C&O Restaurant

515 Water St E, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA

Address:	515 Water St E, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
Phone:	+1 434-971-7044
Site:	candorestaurant.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM 5PM–1AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

GFW W

My husband and I were in Virginia last week to celebrate our anniversary. Before leaving home I did a Google search for restaurants in Charlottesville, and up popped the C&O Restaurant. This was especially cool because my dad, uncle and grandfather all worked for the C&O Railroad back in the day. We were very fortunate to get a table (thank you again, Michael!), and the staff were all incredibly friendly and accommodating! Since I had mentioned my familys connection with the railway, Anthony gave us a brief tour of the building and some C&O background, which was very thoughtful. Jen was our server and she was amazing! She was efficient, friendly, and took the time to chat with us and make suggestions about other local establishments on the Mall. Michael, Jen and Anthony were all so hospitable and made us feel very welcome. The atmosphere was perfect - warm, cozy and welcoming. And then there was the food. We both ordered the Steak Chinoise. One of the best meals Ive had in a very, very long time. The steak was so tender, we could cut it with our forks. And the dessert... one word: YUM. We live in North Carolina - but plan to visit Charlottesville from time to time and we will DEFINITELY dine again at the C&O. You should plan to make an evening of visiting that area of historic downtown. Dinner at the C&O first, then shopping/strolling along the Mall - and maybe a show at the Paramount Theater. You will not be disappointed! Thank you again to the wonderful staff at the C&O! You made our anniversary very special!

Shelly Stinchcomb

We went on a Wednesday night with friends. I have a complicated diet due to health issues, so I called earlier in the day to make sure this wouldnt be one of the restaurants where the menu is unchangeable. The chef worked with me in advance to plan out my meal with special preparations and it was noted with our reservation which allowed the waiter to know exactly what Id be having without me having to explain all of the things I cant eat. At the end of the meal, the waiter even offered to have a fruit plate put together for me for dessert since I cant eat sugar. I had the roasted beets (altered from their traditional preparation) and they were delicious. For my main dish I had an altered version of their scallops while my friend had them as they are on the menu. We both found them to be wonderful with a great texture. My boyfriend had the steak chinoise and our other friend had the sea bass. Both said their food was amazing. Sticky toffee pudding was the dessert of choice, and I was told it was yummy...it certainly smelled yummy!! I cant say enough about the staff and the food!!

Anonymous User

Wonderful restaurant. Food was delicious, Ill only provide detailed feedback around things that were not spectacular. Ambiance - great. I think I might have enjoyed the middle level more - so cozy looking. We ate upstairs and it was more spacious yet, still cozy. Caesar salad was not the best Ive ever had. Very typical - nothing special. I swear the croutons were Pepperidge farm. We waited a long time for our food - long long time. When it finally came out - it was worth waiting for, thankfully we liked the company we were with. My friend stated that her pork chop, the special of the night, was not hot, but rather warm. Slightly disappointing, but the taste made up for it. Overall experience would lead us back there again. It is a bit pricey, but said to be locally sourced food, so it made me felt a little better about the bill. We continued our evening in the downstairs (basement) like bar. More great service and a nice line up of beverages at the bar. Became quite crowded as it neared the midnight hour. Yes, we were there from 630 - Midnight. Thats gotta say something.

Hunter Hampton

Cozy and rustic, C&O Restaurant feels like it belongs in the French countryside, or perhaps a quiet Parisian side street. One half imagines to find famous writers of the Lost Generation sitting alone in a corner, pondering something profound and savoring a glass of something or other from C&Os relatively extensive drink selection. The fair is delightful, and though the portions run on the smaller side, the food is on the heartier end of the scale, so you wont leave hungry. And besides, you wouldnt come to C&O just to eat; its more of a Francis Bacon "chew and digest thoroughly" kind of restaurant. In any case, C&O is one of the better restaurants in Charlottesville, and even though the town has plenty to offer in the way of fine dining, visitors shouldnt leave without at least taking a peak.

Anonymous User

This MUST have been a bad night for the C&O. I ordered the Caesar salad and pork tenderloin. My wife ordered house salad and vegetable soup. My wifes vegetable soup was excellent, her salad was plain and the presentation in a deep bowl was nothing to justify the price. My Caesar salad was dry and wilted. It was very bad. My pork tenderloin was tough as shoe leather and dry as a bone. It was HORRIBLE! Service was poor at best. No one came around to refresh our drinking water or ask if we wanted more bread. The very best thing I will say again is, "it must have been a BAD night for the C&O." Unfortunately well not return to find out.

Nicholas Knodt

The C&O Restaurant was at recently one of the finest restaurants in Charlottesville but, since a change in ownership, seems to have lost interest in the highest quality of food and service. On multiple occasions recently I have visited the C&O during its publicly posted hours of operation and have been turned away because they decided to close early. Furthermore, some of their once high quality ingredients have been replaced by ones of inferior quality. The C&O is still an all around good restaurant but is quickly loosing much of what made it one of the premiere locations for a night out in Charlottesville.

Jerome White

Came here to celebrate my fiancé and I engagement. Wonderful and welcoming staff. We came an hour early from our reservation and waited at the bar with a few cocktails and appetizers. Then ended up sitting at the table. I had the pork belly and scallops as my fiancé had the steak. Cooked to perfection! The steak literally melts in your mouth. Perfect ribeye cut with the caramelized onions to match. Honestly the best steak we had. Will be back whenever we are taking a weekend trip down south. This will be our first stop. Hats off to the owner/chef. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.

Kyle Blanchette

I wanted to love C&O as its been on my list of Cville restaurants for a while. For the most part, I have no complaints. The food was seasoned well and the flavors were all there. We ordered the Duck gnocchi and the crab cake for an appetizer and I had the famous C&O Steak Chinoise. Like I said the food was great but all three of our entrees came out close to room temperature, which makes me think they might have been finished and plated long before they made it to our table. That being said, we still had a great meal in the cozy upstairs dining room and Ill definitely plan to return!

Roy Van Doorn

C & O is a classic. Great food prepared with care, using locally sourced ingrediants. Ambiance is cozy to fancy, depending on the many rooms available. Service is personal, the staff has been here a long time and knows what to do. Fantastic wine selection, Wine Spectator winner for over 20 years. Parking is free and right across the street - a big plus downtown.