8 out of Ten

Ten

I want to start off by stating my hesitance in writing this review, because the food was good. Like, really good. And it's so easy to get bogged down in nit-picky details that a reader would read this and say "oh I'm not going there!" And I don't want that to happen.

So let me preface this with a recommendation in favor of Ten. It's a great restaurant, with a wonderfully trendy atmosphere, and is definitely an "occasion" place. Go to treat yourself.

Ten, meaning Heaven, is located closer to the sky than anything else on the downtown mall - situated above the Blue Light Grill (review at a later date?). Charlottesville has finally entered the arena of celebritylite chefs with Chef Bryan Emperor (a pretty damn imposing name), who comes from New York restaurant Nobu. It's a big name to live up to, and Emperor is unquestionably influenced by his mentor's style - a blend of Japanese traditional and modern flavors. The menu has a few appetizers, a few tempura, and some entrees including such 'traditional' hits as lamb chops, chilean bass, etc. So if your really going for Japanese dishes (as I was), stick to the Kushiyaki. Especially if you're looking for the cheaper meal option, this is your best bet. A list of around 8 different skewers give a nice variety, and each has a unique, distinct flavor.

But Ten is a sushi place! Shouldn't you go for the fish? To be honest, I had only a few pieces and while they were delicious, they were 1) nothing to write (blog) about and 2) outrageously priced. Some even had what I could only describe as dandilion greens (although I'm sure they weren't) that had a bitter bite to them. I've been assured this is fairly traditional, but not with so much that it overpowers the fish itself.
And what about the omakase? It is a substantial amount of fish for the price, but nearly everyone in our party that ordered it went for Christians Pizza afterwards.

The end result is that the cost of food at Ten is so outrageously prohibitive, it quickly becomes a wonderful place for appetizers.

-M.