Ventana means “window” in Spanish. Rightly so, this little restaurant has big windows and a big vision for Charlottesville’s mexican cuisine. I’m not going to lie, I heard many things about this place being pricey. Dollar signs aren’t something we associate with Mexican in this town. Between “eating” at Guadalajara to dining at the much better Aqui Es Mexico and Michoacana, I don’t think anything comes close to the prices at Ventana, but does the food live up to its price?
Ambiance
Ventana barely seats 30 people. It’s small, intimate and inviting. It isn’t pretentious, but it still imbibes you with a classy feel that mirrors some of the better designed restaurants in town (thinking Ten and Zo Ca Lo). There is a slight amber glow and things feel warm. The bench that lines the wall seats most of the diners. It can get crowded at times, but in a friendly way. Oh, and don’t forget to look in the bathroom. There is a surprise I won’t spoil for you.
Service
Food can take a while, so be prepared to wait if it’s crowded. Besides that, you are treated very well. Michael (the owner) will certainly care for you, and we really like the homely feel.
Food
Chips, Salsas and Guacamole
What’s a good Mexican restaurant without chips, salsas and guac? We were huge fans of the chips. They had a lighter crisp to them than most in town. I assume they are using a lighter oil, but don’ know. Also, it’s frustrating when restaurants cheat the salsa preparation process. This often means they blend things and call it pico de gallo. In my book, pico needs to be chopped. It tastes more like gazpacho when you blend it. The trio of salsas also include a chipotle blended salsa which was incredible and another more earthy pepper-based salsa. The guac was very good, not overseasoned and you could taste the avocado nuttiness throughout, which to me implies it was fresh. The chips and various accompaniments should be crowd pleasers.
Tacos
Having tried all varieties of tacos, everything is good, very good and makes you wish you didn’t have to spend so much. Be prepared to pony up $6+ / shell. The fish taco a la veracruz was authentic. The chicken, pork and beef tacos were well seasoned. You can order a sampler with everything but the fish which we highly recommend. Mixing your own tacos is always fun and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Others
The Ventana menu has many unique things to explore. We’ve tasted the notable steak enchilada with a tomato based topping. It’s amazing and I can’t recall the name!
Drinks
The place famous for a $100 margarita, also has more reasonably priced elixirs. It uses its seafoam on standard margaritas adding an unexpected flavor and texture to a mixed drink norm. It’s good, but a little gimmicky and messy. Drinks are right on and up there with the best of the best in Charlottesville.
Overall
We’ve spent $30 a person eating there. It’s expensive, yes, but you get what you pay for. No crappy ground beef or shredded chicken for this Mexican joint. Ventana succeeds as a higher end authentic, modern Mexican food joint. It’s the best Mexican in town and you won’t be disappointing.
What do you think?
Related posts:
- Charlottesville’s Newest Taco and Burrito Restaurant: La Michoacana
- Mexican Italian Restaurant…???
- A Review of Charlottesville’s Si Tapas Restaurant
I’ve been there twice now, once on my dime and once on someone else’s. The first time, there was absolutely nothing special about my food. I believe i had some pork tacos and the chips and salsa. The second time, we got the taco sampler, and it was pretty decent, but nothing special. If anything about this place wowed me, I’d feel better about it, but everything I’ve had is at best slightly better than average at a ridiculously higher than average price. I doubt I’ll go back.
And I miss the hell out of Kiki.
anoop, I been making Graffitio walls all over the country. Really miss your food comments. Glad to see you here and hope you post more.
It’s a TV! A TV in the bathroom! Whoa! Whoa! Crrrrazy!
Wifey and I ate there once, and didn’t really like the fish tacos. If I remember correctly, she said it tasted like Sarah Jessica Parker’s face. I didn’t think it was anything special either. The service was excellent, though. I really feel like the price was a little high, but that’s Charlottesville for you.
she said it tasted like Sarah Jessica Parker’s face
uh…?
You know, I’d heard the food wasn’t so hot, but really, it was good. Maybe they had a lot of off days earlier on?
