but a great selection of bottles. A bit overpriced but I expect that on the downtown mall. I've only ever ordered their specials but the standard menu features some awesome items as well. On a hot summer day, the first booth before you reach the main dining room is super air conditioned. Such a nice, laid-back place to splurge!
(4)S L.
I began and ended my sejour in Charlottesville at this restaurant! The dinner I first had was more than 2 years ago. I have vague pleasant memories - so we'll call it good? Lunch - soft shell crab served over a salad bed. I love soft shell crab and can't get it often. It was nicely plated and delicious. It was also super affordable under $15 for a nice meal. Ambience - Can't really beat the C'ville Downtown Mall on a beautiful day.
(4)chris c.
Reasonable service. Good food. The calamari and sauce was very nice. Also, try the meatloaf!!
(4)Roy S.
Great food and a very nice, quaint atmosphere. The menu is simply, and therefore not overwhelming, and they a couple of "specials" which tied the menu together nicely. A little bit pricey, but more than worth it, and the staff was welcoming and attentive, plus they worked well together as a team (it wasn't just the waitress working our table, either to clear dishes or refill drinks, so we weren't sitting alone waiting for anything). Overall a very nice experience, and a great place for an evening meal, especially since they are a lot of things surrounding it, which can be enjoyed after a great meal.
(4)S S.
Bizou was recommended by a local we met at the beach. Our party of 7 all agreed we had great food and service. The food was prepared in an interesting way and came quickly. We can recommend the scallops and the lamb. It is also located in a great neighborhood to walk around in.
(5)LC P.
One of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. It has comfort food and trendy food, it has reasonably priced and more expensive options, it has vegetarian and meat & potato options, and the food all tastes great. This means that it is a perfect place to take friends who don't know what they might want. My favorites include the beet & apple salad (the salads are all great) and the vegetarian burrito. My daughter, a vegetarian, often orders a risotto that varies with available produce/season and my carnivorous friends report the steak options are flavorful and cooked just the way they requested. The decor is red diner-esque with table-sized jukeboxes (not functional) with movie posters as the visual entertainment. Bizou is a bit 'worn' which is part of the charm-- it's cozy and unpretentious. You don't have to dress up unless you want to-- nobody is going to look at you strangely if you're in blue jeans or cocktail attire (refer to see and be seen comment below). In the warm weather you can eat outside in order to enjoy the weather, the people-watching, or being watched-- which ever floats your boat. It can be harder to get a seat when the outdoor seating is closed and they don't take reservations. That said, I've not had a problem getting a table or booth in a very reasonable amount of time. The only other restaurant that comes close to filling Bizou's shoes would be Duner's... but I'd have to drive to Ivy, fight for parking there (downtown is often much easier!), wait longer, and pay more. The choice, for me, is a no-brainer.
(5)Brian B.
The air was cool but the sun was bright and hot that sunday morning. We were looking for some place interesting to eat and stumbled upon Bizou. Very interesting menu. We sat outside. I got the Heuvos Rancheros and thought they were pretty good. My wife thought they were good too but not necessarily as good or as authentic as what she had in central america. My daughter got the chicken & Waffle. Very interesting very good. The servers seemed to be working pretty hard but I was glad we were not in a hurry. It took quite a bit of time to get served. I like this place but the service time was a bit slow. Check it out.
(3)Lisa N.
Cute little French restaurant in the downtown mall with outdoor seating. Service was friendly, the food was not bad, and the atmosphere was nice. However, the prices were a bit steep for the quality of the food. Overall, I will probably come back.
(3)David A.
Helpful and friendly staff with a nice selection of southern fare. The restaurant has both inside and outside seating available. The interior is set up in what I would describe as NY style with the kitchen counter in front and the seating area in the back. They had a full bar and a decent wine menu and we ordered a couple of bottles of white. We ordered country pate for an appetizer and it was ok. The half chicken that I had for dinner was very good. I would come back here again.
(4)Philip G.
I like Bizou for 4 things: consistently good food (maybe not excellent, but I don't have to worry), outdoor seating on the mall which is a great way to spend an evening, a great wine selection for the price, and some of the best caramel sauce to ever accompany a dessert (the apple fritters - heaven!)
(4)Sam G.
Have the grilled banana bread. It's the best dessert in town.
(5)Ron G.
One of the best meals I've had in the last year. An incredible brunch menu. I sampled many things and all were delicious. Try the Eggs Benedict! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)JiaJia T.
I had the crabcakes and my friends had the famous meatloaf and the salmon special. Everyone enjoyed the food. I thought my crabcakes were tasty. Not the best I've had but they were good.
(3)Bill O.
Met some friends from Charlottesville for dinner at Bizou tonight. It's been a while since I've eaten at the downtown mall and, as a native, I've seen the Bizou space in a number if incarnations. I love the funky diner feel and the food was great. I had the meatloaf and it was exactly what I needed on a cold night. Chipotle ketchup and mashed potatoes? I'll be back soon.
(4)W F.
A nice casual restaurant with my favorite smashed potatoes.
(4)Lyn O.
Nice food, atmosphere and staff and reasonable prices. Loved the steak frites, the calamari and the pumpkin bread pudding (served with the trout). And the staff couldn't be more friendly. After our daughter spilled water all over herself, they gave her a staff shirt (for free) to change into. We will be back for dinner in the new year.
(4)Gwen K.
My boyfriend and I had lunch here on a sunny fall day. We ate outside, where the service was extremely slow. Our water glasses sat empty for a long time, and after we were finished, we waited more than 20 minutes for the check. The food was good. We split the meatloaf and a special, which was fried chicken with herbes de provence. The chicken was amazingly delicious and made me feel like an idiot for not having thought of breading chicken with herbes de provence before. The meatloaf was sweeter and breadier than I like, and it didn't hold together well, but it did taste good. I thought the chicken deserved the reputation that the meatloaf has. Prices were reasonable. I don't think Bizou is a standout, but it's a fine option.
(3)Charles F.
Good place. A little hit an miss, but across the board solid. A bit crowded and loud, but in a way I liked. Certainly not the place to go for a quiet dinner though. The shrimp and grits is simply superb. One of the best versions of this dish I've eaten. The french fries were utterly mediocre though, and the onion rings severely underflavored. I'd go back, but not before trying other places in charlottesville. Unless I craved grits - I'd get those anytime.
(4)Jim M.
In the fifties and sixties this place was Mr. Costen's Monticello Lunch where I had many a burgers and fries as a young man. Now it is a very retro diner type place with a great selection and fun atmosphere. The meatloaf and mashed potatos are better than Mom used to make. But the calamari is just incredible! Great place to go with friends for a fun evening!
(5)Andrew N.
I was down in Charlottesville for work and looking for a good place for dinner on a Monday night. After stopping at a few places on the pedestrian mall that seemed a little lackluster, I stumbled upon Bizou (thank God!). The food was excellent: I had the bread with tapenade, tomato & mozzarella salad, and the butternut squash ravioli. All tasted fresh, balanced, and elegant. The wine list was stunning: an excellent selection of wines that get overlooked in the New-World-centric mainstream. I had an Aligote from Burgundy (stellar!), then a Gamay from Fleurie (good). I sat outside which was nice and the service was lovely. I highly recommend Bizou and look forward to my next visit.
