The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?
Featured

A Culture of Takeout: Charlottesville Restaurant Dining at Home

Lampopie

Charlottesville’s restaurants are a big part of what makes it special. To help them survive the grave threat that COVID-19 poses to their businesses, our restaurants invite Charlottesville to embrace a culture of takeout. For people practicing social distancing, restaurants can bring a little brightness into lives of seclusion: restaurant dining at home. As often as you can, why not make a habit of treating yourself? It’s a delicious way to help save our restaurants.

Meanwhile, buy gift cards, too. Restaurants need you. And, you need them.

This list will be updated by the minute with changes and additions. Send updates or additions to charlottesville29@gmail.com. Tip generously!

Restaurants of The Charlottesville 29

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue

8am – 3pm. Call (434) 202-1403. Menu.

Al Carbon

Takeout and delivery only. 11pm – 9pm. Order online or call (434) 202-2609. Menu.

Beer Run

Curbside pick-up and on-premises dining. Family-style meals, too. Tues-Wed, 12pm – 7pm; Thu-Sat, 11 am – 8 pm; Sun, 11am – 6 pm.  Order online, call (434) 984-2337, or email info@beerrun.com. Menu.

Bizou

Takeout, plus on-premises dining at The Lot. 4pm – 9 pm. Order online.

Bodo’s

Drive-thru only. Credit card only (Visa, MC, Discovery). Menu.

C&O

Curbside pick-up. Wednesday – Saturday, 5-7 pm. Order by email at dean@candorestaurant.com or call (434) 249-4040. Place orders by 7 pm. Menus.

Fleurie

Takeout and patio dining. Pickup: 4-6pm. Check the website for dates. Order via email anytime at fleuriecville@gmail.com or call (434) 234-7394 between 11am – 4pm. Menu.

Ivy Inn

Curbside pick-up and on-premises dining. Wednesday-Saturday. New menus each weekend. Pre-order by email at ivyinn@ivyinnrestaurant.com to reserve half hour time slot. Menus posted weekly.

Lampo

Curbside pick-up only. Order online. Wait in your car to be texted when your order is ready. Menu.

Little Star

Takeout and on-premises dining. Thu – Sun, 4:30 – 8:30pm. Order online.

MarieBette

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Order online or call (434) 529-6118. Menu.

MAS

Takeout and patio dining. Tue-Sat, 3pm-8:30pm. Order online or call (434) 979-0990. Upon arrival, stay in the car and call for instructions. Menu.

Maya

Curbside pick-up and on-premises dining. 12-8 pm. Call (434) 979-6292. All tips go directly to staff wages. Menu.

Milan

Takeout only. Call (434) 984-2828. Menu.

Oakhart Social

Takeout only. Thu-Sun, 4:30 – 8:30pm. Order online.

Pad Thai

Takeout only. Call (434) 293-4302. Menu.

Peter Chang

Call (434) 244-9818. Menu.

Petit Pois

Patio pick-up only. $29 three course meal. 12pm – 6 pm. Call (434) 979-7647. Orders of 4 or more, discounted to $25 each. Menu changes weekly. Sign up for email newsletter for menu.

Public Fish & Oyster

Takeout and on-premises dining. Tue-Sun, 4-9pm. Call (434) 995-5542. Menu.

Revolutionary Soup

Takeout and delivery only. 10am – 3pm. Extra large soups available to stock fridge or freezer. Order online or call (434) 296-7687. Menu.

Sultan Kebab

Takeout and delivery only. 12pm – 8 pm. Call (434) 981-0090. Menu.

Tavola

Curbside pick-up only. Beach Week menu of seafood, corn on the cob, and beachy cocktails. Order online.

TEN Sushi

Takeout only of food, beer, and wine. Tue-Sat, 4pm-8pm. Order online or call (434) 295-6691. Menu.

Zocalo

Takeout and patio dining. 4-8pm. Meals for Four for under $50. Order online. To pick up, call (434) 977-4944 from Zocalo’s reserved spots across from the library on Market St. Menu. 

More Restaurants

Aberdeen Barn

Takeout only. 4:30 – 8pm. Call (434) 296-4630 or email angela@aberdeenbarn.com. Menu.

Afghan Kabob House

Takeout and delivery only. 11am – 9:45 pm. Call (434) 245-0095. Menu.

Albemarle Baking Company

Curbside pick-up. Mon-Sat, 8am – 5pm, Sunday 8am – 3pm. Order online or call (434) 293-6456. Menu.

