My Experience at The Local
March 19th 2008 by Kelly in Charlottesville, Restaurant, Restaurant Opening
I finally made it to The Local, only 5 days after the opening. I tried to go on Friday night but the crowd was overwhelming and I’m not a big fan of having to wait for a table. We got there at about 9 on a Tuesday night, so the dinner rush was over. There were 4 other tables of people finishing up dinner and all the seats at the bar were taken. We got the table for two right beside the window and I think it was the best seat in the house. We started off with a bottle of wine, 14 Hands Merlot, never heard of it, but it was good for $24 dollars. I think the most expensive bottle was $26 dollars, very reasonable. The restaurant looks amazing, Adam did such a great job. The subtle lighting sets off the exposed brick walls and the hardwood floors are polished and have a dramatic affect when you first walk into the restaurant.
Our waiter explained that they are still working on a few things, including a back porch that will be a nice place for a drink or dinner in the summer. I got the porkchop with mashed potatoes and my date got the chicken with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. The portions were great, we were full without an appetizer or desert, although the banana split did sound good. I think Matthew Hart explained it perfectly to the Hook when he described the Local’s concept, “We want to create a great neighborhood restaurant where people don’t have to spend a hundred bucks to get a nice meal and a bottle of wine.” He did just that, we ate dinner for $50 dollars and The Local is now one of my new favorite places. Which Belmont restaurant do you like the best? Will the Local take away from people eating at Mas?