(5)J S.
We went here with some family that said it was their favorite restaurant. I was not so impressed. Food was mediocre and the service left something to be desired. I asked for shrimp to be added to my burrito and the server baulked. I also asked for the sauce on the side which did not happen. The food was tasteless. I would not return.
(2)Sander M.
Bizou is a great option for lunch or dinner. The food is great - I've been here more than a handful of times and not had anything less than delicious. The veggie burrito is tasty, as are all of their fish dishes (the specials are always delectable). The prices are awesome for lunch. Dinner is a bit pricier, but the quality of the food is worth the price. The wait staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable.
(4)Posie H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville! Everything on the menu is delicious and it is consistently good. They always have gluten free options and vegetarian options and are great at tailoring their dishes to your dietary needs if you have issues. Very efficient wait staff...nice atmosphere...neither shabby nor exceptionally sheek, just a nice restaurant to with tasty food! Location is also great since it's right on the downtown mall - very fun to sit outside weathering permitting and people watch.
(5)W F.
A nice casual restaurant with my favorite smashed potatoes.
(4)Kasoondie F.
I have eaten at Bizou quite a few times, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself each and every time! I love the ambience inside, rather small and eclectic dining area, with about 8 to 10 seats at the bar. I really like the outdoor patio the best. I have given them four stars because there wasn't a four and a half,and I reserve five stars for the absolute best! Bizou I must say is close. I do not remember all of the servers names,but I have had very many really nice servers. Recently I went in and got some Food to go and the young lady that waited on me was exceptionally nice, her name was Aidda. She was amazing. I love their appetizers especially the stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with a balsamic reduction! I have had their salmon most of the times and they never fail to please me. I think their shrimp and grits is the best in town. When they have scallops on the menu they are out of sight. As far as their meatloaf and mashed potatoes go I think they are in a tie for first place with one other restaurant I won't name. Their desserts are very unique and delicious although a few times I have found the banana bread to be a bit dry & lacking great taste for being a fairly high-end restaurant. Also if I'm going to be highly critical their quality of ice cream they serve with their desserts I would classify as mediocre. Overall, Bizou does a really good job on consistently turning out great food at a reasonable cost. Their presentation is always on the spot. The quality of food mostly is perfect and the ambience and staff are wonderful! What more could you ask for? In the winter it's nice to get a table in the back where it's really cozy. Or sit at the bar if you're feeling chatty or just like to watch the chefs doing their thing and all the other "goings ons". Other than that a table on the patio (which is conveniently located ON the downtown mall) is a perfect spot for lunch or dinner any day that's not raining!
(4)Tiffany L.
I've had brunch here multiple times with my parents and friends. The food is always delicious and well presented. The service is excellent and they give you honest recommendations. I had the white cheddar omelette today which came with potatoes, peppers, salad, sausage and bacon. The omelette was wrapped in thin biscuit which was genius. The sausage was not my favorite but overall the dish was on point. My friend got waffles and bacon which came with berries and cream. You can't really go wrong there. I definitely want to try dinner here one day.
(4)Leeanne P.
Food was fantastic. Wine was excellent. One of us had a dairy allergy and they made sure she was all set. Our waitress, Rachel, was so nice and we sat for a while. We sat outside but it was cute inside too and the bathrooms were clean!!
(5)Erin Y.
We checked out Bizou on a recent visit to Charlottesville and had a lovely meal here. The restaurant itself is quite cozy and intimate. As you walk inside, you are greeted with the kitchen and you can see the food being prepared, which was nice and made my mouth water as we waited for a table. It was quite busy when we visited and we had to wait a while before we got seated, but it was worth the wait! We ordered the Hanger Steak served with house frites, caramelized onions, and bleu cheese sauce along with the Grilled Pork Loin with smashed potatoes, cherry tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, bacon, garlic, and pan sauce. Both entrees were delicious. The grilled pork loin was nice and juicy, and I loved the pan sauce and the addition of bacon - yum! My favorite part of the meal was dessert. We had the Grilled Banana Bread with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and it was simply amazing! I would go all the way back to Charlottesville just to have this dessert again.
(4)Stephen P.
Ok, I dig this place. As good as I could hope for. I am not a foodie so there may be better, but it was delicious to me. Good portion sizes, good flavor, perfect service. I've eaten here several times and always walked away happy and full. And plus they have outside seating on the downtown mall, which is always a plus.
(5)Lindsey S.
Amazing meatloaf, great outdoor seating and extremely reasonable prices. 'Nuff said.
(5)May Y.
I would agree, the food was great. It's surprisingly pricey - its atmosphere doesn't show it. Had some amazing duck there. I would definitely recommend it.
(3)Kasoondie F.
I have eaten at Bizou quite a few times, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself each and every time! I love the ambience inside, rather small and eclectic dining area, with about 8 to 10 seats at the bar. I really like the outdoor patio the best. I have given them four stars because there wasn't a four and a half,and I reserve five stars for the absolute best! Bizou I must say is close. I do not remember all of the servers names,but I have had very many really nice servers. Recently I went in and got some Food to go and the young lady that waited on me was exceptionally nice, her name was Aidda. She was amazing. I love their appetizers especially the stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with a balsamic reduction! I have had their salmon most of the times and they never fail to please me. I think their shrimp and grits is the best in town. When they have scallops on the menu they are out of sight. As far as their meatloaf and mashed potatoes go I think they are in a tie for first place with one other restaurant I won't name. Their desserts are very unique and delicious although a few times I have found the banana bread to be a bit dry & lacking great taste for being a fairly high-end restaurant. Also if I'm going to be highly critical their quality of ice cream they serve with their desserts I would classify as mediocre. Overall, Bizou does a really good job on consistently turning out great food at a reasonable cost. Their presentation is always on the spot. The quality of food mostly is perfect and the ambience and staff are wonderful! What more could you ask for? In the winter it's nice to get a table in the back where it's really cozy. Or sit at the bar if you're feeling chatty or just like to watch the chefs doing their thing and all the other "goings ons". Other than that a table on the patio (which is conveniently located ON the downtown mall) is a perfect spot for lunch or dinner any day that's not raining!
(4)Erin Y.
We checked out Bizou on a recent visit to Charlottesville and had a lovely meal here. The restaurant itself is quite cozy and intimate. As you walk inside, you are greeted with the kitchen and you can see the food being prepared, which was nice and made my mouth water as we waited for a table. It was quite busy when we visited and we had to wait a while before we got seated, but it was worth the wait! We ordered the Hanger Steak served with house frites, caramelized onions, and bleu cheese sauce along with the Grilled Pork Loin with smashed potatoes, cherry tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, bacon, garlic, and pan sauce. Both entrees were delicious. The grilled pork loin was nice and juicy, and I loved the pan sauce and the addition of bacon - yum! My favorite part of the meal was dessert. We had the Grilled Banana Bread with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and it was simply amazing! I would go all the way back to Charlottesville just to have this dessert again.