Asian Express

Takeout and delivery. Order online or call (434) 979-1888. Menu.

Baggby’s

Takeout only. Mon-Thu, 11am – 5 pm; Fri, 11am – 4pm. Order online or call (434) 984-1862. Menu.

Bang!

Takeout only. 5 – 8pm. Order online. Menu.

Bashir’s

Call (434) 923-0927. Menu.

Basil

Takeout only. Tue-Sun, 11am – 8pm. Order online or call (434) 202-7594. Menu.

Batesville Market

Takeout only of carry out deli items, dinner items, packaged goods, beer and wine. Fri-Sat, 11am – 6pm; Sun, 11am – 4 pm. Order online. Plus, a weekly online farmer’s market, with pick-up each Wednesday.

Bavarian Chef

Curbside takeout only. Restaurant and food truck menu items. Call (540) 948-6505. Menus.

BBQ Exchange

Takeout and curbside pickup. 11am-7pm. Order online or call (540) 832-0227. Menu.

Belle

Curbside, contactless pick-up. Breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Fri-Sun 9am – 2pm; Pop-ups Fri and Sat, 4-7pm. Call (434) 328-8755. Menu.

Belmont Pizza and Pub

Takeout and delivery. Order online or call (434) 977-1970. Menu.

Blue Moon Diner

Curbside pick-up only. Wed-Fri, 2 – 7pm; Sat-Sun, 11am – 4pm. Order online or call (434) 980-6666. Menu.

Brazos

Takeout only. 11am – 7 pm. Order online.

Breadworks Bakery & Deli

Curbside pick-up (credit card only). Order online or call (434) 296-4663. Menu.

Brown’s

Call (434) 295-4911. Menu.

Carpe Donut

Curbside takeout only. Mon-Fri, 8am – 1pm. Call (434) 806-6202, or just honk the horn.

Champion Brewing Company

Takeout only. Food, beer, and wine. 5 – 8pm. Order online. Drop down to Retail menu for drinks.

Champion Grill

Takeout and delivery. 11am – 9pm. Order online.

Chimm

Takeout only. Call (434) 288-1120. Menu.

Citizen Bowl

Takeout and delivery food, beer, and wine. 11am-3pm. Call (434) 234-3662. Menu. 

College Inn

Takeout and delivery. Order online or call (434) 977-2710. Menu.

Common House

Open to all. Curbside pickup of meals, beer, and wine. Order online or call (434) 566-0192. Menu.

Conmole

Curbside pick-up only. Tues-Sat 10:30am–1pm, 4:30pm-9:30pm. Order online or call (434) 328-2519.

Croby’s

Curbside pick-up. Wed-Sat, 11am-7pm; Sat-Sun, 9am – 2 pm. Order online or call (434) 234-2089. Menu.

Crozet Pizza

Curbside pick-up. Wed-Fri, 3-9pm; Sat-Sun, 12pm-9pm. Call (434) 823-2132. Menu.

Crozet Pizza Charlottsville

Curbside pickup and delivery. Call (434) 202-0592. Menu.

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie

Takeout only. Call (434) 245-0000. Daily “Take and Bake” family style meals, pay what you can, with all proceeds to staff. Menu.

Druknya House

Takeout only. Tuesday-Friday: 11-2:30 for lunch, 5-9:30 pm for dinner. Sat-Sun: 12-2:30, 5–9:30 pm. Call (434) 995-5539. Menu.

El Puerto

Takeout only. 11am – 8pm. Order online or call (434) 872-9488. Menu.

Fabio’s

Curbside pick-up only. Mon-Thu, 11am – 6:45pm; Fri-Sat, 11am – 7:45pm. Order online or call (434) 212-1377. Menu.

Feast!

Takeout, curbside pick-up, and personal grocery shopping delivery. Mon-Fri, 10am – 3:30pm. Order online or call (434) 244-7800.

Fellini’s

Takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery within five miles. Tuesday – Saturday, 4-8pm. Call (434) 284-7676. Menu. 

Firefly

Takeout beer, wine, and pantry supplies. 11am – 1pm. Order online.

Fox’s Cafe

Takeout only. Mon-Sat 6:30am – 2:30pm. Call (434) 293-2844. Menu.

Great Harvest

Curbside-pickup and USPS delivery. Order online or call (434) 202-7813. Limited quantities/varieties baked fresh daily.

Greenberry’s Coffee Co.

