Comments on: The Local

By: killerorchid

killerorchid — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:50:11 +0000

i thought the local improved, slightly, in its first year. however, i haven't been since june 28, & i don't feel the need to return. i like the tamarind sauce, but they always overcook the steak drastically. last time i went, the brownie was rock-hard. seriously, i gnawed on it for two hours. and the menu is basically meh. once there was a special that sounded amazing but they were out of it by the time the waitress placed our order.

By: kcb

kcb — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:35:01 +0000

Actually, my food experience has been the opposite. Initial minor disappointment, but the last two times there (most recently about 4 months ago), the food was amazing, especially the romesco sauce and the braised beef.

By: misterdonalddraper

misterdonalddraper — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:12:09 +0000

The Local has always been a place I want so badly to like. Though every time I eat there I am underwhelmed by their food. They particularly seem to have a habit of caking salt on everything I order. The place looks amazing and the staff is always friendly though they do seem to embrace the laid back vibe a bit too much. More times than not I have had to wait a comical amount of time to get a drink, a refill, the food, and the check. My last visit they did a much better job in the service department, though my steak still seemed to have a extra pound of salt. I will continue to try the place every now and then in hopes it starts to put out a consistent good product, though my expectations are low. It seems to be par for the course in Belmont(Mas excluded). La Taza(or whatever it is called now) and Bel Rio seem to fall under the same category of places I really want to like and that have great atmospheres but a poor product and border line lazy service. Maybe this new year will bring about some new experiences on the bright side in Belmont dining. I hope so.

By: R. Cooper

R. Cooper — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:48:39 +0000

That's interesting. I went a couple weeks ago, had the carbonara, and found it to be fantastic. I wonder if they're just inconsistent, or if they've got two chefs back there with different quality standards. Ah, well.

By: UVAgrad

UVAgrad — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:50:47 +0000

I'm with you a hundred percent. When it first opened I went and immediately declared it my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I've returned a few times, each equally disappointing. The first time I ate there I had the Spaghetti Carbonara and it was delicious, but I wouldn't be surprised if it has gone downhill like the rest of the food I've eaten there lately.