(4)Stephen P.
Ok, I dig this place. As good as I could hope for. I am not a foodie so there may be better, but it was delicious to me. Good portion sizes, good flavor, perfect service. I've eaten here several times and always walked away happy and full. And plus they have outside seating on the downtown mall, which is always a plus.
(5)Tosha B.
I checked Yelp before coming to this place and it had 4 stars, so I thought I'd be satisfied.....wrong! The food at this place just didn't taste good at all, which was a complete bummer considering that they have all local meat and produce. I ordered a salmon wrapped in phyllo dough and my husband ordered the filet. When they sat my food down, the phyllo dough was clearly burnt and the server didn't say anything. I tried it and the salmon was overcooked and had zero taste. I also had potatoes and they were bland with no kind of flavor. My husband's filet was just ok, but his sides were underwhelming as well. This place gets a lot of business mostly based on their location in the middle of the downtown pedestrian mall, but the food was bad and we won't be going back.
(2)K C.
Delightful! Very impressed not only with the quality and ingenuity of the food, but also with the reasonable proportion sizes. My husband and I shared an appetizer, each got an entree, and shared a dessert for a perfectly filling meal without feeling stuffed. HIGHLY recommend the Golden Beet Salad! Great beer, wine, and cocktail selection. Awesome street-side searching allows for people-watching and serenading by local street musicians. Wonderful way to spend an evening!
(5)Sarah F.
Lunch on the downtown mall under a canopy of trees. Bloody Mary. Intended to have a golden beet and walnut salad with salmon. Chose instead the fried catfish salad with corn and cilantro. Delicious. The man found a cheeseburger that met his neat and potatoes needs. Lovely!
(5)Mariam S.
Went here for brunch and the food was really tasty. The portions were a decent size as well. I had the shrimp and grits, it came with seven shrimp and the grits were very cheesy, which I liked. I also enjoyed the tomatoes and small salad on the plate as well. The smoked salmon entree was also fantastic. I would definitely return here. The service was great too.
(5)Tiffany L.
I've had brunch here multiple times with my parents and friends. The food is always delicious and well presented. The service is excellent and they give you honest recommendations. I had the white cheddar omelette today which came with potatoes, peppers, salad, sausage and bacon. The omelette was wrapped in thin biscuit which was genius. The sausage was not my favorite but overall the dish was on point. My friend got waffles and bacon which came with berries and cream. You can't really go wrong there. I definitely want to try dinner here one day.
(4)Leeanne P.
Food was fantastic. Wine was excellent. One of us had a dairy allergy and they made sure she was all set. Our waitress, Rachel, was so nice and we sat for a while. We sat outside but it was cute inside too and the bathrooms were clean!!
(5)MarÃa A.
This is the best restaurant that i have visited in the last year! We loved it! We went to Bizou for a early dinner on our anniversary. We went with our 1'year'old son because we wanted to celebrate with him too :) The server was very nice and accomodating. All the time worried about us being comfortable and having everything we need, especially for our little one. We are vegetarians and the vegetarian options were amazingly good. We ordered the Vegetable Tower and the Beggar´s Pouch (i think that´s the name of the plate) which were super fresh, tasty and healthy! They use local produce and ingredients! For drinks we ordered white wine for me and a beer for my husband! But the best part was the dessert! Sweet potato dumplings with a caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream... Simply delicious! Even though that on average it is pricey, i can´t wait to come back!
(5)Susan A.
Small restaurant with OK service and decent food. I got one of the only vegetarian plates on the menu, a grilled vegetable burrito. I enjoyed the creme fraiche sauce it came with. It was good, but nothing special. I probably wouldn't come back to this restaurant, since there are several other restaurants nearby that look interesting.
(3)Melissa W.
After reading the reviews I decided to give it a try. Pretty underwhelming. Lacked taste with the exception of the basaltic that was on the caprese. My waiter never brought bread with the caprese so I had to inquire with another wait person. I had the salmon in phyllo with pesto, but unless you had some pesto it was lacking flavor. Not sure I would recommend it with sooooo many restaurants in the area. And they don't take American Express.
(3)Melissa S.
Outdoor seating was nice, but the lunch menu was very small as were the portions. The sausage sandwich was flavorful but the cheese and bread plate was slightly lacking. For the price I would like a little more. The service was fast and efficient. I personally would try another restaurant before going back.
(3)Stephanie B.
My husband and I were less than impressed. Our service wasn't very good, we didn't enjoy the environment, and the food was not good enough to justify the price. We probably won't be back.
(2)Casey D.
Here traveling on business and staying at the Omni. Ventured out with a friend originally set on The Whiskey Bar, but it seemed loud and crowded. So settled here instead. Immediately greeted by smiles and given the leisure to pick our own seats. Everything on the menu is local and all seems very fresh. Our waitress was very friendly and had a superstar memory to spit out the specials the way she did. I'm not sure you could go wrong with anything on the menu. I couldn't choose, so I decided to pick a little from here and there. I am a lover of all things with beets, so I happily started with the Beet Salad for an app. You can order a small or large order. It was delicious with both red and golden beets and exactly what I was hoping for from a beet salad. Then I had the horseradish salmon, which was recommended by the waitress. Very good as well. The Salmon veared a bit to the overcooked side for me, but the flavor compensated for that. The dish was very beautiful as well. And it's not really a meal if you don't have dessert, so I ordered the apple fritters with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. If prices scare you...skip dinner and go straight to dessert. Completely worth it! If I'm ever back in Charlottesville, I will make my way back to this gem. Delicious food and wonderful customer service. Happily stuffed :)
(4)Teri H.
The root vegetable salad was very good and the wine was great. The service was excellent. The lemon crepes were slightly disappointing with a slight lack of lemon filling. The ambiance was great and the staff was very friendly.
(4)B B.
We sat outside on the mall and had a great lunch. I had the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I did not leave anything left on the plate. It was delicious. The price was good and would definitely come back. Great spot on the mall.
(5)Vicky L.
Loved dining outside at this lovely restaurant. Food and service were good as were the specialty drinks.
(5)T C.
Had a quick brunch here right when they opened at 11am. Food was very good. Service was excellent. They were extremely attentive (lots of quick coffee refills) and checked on us multiple times during a short meal. We had the huevos rancheros, white cheddar omelet, and fried green tomatoes. We really enjoyed everything. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a quick drop in brunch.
(4)Kathleen K.
We had a lovely meal here! The food was impeccable. We started with the bacon wrapped, mozzarella stuffed figs (a special) - really yummy, and a treat for me because I can't eat dates. No bacon-wrapped dates for me :( We also had the calamari, which was perfectly cooked. I loved the sauce. My husband tried one of the entree specials, a panko-crusted trout with a bean salad. Everything was perfectly cooked. I had the fettucine with sausage, shrimp, and vegetables, which was great. I appreciate that they do half portions. They originally brought me the wrong entree, but they fixed the mistake very quickly. All in all, a great meal, and I would gladly come back here.
