Simple dinners out in Charlottesville

Charlottesville has its fair share of super cheap eats and elegant restaurants. But sometimes we're left scratching our heads when we just want a simple, comfy supper out.

The essential ingredients: a waiter, freedom to linger as long as we like, tasty drinks, entrees under $20, no reservations required, locally owned.

My favorite regular spots have become ...

• Fellini's #9, an Italian restaurant on the downtown mall. The wait is never long; a pianist, band, or trio is almost always mid-set; and I adore the Bolognese pasta: "ground beef, red onion, carrots, garlic, wine, cream and crushed tomatoes served with tagliatelle pasta $13.95 or 1/2 order $7.95 (plenty for me!)
• Fry Spring's Station, a cozy pizzeria in a converted service station on JPA. The fire-roasted pizzas ($7.95-$10.95) are crispy and yummy; salads, pastas, paninis, and a slew of appetizers round out the menu. Plus, $8 martinis. They even have a deal on growlers, beer jugs they fill up and you take home.
  
• Monsoon's, a Thai restaurant off the downtown mall. After a few hits and misses, I've come to zone in on the Burmese Ginger Curry with the crunchy "tofuballs." ($10.95). (Admittedly, this is a carry-out affair for us, but at it looks cozy enough inside.)

And the latest to add to this category ...



Miyako is tucked away in York Place on the downtown mall. Go inside, past the $3 dumpling place and Cafe Cubano's terrific coffee, past the hot dog joint and random art galleries. Nestled in the back is an affordable sushi oasis.

Miyako features very fresh sushi. I ordered vegetable tempura (lightly fried veggies), which came with soup and salad for $11 or so. Next time, I'll go sushi. My sources tell me that the eel and the mackerel were particularly wonderful.

Miyako
York Place
112 W Main St
Charlottesville, VA