Storied Mansion and Forthcoming Luxury Boutique Hotel Will Soon Debut The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion and a Resident Chef Program
Charlottesville, VA (February 19, 2026) – Birdwood Mansion, the storied 19th century estate that is currently being transformed into a luxury boutique seven-room hotel and events destination set to open this spring, is pleased to announce reservations for its forthcoming signature restaurant, The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion, are now available on Tock. The 42-seat restaurant will offer unique seasonal cuisine reflective of the iconic setting of Birdwood Mansion. Plus, Birdwood Mansion will launch a rotating Resident Chef Program beginning this spring.
Upon its debut, the restaurant will be open to hotel guests of both Birdwood Mansion and nearby Boar’s Head Resort, as well as local Charlottesville residents. Showcased through seasonal menus, the cuisine will be heavily inspired by the fresh ingredients and bountiful harvests of the surrounding Charlottesville region, all the while keeping a connection to the land and to the history of the Mansion. The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion will also feature bespoke Afternoon Tea service, weekend brunch and curated wine pairings highlighting regional Virginia vineyards alongside global selections.
"Our philosophy at Birdwood Mansion is rooted in the belief that while food is an experience, it is equally as important for it to be nourishing and sustainably conscious,” says General Manager of Birdwood Mansion, Gigi Vega. “We strive to create dishes that celebrate the vibrant flavors of local, seasonal ingredients, while keeping sustainability top of mind. Every plate at The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion should reflect the dedication behind it, and I am excited to work alongside a talented team to push boundaries and elevate the hotel’s dining experience."
Alongside the dining service, Birdwood Mansion will introduce a Resident Chef Program, an exciting initiative that will present the diverse culinary talents, flavors, techniques, and innovations of rotating visiting guest chefs from around the world. The curated lineup will feature world-class guest chefs—from Michelin-recognized veterans to emerging superstars—who will each craft one-of-a-kind dining experiences. The first guest chef will be French Chef Mathieu Chartron who will visit The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion from April 22-26 and April 29-May 2 and bring his celebrated take on classic French cuisine to Charlottesville. The son of renowned Chef Bruno Chartron, Chef Mathieu honed his craft at acclaimed kitchens including L'Auberge du Père Bise, Le Meurice and Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris, and most recently led his family’s Michelin-recognized restaurant and became chef-owner of Maison Gambert in Tain-l'Hermitage.
Additional guest chefs will be announced soon, and guests can expect the program to incorporate a teaching component where guest chefs will work with the hotel to develop hands-on culinary classes, workshops, and other events, as well as exclusive menus and pop-up dining experiences, including multi-course wine dinners to chef-led demos and interactive tastings.
Bookings for The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion are available here.
The restoration completion and launch of Birdwood Mansion is anticipated for Spring 2026. For more preliminary information, please visit www.birdwoodmansion.com.
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