(4)A.M. D.
Cozy place with good service and decent food... but a bit too pricey for me to come back. Took my girlfriend here for her birthday. We were visiting from Richmond, did a little shopping in the mall, and chose this place purely because the menu posted in the window looked like we could get a decent meal at a decent price. There are pricier restaurants in the mall, as well as some cheaper ones (grill type). This one seemed to be a good "middle ground"... and my girlfriend wanted a glass of wine (not all the restaurants serve alcohol). We were seated in a back booth, near the restroom, which was fine with us. Very cozy, and given it was a cool, overcast, drizzly October day outside, we really liked the comfortable, casual ambiance. The theme decor at this restaurant is "old/retro movies"... and there are movie posters all over the walls (including the rest rooms), and an old style table top "juke box" on the booths. We ordered the cheapest red wine on the menu, which was $38 ! (before tax, of course) Instead of ordering entrées, we elected to share a few appetizers (partly to save money). We split the Bread Plate, Calamari and a bowl of the Soup Du Jour... which was either butternut squash or pumpkin... can't recall. The Calamari and soup were pretty good, though the bread plate was a waste of money. The bread all had a relatively hard/stale consistency, so we only ate about half of it. Since it was my girlfriend's birthday, we split a chocolate mousse (served with a candle). It was VERY rich/dense. We were both pretty full so we didn't finish it. When the bill came I was shocked that it came to $83 for our few appetizers, dessert and bottle of "cheap" wine! After the gratuity, total price for our early evening meal was $99 !! Adding insult to injury, there is no free parking around the mall, so we had to pay $10 to leave the garage after our meal. Next time I visit this outdoor mall, I'll either eat at one of the cheapest restaurants, or not at all.
(3)Michael H.
My wife and I had Sunday brunch. Not terrific. I had hangar steak and eggs. My wife had the meatloaf sliders. Meatloaf was sweet with a texture like pulled pork- not the best. Hangar steak was ok, bearnaise sauce was terrible. Eggs were dry. Biscuit accompanying steak and eggs was dry. Service was quick although server didn't come around after serving to ask how everything was. Nice outdoor seating on the pedestrian mall but I would not come here again.
(2)Your M.
We were attracted to this place because of the great reviews. We were sat by a very friendly hostess and the food looked great. However, when the waitress came over she made it pretty clear she wasn't looking forward to serving us. She was not just abrupt (it was busy) but dismissive. She left quickly without providing any prices on the specials and generally being as intentionally unhelpful as possible. We waited for 15 minutes for her return, saw people seated after us being served their food, then we picked up and left. I have no idea why this girl didn't want to serve us, we would've spent lots of money and we tip well. I was not impressed with this place at all.
(1)Chris N.
Summary: great food, nice staff, comfortable room, reasonable prices. I have been to Bizou about ten times the last 5 years. I keep going back because it is a really appealing place for me. The food is really good: one highlight is the hanger steak with frites. Pork chop good as well, as is the meatloaf. The wine selection is very nice and good beer selection. The service is always very good: friendly and helpful, not pretentious or snooty. I always feel comfortable in this place, either dining inside or outside in the summer. And the average price per main course is about $16 which I find very reasonable given the quality. As long as these things remain consistent I will keep coming back. If you've never been, you should try it!
(4)Christine F.
Staff was friendly and attentive but food was just so-so. Bisque soup was overly fishy. Gnocchi was awesome, best part if the meal. Squash ravioli was too sweet without savory balance and drowning in butter/oil. Wine menu was impressive. Decor could use a good cleaning and update.
(3)Meagan T.
This place was awful. I had high hopes for it because the reviews were good but the food was terrible. Our calamari was way over cooked - but the sauce on it was good. I had the stuffed squash which was mushy and overly spicy. My husband had the rock fish special which was overcooked and cold. We basically wasted $60 and left hungry. Positive note is that the staff was friendly, only reason I can give a star at all.
(1)Kathryn D.
I have a really hard time understanding what all the positive fuss is about here. I came with a group of six friends on a Saturday night (Sept 20) and sat down around 7pm. Service was acceptable but not stellar and the servers were clearly scrambling to keep up with a packed house. I ordered a glass of rose and the chacuterie platter as my main. My friends ordered combinations of salad/pasta plates. While my wine was yummy, all other aspects of this meal were disappointing. Maybe I am a snob and maybe I've been spoiled by Birmingham's boom in amazing charcuterie options but for $15 this was a pitiful showing: soggy meats in low quantities, near stale (not toasted) bread, seemingly store-bought mustard and runny preserves... all in tiny quantities. I wasn't super hungry and wasn't looking for a gut-busting meal but I was expecting robust flavor profiles and something more put together than a hurridly assembled cutting board. Furthermore, I was never told what was on my platter... usually a server will at least quickly identify meats/preserves/cheeses, etc but when I asked I got a shoulder shrug and turned back. Looking around, the salad/pasta combos didn't seem much better: miniscule portions and nothing to write home about in terms of flavor as evidenced by a stolen bite from a friend's. It's one thing to serve a tiny dish and pack it was knock-your-socks off ingredients/flavors but this was blase at best. Overall, very disappointing. This is one of the first times that Yelp reviews have led me astray. Fair warning to any potential future patrons... this place might be a bust.
(2)Stevan J.
Took my mother-in-law for an impromptu pre-Mother's Day dinner. Great location, good food and excellent service! Location: A Price (you get what you pay for): A- Service: A+ Food Quality: B+ Ambiance / clientele: B+ Overall: A- I'll definitely be back!
(4)Kelsey Q.
Pretty good. Not my favorite place in Charlottesville but it is reliable in my experience.
(3)Glen C.
I tried Vegetable Burrito at Bizou. Apart from the regular ingredients you get in a veggie burrito, this one had a ton of kale in it; which would have tasted much better had it had a little bit more seasoning. My friend tried Herbes De Provence Fried Chicken and had similar thoughts.
(3)Albert S.
We came across Bizou after trying to find a restaurant in the often busy downtown of Charlottesville. We got right in which was a surprise so we were kind of wary about the place. We were pleasantly surprised. I had the garlic soup which was excellent. Many times I've had garlic soup and it has way too much garlic. This was not the case. Very balanced. For my main course I had the trout which was excellent. My two dinning companions had the duck and the chicken pot pie. They said both were excellent. The serving staff was very friendly. My only criticism would be that the beer selection was somewhat limited and the booth we were in was extremely tight and uncomfortable.
(4)Tiffany N.
Delicious food, delicious (and affordable) wine, and wonderful patio seating on the mall! Highly recommended.
(5)Amber M.
Food was awesome!! I didn't think the atmosphere matched the food but it is some of the best cuisine I've had in a long while! Service was excellent as well and I tried anchovies for my first time! Quite interesting!
(4)Dalia B.
Amazing dinner! We had bread plate to start and pork, meatloaf and fettuccini dinner. Finished with amazing apple fritters.
(5)Luciana B.
