Five Finds on Friday: Justin Vesser
by Charlottesville29
Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Justin Vesser of The Tennessean Steakhouse, a brand new series of dinner parties at Vesser’s home to raise money for charity. Vesser is a passionate home cook, and The Tennessean Steakhouse is his way to play restaurant chef by creating a “bistro” on his back patio, all for a good cause. Guests do not pay for their meals except for a recommended donation to the SHE Shelter. There is a different theme each month, and first up is Argentina via Earlysville, a “fire-roasted, chili-rubbed tour through South America, celebrating the cuisines of Argentina and Brazil . . .with some Virginia and Tennessee additions.” Menu below. Book your slots here, and for updates on future events, follow along on the Tennessean Steakhouse Facebook page. It’s clear from his picks that Vesser knows his food, so grab some friends, support a good cause, and try something a little different for a way to spend a Saturday night. Vesser’s picks:
1) Spicy Fried Calamari at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “The Fat & Sassy was our gateway food for Ho’s with that salty ranch dressing and those little garlic bombs, but the calamari is the sleeper hit, and my single favorite dish anywhere. The squid rings are great, but the little heady tentacle pieces, soaked up with all the spicy Thai sauce, are just a killer bite of food.”
2) Heaven on a Bun at The Barbeque Exchange. “The Heaven isn’t on the regular menu, but rather is taped to the glass along with the Hell and the Purgatory. I get mine with chopped brisket instead of pulled pork, and it is a total knockout punch with lettuce, tomato, a sunny egg, baconaise, two giant pieces of sticky love bacon, and the secret weapon, a single, house-made waffle cut potato chip. Add a few dabs of Poltergeist sauce and tell Saint Peter I said ‘Hello.'”
3) The Hungry Norman at Bluegrass Grill & Bakery. “The combination of English muffins with blackberry jam, spicy sausage links, goat cheese, perfect poached eggs and immaculate hollandaise sauce sounds totally crazy, but it is the definitive breakfast food for me. Plus, the place is very cool for families with little, crazy kids.”
4) Cavoletti Di Bruxelles at Lampo. “With all the stellar food and creativity at Lampo, it may sound odd to go with a vegetable. However, it’s the one thing we get every single time. Four-ish perfect forkfuls of crunchy, bitter shaved Brussels sprouts with a tangy dressing. It makes you feel better about attacking a meatball sandwich, to boot.”
5) Meat and Cheese Board from Feast! “The Feast crew obviously love their jobs, and enlisting their help in putting together the perfect charcuterie for a big crowd, or more likely for just one big guy, is always a blast. I have turned so many people on to my Feast discoveries like the Pig & Fig Pate, mole salami, and well-aged gouda, loaded with crunchy crystals.”
“Beef 17” – Timbercreek Farm rib-eye, strip, and short rib with 17 sauces and garnishes
“Elvis” – Amy Vesser’s banana bread, crisped in butter and bacon fat, with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and lardons