Most of you probably heard the rumors about The Upstairs from back in January. While rumors of funky service and a cigar bar did not materialize, we were left with a well designed restaurant that serves high end bourbon and prime grade steak. The Upstairs should appeal to a higher end diner with $8 to $14 appetizers and $19 to $45 entrées.
I had the pleasure of dining at The Upstairs this past weekend and I wanted to share my review with the world. If you are trying to find The Upstairs, it sits right above Escafe on the Ice Rink side of the downtown mall.
I like using the Ambiance, Food, Drink and Overall categorization for a restaurant review. Let me know if you want to change the structure or think I need to focus on another area.
Ambiance
The Upstairs offers diners two substantially different dining areas. First, when you walk in, you are greeted with an exposed brick and very high ceiling bar area. Guests can sit at a horseshoe bar or at one of 5 or 6 spacious tables. Dining next to the window offers a desirable people watching viewpoint. Since no other restaurant offers dining next to a 2nd story giant window, I consider this a uniquely desirable factor. Now, if you walk through the bar area, the Upstairs has a fancy, white tablecloth dining area. The ambiance is completely different, much more formal and not in line with traditional Charlottesville dining. I shy away from the white tablecloths, but the food is the same between both sections, so take your pick. The bar area is a little lively with the noise, but then again it is a bar area. I was surprised not to find a larger drinking crowd.
Service
One of the common gripes I have with Charlottesville dining is the fact that you can pay a pretty penny for your meal and your service doesn’t match the quality and price of the meal. While it’s fair to say that quality servers are hard to find in the area, we had a standard experience at the Upstairs. Our server was nice, did everything right, but wasn’t blow your socks off amazing either. We were happy, either way. One of the owners was clearly concerned about his customers and that’s good to see.
The one issue that many diners might have is that The Upstairs only serves its white wines chilled to 55 degrees. While this is an ideal storage temperature, this may seem lukewarm to most wine drinkers. I suggest you call ahead and ask them to chill your wine before you get to the restaurant. We had to wait a long while before we got the wine to a reasonable temperature.
Food
I am tired of long, complicated menus. It’s like the chef has ADD and has no clue how to focus on the good things. If I get tired trying to decide which of the 40 appetizers I want, then I am not having a good dining experience (Mas is the exception). You can look over the menu here, and what you will find is that simple and straightforward.
The Upstairs has decided to put a lot of things on the menu with rare and fancy sounding. Pork Belly Brulee…Ostrich…Ramps (wild leek) were a few of the things that caught our attention. We sampled several things. I love pork bellies. They are like a mix of bacon and roasted pork. I think the pork belly needs to be paired with something stronger and sweeter than the apple foam. They are very salty and must be well balanced.
We also sampled the Caesar. The dressing was some of the best I’ve had in Charlottesville, but why do they shred the romaine? Shredding the romaine is an aesthetically pleasing move, but it ended up making the salad soggy.
The entrées arrived quickly and were plated well. The USDA Prime Tenderloin was pricey and was comparable to the Downtown Grill in taste. The Salmon was very fresh and paired well with its “forbidden rice,” but was overly buttery for an already fatty fish. The Pork Chop was good, with well balanced mushroom potatoes and some apple butter.
For dessert, we tried a deconstructed lemon tart which looked amazing with bright yellow in the middle and purple flowers around a large bowl. If it weren’t for the crumbs, I would highly recommend this dessert. It really was a very beautifully plated dish.
Drinks
Our resident wine expert thought highly of the wine menu. I unfortunately did not find a copy of the drinks menu, but the proprietors have made an effort to serve rare bourbons and do a very strong wine list. While you can find reasonably priced things on here, you could easily hurt the wallet with some of the choices. Perhaps a sipping-hard-liquor fan would be a better reviewer of the drinks.
Overall
The Upstairs has an excellent ambiance and offers a high end dining scene for those inclined. I am particularly critical of restaurants in this price range and I do hope that The Upstairs improves their menu items. While they are new and need to round out a few things, I think they have a good vision. They need to work out some kinks before I head back. Now, I think the place is an impressive place to bring someone, so don’t neglect it if you have to choose between Downtown Grill, Ten and other $$$ places.
What do you think?
Related posts:
- The Local Restaurant Review
- A Review of Charlottesville’s Si Tapas Restaurant
- What do you think of The Upstairs?
The entrées arrived quickly and were plated well. The USDA Prime Tenderloin was pricey and was comparable to the Downtown Grill in taste.
So, in short, it’s not worth the $. Comparing it to a steak from the Downtown Grill is *not* a compliment if you intended it as so.
Had the deconstructed lemon tart as well; two comments: a bit more effort and the chef could have constructed a real lemon tart, can’t eat a beautiful plate….
“Decontructed lemon tart”? I didn’t like that back when it was the “Deconstructed Key Lime pie” …at MAYA.
I cannot see this picture of the inside of the Upstairs without thinking about that scene from Three Men and a Baby where there’s a ghost of the little boy in the window. A’something, a’like-a this.
It’s so Top Chef!
Tuffy, those pictures were taken before the place opened.
