I have been to Charlottesville several times for graduations. Because all the nicer accommodations were taken, we stayed at a Marriott Courtyard which worked out fine. But if I had had a choice, I would have preferred to get more local color at one of the country inns or B&Bs - http://www.cvilledowntown.org/lodging.html

As for restaurants, I still have a matchbook from Bizou. Basic American food - steaks, seafood, burgers, chops. Hard to displease a 7 year old or her parents with that menu. I only save matchbooks from places I like, so it must have been a good meal! Here is a link to a review of Bizou in the University of Virginia paper - http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVarticle.asp?ID=6792&Date=12/1/00

If you have time, try to take a walking tour of the UVa campus. In addition to Monticello, it is a spectacular legacy of a true renaissance man and one of our greatest Americans, Thomas Jefferson.

Regards, Mark Los Angeles