Red Pump Kitchen is located in Charlottesville, VA on the downtown mall and they offer a 3 or 4-course menu that is seasonally driven and Italian-inspired with optional classic or elevated wine pairings. Eating seasonally is so important because this means we are getting the produce when it is the freshest and contains the highest level of nutrients.
For dinner, there are two options for each course to choose from. Together my friend and I chose both options so we could try everything! For the first course, I chose the Burrata Salad and then the Squid Ink Tagliatelle – both were divine. My main course was the Mediterranean Sea Bass, the fish was so fresh and full of flavor! For dessert, I had the Rosemary Olive Oil Cake, and wow, this was my first time trying an olive oil cake and it was amazing! I love the concept. Of course, you can make anything healthy by choosing particular ingredients.
I also recommend adding the wine pairing to your evening if you enjoy wine. The wines at Red Pump are incredibly divine. The bar manager Ani is quite the expert and has put together an elevated wine pairing. The Italian wines were my favorite, especially the Tascante from a vineyard at a base of a volcano which has a rich mineral finish.
This was such a fun dining experience, the service was incredible, especially our server Sarah Grace! If you are in Charlottesville I highly recommend checking out Red Pump Kitchen. Their Tuscan-inspired dining room is warm and cozy with just the right size space for more than just a dinner, they also host celebrations, rehearsal dinners, and corporate receptions. The cost for the two of us was $295 including taxes but not including tip, and well worth it for an amazing date or work meeting! The cost is less without the wine pairing but it is an incredibly worthwhile experience.
