Clifton Inn Reborn
One of Charlottesville’s most acclaimed fine dining destinations is loosening its tie. The restaurant that Craig and Donna Hartman launched in 1992 went on to become not just a breeding ground for many of Charlottesville’s best chefs but also one of our town’s go-to spots for a special occasion meal. With some recent changes, though, Clifton Inn hopes to to be considered for a bite any night of the week.
After closing briefly in January for renovations, Clifton has reopened with an updated look and a new approach. Former Tavola chef Aris Cuadra now heads the kitchen and has introduced a menu of food he hopes guests will find more accessible. There’s pimento cheese with house crackers; bistro fries; caramelized onion soup with oxtail and Beufort; and, a Mediterranean riff on Shrimp n Grits, with lamb sausage, goat cheese, and mint oil. Don’t worry, though, there’s still sticky toffee pudding. Check out the full menu here.
“Our approach is to make Clifton Inn a little more approachable, less of a special occasion restaurant, more of place where people will come out a few times a month as opposed to a couple of times a year,” says Cuadra. “The food is non-intimidating . . . but still maintaining the reputation of quality and locally sourced ingredients Clifton is know for.”
If you want to see for yourself, now’s a good time because through the end of March there is a “Four for Two” promotion. Sunday through Thursday, groups of four receive 50% off their meal.
Local beets with chevre, grapefruit, pistachio, and endive
Slow roasted grouper with Peruvian potato and oxtail, truffle jus, onion ring
Bistro fries with black garlic aioli