I’m sure it quite lovely, but ever since the original pics came out, it reminded me of a movie scene. Twas ‘Three Men and a Baby’.
Not to be too uptight, but did you pay for your dinner or did the restaurant?
Actually, jen, I think that was just uptight enough.
/i think hammer boy always pays his way… am i wrong?
Chad – when was the last time you were at the Grille? They got a new chef last summer who is *much* better. Knows how to cook a steak.
I’ve never been to the Grille, Oy
It was probably a good year and a half ago. I was so unimpressed I haven’t been back to give them a second chance — I could have gotten a better steak at Outback. It wasn’t *bad*, I just expect it to at least be better than a steak from a chain restaurant if I’m spending double/triple the amount on it.
I probably won’t go back, but who knows — the thought of spending $100+ to give them a do-over doesn’t sit well with me. There’s enough other places to go eat a nice meal down here.
Aberdeen barn has best steaks in town.
Jen, I ALWAYS PAY FOR FOOD. Restaurants also have no idea who I am. If I ever was comped a meal, I would let you know right away.
That’s not all Thor always pays for and I have the $ to prove it.
Hey, chicken suit gogoing is supposed to be on the D/L.
Aberdeen barn has best steaks in town.
i concur.
@13 Hee, hee. One of the resident veggies chimes in on steaks. I actually think you’re probably right (save possibly the seasoned steaks at Zocalo and C&O), but I sort of don’t like the decor at Aberdeen Barn. It just feels depressing in there. And the tables are too close together. Doesn’t affect the way the steak tastes, but I still don’t like going there.
@12 the best steak i’ve ever had was from a small-chain restaurant where i used to work.
Thor, were any of your dished prepared in the sous vide manner? Can anyone say whether sous vide lives up to its hype or just a novelty?
I am pretty sure that they didn’t do that, but I could be mistaken. I’ve never eaten sous vide, but I’ve heard it’s pretty intense.
VACUUM BAGGED FLAVORS? Scrumptious!
Our resident wine expert thought highly of the wine menu.
Did you have a red wine paired with your steak? If so, what was it and did you enjoy it?
You’re a vacuum.
Way to slide in and ruin my lame joke Smiley. You make me Frowney.
I’m guessing that the guys behind the upstairs are the ones trying to get this group off the ground? Anyone with deets?
Thanks Thor, I assumed you would tell us. Helpful review.
Ha…. the fools left Big Al’s off the list Doof. They are fakes… don’t fall for it.
@25 Sounds interesting. Wonder what their plans might be. There are some cities with underground dining clubs. Kind of hush-hush, members only (minus the cheesy, early 80’s jacket connotation).
Maybe they like to eat endangered species…. I see a confit of baby panda with Absinthe foam, aided by an embryonic dolphin carpaccio.
What kind of elitist society advertises on craigslist???
The first rule of Eating Confit of Baby Panda Club is you don’t talk about Eating Confit of Baby Panda Club.
/and if its your first night, you HAVE to eat a baby panda.
I never tire of that Fight Club reference. But my favorite is the “Show me, on the doll . . . ” bit. Both deserve to be in the C’villain Hall of Fame.
I do only have eleven jokes you know…
/you towel.
Welcome to the internet.
Has the Box opened yet?
Yeah it opened, but the tartare was sub par and served with Flemmish water. Not. Going. Back. EVAR!
/obligatory.
@36 And have you seen the font on their menu? Rubbish!
/now I want lo mein with panang curry sauce
What is that? Three of your eleven jokes on one thread?
Oh and regarding ECoBPC…
Dern it, ThatGrrl snuck in on me. And I didn’t probably finish my thought which was something along the lines of: Impressive, hopefully you can get all eleven in one thread one day. Or has that already happened?
Also, that poor panda looks really terrified.
Sorry trillian!
Poor frightened panda. Yummy, delectable frightened panda.
No worries ThatGrrl! You are not to blame for the glacial pace my brain sometimes functions at.
Hello its Jaison,
Would you rather see a less rich fish instead of king salmon? The fatty nature was paired with a brown butter vin to cut the fat, but maybe the brown butter is adding too much additional fat to the plate and the salmon is not the issue.
Also thanks for the input. any other items to take a look at?
Also just a note. I change the menu daily or bi-daily.
I am going to try a dish of shrimp and scallops glued into a roll and seared all the way around, any input.
Thor is Switzerland! In the face of controversy, Thor evokes the Geneva Convention of reviews. No torture! Nothing strong! Nothing but……Ruth Reichl on Xanax, with a shot of Valium on the side.
I definitely appreciated the review Thor, thanks for the details (but why no pictures of the food? Don’t want to give away your reviewer persona? I get that, but surreptitious picture-taking is an art! Practice at home!
. But it’s obvious to me that you are suppressing your God-of-Thunder personality in an effort to be fair. Hence, Switzerland, neutrality and the inclusion of the calming-down drugs in my first paragraph. Which is fine, I guess. Except, there’s no passion. Nothing FANTASTIC, nothing TERRIBLE, just everything okay combined with a mild hint of disappointment and desire to stress to the positive.
