It started many moons ago, when Ventana was just a cozy little bar, with the seafoam margarita. As a devoted margarita supporter, I fell a little in love. Who knows what crazy sorcery or scientific prowess happens to mimic delicate ocean bubbles in delicious and alcoholic form, but I was sold. Add in the shockingly spicy jalapeño and cool cucumber margaritas and Ventana became one of our favorite bars in town.
When we heard the news that Ventana was expanding beyond its primary bar identity to full-fledged restaurant with a larger French-influenced Mexican menu, we were excited but apprehensive. Sometimes fusion just becomes funny, and we wondered how the cozy but swank vibe would translate into a bigger space. No need to wonder anymore: it’s awesome on every front, and Ventana has segued from one of our favorite bars to one of our favorite restaurants in town.
First, the lovely redesigned space, which has floor-to-ceiling retractable windows looking out onto Water Street for an open air experience in nicer weather. The original bar space sits apart from the main seating area and now includes a genius double-sided bar that is ideal for groups. There’s also a cozy couch nook and great mood lighting throughout the restaurant. Too few restaurants in Charlottesville really understand the value of great lighting, and Ventana does it masterfully.
Now on to the food. This is one of the most ambitious menus in town and it consistently delivers. The Hamachi Ceviche comes with grapefruit, pink peppercorns, and habanero whipped cream. The Tuna Taco is served up with wasabi sour cream and daikon radish salsa; instead of being wrapped in a standard tortilla, it’s artfully balanced on a crispy red chip that looks more like a Beetlejuice sculpture than taco vehicle.
The menu is full of interesting flavor combos that work well together. Our lobster and chipotle bisque was sinfully rich, the ceviche is my favorite in town, and oh, the Bacon Wrapped Lamb. I’m not usually a huge lamb fan but this was cooked to perfection and served with avocado sauce and crispy salsify (I don’t know what salsify is but I like it). It’s now one of my favorite dishes in Charlottesville. The only miss for us was the Lobster and Chorizo burrito, which was too heavy on the chorizo and too light on sauce, but everything else was excellent.
Jed says: “Only some kind of mad genius could succeed in making a place simultaneously so comfortable and so chic, with chips and guacamole right at home next to bacon-wrapped lamb, cheap beer next to watermelon sea foam margaritas. A new genre of Charlottesville restaurant, and more than anything, delicious.”
Rating: Erin: 
Jed:
Pros: Excellent inventive food, good ambience for groups or special dates, great bar and drink menu.
Cons: Pricey.
Price: Apps $7-15, Main dishes $11-28.
Parking: The usual limited downtown options.
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#1 by misterdonalddraper on October 12th, 2009
Well, well, well…ol Ventana eh. I have to say that you guys are right on with your review of this restaurant though there are a couple points I would like to emphasize. I think the place looks amazing and for the tequila enthusiast out there the wall of tequila is a beautiful sight, pretty much porno for the tequila drinker. I also found that they did an amazing design job with such things as the two sided bar and the ability to open the windows. The food I have had has all been delicious and the drink menu offers are a creativity and, to quote the fine makers of bud light, a drinkability that can not be matched anywhere else in town. With all of that said though I think you really need to emphasize your one con, the price. Every time I hear someone give me their review of the place it is similar to your write up except it ends with the emphasis on how the place is too pricey. I have talked to so many people, including myself, that would love to make Ventana a frequent visit but due to the cost and the readily available competition's cost it most likely will not happen. This town has so many good restaurants for its size and so many delicious watering holes it is hard to want to spend the premium price you find at Ventana particularly for the portion size. If I am to pay $7-$14 for a margarita I pretty much anticipate it coming in a pint glass, perhaps that is the alcoholic in me speaking…or perhaps it is a visual mind trick with their glasses…or perhaps the fact there is no ice means there is the same amount of alcohol…who knows, all I know is that each time that small glass hits my hand I scoff and just think about taking it down in one delicious gulp and realize that before I have a buzz I will have a three digit bill. A friend and I stopped in there recently and he had a small plate of food, we each had one drink, and we each had one shot…with tip the bill was almost $100. There is no question that everything was delicious and of high quality, however to basically have a small amount of food and neither person walking away with anything close to a buzz for a $100 and then remember you are in Charlottesville seems silly. Until that trust fund kicks in, the lottery comes through, I forget you have to pay credit cards back, or perhaps I find a benefactor I will sadly not be able to make Ventana a frequent visit. Though the times I do go I will undoubtedly enjoy the taste and quality of the food and drinks.