After trying to get a table at Revolutionary Soup with no success, we headed to the downtown mall, a charming pedestrian street (Main St.) We went to Bizou without knowing anything about it, and were pleasantly surprised. It is like a dinner with home cooking and they have several special options every day. I had the crab cakes, and everybody else had the catfish sandwich. My crab cakes were delicious. served on top of a potato gratin (unusual) and a salad, and had a little pesto on it. It was really good. I had a bite of the catfish sandwich, and it was also good.
(4)Seth R.
One of the best spots on the downtown mall. Very good food with ever changing menu, though a few staples like the tuna tacos are always good. Great service and outdoor seating.
(4)Anna W.
We had the tuna special and the butternut squash ravioli --- yum! The only thing that would improve this place would be beer on tap. Well, that and retraining the bus servers to be more careful with their cleaning solution; they went to clear off a table next to ours, and the blowing wind (we were sat outside) blew the mist all over me and my dining companion, as well as our food. Gross!
(5)Jon L.
If it's a comfort food diner with character you're looking for, this is the place! In C'ville for a business thing and out on the Mall to try some new restaurants. Read some good yelpreviews and selected this place for a Monday evening dinner. I tried the Cerviche TunaTaco's for my starter...excellent! Three tasty treats flavorful and a great palate pleaser. It got me primed for the main course, homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes and kicked up with chipotle ketchup. What a hit, a real home run in my lexicon of food love. Nice size portion, each bite better than the last. I was persuaded to try the apple fritters with ice cream, my arm is still sore! Shawna sure has a grip and nearly twisted my arm off! They have a great staff, Shelley is in charge and runs the place, manages the bar and keeps the tunes going from her ipod piped through their sound system. All the gals are so cute and classy in their black dresses. All this for $35.00, the only slight down side was no sweet tea, oh well, close enough to merit five shining stars!
(5)Jessica H.
3.5 stars, rounding down due to price. We had a nice time sitting outside in the pedestrian mall on an unseasonably warm evening. Someone even had a wheelbarrow full of puppies behind our table that we could watch (no joke). The menu was inventive and the service was prompt, friendly and polite. The food was kind of... normal. Nothing I would pick out as being special, and for the price, I just wanted it to be more interesting and/or memorable. We're talking $20+ for entrees, $8+ for appetizers. If the fatty lamb steak were $15 instead of $26, this would be four stars. For entrees, we had the pork loin with tropical fruit and the Mediterranean-style lamb steak special on a bed of hummus. For an appetizer, we had the olive tapenade and chevre with baguette slices. The chevre was just broken-up chunks of goat cheese, which made it almost impossible to eat because it couldn't be spread and it kept falling through holes in the bread; the tapenade was good. We had a chocolate bread pudding that had a burnt-tasting caramel sauce and some normal ice cream next to it. I might come here again if I wanted a nice table outside with excellent service, but I also might try Brookville or somewhere else on the mall.
(3)Jesse V.
I really like the vibe here. The kitchen is right in front of the bar as you walk in, you don't see open kitchens like that very often; fun. The staff are very friendly. Most recently I had Sunday brunch here with my sister, she was a bit hungover. The dish she got cured her right up. Breaded chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and biscuit. I had an excellent salad. The chicken was stellar, great breading. Great spot to relax, quiet, good food.
(4)Stewart K.
Outside patio, piping hot food, affected and scholarly clientele, this was done right. Essentially a high-end yuppy eatery and diner prices. Got a crab cake sandwich. Crabby lumps, not much filler, decent bread, too heavy on the sauce, but overall a very enjoyable lunch.
(4)Benny R.
Bizou is one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville, and remains a must visit whenever I am in town. The food is delicious and reasonably priced; the atmosphere friendly; and the service top-notch. The salmon is always good.
(5)Erica T.
Honestly, I gave this restaurant 2 stars primarily for the service. We dropped in on a Saturday evening, host sat us right away, loved the diner feel to the place and our waitress was very attentive. Now the food.... we ordered olive tapenade and chevre cheese with bread for an appetizer. This would have been yummy if the cheese wasn't so crumbly. There was no way to spread this on a piece of anything. We also got a smoke salmon appetizer and the bread was sooooo oven-grilled that it almost tasted like we were eating cigarettes. Although this sounds dramatic, we both agreed on that description. My husband ordered the Hanger Steak and thought it was very good with the exception of the price ($22). For the amount of GOOD meat to actually eat vs. the price, not so great. In fine dining restaurants, it is common that the price is high and the portion is low, but at this place, that shouldn't have been the case for Hanger Steak and french fries...just saying. Good, but not $22 good. Last but not least, my dinner. I ordered the Homemade Meatloaf from the "classic fare" section thinking that if this place was going to do ANYTHING A+++ it would be a dish from their classic fare section-dishes they do often and are requested enough that they repeat them on their changing menus. Although the price was semi-ok ($13), I got somewhat soggy Meatloaf wrapped in aluminum foil placed over a bed of runny, thin mashed potatoes. In my opinion, the meatloaf was just OK. For a place that gets such good reviews for this dish, I was not impressed. Also, I don't know how anyone could mess up mash potatoes, but they did, and thats sad. Overall, I wouldn't personally eat here again or recommend it to someone if they asked. I'd return for drinks outside in their patio area and for their service- the food was nothing to rave about or spend that much on. I would've been happier to go to Cinema Taco and spend $20 :-)
(2)Greg M.
Good food. Decent prices. Interesting food combinations. Disgustingly filthy restaurant with months of accumulated grease, grime, and detritus.
(3)Howard J.
This place is absolutely incredible.. My favorite place for lunch in Cville. I would recommend to anyone looking for an excellent quality and quantity of cuisine.
(5)Elizabeth F.
A sort of funky up-scale diner with some really creative and delicious menu selections. I have always had a great meal here. I like it so much that I chose it for my first date with my husband. Their meatloaf is worth ordering, with the presentation (a certain architectural element to it) as lovely as the taste.
(4)Benjamin H.
Bizou is one of Charlottesville's best. Efficient, knowledgable and always friendly staff over a fantastic wine list. I have the meatloaf every time we go, and it has never failed me- a perfect meatloaf recipe served with mashed potatoes and ketchup with a great kick. Go here prepared to be made comfortable and served something expertly done.
(5)John H.
Their chicken pot pie is an art form!
(4)James M.
My wife and I met a good friend there for Sunday brunch as the location was highly recommended to us by our friend. The place must was obviously a popular spot as there were people gathering around the door waiting for the establishment to open at 11 despite it being rather cold outside. The menu while limited in the number of offering for brunch was very diverse and a welcome change to standard breakfast fare. The interior was somewhat of a cross between an American dinner and a European Cafe, which is very appropriate choice of decor considering the cuisine. We were both thoroughly impressed with the taste and presentation of our meals. Waffles with fruit and whipping cream for my wife. For myself A brioche filled with sausage, accompanied by home fried potatoes, sausage links, a few vegetables and topped with a sunny side up egg and hollandaise sauce for myself, that was named after someone for which it was a tribute to and who I cannot remember. My meal was fantastic and despite the diversity of the flavors presented on the plate it all worked well together even the small side salad it was served with. The table ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, which were served as 4 slices and were the only thing not memorable about the meal as they were not finished. The service was prompt and attentive and while they were not able to answer all of my friend's questions about certain menu items the waitress quickly state she would ask the chef and returned rather fast to inform him. Very excited to try this location for dinner the next time my wife and I are in town.