Takeout food and coffee. Download the app to order online or call (434) 984-0200. Menu.

Guajiros

Takeout and delivery only. Mon-Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm. Order online or call (434) 465-2108. Menu.

Himalayan Fusion

Takeout only. Tue-Sun 12-7pm. Order online or call (434) 293-3210.

HotCakes

Takeout, delivery, and curbside pick-up of food, beer, and wine. Call (434) 295-6037. Menu.

Iron Paffles

Takeout only, with table-side, contactless pick-up. Order online or call (434) 806-3800. Menu.

Junction

Curbside pickup or delivery from The Local. 4 – 9pm. “Ten for Ten” comfort food meals. $10 per meal, inclusive of tax and delivery. All proceeds to staff. Order online. Menu.

Kanak

Takeout. Order online or call (434) 328-2775. Menu.

Kardinal Hall

Curbside pick-up only of food, beer, wine, and cocktails. Tue-Sat, 12pm – 7pm. Order online.

Lemongrass

Takeout only. Tue-Fri, 11am – 7 pm; Sat, 12pm – 7pm. Order online or call (434) 244-8424. Menu.

L’Etoile Catering

Takeout only. First come, first served of soups and take-and-bake meals. Menus updated on Facebook.

Luce

Curbside pick-up only. 4 pm – 7 pm. Order online, choose your pick-up time, and await your order in the Luce lot.

Mahana Fresh

Takeout. Order online or call (434) 284-5846. Menu.

Mangione’s on Main

Takeout only. Mon-Wed, 4-8pm; Thu-Sun, 12pm – 8pm. Call (434) 327-4833. Menu.

Marco & Luca (Seminole Square location)

Takeout only. Mon-Sat, 10:30am – 7pm. Call (434) 227-6690. Menu.

Maru

Takeout and delivery only. Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 8:30 pm; Sat, 11:30 am – 9 pm; Sun, 11:30 am – 8 pm. Order online or call (434) 956-4110. Menu.

Mel’s Cafe

Call (434) 971-8819. Menu.

Mellow Mushroom

Curbside pick-up and delivery only. 11am – 8pm. Order online or call (434) 972-9366. Menu.

Mi Casita

Takeout and delivery only. Tue-Sun, 9am – 7pm. Call (434) 984-1551. Menu.

Michael’s Bistro

Curbside pick-up only. Mon-Sat, 12pm – 6 pm. Order online.

Michie Tavern

Curbside pick-up only. 11am – 5 pm. Free delivery for orders over $50. Call (434) 977-1234. Menu.

Mochiko

Takeout, curbside, pick-up and delivery only. Order online or call (434) 284-5165. Menu.

Modern Nosh

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Tue-Sat, 11am – 3 pm. Order online or call (434) 202-8098. Menu.

Moe’s Originial BBQ:  Ivy Road and Water Street

Takeout, curbside pickup, and boxed and catered meals. Call (434) 244-7427 (Ivy Road) or (434) 202-2288 (Water Street).

Mona Lisa Pasta

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Order by email at monalisacville@gmail.com or call (434) 295-2494. Menus.

Monsoon Siam

Takeout and delivery. Mon-Thurs 12pm – 2:30pm, 5pm – 8:30pm; Fri 11am – 2:30pm, 5 – 9pm; Sat-Sun 12 – 2:30pm, 5 – 9pm. Order online or call (434) 971-1515. Menu.

Monsoon Siam Togogo

Takeout only. Mon – Fri, 11am – 2 pm; Mon – Sun, 4:30pm – 8:30pm. Order online or call (434) 284-7117. Menu.

Now & Zen

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. 5-9pm. Call (434) 971-1177. Menu.

Oakhurst Inn Cafe

Takeout, delivery, and patio seating. Thu-Sun, 8am – 1pm. Order online or call (434) 872-0100 x 2. Menu.

Orzo

Curbside pick-up and delivery of food and retail wine. Call (434) 975-6796. Menu.

Pearl Island

Mon-Fri 11am – 8 pm. Saturday 10am – 4pm. Also available for “micro-catering.” Call or text (434) 305-4238. Menu.

Petit Mariebette

Takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery only. 8am-2pm. Order online or call. Menu.

Pippin Hill

Hillside pick-up only of wine, cheese plates, and sliders party packs. Order online.

Poke Sushi Bowl

Takeout only. Order online or call (434) 328-8833 (The Corner) or (434) 284-5466 (Barracks). Menu.

Pronto!