I’ve been there 3 times now, hubby and I like the ancho pork the best but you can only get it in the sampler plate. The second time I got the fish tacos which I loved, he got a couple of the apps which were tasty. No one has mentioned the tequila flights but that can be fun. The third time I went before a concert with a bunch of girlfriends and that was rowdy and fun, everyone enjoyed their tasty margaritas but my fish tacos were a little off. The service was very good all three times and I feel very comfortable there. Bottom line: it is pricey but I really enjoy it so it stays on the list and I hope they keep up the good work!
I’ve eaten there maybe 6 times now. Mighty fine food and drinks and ambiance, if you ask me. The owner is a true mix-master behind the bar and the chef whips up interesting flavors like pork with cumin and fennel. Not everything I’ve had has blown my mind, but some of it has, and it’s always solid, and immeasurably better ambiance for a night out than the other Mexican places in town.
And @Pink Panther, it’s not just a regular TV in there…
the owner of the restaurant’s comments in 5…4…3….
Agree that the owner is always super nice, even when frazzled due to seeming lack of help. However, I also find it hard to stomach the $6 tacos. (Well, not “stomach” them–they are tasty–but still, $6 taco.) It’s a place to get a drink, in my mind.
They also have an awesome chicken tamale
got mole?
@2 Thanks! I still post about food on Graffitio. I’m going to try to work on the blog again. I just have too many balls in the air right now.
Balls in the air. Snicker.
THANK YOU, PP. I’m not alone.
We are 12. Together.
@14. while it’s very liberating, it does make it difficult to get anything done.
@3 I agree, the only reason I go to Ventana is for the bathroom. Once the bartender, “Captain Jack” showed me what was underneath his eyepatch…I still have nightmares to this day, ugh.
Ugh. Hang it all… I’m going Friday. This is… unacceptable that I still haven’t eaten there!
veggie options?
That pirate bartender is hot.
I think the owner looks like Iggy Pop…and I wouldn’t use the word “hot” for the bartender, I’d say “good looking for his age and having an eye patch”
@22
is that the guy from Bagby’s? thought he moved away.
michael is so hot.
@20 & @21 – are eyeballs considered veggie???
bartenders are either hot or cold, and they make mean-assed coffee drinks, too.
/wtf???
@22: So I have a thing for eyepatched men, that’s my bag baby. So I think he’s hottttt. Kisses to you Mr. Eyepatch man of Ventana. And saying Michael Ventana looks like Iggy Pop makes me think you don’t know what Iggy Pop looks like.
there’s always Recording For the Blind, that’d give you a two-fer, Pink.
his wife is hott too.
@29
that settles THAT.
@27You guys suck!!! uva non douche, you say he is “good looking for his age and having and eye patch”!?! Like he can help being blind in one eye…..Shallow, girl. VERY shallow. Same for you otterdung, I have met him, not only is he hot, he is funny as hell. I am with PinkPanther….he’s SSSSEEEEXXXXXYYYYYY and he’s not married!!!!
backup planet…poor taste. If he was missing a leg would you make fun?
He makes a Kick-a$$ drink to boot!!!!
@27 i’d say that too, except check out the cover of raw power.
@31 Jillee-T …..Shallow? Oh my dear you have not met shallow until you have met Floozy. Firstly welcome to Cvillain. Please help yourself to some refreshments from the bar constructed from a piece of warped MDF board and 2 old bricks. Times are hard, and we are being flogged off so the entertainment budget is at an all time low. I have a bottle of grape flavored MD 20/20, an L shaped Twinky or a packet of half eaten virgins that Halsey Minor couldn’t finish. Help yourself.
We make fun of absolutely everyone… amputees, the mentally impaired (eg parlie), people that just walk funny and of course bizarre facial ticks always get a chortle. Get used to it.
/Does this fascinating hot Ventana bartender have an iPhone?
This is my first time reading, great site! I love Ventana! Food is excellent, drinks are amazing. I have met the owner, he is very nice, handsome in his own way, Iggy Pop? No, but close. His wife is gorgeous& so nice!
I also met the “Pirate”, he is very sweet…in a bad boy sorta way!! I don’t want to have his babies but I would like to practice with him!!!! Hottttt!! My girlfriends and I will be back!!!!
