The Charlottesville 29

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for Five Finds on Friday to come from a reader drawn at random. This year’s winner is Lindsay Comstock, a native Virginian and DC transplant who has lived in Belmont with her husband and two Jack Russell terriers for nearly a decade. Comstock says she loves galavanting in Charlottesville and “feels so grateful for this fun opportunity.” Comstock’s picks:

1) Chicken 65 at Kanak. “The spicy appetizer of my dreams. Everything I’ve had at Kanak has been excellent, but the Chicken 65 is out of bounds. Heavy on the chile pepper with notes of ginger providing relief from the heat, this dish delivers every time. I usually linger at Kanak just jealously observing what comes out of the kitchen, and planning my order for next time.”

2) Cafe Au Lait with Housemade Almond Milk at Lone Light Coffee. “So darn good. The spin on this classic comes from the slightly tart almond milk with perfect foam every time. Word on the street: they sweeten the almond milk with figs? Let me know if you figure it out. Love the vibe of this cozy, friendly spot.”

3) Fried Green Tomatoes at Mockingbird. “Crunchy, salty, and perfect. And yes- there is pimiento cheese involved. Bonus: they are gluten-free. Go for the food and stay for the inviting, dog-friendly patio- our favorite in Belmont.”

4) Panang Curry with a cold glass of Gruner Veltliner at Maple Pine. “A perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. This dish thrives on texture with a crunchy yellow bell pepper as the star of the show. Girls’ lunch, Friday night dinner, any occasion- color me happy. Yes, I had my birthday lunch there.

5) Fried Chicken and Biscuits at Vision BBQ. “They nail it every time, but I’m especially impressed with their gluten-free fried chicken and biscuits. It brings a happy tear to my gluten-free eye to be able to eat truly delicious comfort food at this funky joint.”