C&O

by Charlottesville29

C&O

515 Water Street East . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 971-7044
http://www.candorestaurant.com/

Why C&O?

Of all the things the late Dave Simpson could have done when it was time for him to sell the legendary C&O restaurant in 2013, somehow he chose the best. Simpson ran Charlottesville’s flagship restaurant for nearly three decades. And, to run it for the next several decades, he hand-picked Dean Maupin, a homegrown chef who first worked there as a line cook in 1995 before going on to run some of Charlottesville’s most elite kitchens, like Fossett’s and The Clifton Inn.

The stubborn old C&O was too set in its ways to allow Maupin any major changes. So, the rustic wood panels, low ceilings, dim lighting, and signature Pepsi sign out front all remain. So do many of the C&O’s signature dishes that have attracted regulars to the downtown mall for decades. With praise from Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, and more, the C&O was once called “the least prepossessing fine dining restaurant in America” by the Washington Post. Under Maupin, the C&O lives on as the heart of Charlottesville dining. No one has fully experienced Charlottesville until they have eaten there. The Charlottesville 29 would not be complete without it. 

What to Order

Although Maupin has tread carefully with a legend in his hands, he has his own vision. And so, he has allowed himself a few tweaks. Maupin’s menu is a blend of C&O classics and his own innovations, along with one of the best late night menus in town. Below is a list of our suggestions, Maupin’s favorites, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a C&O dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Manakintowne Farms Mesclun Salad
  • Veal Sweetbreads
  • Beef Sirloin Carpaccio
  • Honey-Thyme Glazed Duck Breast
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding

Chef’s Picks

  • Veal Sweetbreads
  • Beef Sirloin Carpaccio
  • Braised Retreat Farm Lamb with Ricotta Gnocchi
  • Oyster Stew
  • Torn Pasta with Duck Confit, Duck jus, Cracklins, Arugula, and Butternut Nage
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding
  • Warm Chocolate Tart

Five Finds on Friday Picks