(4)Alison P.
Food was bland. It felt like they were trying too hard and missed the mark. Staff was friendly. I ordered a dish that was labeled on the menu as gluten free and it came with a slice of french bread on top. Fail.
(2)Sophie B.
I've been going here for years and it has never been anything but excellent. The indoor seating is cozy but I always love to sit outdoors and people watch especially in the summer. The staff are always friendly and service is surprisingly quick! I would recommend the chicken pot pie, calamari and definitely the grilled banana bread for dessert. It is heavenly! Also the meatloaf always gets compliments but I haven't tried it so I can't agree or disagree. Love this place!
(5)William W.
The Bizou that I experienced a year ago would have received four stars, but the Bizou of today gets only two. Remembering how delicious the chicken pot pie was during my first visit, I decided to order it again during my second. While the dish had the same appearance, the food quality was... off. Simply wasn't very good. I might have chalked the discrepancy between my two visits up to the fact that the dish had recently been reintroduced, however my dinner companion's meal was even worse than mine. Bland, with a nasty, oily aftertaste. Unfortunate, as I had thought we had found an inexpensive place with above-average food.
(2)Michelle N.
I can't recommend this place enough. The menu had a large variety of southern influenced cuisine. My husband and I shared the half chicken and the meatloaf. Our order came within minutes and we couldn't believe how quick it was. The food was amazing. The chicken was moist and the potatoes amazing.
(5)Mary F.
Sunday night. Walked by Bizou. Crowded. All tables taken. We asked for a table. And had an excellent FILO wrapped salmon and outstanding chicken pot pie. Cream sherry sauce. Delish. The proseco I ordered was nicely cold and very bubbly. Would have been five star but our waitress never checked back to see if we wanted anything else. We did.
(4)SJ W.
Great place !! We had lunch here and the menu was quite nice, service great.
(4)Susan J.
The iced tea tasted like instant ice tea (I sent it back and they still charged me for it!) and the bread plate was served with refrigerator cold marinara! The bread itself was mediocre. Pass on the bread plate appetizer. The bleu salad was good. Not overdressed. I had the homestyle meatloaf and my companion had the roasted chicken. The meatloaf was hot and delicious. Ask for a side of the sauce! Yum. My companion ordered the half-chicken, but it was more like a quarter-chicken, but he said it was delicious! We shared a chocolate bread pudding for dessert. We liked that it was not overly sweet, but thought it could use a little texture. Nice to sit outside on a beautiful day.
(3)Dan H.
The menu is unique and tasty. The service adequate. The bill...on the high side. Overall, I was pleased with the experience.
(4)Jaclyn S.
I came here for lunch and thought it was good. The location is great, right on the downtown mall with lots of outdoor seating. I had a beet salad that was good, but I was told that I couldn't add grilled chicken, they only had fried. I thought that was kind of strange, but it was a good spot otherwise.
(4)Loraine B.
The hanger steak was perfect. Bleu cheese sauce, caramelized onions and house fries. Delicious and satisfying!
(5)Beth M.
What a great little spot! Bizou is right on the Downtown Mall which is a great place to spend your afternoon. Bizou is considered a casual dining experience with an upscale-down-home cooking style, for whatever that means! The menu is varied from vegetable burritos to meatloaf. I went for lunch and had a great hamburger (the special of the day) that was topped with fresh mozzarella and served on a baguette. Yum! Friends had salads which looked delicious. We were able to enjoy the outdoor seating (literally in the middle of the pedestrian walkway on the Downtown Mall) which made the day even better. Prices aren't bad for lunch and my meal cost $15 for a burger and a beer (Starr Hill, a local brew). I hear dinner is more expensive, but still as tasty, and I will definitely have to go back!
(4)Oleg B.
Great spot for either Sunday brunch or a weeknight dinner. Food is ok. Great outside seating area- perfect for some people watching. I keep coming back for lemon custard crepe, as it is to die for.
(3)Tara M.
Great restaurant on the downtown mall. Originally we were waiting for a table at Commonwealth, but the wait time was an hour and a half so we called Bizou and asked how long their wait was. Thankfully it was only 15 minutes. Good thing too because I was hungry and I make babies cry when I'm hungry. I started with the beet salad which was very tasty and then the short rib for dinner, also excellent! Only gripe was that the chocolate pudding was very dense and too rich. They gave it to you in a soup bowl so it was way to much for the three of us at the table to even eat half of it. It would have been much better if they used it in a parfait and layered it with some fruit and whipped cream to cut some that richness.
(4)Jaron H.
Amazing brunch. Kids loved the French toast. I had the white omlette and my wife had the huevos rancheros, both of which were phenomenal. Highly recommend this place for brunch.
(5)Denis H.
Best quesadilla I've ever had. Its catfish which I thought would be a little weird but it was great. I also ordered the Chicken Pot Pie which I was informed may no longer be on the menu. The sauce for it was perfect, a great mix of a homemade dish meets a professional dish.
(5)Andrew M.
Very nice restaurant on the downtown mall. One of the few open on Mondays. Has posters of cult movies all over the walls, and a kind of combination nice restaurant / diner / dive feel. The menu, however, has very nice dishes overall. We had the braised short rib special and hanger steak. Each was excellent, we couldn't tell which one we liked better. For appetizer, we had shrimp + grits (highly recommended) and a special crab soup appetizer. For desert, a crepe w/ ice cream. Everything was very good, service was attentive, overall we were impressed.
(5)Michael C.
My wife and I went here for her birthday. The food was great. They have some interesting twists on some pretty basic cuisine. My wife had the small bleu salad and said it was very good. She then had the small seafood pasta and said it was "pretty good." She had the small portions and they seemed to compliment each other well. I had the catfish quesidilla and it was very good. I also followed that up with a Makers Mark for $8 which is a pretty decent price for an after dinner drink. We both shared the chocolate bread putting and it was excellent. They have great outside seating on the mall.
(4)Ron G.
One of the best meals I've had in the last year. An incredible brunch menu. I sampled many things and all were delicious. Try the Eggs Benedict! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)JiaJia T.
I had the crabcakes and my friends had the famous meatloaf and the salmon special. Everyone enjoyed the food. I thought my crabcakes were tasty. Not the best I've had but they were good.
(3)Bill O.
Met some friends from Charlottesville for dinner at Bizou tonight. It's been a while since I've eaten at the downtown mall and, as a native, I've seen the Bizou space in a number if incarnations. I love the funky diner feel and the food was great. I had the meatloaf and it was exactly what I needed on a cold night. Chipotle ketchup and mashed potatoes? I'll be back soon.
(4)Krissy M.
