187132 Thu Oct 14 08:02:41 -0700 2004 3 16 Mid-Atlantic 0 1000829 I just moved down from the hudson valley and have tried a few spots...Bizou...good food, especially nice to eat outside on the mall, had a great salmon dish and a soso veggie burrito. The service is good and the food is very fresh tasting. Tried Wild Greens and thought it felt like I was walking into a diner in a time warp. The food was barely a step above diner food as well! Also went to Miller's where you can't beat it as far as burgers, fries and beers go and finally Mellow Mushroom, a real college hang out where my kids had a great time, loved the pizzas, the decor and the great video games at the bar! Please feel free to make suggestions. I want to check out Duners too. Thu Oct 14 08:02:41 -0700 2004 0 J & J 1 1000836 My favorite (and the best bang for the buck in C'ville) is Continental Divide - don't miss the margaritas and red hot blues. It is smoky and loud, I spent a lot of time there pre-kids! :) Other important local places: (1) the Riverside for burgers (best in town - although the newly opened Five Guys may give them a run for their money) (2) the Tavern for pancakes and french toast (3) Timberlake's Drug Store - for old-fashioned drugstore counter service, including grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes (Earl Hamner, a.k.a. John Boy Walton visited here) For higher end dinners: I love Duners - although the downside is no reservations are taken. I also like Ivy Inn and Blue Light Grill. I've heard good things about Fleurie and Oxo, but have not been to either. Fri Oct 15 09:58:20 -0700 2004 1000829 0 Cville Mel 2 1000851 Thank you for responding to my first posted message. Well, we tried Duner's early on Friday 5:45 or so. No problem getting a table but by the time our dinner arrived, it was too noisy to hear the conversation at our own table! The acoustics are awful! I My husband began with the calamari stuffed with sausage, a bit to undercooked for my taste though he said it was ok. We were then served the house salad which was quite unremarkable (no alternative salads to order off the menu). For our entrees, my husband had the winner, crab cakes which were delicious and meaty. I ordered the grouper which came to the table cold in a sweetened salam oelek sauce which could have been wonderful but missed the boat completely. The kids had a plate of pasta with butter (the only child accomodation to the menu they make!?) and the NY strip steak. Now, I don't know what people in Charlottesville expect from a NY strip, but in NY, if you are going to pay close to $30 for a steak you expect that it will measure at least 1/2 inch in thickness. We didn't bother trying dessert because the noise level was deafening. I don't see what the whole hooplah about this restaurant is. I, for one, will not be going back any time soon. Sun Oct 17 17:35:51 -0700 2004 1000836 0 J & J 3 1000862 Sorry for the negative experience. I've always enjoyed Duners and so have others so maybe it was just a one-time occurrence. I hope your other C'ville experiences are better. I also meant to mention the Main Street Markets in my earlier post - Ciboulette, Feast, and Albemarle Baking Company - but I see that you've discovered Seafood on Main so you've gotten there. I'd love to hear your other reviews. Tue Oct 19 12:05:51 -0700 2004 1000851 0 C'ville Mel