Takeout only. Order online. Free meals for all school children. Menu.

Quality Pie

Curbside pick-up only. Order online or call (434) 284-5120. Menu.

Random Row Brewing

Curbside pick-up only of beer. 4 – 8 pm. Order online.

Red Pump Kitchen

Curbside pick-up. Patio dining. Wed – Sun, 4 – 8 pm. Order online.

Riverbirch

Curbside pick-up. Mon-Thu 12pm – 7pm, Friday 12pm – 8pm, Saturday 3 – 8pm. Order online or call (434) 465-2421. Menu.

Riverside Lunch

Takeout only. 9 am – 5 pm. Call (434) 971-3546. Menu.

Roots

Takeout only. Order with the App or call (434) 529-6229. Menu.

Royalty Eats

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Order online or call (434) 923-3287. Menu. 

Sabor Latino

Takeout only. 8am – 9pm. Call (434) 205-4622. Menu.

Sticks

Takeout only. Order online: Preston — Pantops.

Super Amanacer

Takeout and delivery.  Order online or call (434) 295-9671. Menu.

Szechuan Restaurant

Curbside pick-up only. Order online or call (434) 296-9090. Menu.

Tara Thai

Takeout and delivery. Order online or call (434) 984-9998. Menu.

Taste of India

Takeout and delivery. Order online or call (434) 984-9944. Menu.

Thai 99 II

Curbside pick-up and delivery only. 11:30 am – 9:30 pm. Closed Tuesdays. Order online or call (434) 964-1212. Menu.

Thai Cuisine & Noodle House

Curbside pick-up and delivery only. Order online and then call (434) 974-1326 to have food brought to your car. For delivery, $25 minimum or $5 fee if under. Call for availability. Menu. 

Thai Fresh

Takeout only.  11am – 8:30pm. Order online or call (434) 249-5291. Menu.

The Bebedero

Takeout and delivery only. Family meals available. 11am – 7pm. Call (434) 234-3762. Menu.

The Catering Outfit: TCO2GO

Drive-thru meals. Mon-Sun, 12-8pm. Menu changes daily. Look for the big white tent at 221 Carlton Road. Menu.

The Fitzroy

Sunday meals for pick-up or delivery within 20 miles of Charlottesville. Place orders by 5 pm Saturday for pick-up or delivery Sunday. Meals change weekly. Order online.

The Local

Curbside pickup or delivery, in tandem with Junction. 4 – 9pm. “Ten for Ten” comfort food meals. $10 per meal, inclusive of tax and delivery. All proceeds to staff. Order online. Menu.

The Mill Room

Takeout and nearby delivery. 4 – 7pm. Menus.

The Pie Chest

Takeout and curbside pick-up. Mon – Sat, 9am – 4pm. For curbside pick-up, call (434) 977-0443. Menu.

The Shebeen

Curbside pick-up, 10am – 7pm. Discounted regular menu. Call (434) 296-3185. Regular Menu. Plus, Family Meal Menu.

The Southern Crescent

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Wed-Sun, 12pm – 8pm. Call (434) 284-5101. Menu.

The Villa Diner

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. 8am – 3pm. Call (434) 296-9977. Menu.

The Whiskey Jar

Takeout and delivery only. Family meals available. 11am – 7pm. Call (434) 202-1549. Menu.

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery

Curbside pick-up and delivery of food, beer, and wine. Sun-Thurs, 12-8pm; Fri-Sat, 12-9pm. Order online or call (434) 956-3141. Menu.

Thyme & Co. 

Takeout only. 11am – 3pm. Call (434) 282-2436. Menu.

Tilman’s

Takeout, curbside pick-up, and “picnic-style” patio dining. 12 – 6pm, Fri-Mon. Order online.

Timberwood Grill

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. Order online or call (434) 975-3311. Menu.

Tip Top

Takeout and curbside pick-up only. 8am – 8pm, Mon-Sat. Call (434) 244-3424. Menu.

Vita Nova

Takeout. Order online or call (434) 977-0162. Menu.

Vivace

Takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery within two miles. Patio seating. 5-9pm. Order online or call (434) 979-0994. Leave a message with name, phone number and desired pick up time. Menu.

Vu Noodles

Takeout only. Tue – Sat, 11am – 7pm. Order online or call (434) 465-1267. Menu.

Wayside Chicken

Takeout window only. Mon – Sat, 11am – 7pm. Call (434) 977-5000. Menu.

