The Charlottesville 29

“Are you sure you don’t want the kebab?  Most people want the kebab.”

This response to our lunch order was our introduction to M&M Lounge and Restaurant, recently opened in the nondescript Preston Avenue space formerly home to the Outback Lodge.

Fortunately, we stuck to our guns, and insisted on the Khinkali.  But, we’ll get to that in a second.

First, there was an amuse bouche, of sorts.  Soon after we placed our order, the waiter returned with a small plate of two pieces of beef kebab, adorned with sliced onions, diced scallions, and all.  “From us,” he said.  “We want to know your opinion.”  Our opinion?  Delicious, we told him, after sampling the tender meat.

Next came our Khinkali, a plate of house made Georgian dumplings filled with delicately seasoned ground beef, topped with a dollop of sour cream.  A beautiful and comforting dish.

We were only half way through our plate of dumplings when the waiter returned again, this time with a bowl of Russian Borscht.  “From the chef,” he said.  In a broth of beets swam sweet onions and fork-tender chunks of braised beef, again topped with a dollop of sour cream.

After a meal as comforting as this, we were determined to learn more.  Check back soon for our report on our interview with the owner of M&M Lounge & Restaurant.  In the meantime, enjoy the Khinkali.

M&M Lounge & Restaurant
http://www.mandmlounge.biz/
917 Preston Ave., Suite B
(434) 962-6575