Tazza Kitchen

3332 Pump Road
716-6448
tazzakitchen.com

Second Place: Mekong

Third Place: Bar Louie

Let’s face it. The West End is chock-full of chain bars and restaurants that offer up an ordinary, dependable experience. But the character quotient is being upped because of folks like Tazza Kitchen. With indoor and outdoor seating, a wood-burning fireplace and top-notch service, Tazza makes you forget you’re a stone’s throw from a strip mall. The beer and wine list isn’t expansive, but it’s carefully curated with plenty of local options, and folks keep coming back for the splendid cocktails. The perfect-crust pizza and goat cheese appetizer are to die for should you be in the mood for a bite with your booze. Down the road, An Bui’s beer-lovers’ magnet continues to attract just about every national award for killer craft selection. It’s worth noting that the company and staff are just as varied and wonderful. Despite an onslaught of competition in the immediate area of Short Pump, Bar Louie seems to be hanging tough and still gets your seal of approval.