Named after the short-cut pasta that originated in Italy and is commonly used in Mediterranean recipes, Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar is nestled at the end of Main Street Market in Downtown Charlottesville. About a 20-minute walk or a five-minute drive from central Grounds and open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Orzo provides a modern dining experience infused with traditional flavors of Italy, Spain, Greece and the south of France. While the service was slightly slower than expected for a rather classy restaurant, the food itself was exquisite and worth the wait.
I first heard about Orzo last year but never had the chance to go, so I knew that Charlottesville Restaurant Week would be the perfect time to check this spot off my bucket list. When I finally paid them a visit last Wednesday, they were offering patrons the choice of an appetizer, entrée and dessert from a fixed $35 CRW menu — gratuity, tax and drinks not included. Without breaking the bank, dinner at this restaurant was definitely a fine dining experience, considering that a main dish is typically priced as high as $38.
My friend and I made a reservation ahead of time, which ensured that we had a spot waiting for us when we arrived. For the outside patio and bar seating, however, it is first come first serve, according to Orzo’s website. Upon walking in, we noticed that the door is flanked by heavy velvet curtains — I almost felt like I was venturing into another world.
After we checked in with the host by the bar, we were quickly seated at a cozy table with banquette seating. From my seat, I could see the chefs working in the open kitchen. There was also ambient lighting positioned above a variety of panoramic landscape paintings of the Mediterranean, adorning several of the walls. The dining room was surprisingly crowded for a Wednesday, packed with a medley of relatively well-dressed Charlottesville residents and University students.
My friend and I spent some time pouring over Orzo’s CRW menu, which is all made fresh with seasonal ingredients. Since Orzo is also a wine bar, I was curious about their impressive wine list, in addition to a wide selection of craft cocktails, beers and mocktails. Slightly overwhelmed by all the options, I opted to stick with water.
To start, we ordered the Lebanese Muhammara and the Hummus & Fresh Vegetable Crudité. I was excited to try the appetizer, as I had never heard of Lebanese Muhammara before. A vibrant roasted red pepper and toasted walnut dip accompanied by za’atar grilled flatbread, the muhammara hit all the right notes. The dip was slightly spicy and a little sweet, elevated with the crunch of nutty walnuts sprinkled on top. The flatbread was well spiced from the za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice and herb mixture, blending beautifully with the flavors of the muhammara.
The crudité consisted of carrots, celery and cucumbers that paired well with creamy hummus laced with a dash of olive oil. While I love hummus, I still found myself dipping some of the carrot sticks in the muhammara — a clear winner in my eyes.
For the entrée, there was one dish that immediately stood out to me on the menu, the Peasant Beef and Pork Bolognese.The French Onion Risotto also piqued my interest, so my friend and I decided to get one of each and try both.
We waited a while in between the appetizers and the entrées, but it was worth it. Despite the name, trust me, you’re far from a peasant eating this pasta — the bolognese was so exquisite, it is fit for kings and queens. At the base of the bolognese was a tender, flavorful meat sauce made from a combination of beef and pork, which matched well with the hints of cream and pomodoro that coated the rigatoni. The meat was a little spicy due to the addition of chili flakes and thinly sliced garlic, giving the pasta a rich umami savor. The spice level was flawless, achieving heat without overpowering the other flavors in the dish.
Garnished with Parmigiano-Reggiano, the cheese added a salty kick to round out the meat-heavy taste. A clever choice, the tube-shaped rigatoni pasta was a great vessel to scoop up pieces of meat and sauce for a bite that exploded with flavor. This was an impeccable bowl of pasta, extremely comforting and warm.
The French Onion Risotto tasted like its namesake, a cup of French onion soup. The risotto was creamy and decadent, with its melted gruyere cheese, porcini mushrooms and an infusion of red wine to emulate the classic French onion soup flavor. The sweet caramelized onions contrasted delicately with the crispy garlic breadcrumbs and fresh green onions sprinkled on top. The risotto and the pasta were excellent, served with well-balanced portion sizes.
When I didn’t think I could eat anything else, it was time to tackle the third and final course of the Restaurant Week deal. Our server brought over the desserts we had selected, the Semisweet Chocolate Pot de Crème and a slice of tiramisu. The Pot de Crème was a luxurious chocolate mousse served in a ramekin, with a quenelle of whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate shards scattered across the top.
My friend and I swapped plates for a third time, and while I only had a few bites of the tiramisu, I can easily see myself ordering the Italian classic again. The slice of tiramisu was filled with a luscious amount of mascarpone cream in between a stack of light and airy espresso-soaked ladyfingers — the perfect way to round off an impressive three course meal.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful curation of Orzo’s restaurant week lineup, and would gladly come back to experience their regular menu. If you’re able to splurge a little, I would recommend Orzo for a Valentine’s Day date night or when thinking ahead to a graduation dinner due to its upscale ambiance and delightful reimagining of traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
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