Birch + Bloom — Restaurant in Charlottesville

Came into this place with high hopes, but I was not at all impressed. I dined solo, but wanted to get a feel for the menu, so I ordered quite a bit. To start, a wedge salad, followed by the bone-in ribeye, a side of whipped potatoes, and the $7 "bread service." I also bought a fairly pricey 2008 Bordeaux from the wine list. The wedge salad was one of the worst I've ever had: essentially just a huge plate of iceberg lettuce, with almost no dressing, no blue cheese, and maybe two or three small bits of bacon. I asked for more dressing (seriously, there was almost NONE on the salad) and was provided some. Still, just not good. Onto the main event. The first ribeye came out nearly well done. Waitress agreed, and she took it back. The second steak came out almost as poorly: it was charred black on the outside and about halfway into the meat, while completely raw and cold in the center. That is not medium-rare. A good sear should not permeate deep into the meat to the point that half of it is shoe leather and the other half is cold. I'm not sure if this was an anomaly, but it left the impression that whoever was manning the grill last night needs serious re-training. I can easily turn out a good ribeye at home, so when I'm paying $69 in a restaurant I expect it to be really damn good. This wasn't worth a fraction of what I paid. It was getting late and I was hungry, so rather than sending it back a second time, I just suffered through, unable to finish more than half. The potatoes were equally disappointing, lacking any flavor (could not taste the crème fraîche they advertise) and frankly seemed pre-made and warmed over. About the only thing that was half decent was the bread, though at $7 it better be. At least I was able to enjoy the bottle of wine. Awarding two stars only because the staff are attentive, friendly and helpful. Whatever fiasco was going on in the kitchen last night was not their fault. I could not be more disappointed. The worst $250 I've spent in a long time. Save your pocketbook the damage and go over to their pub and order a...

Our recent visit to Birch and Bloom was nothing short of a gastronomic delight. This new restaurant has elevated the local dining scene, offering a menu that showcases both traditional and innovative dishes, all with a touch of elegance and finesse.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, with tasteful décor that perfectly complemented the essence of the restaurant. The attentive staff, dressed in impeccably tailored uniforms, showed us to our cozy table in a prime spot that allowed us to appreciate the open kitchen concept.

Our culinary journey began with the clam chowder, which was a revelation. It was rich, velvety, and packed with succulent clams, and the chef's personal twist added a depth of flavor that we had not experienced before. The wedge salad was equally impressive, featuring a generous portion of crisp iceberg lettuce, crunchy bacon, tangy blue cheese crumbles, and a delightful house-made dressing.

As for the main course, the New York Strip was a masterpiece. Cooked to perfection, it was tender and juicy, with a beautiful caramelized crust that melted in our mouths. The accompanying sides of garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables were also cooked to perfection, providing a perfect balance to the dish.

The pièce de résistance of our evening, however, was the Orange Julius drink. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with a refreshing citrus burst and a delicate creaminess that left us craving more. This drink alone is worth the visit to Birch and Bloom.

Our experience at Birch and Bloom was exceptional, and we highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience. With top-notch food, exceptional service, and an enchanting atmosphere, it is a must-visit for food...

A night of ups and downs: We came 1 hour early and were greeted by Thomas. He was outstanding, start to finish. His attention to detail was outrageous and he cared for us throughout the night. We tried to grab a few drinks at the bar prior to our meal which was an awful experience. The bartender spoke to us maybe 2 times in the hour we sat at the bar, which was our only time ordering and our request for the check. Hoping to have a few drinks, we were limited to 1 drink during our time because we were simply not acknowledged. Sicily was the bartender and she was pretty dreadful. Singularly focused and inattentive. We got to our table and again, Thomas took care of us incredibly. Our server, who we have had at other restaurants, was awesome as usual. The food... was interesting. The soup and salad were very good as recommended by Thomas. The Rockfish is worth getting, as recommended by Thomas and our server. The bison ribeye was pretty awful, tough and overcooked. Thomas spoke with the manager who took very good care of the issue. The manager was amazing as well as the evening came to an end. The apple cobbler was delicious which again was recommended by Thomas and the manager. All in all, the steak was subpar but the other dishes were worth a try. The drinks at the table were very well managed as well. The service was so good I would 100% give them another shot. The staff we experienced aside from the bartender was amazing truly, but they are very clearly working out the kinks of a newer restaurant. The kitchen itself has a lot of work to do on their steaks. Certainly a space worth experiencing as the atmosphere is very nice, and the customer service is wonderful and...