I guess that’s a fine review, but I’d be dying to know what you thought if we could go back in time (need a time machine STAT!) before you were a proprietor of a blog. I bet your review would have more passion then.
Wow, just realized, I did a review of a review. Like, meta.
SuggestionBox……………..perhaps you got a lukewarm review to match the white wine?
/trailer trash here drinks hers at 39F and always will.
Best steak in town = Duner’s tenderloin (credit line on your house to pay for it, though).
Jaison… do you ever get your hands on skate? Might be a good sub for the salmon…supremely tasty but less oily.
Pan roasted in Irish butter with Bolivian sea salt and capers………..
Looks like a tasty menu, but it’s just too expensive to draw me in.
Hope it does well.
they have skate at fleurie and now petis pois too.. never had it myself but was a staff/customer favorite when I worked there
Skate available at the Local, too.
Went for drinks on Saturday night and enjoyed the place…the bar tender gave us a tour and one thing Thor did not mention that is pretty cool is that you can reserve a table in the wine cellar for a private party or dinner for two. It’s pretty cool. Both literally and figuratively. I’d be sure to bring a sweater if you decide to go that route.
It’s not 55 degrees is it?
Ohh…that is a brilliant piece of info to include in reviews, thanks VaGodiva. I am usually pretty cold in general–those tips I like.
I am usually pretty cold in general–those tips I like.
There is a nipple joke in there somewhere.
/sorry, carry on.
Yes it is 55 in the cellar. Would be nice after a hot summer day in Va though.
@ 44…haha Thor you just got punked! I agree with “Suggestion Box”, do let us know a little more about what you feel……or not.
Suggestion Box: you might want to make a suggestion to get one of the most despised villains out of the closet, cocoNUT. I think coco did what you are looking for but no one likes that style, or do they? There have been mixed comments on previous posts.
Why does everyone despise cocoNUT? I don’t.
uh oh….did I just open a can o’ worms? Sorry, just relaying site info!
Are they serving worms at The Upstairs? Pasty.
Had to try this new restaurant for myself. I didn’t think it could be as bad as I had heard. I was wrong.
The shrimp appetizer was so fishy and overdone. The pork chop, which was tasty was bloody raw when
I got to the center of it. My partner had the ravioli entree. All he could taste was garlic. The prices were
very expensive and so not worth it. If you want a good meal, eat at Bizou. It’s always good and very
affordable! I give this place less than 6 months!
Well, as one who will never be able to eat there, I don’t feel as though I’m missing much. Thanks.
Street! Laws of attraction baby! You will NEVER eat there if that is what you believe. Stay positive friend.
You’re right, caroline. Though, honestly, even if I could afford to eat there, I’d never spend such exorbitant sums of money to eat when I could feed myself for a couple weeks for the cost of one dinner.
for possibly the first time ever, i agree with street. paying exorbitant sums of money for food is ridiculous, and a waste of everybody’s time.
my name is scrooge mcduck and i have zero friends, but i’m flush with cash!
When you go to a nice or fine dining restaurant, you are paying for more than just food. You are paying for the atmosphere, the decor, the service, and you are paying a trained chef (hopefully) to cook your food. The reason you pay $5 for a bodo’s bagel is b/c you have to wait in line for 20 mins to get it. If you have never been to a fine dining restaurant, you should save up your pennies and try it once, base an opinion about it, and then decide if it is worth doing again.
True dat, b-wilk.. that’s why we try to review those aspects of a restaurant.
True dat?! What the heck?!
Thanks Thor. My point is, you are paying for the experience. If you aren’t willing to pay, then don’t go. But if you aren’t willing to try it, don’t bash it.
I had a good experience there. The wine was great, the scallops and NY strip very good, and the whiskey delicious. Service was just ok but not terrible–certainly not by Charlottesville standards. One of the owners was gracious and knowledgeable.
I hope they make it. It is not a value restaurant—so it needs to be great–but I definitely will go again.
Curious, what are the best fine dining restaurants in C’ville? Noticed there aren’t a lot in the review section. Should this be a different blog?
b-wilk… there aren’t really that many fine dining places in Charlottesville. We need to do more fine dining reviews.. you are right. They are a bit out of budget for someone like me. Here is what I have on my list (you have to drive far for a lot of these)::
Keswick
Palladio (at Barboursville)
Inn at Little Washington
L’Etoile ?
Fluerie (I’ve been, wasn’t very impressed)
Inn at Little Washington
Maybe we should send someone over at Style to do these.
umm…you forgot
C&O and Duners
why do you have the Inn at Lil Wash twice?
Thor… you are so lucky I am hungover and ill.Right now.Lucky.
good morning sunshine….
Hey Chick… no sunshine here…. just snot.Loads and loads… ugh.
Duner’s has great food, but its service is far from “fine dining.” C&O… better service but I still don’t think it is fine dining in the same class as the ones I named.
@76:
i;ll second Duner’s service not quite fine. last time 8 of us went there. only 7(all servers at other establishments). got their order taken.
she just walked away without even looking at a person sitting right there.
!
no, I guess you’re right, “casual fine dining”, they are both just Charlottesville staples that have been around more than 25 years.