Al Carbon Rotisserie Chicken, Charlottesville, VA 10/05/2015

Chicken from Al Carbon. Photo by Tom McGovern

pork steak

Grilled Pork Steak, Oakhart Social.

1 Comment
Featured

Charlottesville Restaurants: Here’s How You Can Help Save Them

sultan_kebab_0030-X2

Photo by Tom McGovern

Charlottesville restaurants are in peril. They need your help.

In the food industry, margins are so tight that most restaurants cannot surive any sustained sharp drop in business. The devastating effects of COVID-19 upon restaurant business will be unprecedented. Fortunately, to compensate for those effects, some Charlottesville landlords and suppliers are showing flexibility on payment deadlines, in an effort to help restaurants somehow stay afloat. But, it is not enough. Restaurants cannot survive without your help.

While Charlottesville Restaurants are implementing precautions against the spread of COVID-19 and encourage diners to keep visiting, fears suppress business.

You can help restaurants survive this crisis. How? By purchasing gift cards. Buy as many you can for as many restaurants as you can. For regular favorites that you plan to visit anyway, this will literally cost you no money. You are merely paying now for a check you would have to pay later anyway. So, for example, buy a $500 gift certificate now, and then use it all year long. Without needed cash flow, your favorites might not still be around.

The Gift Card Program: Take a few minutes to help save our restaurants. Find gift card links to restaurants of The Charlottesville 29 here. And, below is gift card purchase information for a broader group of restaurants.

 

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue GIFT CARD: (434) 202-1403
Al Carbon GIFT CARD
Albemarle Baking Company GIFT CARD
Angelic’s Kitchen GIFT CARD
The Alley Light GIFT CARD: (434) 296-5003
Bang! GIFT CARD
Bashir’s GIFT CARD: (434) 923-0927
Bavarian Chef GIFT CARD 
BBQ Exchange GIFT CARD: (540) 832-0227
Beer Run GIFT CARD: (434) 984-2337
Belle GIFT CARD: (434) 996-4919
Bizou GIFT CARD
Bluegrass Grill & Bakery GIFT CARD: (434) 295-9700
Blue Moon Diner GIFT CARD: 980-6666
Bodo’s GIFT CARD
Boylan Heights GIFT CARD
Brasserie Saison GIFT CARD: (434) 202-7027
Brazos Tacos GIFT CARD
C&O GIFT CARD
Champion Brewing Company GIFT CARD: (434) 295-2739
Champion Grill GIFT CARD (434) 202-1076 
Chimm GIFT CARD: (434) 288-1120
Citizen Burger Bar GIFT CARD: (434) 979-9944
Commonwealth GIFT CARD: (434) 202-7728
Conmole GIFT CARD: (434) 328-2519
Continental Divide GIFT CARD: (434) 984-0143
Corner Juice GIFT CARD
Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie GIFT CARD: (434) 245-0000
Druknya House GIFT CARD: (434) 995-5539
Duner’s GIFT CARD
Feast! GIFT CARD
Fellini’s GIFT CARD (434) 284-7676
Firefly GIFT CARD
Fleurie GIFT CARD
Fry’s Spring Station GIFT CARD
Great Harvest GIFT CARD: (434) 202-7813
Guajiros GIFT CARD (434) 465-2108
Hamiltons’ GIFT CARD
HotCakes GIFT CARD (434) 295-6037
Junction GIFT CARD: (434) 465-6131
Kardinal Hall GIFT CARD: (434) 295-4255
Kama GIFT CARD: (434) 529-3015
Iron Paffles & Coffee GIFT CARD: (434) 806-3800
Ivy Inn Restaurant GIFT CARD: (434) 977-1222 or (434) 466-9222 ivyinn@ivyinnrestaurant.com
Ivy Provisions GIFT CARD
Lampo GIFT CARD: lampo@lampopizza.com
Little Star GIFT CARD: (434) 252-2502
MarieBette Cafe and Bakery GIFT CARD: (434) 529-6118
Mangione’s on Main GIFT CARD: (434) 327-4833
Mas GIFT CARD: (434) 979-0990
Maru GIFT CARD: (434) 956-4110
Maya GIFT CARD
Michael’s Bistro GIFT CARD: (434) 977-3697
Milan GIFT CARD: (434) 984-2828
Miller’s Downtown GIFT CARD
Mochiko GIFT CARD
Modern Nosh GIFT Card: (434) 202-8098
Monsoon Siam GIFT CARD: (434) 971-1515
North American Sake Brewery GIFT CARD: (434) 767-8105
Now & Zen GIFT CARD: (434) 971-1177
Oakhart Social GIFT CARD: (434) 995-5449
Orzo GIFT CARD: (434) 975-6796
Pad Thai GIFT CARD: (434) 293-4032
Paradox Pastry GIFT CARD
Pearl Island Catering GIFT CARD
Peter Chang’s China Grill GIFT CARD: (434) 244-9818
Peloton Station GIFT CARD
Petite MarieBette GIFT CARD (434) 284-8903
Petit Pois GIFT CARD
Pippin Hill GIFT CARD
Prime 109 GIFT CARD: (434) 422-5094
Public Fish & Oyster GIFT CARD: (434) 995-5542
Quality Pie GIFT CARD: (434) 284-5120
Red Pump Kitchen GIFT CARD
Renewal GIFT CARD
Revolutionary Soup GIFT CARD: (434) 296-7687
Roots GIFT CARD (434) 529-6229
Royalty Eats GIFT CARD: (434) 923-3287
Sal’s Caffe Italia GIFT CARD: (434) 295-8484
Smoked Kitchen and Tap GIFT CARD: (434) 205-4881
Shadwell’s GIFT CARD
Sticks GIFT CARD
Sultan Kebab GIFT CARD: (434) 981-0090
Szechuan GIFT CARD: (434) 296-9090
Tavern & Grocery GIFT CARD: (434) 293-7403
Tavola GIFT CARD
Ten GIFT CARD: (434) 295-6691
Thai Cuisine & Noodle House GIFT CARD: (434) 974-1326
The Bebedero GIFT CARD: (434) 234-3763
The Fitzroy GIFT CARD
The Local GIFT CARD (434) 984-9749
The Shebeen GIFT CARD (434) 296-3185
The Whiskey Jar GIFT CARD: (434) 202-1549
Three Notch’d Brewing GIFT CARD
Tilman’s GIFT CARD: info@tilmanscheeseandwine.com 
Timberwood Grill GIFT CARD: (434) 975-3311
Timberwood Tap House GIFT CARD: (434) 234-3563
Vita Nova GIFT CARD: (434) 977-0162
Vivace GIFT CARD: (434) 979-0994
Wild Wing Cafe GIFT CARD: (434) 979-9464 
Zocalo GIFT CARD

