The Jervey Restaurant Review
To earn the masthead title I negotiated last semester, I promised Nicky I would write at least one (1) restaurant review this year. Fortunately for me, a new restaurant has opened up in Charlottesville, giving me an easy opportunity to check that box and get out of writing any more articles as a 3L.
Before I begin, I must put my biases on the table: the restaurant I am reviewing is managed and partially owned by my former Virginian boss and close friend. I was the first customer at its opening (you can find a video of me as the only/first customer sitting alone at the bar on their Instagram, accompanied by comments telling me to “get friends”), and have been looking forward to this restaurant for months. To be even more honest, I will admit that it’d be unlikely that I would ever write a negative review of his restaurant, no matter the quality. Thankfully, however, unethical journalism is unneeded because The Jervey is, in the words of Charlottesville29, “flawless.”
Located in Belmont, directly across the street from Mas Tapas, the Jervey’s ambience might be described as understated elegance. When you walk in, it feels like a restaurant that would belong in NYC or DC just as much as Charlottesville. Y0u could show up in a suit or jeans and feel equally as comfortable. The decor is gorgeous and reflects that welcoming, versatile vibe: modern chandeliers hang over an elegant dining room that still feels cozy. It’s a beautiful space—a completely renovated former garage with a massive bar, comfortable high-top and dining tables, and a yet-to-be-used but promising patio. Perhaps my favorite feature of the restaurant is the large three pieces of “artwork” hanging above the bar, which all turn out to be TVs with deliberately-picked screensavers, promising to be the perfect spot to watch the big game.
Now for the most important part: the food. Readers who have had the opportunity to eat at Belle or Ciaccia will be happy to know that the menu here was designed in large part by the Shanesy brothers, the culinary masterminds behind the aforementioned restaurants. Truly, everything on the menu is reflective of the care and expertise they put into their food. If splurging, you cannot go wrong with any of the steaks. They’re all superb. My personal favorite, the Rib Cap, is perfectly marbled and has incredible flavor. All the steaks here are dry-aged, so they are all rich, slightly funky, and perfectly seared, just like what you’d expect from a big city steakhouse. In the words of Kirk Wolff when he took his first bite of the Rib Cap, “this blows Black Cow out of the water”—and we both love Black Cow. On a budget, their sandwiches are similarly fantastic. The burger just might be my favorite in Charlottesville, and the “545,” their take on the roast beef sandwich, feels both decadent and like the ultimate comfort food. All of the sides and appetizers feel deliberate, and I have yet to order one that isn’t fantastic. If creamed spinach is your classic steakhouse pairing, the “spinach toaster strudel” with truffle butter is the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to the meal. The drink menu is very well done, with both fun takes on classics (such as their martini selection), and exciting originals as well. Though I know far less about wine than cocktails, I have been told by the former Virginia Law Wine Society President that their menu includes some hard-to-find bottles. The red we split was great.
What was most surprising, I believe, about the restaurant is that despite just opening, the service feels like a well-oiled machine. You can see the passion and excitement in all the staff, and it reverberates throughout the whole restaurant. As anyone who has worked in restaurants knows, this is no easy feat, let alone for a (now) near-fully booked restaurant two weeks away from opening.
If you’ve read this far, you’ve only heard positive things about the Jervey. Given my disclaimer, I’d be remiss to believe you haven’t read my praise with some degree of skepticism. So, as I’ve said to all of my friends who shared that sentiment, I encourage you to see for yourself! Just like the friends who have already heeded my recommendation can attest, I truly believe you will not be disappointed. Just make sure to give their GM my best if you do.
