The Charlottesville 29

1)  Kofta Kabob Wrap at Afghan Kabob Palace.  Not long ago, there were no restaurants in Charlottesville serving authentic Afghan or Turkish cuisine.   Now, there are three.  Ariana, Sultan Kebab, and Afghan Kabob Palace all serve outstanding kabobs, curries, and breads.  Our latest obsession is the Kofta Kabob Wrap at Afghan Kabob Palace, opened last year by one of the founders of Ariana.  Beautifully seasoned kabobs of ground sirloin are stuffed into a wrap with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, onions, and a minty housemade dressing.  We could eat this every day.

2)  Southern Breakfast Sausage at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue.  Sausage might be the world’s greatest food.  Bangers, Bratwursts, Italian sausage, Lap Cheong, Chorizo, Kielbasa, Boerwors, Merguez, Boudin Blanc, and even hot dogs — we love them all.  In these parts, southern breakfast sausage dominates.  And, the version at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue may be the best we’ve ever had.  House ground and delicious.  It’s served on a biscuit with egg and cheese, but (and we can’t believe we’re saying this) you don’t need the egg and cheese.  The sausage is that good.