07/03/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Ludi Avagyan

citizens

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Ludi Avagyan of Double H Farm. As the United States celebrates its freedom this week, Ludi and her parents became citizens. When the Avagyans arrived from Armenia sixteen years ago, Ludi spoke no English. She went on to finish near the top of her class in high school and now attends the University of Virginia. Ludi credits her perseverance to the example of her parents, who arrived with almost nothing and now own one of the most beloved farms in our food community. Read the story of the Avagyans’ amazing path to citizenship. Ludi’s picks: 

1) Lemon Meringue Pie from Albemarle Baking Company. “You can’t beat this perfect combination of sweet and tarty goodness. The lemony flavor is just right with a hint of sweet meringue on top. It’s the perfect treat.”

2) Iced Vanilla Latte from Petite MarieBette. “Every time I’m downtown, I find myself grabbing a latte from MarieBette. It might just be my favorite iced vanilla latte in town, and that’s saying a lot because lattes are my choice of drink at any coffee shop. I usually grab a plain baguette on my way out too.”

3) Don Juan Pizza at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “They have the best pies, a must try for all pizza lovers. Topped with oven roasted tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, and three varieties of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, and feta) this makes for the perfect pizza. I also love to add pepperonis for an extra kick of flavor.”

4) Kale and Walnut Salad from Greenwood Gourmet Grocery. “A great vegetarian option and a healthy treat. This refreshing kale salad also includes strong flavors of dried cranberries, feta, with walnut balsamic vinaigrette.”

5) Local Chicken Salad Sandwich Melt from Feast!. “I love a good chicken salad, and Feast! has perfected it with gouda cheese and crunchy romaine lettuce on ciabatta bread I’d suggest adding bacon on top and grabbing a fruit salad as a side.”

06/30/2020

Dream Realized: Double H Farm’s Avagyan Family Become American Citizens

citizens

” . . . I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

With these words, today Ara and Gayane Avagyan became citizens of the United States of America.

