Restaurant Review: The Brick Oven in Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia is known locally for having some of the best restaurants in the area. A large population with excellent culinary tastes has created a thriving industry both in chains and locally owned restaurants for all tastes and price ranges. The Brick Oven, located in an uptown shopping center, is one option for discerning palates, and serves wonderful Italian food every night of the week.

The Brick Oven is so named because the restaurant has a wood fired brick oven on the premises which they use to cook pizzas and calzones. Due perhaps in part to this specialized method of cooking, their pizza is known as some of the best pizza available in Charlottesville. The Helen of Troy, an amazing creation with a pesto sauce, heaped with artichoke hearts, garlic, spinach, tomatoes, as well as feta cheese is just one incredible option among many creative combinations.

If you're in search of something lighter, the Brick Oven has an extensive salad bar which is heaped with antipasti, delicious soups, and numerous pastas and vegetable salads as well as fresh bread. Perfect for a lunch date or business meeting, the salad bar offers a surprising number of healthy, well rounded options for a well balanced meal.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, no visit to the Brick Oven would be complete without a slice of their decadent peanut butter pie. At approximately four inches high with a thick graham cracker crust and drenched in chocolate, it's absolutely worth every calorie. It's also perfect for sharing with a loved one, should you feel that you've already overindulged in delicious pizza. You can also select a wide variety of delicious wine and coffee options to enjoy after a full meal.

The service at the Brick Oven is wonderful, and the restaurant prides itself on its family friendly atmosphere. Due to the quick yet laid back service, there is rarely a wait beyond twenty minutes, even on the busiest of nights.