Jillee-T – soooo, you’ve tasted his eyeballs? with or without alcohol? and if it’s with, what would that be called, exactly??? Hmmmm?
ooh, I’m way too snarky this early in the evening…
Hey Back up planet, shouldn’t eyeballs be eyeball? I only have one after all…holy shit that rhymed.
I was talking to my partner in crime today, Michael Ventana. He told me to check out this blog. You are off the fricken chain my man! I like it! In case you are wondering, its me. You guys coined the name, I will wear it with pride. YEP! Captain Jack at your service. It seems I have a little following, I am flattered. We’ll talk more on that later. UVA non douche bag, sorry to put a scare in you. You did ask to see it repeatedly though and I do believe I made you a pretty good shooter, so walk it off! I have not pulled a shift there in awhile, you guys have my email now, next time I am in town I will meet you over at Ventana’s for one or ten shots of Cville’s best up scale tequilas. And Floozy, I am right there with you; No Free Pass! And I do not have an iPhone either? Just a bitchin LG.
@31 ah fuck off, I wasn’t being shallow, just stating my own opinion…guess my tastes are far different than others
/sorry if eyepatches aren’t my thing
Cap’n Jack…. a swashbuckling welcome to you. I am delighted you could take the time off from plundering the high seas, and pop in to introduce yourself. As I mentioned in #33, funds are tight on Cvillain right now so the best I have to offer you is some past its expiry date Haagen Dazs® Rum and Raisin ice cream and cherry flavored Irish Rose. Since you have posted such a gracious response, I will no longer be able to make fun of you. Damnit. I had so much more to give.
/I don’t normally explain my bad taste jokes but *ssshhhhhhhhhh* iPhone=eyePhone……sorry…….-ish.
@37: Yessssss! If we talk about people enough, they will come comment. I love it. Kisses, Captain Jack!
Let me try it on Halsey Minor now. He’s like Candy Man, if you say his name 5 times he will appear, but instead of disemboweling you, he will offer to make you rich and famous.
Halsey Minor, Halsey Minor, Halsey Minor, Halsey Minor…
#40: Your honor, let the record reflect that the Pink Panzer appears to be trying to rub more than elbows with a Minor.
#40 and 41
Usually it’s the ‘adult’ offering candy to the Minor, not the Minor who has all the candy to give.
Welcome to the party maestus! Too bad your name makes me think of meatus.
Thank you. I am or would be happy to meat you.
PP…I am so glad you’ve been able to work that into your vocabulary. I feel honored in a way.
I’m vegetarian though, so thus opposed to the word. What an unfortunate and/or apropos name for a part of the penis.
Flesh is flesh. But never met a vegan yet who wouldn’t eat one or otherwise take one internally.
What? Nobody eats penises.
#48
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/07/articles/wacky-and-strange-but-true/beijing-serving-up-water-buffalo-penis-yaks-testicles-and-deer-penis-juice-at-the-guolizhuang-restaurant/
Then they weren’t vegan.
They were, however, Buddhists if not Jainists.
okay, so how does Buddhism/Jainism = anywhere near vegan?
I think all Jainists are vegan and most Buddhist monks, though perhaps not the rest.
Deer penis must be for Fair Weather Buddhists only?
right, because you can’t say someone is “vegan” if they occasionally eat something non-vegan, which both of those religions have been known to do.
/I’m vegan right now. until dinner.
I would never be argumentative, but Jainists are the ones who brush off every place they sit down so they don’t accidentally kill or hurt any bugs that might be there. Buddhists i guess eat what they want, but I’m no Eastern Religion Scholar. I do admire the hell out of the Jainists for the absolute impracticality of their tiny religion.
@54 i’m vegan, except when i go out.
i won’t eat anything that casts a shadow.
