Lynchburg Living

Departments

By Heather King

The time is 7 o’clock. The brilliance of early fall’s sunlight is fading and the room is taking on dusk’s glow. There’s a buzz in the air, a sort of heady excitement that’s visible on the faces of everyone present. From the group of four well-dressed men seated at the center of the room, a shaggy sienna rug beneath their table, to a stylish couple indulging in a feast beside one of the many floor-to-ceiling windows, everyone looks happy to be there. The feeling is one of excitement, but also of anticipation. The words “City View” have been on people’s lips since they opened their doors for business in May. Those who haven’t had the City View experience want to have it. City View Sky Top Lounge is billing itself as Lynchburg’s premier upscale restaurant and lounge, offering patrons a big city experience at a small town price.

City View is the brainchild of principal owners Sharon and Greg Lester, who also own West Manor in Forest. With an incredible space on the 20^th floor of the Bank of the James building that was crying out for something innovative and unique, the Lesters had a desire to create something special. They contacted Chad Scott, former General Manager and Executive Chef of 202 Market restaurant in Roanoke. As a manager, Scott has a history of taking spaces and creating magic. The success of 202 Market is a testament to his ability to create a space people want to visit time and time again. As a chef, Scott got his start at Mac and Bob’s restaurant in Salem, where he worked for 8 years. From there, he fine-tuned his cooking skills by heading to culinary school in New York.

“I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and have achieved one of the highest ratings for cuisine in Southwest Virginia,” said Scott. “City View will continue that reputation in outstanding cuisine.”

After graduation, he worked as a chef in New York under the internationally renowned chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Eric Bedoucha, and in Atlanta under Guenter Seeger. So far, it appears that Scott’s experience is paying off for City View. With an upscale menu, stellar service and urban chic surroundings, City View’s unique offering in the Hill City–a careful mix of nightclub and restaurant–is quickly making it not just a place with a view, but the place with a view.

The Food

The food at City View is one of the major draws. The restaurant, open from 5 to 10 p.m., with a light menu available after 10, is distinctive. Serving mainly tapas, a type of small plate designed to be shared and enjoyed with others, the chef creates dishes that are unique to Lynchburg.

“City View’s main attraction is the cuisine; cuisine that is geared toward a very nice evening out without the stuffiness. A very modern, fun, approachable cuisine,” Scott explained.

Scott is the consulting chef at City View with Matt Adams taking on the role of Executive Chef. Adams studied under Scott while Scott was at 202 Market.

“I chose him to lead the kitchen at City View … he is a very talented young chef,” said Scott of Adams.

If the looks of pleasure on the faces of those at the restaurant are anything to go by, Scott has made a wise choice. The menu suggests patrons, “Order numerous small plates in rapid succession. We encourage this maneuver … and p.s. … it’s a lot more fun this way!” Given the tapas-style dishes and variety of offerings to choose from, this suggestion merits consideration. The white pizza bruschetta is an appealing small sized dish, as is the herb-manchego cheese stuffed piquillo peppers. The asiago artichoke dip is a decadent offering that features a creamy dip with crisp bread for dipping. A dish that should not be missed is the Quasi Wings. These “wings” are actually fried mushrooms tossed in buffalo wing sauce.

Guests can also indulge in a full entree at City View or even a burger and fries. Part of the fun of dining here is the experience of eating something new and unexpected, like a dish with thin slices of tuna, watermelon, fried cream cheese balls, Japanese fruit and pop rocks, for instance.

As for prices, a small plate at City View is $6 while a medium plate is $10. Big plates range from $12 to $26. Salads run between $6 and $10. Desserts are a flat $8, unless you want milk and cookies for $3.

Together, Scott and Adams have formed a dynamic duo of cuisine, creating dishes that are not only creative but addictive, which makes eating more of them an obvious choice. To enhance the dining experience, City View may soon add live music during dining hours. The idea is currently under consideration, and one that will likely draw more patrons.

“We may have some live music in conjunction with the restaurant,” Scott said.

The Atmosphere

Upon entering City View, the first thing that strikes most visitors is the panoramic views. The walls are made entirely of glass, which means no matter where you sit, you’ll have a view. These views range from the scenic vistas of downtown Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Candlers Mountain and places in between. From the 20^th floor of the Bank of the James building, the Expressway seems to disappear under a mass of trees and the James River looks more like a meandering stream.

The view inside isn’t too shabby either. Bright reds with white leather sofas and hardwood floors fill the space. The light fixtures above the bar are sleek, almost sexy. City View aims to make guests feel like they’ve entered a swanky Manhattan lounge or upscale restaurant in Philly.

“Sharon Lester designed the space,” said Scott, “and I designed the vibe and feel to match the decor.”

When the sun sets and the orange and yellow lights of the streets below look like distant tiny beacons, City View experiences a transformation. The colorful lighting inside creates a festive feel while the dark exterior marks the fact that it is night time; the time for listening to music and dancing. The transformation from upscale restaurant to hip lounge is gradual, but the vibe at City View undergoes a stark change. The largely professional dinner crowd begins to filter out around 10 p.m., while a younger, college-aged crowd lines up near the bank of elevators, waiting eagerly to get inside. Girls come donning their flashiest dresses, men enter in collared shirts (part of the dress code at City View) and nice slacks. Everyone is dressed to impress, ready to see and be seen.

The DJ arrives sometime after 9 p.m. and is setup and ready by 10. By this time, the crowd at the entrance comes in and there’s dance music streaming from the speakers; a few people are already on the dance floor. The few soon turns to many and within a short while, City View is packed full of people who have come to dance, mingle and enjoy one of the variety of drinks offered at the bar.

The music ranges from hits of the 80′s, techno and of course, contemporary Top 40, which includes pop, rock and hip hop. There’s a video screen on a wall of the dance floor, projecting videos of the music artists being played. The overall vibe is one of carefree fun, but even this is by design. And so is the dress code.

“The dress code is ‘nice casual,’” Scott said.

Those wearing baggy jeans, jeans with holes in them, shirts without collars (for the men), chains and hats will be turned away at the door. It could be said that the City View motto is, “If you want to party in style, you gotta dress in style!” People are regularly turned away, so call ahead to be sure you are properly attired.

City View

City View is not just a dinner lounge and nightclub; it also doubles as a space for wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions. Contact City View to find out what other occasions can be celebrated there.

“We have many special events already booked at City View,” Scott said. “We will be holding numerous charity events with Clear Channel, for example. Along with numerous special events, City View will and already has become a vital part of downtown Lynchburg’s social community.”

Downtown Lynchburg is in the midst of revival. It has become impossible to walk a downtown sidewalk without seeing advertisements for loft apartments available for rent, building restoration projects and a host of new places to eat. Revitalization has become a term that is synonymous with downtown Lynchburg, and City View Sky Top Lounge is part of what has become great about downtown. Just make sure that when you visit to dress the part.