Sampling of unsolicited reviews of The Bavarian Chef by diners:

A diner from richmond virginia and fredericksburg virginia gave an overall rating of on October 13, 2008
4 adults, 2 small children, no reservation. Our grandchildren were given toys, crayons, etc. to occupy them, which make the luncheon wonderful for all. The best waiter service in years, the food and desserts were outstanding, even the bread and herb butter was excellent.

A diner [4jphillips@comcast.net] from Spotsylvania, VA gave an overall rating of on September 13, 2008
After living in Bavaria for 2 years, I was having German food withdraw symptoms. The Bavarian Chef is the most authentic German food this side of the Atlantic. Portion size explains the price - nobody leaves without a doggiebag. Red-pepper soup is worth the trip alone.

A diner from Casanova, VA gave an overall rating of on February 17, 2008
This is one of our favorite places and we have never had a bad meal. The prices are excellent and the food is abundant. You can special order a Baked Alaskan when you make your reservations. It is spectacular and scrumptious.

A diner from Falls Church, VA said... on January 2, 2008
Our son and his fiancee took my wife and me to dinner for my birthday on December 8th; it was my fourth trip to the restaurant in 2007. This is one of the finest eating establishments on the east coast. Very fine food, wonderful delicious desserts. Warm, homey atmosphere with very good service. The food is indescribeably good, heavy Bavarian fare. The only distractor would be the closeness of the tables.

A diner from Spotsylvania, va gave an overall rating of on October 26, 2007
You have to experience this place to believe it.. The food is fantastic although pricey.

Maria P., Mount Rainier, MD; 02/29/2008

   If you love German food, make the trip to Bavarian Chef sometime. The atmosphere's not really my thing (wainscoting, frilly curtains, wallpaper, cheesy muzak) but it doesn't matter. My husband and I had a great experience here.

We started with REAL German beer on draft (available in 0.3L, 0.5L, and 1L, I think), and there was a substantial wine list, although I can't tell you anything about it because we skipped straight to the beer.

Our waiter was very professional and knowledgeable (we suspected he must be a "career waiter" and not someone waiting tables because they have nothing better to do). Great manners and very helpful, and he actually spoke German (he told us, auf deutsch, that his parents are German). We both speak German, too, so this was an extra thrill for us, but I was also just relieved that we were at an "ethnic" restaurant where the server can actually pronounce the names of the dishes.

The food was all very tasty and nicely done. The pork in the Zigeunerlendchen was from Virginia (big plus for local meat!) and none of the sides were lackluster. You do have to like German food to appreciate the dishes (sausage, schnitzel, spaetzle, sauerkraut!) and vegetarians probably won't be too happy here. Even the sauerkraut's got bacon in it. But for us it was a rare indulgence for our stomachs (and our wallet).

The restaurant also offers some non-German entrees, but I basically sat down and said "bring on the wurst!" so I'm afraid I have nothing to report. My mouth watered every time I overheard the waiter describing the poulet Wellington or mussels provencal to another table, for what it's worth.

All the desserts (made in-house from scratch) on the tray looked great, but we went with the creme brulee. What's not to like about creme brulee? The apple strudel also looked delicious. If we had wanted to be strict about keeping with the German theme, I'm sure that would have sufficed.

If you've got any reason to be driving between Charlottesville and DC, make some time to have dinner at Bavarian Chef (I think they're only open for dinner). Hopefully we'll be going back when we get the chance.