Due to a variety of (mostly good) reasons, it’s been a few weeks since my wife and I have been on proper date. Finally able, and celebrating my recent cVillain appointment, we decided to finally visit Bel Rio, one of Belmont’s newer dining establishments and much younger sibling of the C&O.
After searching the surrounding streets for a place to park, my wife and I were greeted at the door by Dave Simpson, one of the owners. Smiling and clad in a black t-shirt and gray pin-striped suit, Dave, one of the owners, walked us to our table and, not thirty seconds later, returned to pour our water. Needless to say, between Dave’s warm, personal service and the instant notion of being somewhere other than downtown Belmont (the East Village, perhaps?), I was left with a very good first impression…and the feeling that our date was off to a remarkable start.
After settling in, she with a glass of house syrah and I with a bottle of Magic Hat Wacko, we decided to start with the calamari. Described by the menu as “dusted with smoked paprika and Spanish herbs served with house marinara sauce and lemon,” the impressively large portion was presented in a bamboo steamer. I will admit that if there was a connection between the Asian steamer, un-steamed calamari, and Italian sauce, it was lost on me. It did look neat though.
Rather than the more traditional tempura, these calamari were lightly breaded in the aforementioned paprika and herbs, and likely a few fine bread crumbs, then quickly fried. The result was a well-flavored, nicely cooked appetizer that, while satisfying, left me wishing the breading was just a wee more crisp.
(A quick sidebar: Whoever thought to add a softened pat of butter to the dish of salted olive oil that came with the bread, I want to give you a hug.)
According to the waitress (who deserves major kudos for putting up with and doing her best to answer all my questions), the two most popular items on the menu are the paella and the steak. Though tempted to buck the trend and order other items on the menu—the scallops sounded particularly good—the adjacent happy faces of steak and paella eaters convinced us otherwise.
As it turned out, they were popular for a reason. The Cuban-spiced steak was skillfully cooked (slight crust on the outside yet pink and tender throughout) and drizzled with a sauce made from Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, chili powder, jalapeño, salt, pepper, and something else that made it sort of white. The waitress was kind enough to ask the chef for me, and she even wrote the named ingredients down to share, but I suspect the chef didn’t want to spill all his beans. Not that I blame him (that was some outstanding stuff) but it still would have been nice to know. In retrospect, however, it’s probably best this way; had I the full recipe, I’d probably be trying to type this review while seated in a bathtub full of it.
With the steak came mashed new potatoes and grilled asparagus; both were good and well-prepared, but neither revolutionary.
I’m happy to say the paella I ordered was also very good, though I found its flavors to be a bit more homogeneous. Though the spice and texture of the bias-cut chorizo stood out well, the remaining ingredients seemed to gel a little bit more than I would have liked. It all tasted great, don’t get me wrong, but I think a hint of citrus (or perhaps something briny) would have helped liven things up. I did appreciate the abundance of lump crab meat, however, and I really enjoyed the nest of seaweed that ringed the plate. It didn’t have a remarkable flavor on its own, but the deep green color contrasted nicely with the rest of the ingredients, and it was fun to eat.
By the time we had finished our dinners, as well as a second glass of syrah for her and a glass of malbec for me, the speed of our service had slowed a bit. In our waitress’ defense, there was hardly an empty table in the two hours we spent there, and it was a Friday night. But honestly, I didn’t really mind at all. Between the cool ambient jazz, the subdued lights, and my beautiful date, there are far worse ways to spend a Friday evening, and, at least in Charlottesville, only a handful of better ones.
(Reviewer’s notes: We arrived just before 7:00pm without reservations, and left a few minutes before the live music began at 9:30. Our final bill, including 20% tip, was $75. The full menu is available online at www.belriocharlottesville.com.)
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John,
Thanks for the informative review. Bel Rio has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. The gracious attitude of the owners and staff, the interesting and varied menu, the well-prepared dishes, and the vibe that pervades that area all make for an enjoyable dining experience, in my opinion. The prices are also reasonable.
Thanks, Smiley. I appreciate your response. I’m also a big fan of the entire “downtown Belmont” area. It just feels, to me anyway, like a pretty cool place to be.
I’m also a big fan of the entire “downtown Belmont” area
Still, it needs more torches and open flame in general.
Perhaps cauldrons.
When I open Rancho Notso Grande to the general public, there will be lots of fire.