Like many Americans by Choice, the Avagyan’s path to citizenship was arduous, and far from certain. A native of Armenia, Ara first came to the U.S. in 2000 through a student exchange program, to work at a Wingina farm owner by Richard Bean and Jean Rinaldi, called Double H Farm. After a five month internship, Ara returned to Armenia, where the following year he received an offer to become Agricultural Manager of Double H Farm. Though 9/11 delayed immigration approvals, in 2004 Ara finally received his visa. He, Gayane, and their children Samson (10) and Ludi (6) were leaving the only home they knew.

On September 28, 2004, the Avagyans arrived in America. “It was a great opportunity for us as a family to work and learn in America,” said Gayane. “We wanted better opportunities for ourselves and our children that we couldn’t have in Armenia.”

Samson, Ludi, Gayane, and Ara Avagyan, arriving in America, 2004

onfarm

The Avagyans at Double H Farm, 2004

They began their new lives living in a small cottage on Double H Farm, with little to their name. Drawing on a degree in agricultural management, Ara worked to develop the farm’s produce under Bean, a tireless advocate of local and organic food. It was hard work, but rewarding, and Ara found that he and Gayane had a knack for it.

As humble farmers, it is not the Avagyans’ nature to boast about their work. But, Ludi beams with the pride of a daughter. “They do back breaking work,” said Ludi.
“They don’t have a 9-5 job, they have a 6am – 10pm job, sometimes until 12 am.” Bean was so impressed by the Avagyans’ work ethic and aptitude that he wanted them to continue the farm’s legacy after he was gone. Before succumbing to cancer in 2013, Bean entered into a lease-to-own agreement with the Avagyans, which eventually allowed them to take ownership of the farm.  “I don’t think they ever imagined they’d own the farm and run such a thriving business,” said Ludi. “Their hard work and persistence led them here.”

Today, the farm’s products are renowned – Berkshire pigs, free range eggs, and organic vegetables, among others. Restaurant menu items like the Ivy Inn’s Double H Farm Crispy Pork Belly proudly display the name of Double H Farm, which savvy diners have come to recognize as a stamp of quality.  “Ara and Gayane are the embodiment of the American Dream,” said the Ivy Inn’s Angelo Vangelopoulos, “and the best example I know in our local farming community.”

Red Tape

Not long ago, the Avagyans worried whether they would be able to remain in the U.S. at all. The H1B visa under which Ara first came to the U.S. allows foreign nationals to work in the country for no more than three years. Ara renewed his visa in 2007, but federal law generally prohibits more than one renewal.

And so, when Ara’s second visa expired in 2010, the only way he could remain in the country would be to obtain a green card for permanent residence. Unfortunately, Ara’s application for permanent residence was denied. Devastated, Ara feared that his family could be ordered to leave the country at any time.

Fortunately, by then the Avagyans had become a beloved part of the community, which  rallied to their support. More than 400 people petitioned Virginia’s U.S. Congressional representatives to help with the Avagyans’ residency status. The Nelson County Board of Supervisors even passed a resolution formally requesting the same: RESOLUTION R2011-67: REQUEST FOR DISCRETIONARY RELIEF FOR THE AVAGYAN FAMILY.

After years of petitions, appeals, and worry,  in 2015 the Avagyans finally received their green cards, allowing them permanent residence in the U.S. While thrilled, they were determined not to stop there. The Avagyans sought to be United States citizens. “We wanted to feel more a part of this country and our community in Nelson and Charlottesville,” said Gayane. “We needed reassurance that we belonged here . . . And, we wanted to give our children the best possible opportunities.”

Family Affair

Indeed, Ara and Gayane are not the only ones becoming U.S. citizens. Ludi took the oath today, and Samson will next month.

When they first arrived in the U.S., Samson and Ludi spoke no English. Gayane considered home-schooling them, but realized her own English was not good enough for her to teach. So, it was off to public school they went, where the language barrier made learning difficult and making friends even harder. But, like their parents did on the farm, Samson and Ludi persevered. “For me, it was a goal to match their hard work,” Ludi said. “Whatever they did in the field, I had to match it in the classroom.”

In 2012, Samson graduated as valedictorian from Nelson County High School, where his sister finished third in her class a few years later. Samson has since earned a degree from the University of Virginia, and Ludi is a fourth year there. Samson’s and Ludi’s excellence was even part of the basis for the 2011 Nelson County resolution requesting discretionary relief to allow the Avagyans to remain in the country:

Both Samson and Ludi are exceptional as persons, scholars, and athletes ranking at the top of their respective classes and are well liked for their personal qualities and excellence in academics, sports, and the arts. They represent human and intellectual “capital” that has been recognized by neighbors, teachers, and institutions, including the Rotary Club and the White House.

