Vivace
Vivace sits on historic Ivy Road in Charlottesville. This restaurant offers authentic, old-world Italian cuisine to diners in the area. This family-owned restaurant is operated in a 1940s residence that was once the main quarters on a peach orchard. Very little has been done to the interior, allowing it to retain its charm. The restaurant features a serpentine bar the twists and turns throughout the lounge area. Cream and crimson hues are featured throughout the restaurant and the walls are adorned with family photos adding to the homey feel of the restaurant. Diners can also take their meal on the seasonal patio, which allows for open-air dining. The menu consists of an extensive list of pasta and specialty entrees, including the popular vitello alla parmigiana and pasta pesto. A number of by-the-bottle or by the glass wines are available for customers' enjoyment. A full drink menu, including beers and cocktails, is available at the bar. Take-out is available. The restaurant offers a selection of pre-planned catering menus for both on-site and off-site catering. Complimentary WiFi Internet access is available in the restaurant lounge. Diners can visit Vivace from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Vivace
2244 Ivy Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 979-0994
Mona Lisa Pasta
Mona Lisa Pasta is a casual Italian option, which features an array of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and Italian baked goods. The restaurant features a comfortable loft feel with hard word floors and exposed ceiling beams. A large delicatessen-style baked goods counter invites patrons to peruse the array of baked delights. Tables at which diners can sample the freshly prepared Italian dishes are scattered around the dining area. A deep red accent wall and large print of Da'Vinci's famous Mona Lisa completes the space and adds pizzazz to the setting. The diverse menu features an array of dishes, including the popular tomato and artichoke pizza, Da Vinci sandwich and toasted almond crème cake. All of the restaurant's menu items can be ordered to-go and many are available frozen or uncooked allowing diners to fix taste Mona Lisa Pasta meals at home. On-site cooking classes are available for patrons who wish to learn classic Italian techniques that they can take home and delight their family. Mona Lisa Pasta is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Mona Lisa Pasta
931 Perston Ave.
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 295-2494
Tavola
The term tavola means "food table" in Italian. The aptly named Charlottesville restaurant offers simple Italian flavors that contain a minimal number of ingredients, allowing diners to experience the basic flavors of classic Italy. The family-owned restaurant, located in the Belmont district, offers diners a menu of antipasti, pasta, entree and dessert options. Popular favorites include bruschette, linguine alla carbonara and the decadent chestnut cheesecake dessert. The restaurant boasts chemical-free, farm raised proteins and organic vegetable components and even goes as far as to list the farms from which they receive their products on their menu. The restaurant sits along the Charlottesville city streets and features an inviting full brick front complete with large picture windows. The interior is spacious and neutrally decorated. Diners are encouraged to not only stop in and eat but also to grab a glass of wine and stay a while, socializing or just appreciating the beauty of the day. Diners are seated on a first come first served basis as the restaurant does not accept reservations. The hours are Tavola vary seasonally.
Tavola
826 Hinton Ave.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 972-9463
