Everybody loves a bonus — so why settle for one cuisine when you can have two? Tangerines Kitchen serves up traditional American classics like pancakes, omelets and sandwiches by day and switches to Thai cuisine by night, offering a number of soups, curries and noodle dishes. Its unique menu and A+ service makes the versatile restaurant a tasty respite from the hustle and bustle that will resume oh-so-soon around Grounds.
Located just a short 15-minute drive from Grounds in Charlottesville’s Mill Creek neighborhood, the family-owned restaurant’s breakfast hours are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner is served from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. On weekends, it opens at 9 a.m.
While my friend and I rarely pass up beginning the day with brunch, we decided to spice up our weeknight dinner routine with Tangerines Kitchen on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant’s outdoor patio welcomed us with cozy string lights and rustic flower-filled barrels — nice touches in a relatively quiet area. Since it was chilly, we sat inside, which had a casual and relatively unnoteworthy ambiance. The space was neatly organized and well-cleaned, but a few more decorations or light background music could have elevated the dining experience.
To start off our meal, we opted for the chicken satay appetizer. The dish came out within a matter of minutes, kicking off a pattern of great service that continued throughout our time at the restaurant. The dish contained three pieces of grilled chicken accompanied by a side of peanut sauce and a diced cucumber and bell pepper salad. The tender chicken boasted notes of garlic, turmeric and other Thai flavors, but it was also subtle enough that combining it with the other two elements of the dish was not overpowering. Although the menu listed coconut as an ingredient in the satay, I had a difficult time picking up that taste.
The appetizer’s accompanying peanut sauce was actually one of my favorite parts of our entire meal, adding a rich savory component and a hint of heat to the chicken. The cucumber and bell pepper salad on the side was the perfect fresh and crunchy addition to cut the deep flavors of the chicken and peanut sauce. I would order this dish again in a heartbeat, but patrons should note that it probably cannot feed more than two people.
For the dinner course, my friend and I both selected the Pad See Ew — a dish combining wide rice noodles, egg and Chinese broccoli in a sweet soy sauce. While my friend ordered the meal as-is, I elected to add shrimp for some protein, which I think was necessary for this lighter dish to feel filling.
The rice noodles were the star of this entrée, elevated by their slightly chewy texture. Additionally, their square shape proved much easier to eat compared to longer noodles. The salty flavor of the eggs countered the subtle sweetness of the sauce nicely, keeping one flavor from dominating the dish. Balancing out the richness of the noodles and sauce, the Chinese broccoli brought a crisp, light flavor to the plate. The shrimp were seasoned well and cooked appropriately, though I wish they were served without tails for the sake of convenience. As with the appetizer, I would absolutely order the Pad See Ew again on my next visit to Tangerines Kitchen.
The total cost of our meal, including tip and tax, was $54. We were charged $9 for the chicken satays, fairly standard for their appetizer menu that ranges from $7 to $12. Among entree options that fall between $15 and $19, it was $15 for each of the two orders of Pad See Ew — one of which was upcharged $4 for the addition of shrimp. If patrons opt to dine for brunch instead, they should note that costs typically hover between $9 and $19 per menu item. Though not terribly pricey, Tangerines Kitchen may be an excursion students want to save for when they are willing to pay for high-quality food.
As we filter back into O’Hill in the coming weeks, we will soon find that it is only a matter of time until our taste buds beg for something better than discolored scrambled eggs. Tangerines Kitchen is the perfect way to satisfy our cravings with bold Thai flavors or traditional American breakfast food. What the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service, making the dining experience well worth the moderate drive and expense for students and the Charlottesville community alike.
Whether you are searching for somewhere to host your winter break debrief with friends or simply taking advantage of free time during syllabus week, Tangerines Kitchen’s flavorful cuisine offers an enriching dining experience that will spice up your week.
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