Now that Ludi has almost completed college, she finds her parents’ success even more meaningful.

It’s really wonderful to see my parents so accepted and loved in Nelson and Charlottesville . . . They live humbly and to serve their community. But they do it all because they genuinely love making their customers happy. They do it all to ensure that my brother and I can have the best possible education. And they do it all for our families back in Armenia, who we miss every day, and whose trust and support brought us here, and gave us a new family. The communities of Nelson and Charlottesville, our customers, our friends, they are our chosen family. And we will forever be grateful for them.

“Without any mental reservation”

At 12:30 today, in Norfolk, Virginia, Ara, Gayane, and Ludi Avagyan became citizens of the United States of America. Federal law requires new citizens to accept their obligations of citizenship “without any mental reservation.” For the Avagyans, this was easy.

What citizenship means to them:

It means becoming a full member of our community. It means all the sacrifices we’ve made have paid off. It means we’ve earned the right to live here. We’ve tried our best to be good and positive members of our community, and now it means we are safe and secure here. – Ara

It means we’re worthy members of this country and that we’ve been accepted. It was very hard to push our case to receive our green cards. We were unsure if we’d be able to stay in the United States in, and it seemed like things wouldn’t work out. Then our entire community came together to show that they stood behind us. They wanted to ensure we had a home here. That’s when we knew we belonged here, and that we were cared for by everyone around us.  – Gayane

It means not living complacently in the country we’ve called home for so many years. It means participating politically, using our voices to vote and be a part of the change. – Ludi

Flag

Happy Hearts

“My parents came here with very little money and a dream to find better opportunities,” said Ludi. “They never gave up, even at times when many others may have.” But, as much as Ludi credits her parents for her family’s success, her parents credit others.  “My father attributes it all to the support, kindness, and faith our community had in us,” said Ludi. “It takes a village to achieve the American Dream. We were never in this alone.”

truck

Painted in red on the farm’s yellow “Sunshine Van,” the name Double H stands for “happy hearts.”

Today in particular. Happy hearts.

parents

06/26/2020

Takeout But Still Cooking Strong: Chef Jose de Brito Thrives in the Culture of Takeout

farcis

“Takeout but still cooking strong.”

That’s how Chef Jose de Brito punctuates his social media posts during the Culture of Takeout. The acclaimed chef who once helped The Alley Light become Charlottesville’s first James Beard semifinalist for the nation’s best new restaurant has not allowed the pandemic to plague his passion and creativity. Officially Pastry Chef at Fleurie, but filling various roles for the restaurant and its sister Petit Pois, de Brito has been busy. For one, he launched a “Bake Sale” of pastries like Tartes aux Fraises, Gateau de Voyage, Tarte Saint Louis, Gateau a la carotte, and Le Homard dans sa Tarte. He also prepares pop-up family-style meals to-go, like Duck a L’Orange – a whole Polyface Farm duck stuffed with Autumn Olive Farms pork, duck, walnuts, and figs, with candied orange sauce and pickled oranges. For Easter, our gratin of lamb shoulder and potato was the type of dish that is so delicious you feel sad when it’s gone. And, in the height of asparagus season, he created one of the most beautiful things I have ever eaten.

Yet, though de Brito’s dishes often look like works of art, his own view is that eye-appeal can be overrated. While de Brito’s fuse is longer than it once was, he still has little patience for chefs who elevate appearance or concept above taste. To de Brito, food — all food — should be yummy. The pleasure of one bite should make you eager for another.

It was de Brito’s fondness for yumminess, in part, that prompted me to ask him to cook  takeout for a guys’ night this week. Socially distanced, we gathered on a friends’ patio for drinks and dinner. Under the circumstances, yumminess was paramount. So, I asked de Brito to make whatever he wanted.

He chose Les Farcis de Provence — a summery Provencal dish of vegetables stuffed with ground meat and rice. As a child in France, de Brito admits, he disliked the dish. Intensely. Recently though, “I finally beat my fears and achieved a really tasty farcie,” says de Brito. First, he confits the vegetables in olive oil and coats their inside with a marmalade of tomato and shallots. Next he stuffs them with a mixture of ground beef, ground Autumn Olive Farms pork, herbs, and rice. Finally, he tops them with garlic breadcrumbs, and into the oven they go.

The result? Yumminess achieved.

view

farcis