Pretty tasty. Not sure how to pronounce the name of this restaurant - if you know, please message me so I can discuss my experience with friends in social settings - but we popped in before watching a movie at the Regal Cinema last Friday. It was kind of a spontaneous decision, but the menu looked good, and there was inside seating - very important selection criteria, since the sky looked like it was about to open up! Inside, the place was surprisingly large. Kind of dark - mood lighting? Anyway, our server was prompt with the drink order. She was nice enough, though she did seem kind of annoyed to be there. Once we made our food order (there were four of us - fun double date!) we did enjoy the surroundings more, poking around the little jukeboxes and commenting on the unusual decor. Our drinks were filled in an expeditious manner, though by this time we were getting pretty hungry, smelling the other patron's dishes! However, we knew the kitchen was really small (you walk by it on the way to the back) so we had time to chat more. When the food finally came, well - it was worth the wait! I had the veggie burrito (which the waitress had warned, was not 'traditional' - i.e. no beans or rice) and it was phenomenal! Soo delish - sauteed veggies and a creme fraiche drizzled atop it all, served with a salad on the side. Winner! My tablemates enjoyed their dishes as well - pork loin, salmon and baked chicken. Important to note: I wonder if things have changed since Paul M. visited (earlier review) because my husband asked what they had on draft and they said, "we only have bottled beer."
(4)Paul M.
I chose this place the 20th century way - by walking up and down Main Street and seeing what looked good. I'm glad I did. Narrow bar faces the open kitchen down home food well prepared, friendly service and a 20th century TV on a high shelf to watch a Monday night game. Decent beers on draft. Well priced. Recommended.
(4)Jasmine M.
Something to please everyone, but nothing particularly exciting. A big plus? The food here is really affordable especially given the atmosphere and portion size. But the food definitely could use some more flavor. Not bad, just not memorable.
(3)Becca C.
Bizou is one of those places where you don't remember what you actually ate there, but you know you had a really good time. They have a blackboard with changing specials, and the decor is very interesting...think bold reds in an Old World charm. But they have nice outdoor seating for the most perfect al fresco dining experience in downtown Cville, in my opinion. I had a caramel apple crisp there once that was decadent!
(4)Lyn O.
Nice food, atmosphere and staff and reasonable prices. Loved the steak frites, the calamari and the pumpkin bread pudding (served with the trout). And the staff couldn't be more friendly. After our daughter spilled water all over herself, they gave her a staff shirt (for free) to change into. We will be back for dinner in the new year.
(4)Kristen B.
With so many choices in the common area we choose bizou because of the intriguing menu options. Surely anyone who puts venison on the specials board can back it up with a fantastic meal? sadly the answer was no. I choose the pork over horseradish cole slaw (I'm a sucker for slaw- throw in the horseradish and wow!) while Pete had the roasted chicken. Both sounded great based on the menu descriptions but sadly both were more than mediocre upon arrival at the table. the pork was tough and flavorless and the slaw was somewhat interesting but not enough to save the dish. The roasted chicken was also a huge disappointment and upon sensing our great dissatisfaction, the waiter was less than accommodating. He sincerely apologized but made no efforts to correct or compensate for the disappointing meal. Basically I would categorize this as a restaurant trying to make gourmet food into fast food. The descriptions were tantalizing but they just could not back it up with the actual food that the kitchen was cranking out. Had we paid TGI Friday prices for the TGI Friday type meal we might have had lower expectations but when entrees come in at 20$ per, you do expect a certain level quality.
(2)Karen D.
The food is mouthwatering good here! A real find on the downtown mall.
(5)Katrina C.
Very cool ambiance and delicious food with unique menu items and great service! No beer on tap but a great selection of bottles. A bit overpriced but I expect that on the downtown mall. I've only ever ordered their specials but the standard menu features some awesome items as well. On a hot summer day, the first booth before you reach the main dining room is super air conditioned. Such a nice, laid-back place to splurge!
(4)S L.
I began and ended my sejour in Charlottesville at this restaurant! The dinner I first had was more than 2 years ago. I have vague pleasant memories - so we'll call it good? Lunch - soft shell crab served over a salad bed. I love soft shell crab and can't get it often. It was nicely plated and delicious. It was also super affordable under $15 for a nice meal. Ambience - Can't really beat the C'ville Downtown Mall on a beautiful day.
(4)chris c.
Reasonable service. Good food. The calamari and sauce was very nice. Also, try the meatloaf!!
(4)Roy S.
Great food and a very nice, quaint atmosphere. The menu is simply, and therefore not overwhelming, and they a couple of "specials" which tied the menu together nicely. A little bit pricey, but more than worth it, and the staff was welcoming and attentive, plus they worked well together as a team (it wasn't just the waitress working our table, either to clear dishes or refill drinks, so we weren't sitting alone waiting for anything). Overall a very nice experience, and a great place for an evening meal, especially since they are a lot of things surrounding it, which can be enjoyed after a great meal.
(4)S S.
Bizou was recommended by a local we met at the beach. Our party of 7 all agreed we had great food and service. The food was prepared in an interesting way and came quickly. We can recommend the scallops and the lamb. It is also located in a great neighborhood to walk around in.
(5)LC P.
One of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. It has comfort food and trendy food, it has reasonably priced and more expensive options, it has vegetarian and meat & potato options, and the food all tastes great. This means that it is a perfect place to take friends who don't know what they might want. My favorites include the beet & apple salad (the salads are all great) and the vegetarian burrito. My daughter, a vegetarian, often orders a risotto that varies with available produce/season and my carnivorous friends report the steak options are flavorful and cooked just the way they requested. The decor is red diner-esque with table-sized jukeboxes (not functional) with movie posters as the visual entertainment. Bizou is a bit 'worn' which is part of the charm-- it's cozy and unpretentious. You don't have to dress up unless you want to-- nobody is going to look at you strangely if you're in blue jeans or cocktail attire (refer to see and be seen comment below). In the warm weather you can eat outside in order to enjoy the weather, the people-watching, or being watched-- which ever floats your boat. It can be harder to get a seat when the outdoor seating is closed and they don't take reservations. That said, I've not had a problem getting a table or booth in a very reasonable amount of time. The only other restaurant that comes close to filling Bizou's shoes would be Duner's... but I'd have to drive to Ivy, fight for parking there (downtown is often much easier!), wait longer, and pay more. The choice, for me, is a no-brainer.
(5)Brian B.
The air was cool but the sun was bright and hot that sunday morning. We were looking for some place interesting to eat and stumbled upon Bizou. Very interesting menu. We sat outside. I got the Heuvos Rancheros and thought they were pretty good. My wife thought they were good too but not necessarily as good or as authentic as what she had in central america. My daughter got the chicken & Waffle. Very interesting very good. The servers seemed to be working pretty hard but I was glad we were not in a hurry. It took quite a bit of time to get served. I like this place but the service time was a bit slow. Check it out.
(3)Lisa N.
Cute little French restaurant in the downtown mall with outdoor seating. Service was friendly, the food was not bad, and the atmosphere was nice. However, the prices were a bit steep for the quality of the food. Overall, I will probably come back.
(3)David A.
