First, the good things! The atmosphere was lovely and the service was excellent from both our server and the bartender. The cocktails were very good. Now the bad…Unfortunately, the food was unimpressive, not well seasoned, and honestly disappointing. In fairness, we expressed our dissatisfaction in the food and graciously, our bill was reduced. The issue is we were looking for an exceptional meal for a special occasion. After reading many reviews and looking forward to a great night out, it was disappointing. We won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Chloe Bruno
The Alley Light has been an absolute delight each time I have dined there. The atmosphere is dimly lit with light music in a smaller room giving off the feeling of having a private space. The bartenders are phenomenal and the dealer’s choice drinks are always perfectly on the nose without being overly expensive. The food is also amazing and comes out fairly quickly even while they were busy. The waiters are attentive and personable. All around highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebeckah Lynn
Anna banana was the most amazing server and the food was absolutely delicious!!!! Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Matt Morrill
Spent $400 for four people to leave hungry. The dealers choice cocktails were uncreative...a whiskey sour and a boulevardier? Really? The food we got was pretty good, not not amazing, but the portions were embarrassingly small.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Feodor Sakatch
Leaving a review so I don't forget to come back here again, next time we are in town. Creative and delicious menu, crafty cocktails and an NYC Speakeasy atmosphere - what more can you want? Try every single item on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tran Nguyen
Very good and reasonable (in terms of price). The service is top-notch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda B
It took us a little while to find this place in a little alley with no signage, but we'll worth the effort. Loved the speakeasy vibe. Service and food were excellent. Will definitely return when back in Charlottesville.
Didn't have food. Just drinks. But did the dealers choice and they were AWESOME!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Whisenhunt, PhD
What a great place! Yes it might be hard to find but that is part of the charm. I have eaten in restaurants with James Beard award winning chefs and multiple stars but this dinner went beyond my expectations. Yes you need reservations. Yes the place is full but I never felt rushed (like they were anxious to turn the table). What they did to a humble carrot dish left me wanting to be a vegetarian!!! However their beef tartare made be rejoice that I wasn’t!! Micha has to be a magical bartender, don’t hesitate to simply tell the waitstaff your flavor profile and left him work his magic. I must return to Cville if for no other reason than to enjoy another heavenly dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roy Gbiv
Food was good. Didn’t like the foie gras (it was mixed with veal into this…meatloaf-esque slice…not a fan. It’s a terrine style. Not for me). The bone marrow was the highlight. Very good. The beef tenderloin was not as good as the waiter made it sound. It was a nice two medallions of beef. Nothing to write home about. The leek…pâté thing that came with the beef was interesting. Like good interesting. The drinks were solid but I would hope so for $18 a drink. All in all a meh experience for a decently pricey place. I think this restaurant (supposedly a speak easy style?) is pretending to…aspiring to be more than it is. It’s a good restaurant. And I’d recommend trying them out if you have a couple hundred dollars to burn. But it’s not a MUST try.
Such a fun birthday dinner! Definitely a top 5 favorite! Sat in the “club” chairs near the window which was a nice setting! My drink the Wanda was wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eva Reynolds
I would come back to Charlottesville just to go here again! We stopped in for a nightcap, spent the whole night drooling over the specials menu on the wall, and made a reservation to come back for dinner the next day. Terrific cocktails, outstanding food, and impressive selection of dessert wines and digestifs.
One of the best meals I’ve ever had. The drinks were to die for. The experience was a 10/10 the entire way through. Our server Andrew was amazing and very personable. We will definitely be back!
First, the good things! The atmosphere was lovely and the service was excellent from both our server and the bartender. The cocktails were very good. Now the bad…Unfortunately, the food was unimpressive, not well seasoned, and honestly disappointing. In fairness, we expressed our dissatisfaction in the food and graciously, our bill was reduced. The issue is we were looking for an exceptional meal for a special occasion. After reading many reviews and looking forward to a great night out, it was disappointing. We won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
The Alley Light has been an absolute delight each time I have dined there. The atmosphere is dimly lit with light music in a smaller room giving off the feeling of having a private space. The bartenders are phenomenal and the dealer’s choice drinks are always perfectly on the nose without being overly expensive. The food is also amazing and comes out fairly quickly even while they were busy. The waiters are attentive and personable. All around highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna banana was the most amazing server and the food was absolutely delicious!!!! Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Spent $400 for four people to leave hungry. The dealers choice cocktails were uncreative...a whiskey sour and a boulevardier? Really? The food we got was pretty good, not not amazing, but the portions were embarrassingly small.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Leaving a review so I don't forget to come back here again, next time we are in town. Creative and delicious menu, crafty cocktails and an NYC Speakeasy atmosphere - what more can you want? Try every single item on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good and reasonable (in terms of price). The service is top-notch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It took us a little while to find this place in a little alley with no signage, but we'll worth the effort. Loved the speakeasy vibe. Service and food were excellent. Will definitely return when back in Charlottesville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: X Seared Scallops Celery Root Sauternes Raisin Marcona Almond Prosciutto, Soup
Didn't have food. Just drinks. But did the dealers choice and they were AWESOME!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great place! Yes it might be hard to find but that is part of the charm. I have eaten in restaurants with James Beard award winning chefs and multiple stars but this dinner went beyond my expectations. Yes you need reservations. Yes the place is full but I never felt rushed (like they were anxious to turn the table). What they did to a humble carrot dish left me wanting to be a vegetarian!!! However their beef tartare made be rejoice that I wasn’t!! Micha has to be a magical bartender, don’t hesitate to simply tell the waitstaff your flavor profile and left him work his magic. I must return to Cville if for no other reason than to enjoy another heavenly dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good. Didn’t like the foie gras (it was mixed with veal into this…meatloaf-esque slice…not a fan. It’s a terrine style. Not for me). The bone marrow was the highlight. Very good. The beef tenderloin was not as good as the waiter made it sound. It was a nice two medallions of beef. Nothing to write home about. The leek…pâté thing that came with the beef was interesting. Like good interesting. The drinks were solid but I would hope so for $18 a drink. All in all a meh experience for a decently pricey place. I think this restaurant (supposedly a speak easy style?) is pretending to…aspiring to be more than it is. It’s a good restaurant. And I’d recommend trying them out if you have a couple hundred dollars to burn. But it’s not a MUST try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing food and cocktails! Definitely a must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Tartare
Such a fun birthday dinner! Definitely a top 5 favorite! Sat in the “club” chairs near the window which was a nice setting! My drink the Wanda was wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I would come back to Charlottesville just to go here again! We stopped in for a nightcap, spent the whole night drooling over the specials menu on the wall, and made a reservation to come back for dinner the next day. Terrific cocktails, outstanding food, and impressive selection of dessert wines and digestifs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rabbit Liver&Foielies Mousse Pistachi Toast Points 9, Beef Tartare
Our favorite restaurant in Charlottesville!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best meals I’ve ever had. The drinks were to die for. The experience was a 10/10 the entire way through. Our server Andrew was amazing and very personable. We will definitely be back!