#2 by misterdonalddraper on October 12th, 2009
Well, well, well…ol Ventana eh. I have to say that you guys are right on with your review of this restaurant though there are a couple points I would like to emphasize. I think the place looks amazing and for the tequila enthusiast out there the wall of tequila is a beautiful sight, pretty much porno for the tequila drinker. I also found that they did an amazing design job with such things as the two sided bar and the ability to open the windows. The food I have had has all been delicious and the drink menu offers are a creativity and, to quote the fine makers of bud light, a drinkability that can not be matched anywhere else in town. With all of that said though I think you really need to emphasize your one con, the price. Every time I hear someone give me their review of the place it is similar to your write up except it ends with the emphasis on how the place is too pricey. I have talked to so many people, including myself, that would love to make Ventana a frequent visit but due to the cost and the readily available competition's cost it most likely will not happen. This town has so many good restaurants for its size and so many delicious watering holes it is hard to want to spend the premium price you find at Ventana particularly for the portion size. If I am to pay $7-$14 for a margarita I pretty much anticipate it coming in a pint glass, perhaps that is the alcoholic in me speaking…or perhaps it is a visual mind trick with their glasses…or perhaps the fact there is no ice means there is the same amount of alcohol…who knows, all I know is that each time that small glass hits my hand I scoff and just think about taking it down in one delicious gulp and realize that before I have a buzz I will have a three digit bill. A friend and I stopped in there recently and he had a small plate of food, we each had one drink, and we each had one shot…with tip the bill was almost $100. There is no question that everything was delicious and of high quality, however to basically have a small amount of food and neither person walking away with anything close to a buzz for a $100 and then remember you are in Charlottesville seems silly. Until that trust fund kicks in, the lottery comes through, I forget you have to pay credit cards back, or perhaps I find a benefactor I will sadly not be able to make Ventana a frequent visit. Though the times I do go I will undoubtedly enjoy the taste and quality of the food and drinks.
#3 by misterdonalddraper on October 12th, 2009
Well, well, well…ol Ventana eh. I have to say that you guys are right on with your review of this restaurant though there are a couple points I would like to emphasize. I think the place looks amazing and for the tequila enthusiast out there the wall of tequila is a beautiful sight, pretty much porno for the tequila drinker. I also found that they did an amazing design job with such things as the two sided bar and the ability to open the windows. The food I have had has all been delicious and the drink menu offers are a creativity and, to quote the fine makers of bud light, a drinkability that can not be matched anywhere else in town. With all of that said though I think you really need to emphasize your one con, the price. Every time I hear someone give me their review of the place it is similar to your write up except it ends with the emphasis on how the place is too pricey. I have talked to so many people, including myself, that would love to make Ventana a frequent visit but due to the cost and the readily available competition's cost it most likely will not happen. This town has so many good restaurants for its size and so many delicious watering holes it is hard to want to spend the premium price you find at Ventana particularly for the portion size. If I am to pay $7-$14 for a margarita I pretty much anticipate it coming in a pint glass, perhaps that is the alcoholic in me speaking…or perhaps it is a visual mind trick with their glasses…or perhaps the fact there is no ice means there is the same amount of alcohol…who knows, all I know is that each time that small glass hits my hand I scoff and just think about taking it down in one delicious gulp and realize that before I have a buzz I will have a three digit bill. A friend and I stopped in there recently and he had a small plate of food, we each had one drink, and we each had one shot…with tip the bill was almost $100. There is no question that everything was delicious and of high quality, however to basically have a small amount of food and neither person walking away with anything close to a buzz for a $100 and then remember you are in Charlottesville seems silly. Until that trust fund kicks in, the lottery comes through, I forget you have to pay credit cards back, or perhaps I find a benefactor I will sadly not be able to make Ventana a frequent visit. Though the times I do go I will undoubtedly enjoy the taste and quality of the food and drinks.
#4 by Chip on April 28th, 2010
Plates too small and prices too large.