The Charlottesville 29

12o E. Main Street . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 295-6691
http://ten-sushi.com/

Why Ten?

Let’s face it. No one wants discount sushi. You want the freshest, best-sourced ingredients available. And, that’s just what you will find at Ten, the Japanese restaurant serving Charlottesville’s most luxurious sushi for more than a decade. For most of that span, the kitchen has been under the steady leadership of Pei Chang, who trained with the restaurant’s original chef, a Nobu protege. Key to great sushi is the quality of the vinegared rice, the years Chang spent perfecting the recipe for his shows.

Walk up the stairs to the restaurant’s location above the downtown mall, and you may feel as if you’ve been transported. The sleek, minimalist, modern space recalls Manhattan or Tokyo more than Charlottesville. And, the serene, soothing setting makes it a preferred antidote for life’s stresses. Charlottesville’s favorite place to escape belongs on The Charlottesville 29.

What to Order

If we’re feeling indulgent, we request “omakase.” Put yourself in the chefs’ hands, and let them send out whatever they’d like. We also enjoy daily specials, particularly on weekends, which allow Chang’s creativity to shine. Below are other recommendations, Chang’s suggestions, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a Ten dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

• Aburi Saba
• Rock Shrimp Tempura
• Avocado Tempura
• Oh Toro
• Sake Roll

Chef’s Picks

• Nigiri
• Specials

Five Finds on Friday Picks

• Oh Toro — Kelsey Naylor (formerly, Timbercreek Market); John Shanesy (formerly, Parallel 38)
• Oh Toro, Uni, and Ankimo Nigiri — Matt Beck (formerly, Oakhart Social)
• Ankimo — Eva Solano (formerly, Little Star)
• Chirashi and Hendricks Dirty Martini — Emily Pelton (Veritas Vineyards and Winery)
• Kampachi Sashimi — Kirsty Harmon (Blenheim Vineyards)
• Sake Roll — Loren Mendosa (formerly, Tavola)
• Wasabi Roll — Cheley Napoli (The Bebedero)
• Omakase — Alex Import (JM Stock Provisions); Kirk Smith (formerly, Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar); Jennifer Keevil (formerly, Brookville); Craig Hartman (The BBQ Exchange)
• Hamachi Collar — Mike Yager (formerly, Glass Haus Kitchen)
• Specials — Ian Boden (formerly, Glass Haus Kitchen)
• Avocado Tempura — Amalia Scatena (formerly, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards)
• Lobster Tempura — Rachel Pennington (The Pie Chest)
• Rock Shrimp Tempura — Michael Keaveny (Tavola)
• Karaage — Jon Bray (formerly, Champion Tap Room)
• “Coffee and Doughnuts”— Loren Mendosa (formerly, Tavola)
• Sake Garden Cocktail — Trish Clinton (formerly, The BBQ Exchange)