Little Star Fires up Delicious Food

Francesca Black, staff writer

In the ever-evolving Charlottesville food scene, creating a restaurant with a unique vision is rare. Little Star does just that.

This new gem on W. Main Street serves up Spanish and Mexican inspired dishes with bold direction.

At the center of the experience sits the wood fired grill. The grill smoke permeates many of the dishes which range from small
plates to a few entree size portions. These strong flavors, along with the beautiful tile and wood fixtures adorned with plants and flowers, create a feeling of home.

We started with the Jamón Ibérico ($16), a luscious cured ham that crowns the kitchen window, along with the lemony fried squid ($12) and escalivada ($10), a subtle dish of marinated vegetables. The beef tartar ($14) shone with grilled cactus and pillowy parmesan, dotted with mustard seeds and served with grilled bread.

A spicy finish came in the form of pork spare ribs ($16), smothered in a citrusy, chili pepper sauce that everyone at the table wanted more of.

Little Star also has an extensive, dynamic wine and cocktail list. I had a glass of La Cuadrilla ($14), one of the several wines offered by the glass, and it paired perfectly with the acidic, buzzing flavors. The service felt smooth and the staff were knowledgeable as well as personable.

Overall, with its play on subtlety and intensity, texture and acid, Little Star shines. Although pricey, this place is definitely an experience rather than just simply dinner. The restaurant is open at 5 p.m. everyday except Sunday.

This place is worth every penny.