Charlottesville: L'etoile (May 2011)

My spouse and I ate dinner at L’Etoile over the Memorial Day weekend in late May 2011. It was a pleasant walk here from our hotel, the Omni (which is located on the pedestrian mall). There is indoor seating on the second story, and some limited seating on the first floor in the bar area. Additionally, there is outdoor seating on a porch that overlooks the railroad tracks. Because it was warm on the night that we dined, we chose to eat inside, and we were encouraged to sit in the bar/dining area because of a private party going on upstairs. The seating worked out fine for us; the atmosphere was quite relaxed. Service was not stellar - missing silverware, incorrect beverages delivered, odd mannerisms - but we still enjoyed our meal here. The food was delicious - particularly my shrimp and grits as a first course - and we would willingly return.