Agree. You’ll have to put The Local on your review list. Also good, imo. Haven’t tried Tavola yet.
Fear not, both The Local and Tavola are on the list.
You have to try the shaken martini at Tavola called the “Jett”, it’ll knock you out.
/too soon?
Thanks. I’ll make a note to try it.
Be fore warned, they make it with bathtub gin…
/you’re not getting it are you? damn. perhaps its just as well. I’ll crawl back in my hole.
OK, I get it now. Took me a minute. And yeah, probably a little soon. Maybe next month?
Yeah, it might be too soon. If he was an adult, maybe not, but with kids, it should be something like a year grace period.
Good call. So…anyone else like Bel Rio?
no, i don’t think anyone else likes bel rio.
Ian’s gf works there I think, so that’s why the publicity
Actually, no. My wife and I chose Bel Rio without any influence from Ian.
Good stalking Shenaners, but she hasn’t worked there in about 4+ months. Keep on trying darlin.
Actually, that would be bad stalking then. It’s like you’re partially retarded or something.
I wasn’t aware of the quality control for stalkers, perhaps you could elaborate? I figured any level of accuracy was a good start, but perhaps that doesn’t live up to industry standards.
Cant make jokes like that until you are OT3 or Xenu gets all Thetan-y. Shoulda gone with a base model Saturday Night Fever joke. Or maybe…
I am not one of The Experts, nor am I Perfect, but I have been know to be a bit of an Urban Cowboy in belmont. Its a Mad City. Once due to a Civil Action, brought upon by a Domestic Disturbance I had to take the General’s Daughter to Tavola. I heard it was quite the Phenomenon in the neighborhood. I wanted to go with Carrie, but the general would have taken my Face Off and hung it up at the top of Ladder 49, so I decided to Be Cool and not cause a big Blow Out. To my surprise, my Lucky Number’s came up and we were Two of a Kind! She’s so lovely when she wears Primary Colors, although truthfully I thought she wore a bit too much Hairspray. Still she had The Eyes of an Angel. Our waiter’s name was Michael, and he recommended the Swordfish, which I thought was presented beautifully, with The Thin Red Line of hot sauce across the top. Unfortunately it made my date Shout. Not being able to stand a little heat, truly The White Man’s Burden. She said the soup had a little too much Grease on the Wild Hogs leg she ordered, but Just said Look Who’s Talking! All that Hairspray you’re wearing! Dont Get Shorty with me, she replied. It was like Battlefield Earth all of a sudden! The food was delicious, but the company was a Bolt of unpleasantness. I guess we will not date again, but we decided just to take it Moment by Moment.
I cant wait to try that new restaurant called “Austin Powers in Goldmember” thats opening soon.
/better?
Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37B of the contract signed by Belmont Yo, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if — and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy:
“I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera… Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera… Memo bis punitor delicatum!”
It’s all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You wrote Hairspray twice! You tried to be funny, but failed and we had to waste time reading your response, so… You. Get. Nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!
I said good day!
…but he was twice as BIG in Hairspray. Duh. Hello? Fatsuit?
/ now off to sing “cheer up charlie”.
BYo, not too soon. Please take heart that the punny and uncomfortable brilliance is not missed by this cowboy. A shame that folk don’t seem to get the joke.
/It’s served on the corner of a glass table, everyone.
I think a local human thinks Im an idiot. Pity too. If he or she wanted to have a “number of loved ones that died in horrible ways in their lives so far” contest, well, I’ve never been to war or anything, but I bet I’d win. But who knows? I guess thats my way of saying, if I don’t laugh at the black, sad, uncomfortable shit, well, its time to put myself down for a dirt nap. I know, its not a method for everyone…
/wants to go drinking at tavola so I can ask the bartender “Hey, where’s the john?”
Actually, ‘local human’ was referring to Orchid’s post above: “no, i don’t think anyone else likes bel rio.”. However, they didn’t reply to it, as they are new here, and angry apparently…
Then i am an idiot, which i am pretty sure everyone has gathered by now.
Idiot
Speaking of Tavola. Ian, am I ever going to get the gift certificate I won? Pretty please?
Do you receive e-mail at the address listed in your user account? I’ve e-mailed you a few times with no response… If not, please shoot me a message to gossip @ cVillain . com, and I’ll reply with details. Sorry for the delay.