Five Finds on Friday: River Hawkins
by Charlottesville29
Today’s Five Finds on Fridays come from River Hawkins, bar manager and co-owner of the hot new restaurant, The Bebedero, which had its grand opening this week. Hawkins’ picks:
1) Papaya Salad (Som Tum) at Monsoon Siam. “I lived in Thailand for a couple of years managing a large dance club, and everyday before work I would get a bowl of Sum Tum from a little old vendor lady who carried around the ingredients on her shoulders and made it for you right there on the sidewalk with a little mortar and pestle. Monsoon’s Som Tum takes me back to Thailand and those strange beautiful days.”
2) Roasted Beet Salad with Blackened Catfish at The Whiskey Jar. “I have this almost every time I get lunch at the Whiskey Jar. It’s just so perfect and light and savory. I never feel heavy or sleepy after eating a huge bowl of it.”
3) Cemitas at Al Carbon. “I was blessed to have traveled throughout Peru for a while, and the way they prepare their meats at Al Carbon is just as delicious as the vendor food I had in Cusco. I just wish I could get guinea pig there.”
4) Kung Pao Chicken at Peter Chang’s. “Spicy deliciousness. Every Chinese I place I go, I have the Kung Pao Chicken. If that’s good I know everything is good.”
5) Nachos at The Bebedero. “This may seem like shameless self promotion, but I’ve eaten nachos all over the world and I honestly think Chef Cesar makes the best and most creative nachos I’ve ever tasted. I don’t have any control over the food, so this really is my objective opinion.”