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Clifton Inn Reviews List
Clifton Inn
At Clifton, it's all about delicious discovery. Our culinary team offers guests the chance to taste the world with daily departures designed to thrill the palette and capture the imagination. The elegant atmosphere and attentive service at Clifton is perfect for transforming any occasion into a special one. Executive Chef Tucker Yoder regularly assembles tantalizing tasting menus that turn a meal at Clifton into a fine food lover’s dream. Clifton diners can also have front row seats for the culinary action at the Chef’s Table. Designed for groups of 6 to 10 people, the Chef’s Table puts you literally front and center, allowing you to watch the culinary team make their magic.
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37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(18)
4 stars
(9)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- romantic(23)
- fit for foodies(21)
- special occasion(21)
- notable wine list(13)
- scenic view(10)
- great for outdoor dining(9)
Clifton Inn Reviews List
Review 1 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great dining experience. Will go back every time we visit VA!"
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 2 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very 'old Charlottesville'
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I took my mom and wife here for Mother's Day, and we had a great time. Even though the atmosphere was formal, the scenery, decor and staff made it feel very relaxing and homey. We loved the fact that it is tucked away far enough from the city (about 15 mins), that the ambiance wasn't interupted by the sounds of the city. This combined with the historic feel of the property itself made the experience feel like we stepped back in time. The one negative was that the portions were a little on the small side; but the meals were really well prepared."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 3 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Mother'a Day brunch not the best
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I've been to Clifton Inn to stay and for dinner in the past and have been delighted. Unfortunately, the Mother's Day brunch experience fell short. Menu was not exciting, but rather was bland. Service was emotionless and hurried. I suggest they focus on pushing fewer people through in the future and focus their usual service and food preparation on a fewer number of guests. It felt like the staff was struggling to keep up with the number of tables and service was abrupt and without any charm. In the final analysis, I wouldn't do it again."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 4 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Timeless and Elegant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Tried the Clifton on a recent trip to Charlottesville with the family, the food was superb, the wine list was well curated, the service was on point but never intrusive and the old world charm of the property, which is a member of the Relais & Châteaux group makes this fit for special occasions, we would come here again."
Dined on 4/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Stayed here more for the history
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Stayed here more for the history of the Inn than the restaurant. Great service and beautiful setting. My wife thought her meal was "nothing special". Mine was better, although gnocchi is hard to score."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 6 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Beautiful, Pricey Place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is indeed a lovely place for dinner. The lighting, atmosphere and service are excellent. It's not fair to judge a restaurant on one dinner. We thought the food was good but not outstanding. When our fish arrived completely underdone, the server quickly whisked it away and replaced it with one done perfectly, plus gave us a free half-glass of wine as compensation. My potato gnocchi had pear slices, which were an odd flavor combo that I didn't really care for. Note that this is a prix fixe restaurant and if you want to order a la carte each item is $16, no matter what it is (entree, dessert etc. are all the same). The wine list is excellent."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 7 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Bar service delayed. Food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Bar service delayed. Food wonderful except the Rib Eye entree. Scallops outstanding! Red wine suggestion was refused twice before finding one we liked."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 8 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Bland and tasteless
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food lacks flavor. Inventive menu but most selections were bland.Monkfish was tough.All baked goods were terrific.wish I could say the same for the food."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2004
Special Features: romantic
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Review 9 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wine Dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We attended a special wine dinner at the Clifton Inn on March 19, 2013."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 10 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Disappointing
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our experience was mostly pleasant, except for the food. We were told by one server (there seemed to be two fighting over our table) that the foie was "fantastic!" and encouraged to choose it by another, but it was bland, didn't have enough accoutrements. One of each of our other courses was good; the other two were meh. We had looked forward to our meal after our last meal there two years ago was amazing. Now we're in no hurry to return."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2010
Special Features: romantic
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Review 11 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
If you can reserve a spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"If you can reserve a spot at the chef's table, I highly recommend! The chef and sous chef assemble your meals in front of you, and give details about the dish. And I would recommend the"
Dined on 03/04/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 12 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Beutiful setting. Had to wait
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Beutiful setting. Had to wait 45 minutes before first course. We had to ask for bread after 30 minutes though other tables had been served. Love small plate menu."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, scenic view
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Review 13 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
While we have eaten at Clifton
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"While we have eaten at Clifton for years including the chef table and wine cellar, I was most embarrassed to bring two new people, good friends from Waynesboro, on this night. It was packed, service good, but fish not cooked enough to eat and not worth even 50% off as each couple paid 160. wish it had been a different experience for sure."
Dined on 02/11/2013
2013
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Review 14 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
What was that on my Plate
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I thought that the overall service was good. The food however was too different for my tastes. I also did not know what I was eating because of the many ingredients on the plate. The servers were hard to understand because of their heavy accents."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2006
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Review 15 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Disappointing
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"First visit, and pretty disappointing. Most of the food was just okay. Risotto was very dry, gnocchi was plain and unseasoned, grouper was nothing special (Zocalo actually has better grouper), and sweetbreads were not uniformly cooked. The desert was excellent (chocolate cardamon pudding) but I've had much better in CVille (see Ten and their chocolate cake. Overall, this is the most expensive place I've eaten at by far in Charlottesville and it was nowhere near what I expected. Even the soda was flat. I'm glad I went during 50% off nights with a gift card, because I can get a much better meal for 1/3-1/2 the price at probably 5 other restaurants (Downtown Grille, Zinc, Hamilton's, Maya even, Tempo, Duners, etc.). Disappointing."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2011
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Review 16 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service and food take forever
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service and food take forever (4 courses takes 2 hours), but the food is almost always tasty!"
Dined on 01/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 17 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were there for our 19th
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were there for our 19th wedding anniversary and The Clifton Inn made our night very special. The food was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 18 for Clifton Inn
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Not as good as before
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"We went during a half off the price of dinner promotion. We've been before and had better food than this last visit. Everything just seemed muted and flavors didn't stand out throughout the meal like we were expecting. The cocktails were a bit lackluster. Still, the service and ambiance made for a nice time and the house desserts at the end of the meal finished things on a perfect note."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2005
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Clifton Inn
Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate