OT - Tips for trip to UVa
I started a similar topic for a trip to Duke's law school a few months ago, and I'm hoping for some similar feedback this time around.
I have a friend who is visiting Charlottesville this week to visit Virginia's law school, and we were wondering what some good places are to visit (for food, late-night entertainment, etc.).
Any tips and recommendations from people familiar with the area are greatly appreciated.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^
If you want something a bit nicer, I recommend The Hardware Store downtown. It's not a hardware store, it's a restaurant, and it's on the Downtown Mall.
The scene though, for the most part, is on the Corner, on University Avenue across from the Rotunda. Just head down that way and start walking around til you find something that looks promising. Food recommendations - the White Spot or Littlejohn's. White Spot is a greasy spoon with a capital G-R-E-A-S-Y and Gusburgers - fried egg on a burger. Littlejohn's is a deli with delicious sammiches that's open all night - they do their best business at 3 AM. Mellow Mushroom pizza is good too. As for bars, hell, pick one, you pretty much can't go wrong. The Biltmore is pretty popular.
If you like chain restaurants just drive up 29 and you'll find them all, the Ruby Tuesdays and Red Robins and whatnot. There's also a steak place called Aberdeen Barn which is good but pretty damn expensive. Or, if you want Chinese, go to the Panda Garden which is on 29 near the Law School.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:15 PM ^
Is Big Jim's off of 29 still in business? They made a great burger and fries at a phenomenal price. Just curious as my wife an I use to go there a while back.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:20 PM ^
It was when I was there last. I've never actually been, though. I hear some pretty good things about the place.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:45 PM ^
First of all, the people watching will floor you, picture MSU girls with UM brains. Also, if you have some time and a car, take the Skyline Drive or at least some of the Blue Ridge Parkway for some amazing scenic overviews. I agree with the basic reviews of the Corner and Downtown Mall, pretty easy to walk around and see what strikes you. If you're into caffeine, Para Coffee on Elliewood's great on the Corner and in addition to the cheap sandwiches at Littlejohn's, I'd add that Bodo's is a staple. If you have a chance to see an event at John Paul Jones Arena, it will amaze you. They did a great job with it. They're installing a spread offense here too, so next year could be rough.
I went to Michigan and teach at UVa now. If you loved Michigan, you'll love UVa too. I can't say enough great things about how great living in Charlottesville is. I had my air conditioning on the other day, it's the mildest climate on the east coast. It snows from time to time but never sticks.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:58 AM ^
It's funny you should call Bodo's a staple. It doesn't actually surprise me since it's in an absolutely prime location, but when I got there (2000) Bodo's was "Coming Soon!" and had been that way for quite a long time - somewhere north of five years. And it remained "Coming Soon!" for all my four years. I can't remember when it actually opened but naturally I was surprised to hear it. It was something of a school joke in that if you told someone you were going to do something "soon", "Bodo's-soon" might be referenced if they didn't believe you.
Nice to hear it's doing well. I would have hurt myself laughing if it had failed in a short time.
I second the people watching, by the way.
Question: I heard jaberwoke closed - again. Nothing can stay open in that building for some reason. What's there now?
February 27th, 2009 at 7:53 AM ^
I second that Skyline drive is worth the extra drive. Also, on the odd chance that you have a half-day to kill you should seriously head over to Smoke Hole West Virginia. It's not that far out of the way (relatively speaking), and the scenery is well worth the drive. Beautiful, river rapids, sheer rock cliffs, mountain views etc...
February 27th, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^
LAW SCHOOL
February 27th, 2009 at 1:58 PM ^
First off, it's a place for bagels. Second, the Bodo's on the Corner was the one "coming soon." The one just past Barracks Road Shopping Center was there all along (well, since I was there in the early 90s). Excellent bagels, but it was the caesar salad that won my heart.
I think we did one of these "where to go in Cville" threads in the fall -- http://mgoblog.com/content/ot-university-virginia-suggestions
Sausage and gravy biscuits for breakfast at the Tavern are not to be missed, IMO.