@39&@40 iPhone! I get it…crossing my “t”s and dotting my lower case…er..ah…”j”s. Floozy, you have all the fun you want, don’t hold back. I have more fun with this thing then any of you could possibly imagine. So do your worst! If it helps put you back in the mood, I can call you a nasty name. Little verbal smack down never hurt anybody right? Pink! Sweet Pink, kisses to you as well. A little smoochin is not a bad thing!! To quote one of my one-eyed compatriots, Sammy Davis Jr. Who can make the sun shine? The candy man can babe!
heya Captain Jack – nice seeing you on the mall tonight
i still think the divide has the best “mexican” in town, hands down (if it counts as such…)
Capt. Jack, it was nice seeing you out at the party this weekend, sorry I was so drunk
/it happens from time to time
@62Hey uva non d. Nice seeing you as well, no worries on the state of mind, I have slipped and fallen on a few beers myself at one time or another…accidents happen! As promised I’ll come by and see you & Co. when I am back in town. @59 Oy, glad to be seen, I am not sure who you are…introduce yourself next time I am around. See you guys soon.
Cap’n J…. should we approach you from the right or the left so as not to be accused of ’sneaking’ up on you?
/can’t believe you don’t know Oy…everyone knows Oy dude… seriously.
everyone knows Oy
in the biblical sense.
Stanley…WTF… are you watching the debate?
If you do sneak up on me….be careful. My extensive training and cat like reflexes may kick in, allowing me to run down the street screaming like a little school girl. Either side is fine with me. Left, right, back or front…you know the gig Floozy.
and I probably do know Oy, just didn’t know to call him/her Oy.
@66: My friends. I was watching. My friends.
@67 – hint, you wouldn’t call “her” Oy
Got it, thanks.Still have no idea, all in good time though.
Food was good, but the server screwed up our checks and when we discovered the error and called the owner to discuss, he screamed at us and ultimately slammed down the phone. It is hard to believe in this economy that restauranteurs can afford be nasty, but apparently this one can. NOT GOING BACK.
My experience at Ventana was AWFUL. The food is decent (but way over-priced for the portion sizes…our group of five actually started cracking up when the desserts arrived b/c they were so pathetically small). I ordered the braised lamb, and I must say, even the meat at El Guadalajara is more impressive. The sweetbreads were equally bland. The service was terrible. Our waiter was slow and certainly not attentive. It took us THREE HOURS to eat (the waiter forgot to put our orders in TWICE). When we asked to speak to a manager, the manager was rude and did not apologize. Overall, the experience was terrible. There are so many awesome restaurants in Charlottesville…don’t waste your time with this one.
the one time i ate at the new ventana, i had perfect service. our dessert was not small. the escargot empanada brought twice as many snails as petit pois. and what else did we have, something like duck with white beans & pancetta? really good. i generally eat a lot & was perfectly happy sharing those three items with my bf. in conclusion, i think you are weird.
I agree with Not a Ventana Fan. The food there is way over priced with super small portion sizes. I also ordered the escargot empanada and can I just say that it was NOT an empanada. It was basically a puff pastry with 2 snails on the side of the plate. The rest of the plate was filled with inedible garnish to make the dish seem more filling than it really was.
I also experienced a rude and inattentive wait service. When I would try to get the waiter’s attention when he walked by, he would look the other way. This happened multiple times.
I would never suggest Ventana to any of my friends or co-workers.
I must agree with Not a Fan. I ordered a veggie option and sadly i was very disappointed. It had one mushroom, one zucchini slice, and 2 asparagus spears atop a puff pastry. Basically, i ate a puff pastry for dinner. Also, the ice cream on my dessert had melted by the time it was served. In addition, the service could not even be described as mediocre. It was downright bad.
It’s unfortunate because the atmosphere was cool, but not worth the bad food and bad service. There are plenty of other restaurants in Cville that can offer all three, don’t waste your time or money on Ventana.
@73 and @71. Wow, I’ve had exactly the opposite experience. Everytime I’ve been there the food and service have been excellent. Everything I’ve had off the menu, so far, has been incredible.
Yea, it’s a little pricey, but if you can’t afford it, I hear there are quite a few buffet restaurants around town you might enjoy. lol.
The prices aren’t the problem. I frequent pricey restaurants like Fleurie, Hamilton’s, C&O and Zocalo (all of which have been wonderful experiences). The difference is the quality of the food and the dedication to service. If I’m going to drop $100 on a meal, I expect both. That’s great that Orchid and Jamison have had different experiences; perhaps I simply have higher standards and a more refined palate.
hey hey hey, no need to insult my standards and palate.
(for that matter, i think frequenting C&O does not say much for yours…)
imo, zocalo is not pricey.