Helpful and friendly staff with a nice selection of southern fare. The restaurant has both inside and outside seating available. The interior is set up in what I would describe as NY style with the kitchen counter in front and the seating area in the back. They had a full bar and a decent wine menu and we ordered a couple of bottles of white. We ordered country pate for an appetizer and it was ok. The half chicken that I had for dinner was very good. I would come back here again.
(4)Philip G.
I like Bizou for 4 things: consistently good food (maybe not excellent, but I don't have to worry), outdoor seating on the mall which is a great way to spend an evening, a great wine selection for the price, and some of the best caramel sauce to ever accompany a dessert (the apple fritters - heaven!)
(4)Sam G.
Have the grilled banana bread. It's the best dessert in town.
(5)Gwen K.
My boyfriend and I had lunch here on a sunny fall day. We ate outside, where the service was extremely slow. Our water glasses sat empty for a long time, and after we were finished, we waited more than 20 minutes for the check. The food was good. We split the meatloaf and a special, which was fried chicken with herbes de provence. The chicken was amazingly delicious and made me feel like an idiot for not having thought of breading chicken with herbes de provence before. The meatloaf was sweeter and breadier than I like, and it didn't hold together well, but it did taste good. I thought the chicken deserved the reputation that the meatloaf has. Prices were reasonable. I don't think Bizou is a standout, but it's a fine option.
(3)Charles F.
Good place. A little hit an miss, but across the board solid. A bit crowded and loud, but in a way I liked. Certainly not the place to go for a quiet dinner though. The shrimp and grits is simply superb. One of the best versions of this dish I've eaten. The french fries were utterly mediocre though, and the onion rings severely underflavored. I'd go back, but not before trying other places in charlottesville. Unless I craved grits - I'd get those anytime.
(4)Jim M.
In the fifties and sixties this place was Mr. Costen's Monticello Lunch where I had many a burgers and fries as a young man. Now it is a very retro diner type place with a great selection and fun atmosphere. The meatloaf and mashed potatos are better than Mom used to make. But the calamari is just incredible! Great place to go with friends for a fun evening!
(5)Andrew N.
I was down in Charlottesville for work and looking for a good place for dinner on a Monday night. After stopping at a few places on the pedestrian mall that seemed a little lackluster, I stumbled upon Bizou (thank God!). The food was excellent: I had the bread with tapenade, tomato & mozzarella salad, and the butternut squash ravioli. All tasted fresh, balanced, and elegant. The wine list was stunning: an excellent selection of wines that get overlooked in the New-World-centric mainstream. I had an Aligote from Burgundy (stellar!), then a Gamay from Fleurie (good). I sat outside which was nice and the service was lovely. I highly recommend Bizou and look forward to my next visit.
(5)J S.
We went here with some family that said it was their favorite restaurant. I was not so impressed. Food was mediocre and the service left something to be desired. I asked for shrimp to be added to my burrito and the server baulked. I also asked for the sauce on the side which did not happen. The food was tasteless. I would not return.
(2)Sander M.
Bizou is a great option for lunch or dinner. The food is great - I've been here more than a handful of times and not had anything less than delicious. The veggie burrito is tasty, as are all of their fish dishes (the specials are always delectable). The prices are awesome for lunch. Dinner is a bit pricier, but the quality of the food is worth the price. The wait staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable.
(4)Posie H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville! Everything on the menu is delicious and it is consistently good. They always have gluten free options and vegetarian options and are great at tailoring their dishes to your dietary needs if you have issues. Very efficient wait staff...nice atmosphere...neither shabby nor exceptionally sheek, just a nice restaurant to with tasty food! Location is also great since it's right on the downtown mall - very fun to sit outside weathering permitting and people watch.
(5)Gayle G.
This was my second visit to Bizou, and my second great experience and meal. The service is laid back but attentive. The food is inventive buy familiar and comfortable. Don't miss it.
(4)Joshua H.
Been here twice now. Both times, the food has been awesome, and staff has been very attentive. This morning had The Best French Toast in C'ville. Definitely recommend.
(4)L C.
This place is between 3.5 and 4. they have delicious food in a beautiful setting. you're definitely paying a bit of a premium to sit out on the promenade, but i found it worth the price. the calamari was the best thing we ordered, it was served with an Asian sauce above some cabbage salad.
(4)cmd s.
Weird. Everyone raves about the meatloaf and the fried chicken, but when I went for the first time this past weekend, based on some of these recommendations and looking forward to some good comfort food, I was disappointed. The meatloaf was "deconstructed"--served sliced in rounds,and grilled, as if they were sausages, without any kind of sauce and it was bland and flavorless. The fried chicken with herbes de provence turned out not to be succulent pieces of fried chicken, but rather, three battered chicken tenders on a plate. Another attempt at deconstruction? Or is the menu simply misleading? Either way, it was nothing we couldn't have gotten at the local bar. And it was dry. The only plus was being able to sit outside on a gorgeous day.
(1)Mike M.
Unusually good food in a very fun outdoor setting. Great salads and main courses. Friendly, efficient service. I'd quickly eat here again!
(4)Sarah B.
Catfish Quesadillas, mmmeow! Brie egg rolls, yum! Meatloaf with homemade catsup, delicious! Pleasantly surprised and quite unexpected to find great food with decor that is so contrary to the menu. Eat outside when the weather permits. The inside is nothing special, but I guess that is part of what makes Bizou unique.
(4)Molly F.
I would never have thought to go in this place if I had not read about it in the paper last year. I like how the menu changes a little bit each time, and I have never been disappointed with my entrees. The pork chops I have eaten there were delicious, as well as the half chicken. The desserts are incredible too- I recommend the grilled pound cake with caramel sauce. Yummm! One of the best restaurants on the downtown mall, though it is a bit pricey. I like the upscale diner feel though, as well as all the old movie posters they have on the walls. Every time I want to go there now I make sure I am waiting outside at 5:00 when they open, because it fills up fast on the weekends!
(4)Sue K.
Located in the pedestrain mall of old town Charlottesville, a several block area full of good places to eat, listen to music, shop, see a movie and people watch. We enjoyed delicious fresh yellow tomato soup, salmon and "purses" of kale leaves filled with vegetables and couscous. Service was excellent and the plates well presented. Go!
(5)James F.
We ate Sunday brunch at Bizou today with a large group (15) and a couple of babies, for a friend's birthday. They were very accommodating, helpful, and the food was fantastic. My wife and her girlfriends go out for brunch every Sunday morning to different places in town and this is one of the best places they said they've been to. My wife had eggs Benedict with meatloaf, and it was fantastic (she's a sefl-proclaimed connoisseur of eggs Benedict). I had the hanger steak and eggs and it was great too. The waffles and french toast looked amazing and I wished we had room to try the great menu of desserts. Both my wife's and my dishes came with potatoes and a small salad for a great price. We also had a side of cheese grits (we asked them to put cheese on them) and they were amazing and I usually don't like grits! My toddler downed half the bowl himself! I highly recommend this place. Great service, good prices, and great food! If only the place was a little bigger-it was tough to seat our party, and we took up many of the tables.
(5)