Nestled atop The Doyle Hotel, the Rooftop Charlottesville offers a picturesque setting with sweeping views and promises of refined bar fare. A recent visit during Charlottesville Restaurant Week aimed to explore the special three-course menu priced at $35, but left diners questioning the quality of the culinary offerings despite its attractive price point. This review delves into the experience, highlighting both the appealing ambiance and the shortcomings in food execution.
A Winter Visit to Rooftop Charlottesville: Promise and Disappointment
In the heart of Charlottesville, on 499 W Main St., lies Rooftop Charlottesville, just a stone's throw from the Rotunda. Formerly known as Quirk, this venue has been reimagined by The Doyle Hotel in 2024, emphasizing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Operating primarily in the evenings, the rooftop bar provides an upscale dining experience, especially inviting during warmer months. However, during a winter evening, modifications to the outdoor area limited seating options, leading to an unexpectedly sparse dining crowd.
The Doyle’s lobby exudes warmth and elegance, featuring a vibrant pink elevator that adds a touch of luxury. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a charming Lobby Bar and Restaurant, adorned with local artwork and eclectic furnishings. Despite these inviting elements, the winter adjustments had somewhat diminished the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, restricting patrons to indoor seating only.
Our meal began with a Caesar salad, creatively named "Hail, Caesar." While generous in portion size, it was overly coated with Parmesan cheese, masking the flavors of the crisp lettuce. The homemade challah croutons stood out as a highlight, their garlic seasoning complementing the light dressing. Moving on to the main course, my choice of Royale with Cheese—a double-stacked cheeseburger—was unremarkable, with the house-blended patties lacking the promised bacon flavor. The accompanying fries were undercooked and poorly seasoned, adding to the disappointment.
My companion’s Shrimp Tacos, labeled “Let’s Taco ‘bout it,” proved to be the best dish of the night. Grilled shrimp paired with an apple-fennel slaw offered a delightful balance of sweetness and earthiness. However, the minimal amount of micro cilantro and greasy chipotle mayo detracted from an otherwise well-conceived dish. For dessert, we sampled the Maximalist Pecan Pie, or “Nuts For You.” Though innovative in concept, the pie’s components were muddled together, resulting in an overwhelming mix of chocolate and caramel that overshadowed the coconut and pretzel elements.
The attentive service and generous portions made the evening memorable in quantity, but not in quality. At $35 for a three-course meal, the value proposition seemed fair, yet regular prices might not justify the lackluster food quality. The true potential of Rooftop Charlottesville lies in its summer charm, where guests can fully enjoy the stunning vistas and carefully crafted dishes. Until then, diners may find themselves yearning for more refined culinary experiences elsewhere.
From a diner’s perspective, this visit underscores the importance of timing and seasonal offerings. While the promise of elevated bar bites and cocktails remains enticing, the execution fell short, particularly during the colder months. Future visits might yield better results when the outdoor seating is available and the menu aligns more closely with the advertised upscale experience. Until then, one can only hope for improvements that match the venue’s beautiful setting.