The Charlottesville 29

Today’s Five Finds come from Mike Perry, co-chef of Brasserie Saison, which appears twice in the 2017 list of chefs’ “Best Thing I Ate All Year,” and is ringing in the New Year with a special four course dinner on New Year’s Eve. Details and reservations here. Perry’s picks:

1) Roast Lamb at Ivy Inn. “Having worked with Angelo for years, one thing he always has on his menu is lamb and it’s always fantastic. I remember taking part in events he’s hosted, roasting a whole lamb or goat over a pit and to this day these are some of my most fond food and community experiences.”

2) Bellissima Pizza at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “My thinking on this is… THIS PIZZA. It’s their house margherita with the addition of shaved country ham, arugula and aged parmesan. ‘Nuff said. Oh, and Michael Wayne’s BBQ –some of the best I’ve ever tasted in Virginia.”

3) Rotisserie Chicken at Al Carbon. “It’s not a secret and I love it. I get takeout and my family crushes it.”

4) Tasting  Menu at Back 40. “I’m definitely biased here because Tucker is my homie. His courses are interesting and thoughtful from beginning to end and it feels like more than just dining.”

5) El Fuego Wrap and IVP Banh Mi at Ivy Provisions. “The El Fuego Wrap is this breakfast burrito that barely fits in your hand. It’s dripping with magic chorizo grease and it’s nostalgic to the burritos I used to eat when I was growing up in Colorado. I never blink about ordering it. Everything they do in that shop is really well done. They just nail the banh mi and whenever I eat it, I wish there was more, even though it’s enough to feed two people.”