This restaurant exceeded our expectations! Our daughter was doing a college visit at UVA and we decided to walk around a bit on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. Found this place along the way and decided to grab lunch. Hubby and I ordered the beet/arugula salad, the lamb merguez kale white bean soup, and the trout with green beans. This was more than enough for us to share. The salad was perfect for us - not heavily dressed, which allowed the goat cheese, oranges and beets to shine. The soup was fantastic - well proportioned with the right mix of kale, beans and sausage. I loved that the merguez sausage were meatball-like. The trout was fantastic - the skin was crisp and cooked perfectly (my favorite part), along with the green beans. The almonds, garlic and capers gave it the extra umph. My only critique is there was more butter than I prefer, but we were having lunch at a French restaurant. I cannot forget to mention the cocktails. Hubby's Mezcalita was delicious. My Spicy Compassion was perfect- not too spicy (if you like habaneros, you'll be fine. If you think black pepper is spicy, have a glass of milk ready) and passionfruit forward. If our daughter gets accepted to UVA, we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Natalie Shrock
Gorgeous food in a gorgeous setting. Our waiter, Brandon, was amazing—knowledgeable, made great suggestions, provided excellent service and was so friendly. Well worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Philip Freiseis
Delicious and delicate flavors.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Bradley Kimbrough
Loved this little restaurant! Coq-a-vin was solid, I was debating between that and the trout and would probably go with the trout if I were to do it again. The tartare was good. Drinks were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joan Switzer
Fabulous food. Staff was very warm and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Firezer Haregu
Best kept secret on the downtown mall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cat O.
Every dish was absolutely delicious. Straight forward food but prepared really well and very flavorful without being over powering. Service was lovely, atmosphere was cute and romantic, will 100% be coming back!!
Jojeth D.
We had a wonderful Valentine's date night at Peti Pois. They helped me surprise my fiancée with flowers I ordered and prepared it on our table before we arrive. All of the staff are easy to talk to and food never disappoints us. My fiancée loved the Lamb Pastilla and I enjoyed their hanger steak and Mussels. Peti pois is definitely a gem in Charlottesville.
Kiersten Durant
This is our go-to place for French food in Charlottesville. The food and service are both absolutely top-notch and we've never had a bad meal!! So glad this gem exists!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hanger Steak with Caramelized Onions Fries and Herb Butter
dave cole
Visiting the area for a Paramount Show, we took in our pre-show dinner. We had Trout Almandine & Crab Cake (over Corn Chowder) and both prepared very well. The Trout is served over blanched/pan sered Green Bean, unusual but delightful! The place is small, quaint, and can get noisy. Seating is crowded at a full house. Service was attentive (but a full house is treacherous for a hustling service staff!)
For how much the food cost versus, what I ended up getting, this place wasn’t worth the price. Overall the food tasted average.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Carolyn Gilliom
At this time of year there are no outside tables. Inside is small so a reservation is needed. The food was delicious and served promptly with good cheer and quickly answered questions.
Rodrigo Viana de Avila
Petit Pois is an absolute gem—a small, charming restaurant that effortlessly combines the coziness of a casual dinner spot with the finesse and taste of French cuisine. Its intimate setting sets the stage for a delightful dining experience. The menu reflects the mastery of French culinary artistry, offering dishes that are as tasteful as they are beautifully presented. Whether seeking a relaxed evening or a taste of refined French flavors, Petit Pois delivers both with finesse.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coq Au Vin with Potato Puree and Root Vegetables, Crispy Skin Trout with Green Beans Almonds and Brown Butter
Karine
Great food, we are french and eating at this restaurant we believed we were in France. Thanks, everything was perfect and delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque, Coq Au Vin with Potato Puree and Root Vegetables, Gianduja Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnuts and Creme Chantilly, French Onion Soup with Swiss
Peter Mackinnon
What a delightful little French restaurant, the service was exceptional and the ambiance and food was delicious! Would definitely recommend this restaurant. right downtown, it is close to everything.
This restaurant exceeded our expectations! Our daughter was doing a college visit at UVA and we decided to walk around a bit on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. Found this place along the way and decided to grab lunch. Hubby and I ordered the beet/arugula salad, the lamb merguez kale white bean soup, and the trout with green beans. This was more than enough for us to share. The salad was perfect for us - not heavily dressed, which allowed the goat cheese, oranges and beets to shine. The soup was fantastic - well proportioned with the right mix of kale, beans and sausage. I loved that the merguez sausage were meatball-like. The trout was fantastic - the skin was crisp and cooked perfectly (my favorite part), along with the green beans. The almonds, garlic and capers gave it the extra umph. My only critique is there was more butter than I prefer, but we were having lunch at a French restaurant. I cannot forget to mention the cocktails. Hubby's Mezcalita was delicious. My Spicy Compassion was perfect- not too spicy (if you like habaneros, you'll be fine. If you think black pepper is spicy, have a glass of milk ready) and passionfruit forward. If our daughter gets accepted to UVA, we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Gorgeous food in a gorgeous setting. Our waiter, Brandon, was amazing—knowledgeable, made great suggestions, provided excellent service and was so friendly. Well worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious and delicate flavors.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loved this little restaurant! Coq-a-vin was solid, I was debating between that and the trout and would probably go with the trout if I were to do it again. The tartare was good. Drinks were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Fabulous food. Staff was very warm and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best kept secret on the downtown mall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every dish was absolutely delicious. Straight forward food but prepared really well and very flavorful without being over powering. Service was lovely, atmosphere was cute and romantic, will 100% be coming back!!
We had a wonderful Valentine's date night at Peti Pois. They helped me surprise my fiancée with flowers I ordered and prepared it on our table before we arrive. All of the staff are easy to talk to and food never disappoints us. My fiancée loved the Lamb Pastilla and I enjoyed their hanger steak and Mussels. Peti pois is definitely a gem in Charlottesville.
This is our go-to place for French food in Charlottesville. The food and service are both absolutely top-notch and we've never had a bad meal!! So glad this gem exists!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hanger Steak with Caramelized Onions Fries and Herb Butter
Visiting the area for a Paramount Show, we took in our pre-show dinner. We had Trout Almandine & Crab Cake (over Corn Chowder) and both prepared very well. The Trout is served over blanched/pan sered Green Bean, unusual but delightful! The place is small, quaint, and can get noisy. Seating is crowded at a full house. Service was attentive (but a full house is treacherous for a hustling service staff!)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes
Restaurantji Recommends
For how much the food cost versus, what I ended up getting, this place wasn’t worth the price. Overall the food tasted average.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
At this time of year there are no outside tables. Inside is small so a reservation is needed. The food was delicious and served promptly with good cheer and quickly answered questions.
Petit Pois is an absolute gem—a small, charming restaurant that effortlessly combines the coziness of a casual dinner spot with the finesse and taste of French cuisine. Its intimate setting sets the stage for a delightful dining experience. The menu reflects the mastery of French culinary artistry, offering dishes that are as tasteful as they are beautifully presented. Whether seeking a relaxed evening or a taste of refined French flavors, Petit Pois delivers both with finesse.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coq Au Vin with Potato Puree and Root Vegetables, Crispy Skin Trout with Green Beans Almonds and Brown Butter
Great food, we are french and eating at this restaurant we believed we were in France. Thanks, everything was perfect and delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque, Coq Au Vin with Potato Puree and Root Vegetables, Gianduja Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnuts and Creme Chantilly, French Onion Soup with Swiss
What a delightful little French restaurant, the service was exceptional and the ambiance and food was delicious! Would definitely recommend this restaurant. right downtown, it is close to everything.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5