The Charlottesville 29

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Mark Otis, personal chef and self-described “enthusiast of eating and drinking,” who is part of a stellar line-up of chefs at the upcoming dinner to raise money for the National MS Society, which now has a venue.  Next Saturday, February 6, at Early Mountain Vineyards, Otis will join Tucker Yoder of Eljogaha, Christian Kelly of Maya, and Bryan Kelly of Harvest Moon Catering to prepare six courses paired with wines. Among the excellent local purveyors to be featured are Harvest Thyme Herbs, The Rock Barn, The Local Food Hub, Seafood @ West Main, a.m. Fog Mushroom Farm, Gabriele Rausse, Blenheim Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, and more.  $100 per person, with proceeds to fight multiple sclerosis.  Details here. Email msbenefitdinner2016@gmail.com for tickets.

1) Fried Oysters at Duners.  “Located in Ivy, it is an institution and nobody does that many covers that well. I’m a sucker for a perfectly fried oyster and a cold beer.”

2) Pupusa at Cactus. “Behind the Sunoco station on 5th street, Cactus makes a pupusa that will solve anything life has to offer. Of course, Brazos crushes tacos with force–as we all know!”

3) 2015 Pinot Grigio from Gabriele Rausse.  “First off,  if you can find it you win.  And, the 2015 Pinot Grigio is my favorite Virginia wine right now.  It is due out Valentine’s Day and will make you very proud of Virginia wine.”

4) Ravioli at The Ivy Inn.  “Kills it. It gets better every time I go, and Angelo pretends like he doesn’t know it. Everything. Leave room for dessert.”

5) Ham and Brie Sandwich at Bashir’s Taverna.  “Bashir and Kathy do everything well, but the ham and brie is burned into my mind forever. Bashir is just my hero. I think he has secret powers.”