The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Category: Five Finds on Friday

05/17/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Melissa Close Hart

Melissa

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from four-time James Beard award semi-finalist Melissa Close Hart, chef of Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyard.  On June 9, Palladio will be celebrating the release of Barboursville’s 2012 Vermentino Reserve with a multi-course dinner with guest chef Roberto Donna, who Esquire Magazine last year named national Chef of the Year.  Hart’s picks:

1)  Crispy Shrimp with Pickled Ginger-Sesame Aioli & Honey Sambal Drizzle at The Local.  “The chef, Matthew Hart, who also happens to be my husband, jokes that customers may revolt if he takes these delicious crispy shrimp off the menu.  Truth of the matter is he knows that I might revolt.  Just kidding, honey.  I love to sit at the bar with a cocktail and these shrimp!  It makes for a happy wife!”

2)  “Family Dinner” at The BBQ Exchange.  “Since I work out in Barboursville and live in Charlottesville, I can stop by and see my mentor, Craig Hartman, at his now famous BBQ joint.  His pork is perfect.  Everytime!  And he’s smoking a lot of pork – thousands of pounds a week, I’m sure.  But back to the Family Dinner: 1 pound of pork, 3 sides (we choose Mac & Cheese, Southern Slaw & Collards), 2 sauces (we go for Hog Fire & Craig’s Carolina), 4 buns and 4 pumpkin muffins.  And you can’t forget those muffins!  Yum.  And all for less than $25.  Can’t beat it!  Pick up a six pack of Blue Mountain brew on the way home and life is good!”

3)  Drunken Noodles with Chicken, Spicy at Pad Thai.  “From the first time I had their noodles, I was sold.  The balance between the spice, the acidity, the sweetness and the herbs is just perfect.  Plus I really love how crispy they let the noodles get.  I have to admit I get noodles from them almost every week!  Pairs very well with a nice cold sweeter wine, like Barboursville’s Riesling or even the Dry Rose (not as sweet but works well with the spice).”

4)  Any of the Southern Creations at Rapture.  “Chris Humphrey and I are cut from the same cook’s cloth.  We grew up on southern soul food and his interpretations always please me, my palate and my belly.  Last time I was there we had Cherry Coke Braised Pork Cheeks over Grits.  What the bleep!  I was in pig heaven.  And that’s a place I like to go often.  Have some gumbo and fried green tomatoes to start and some draft beers and you will feel transported to the deep South, y’all!”

5)  Donuts at Spudnuts.  “Jacob, my stepson, likes when I drive him to school, because he knows that I can be talked into stopping by for a donut.  I couldn’t tell you which is my favorite because that would be like picking a favorite child.  They are all great in each of their own ways.  But if I HAD to pick, I’d have to say the basic glazed, especially if they are warm.  But you can’t go wrong with the apple fritter either.  The kitchen and office crew at work like when I go because I’ll usually pick up an extra dozen to share.  Got to share the donut love.  The hardest part is waiting the 30 minutes it takes to get  to work at Barboursville so I can have a cup of Shenandoah Joe’s Palladio Blend with my donut.  Well to tell you the truth, I usually have one on the way.  I have no self control!”

05/10/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Pei Chang

end of december 2009 104

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Pei Chang, chef of TEN Sushi.  And, on Mother’s Day weekend, the mother of his three young children made the list!  Chang’s picks:

1)  Meatloaf Sandwich at Stonefire Kitchen.  “Artisanal sandwiches and salads engineered by Jeremy Butterfield, a kitchen witch who’s just giving us a taste.”

2)  Octopus Carpaccio at Glass Haus Kitchen.  “It goes without saying that Ian Boden and his team are putting up the most interesting food in town.  Inspired combinations that just work.”

3)  Pappardelle Ragu at Tavola. “The perfect neighborhood restaurant.  Mike and Loren kill it nightly.”

4)  Short Ribs at Hanu Truck.  “A fellow So-Cal transplant who is sharing the flavors of Los Angeles, Koreatown and the surrounding areas with Charlottesville.  And, he’s doing it well.  Can’t go wrong with the short ribs, be it tacos, mulitas or tortas.  ”

5)  Spinach Balls by Caroline Chang.  “Wifey’s spinach balls are a wonder to behold.  I’m a fan of spinach as well as food in ball form.”

05/03/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Treat Huey

IMG_00009897

Today is the 50th edition of Five Finds on Friday, where chefs and local personalities pick five favorite food items in the area.  To mark the occasion here at The Charlottesville 29, we have the picks of a Charlottesville resident who is among the top 29 in the world in his field.  In fact, tennis player Treat Huey is ranked exactly 29th in the world in doubles.  Next week, the undefeated men’s tennis team of his alma mater, UVa, will begin the NCAA Championship tournament, en route to its first ever title.  Oh yeah, Huey also happens to be a lover of food.  Huey’s picks:

1)  Yuca and Caramont Farm Goat Cheese Fritters at Commonwealth.  “This appetizer is ridiculously good.  Then you can not go wrong with any of the entrees especially if you get the smashed, roasted red potatoes as a side.  A great meal and then heading upstairs to Skybar to have a drink when there is good weather is a great way to end a day.”

2)  Local “Double H Farm” Berkshire Pork Chop at The Local.  “Get the blackberry cobbler with house made vanilla ice cream for dessert.  All the food is great, and the restaurant building and decor are also  reasons I come back and eat here as much as I can.”

3)  Cajun Crusted Tilapia wrap with Chipotle Dressing and Salt and Vinegar Chips at Zazus Fresh Grille.  “I have this at least once a week when I am in town.”

4)  Lunch Buffet at Milan Indian Cuisine.  “When I am really hungry, the lunch buffet at Milan is my go to.  One of my friends, Sanam, who moved here from India five years ago, took me here for the first time a few years back after raving about it and I have been hooked ever since.  The naan, curries and tandoori chicken are must haves.”

5)  Pasta al Forno and House Salad at Bella’s.  “Start with the large Bella’s house and then have the Pasta al Forno. Two people sharing these is the perfect amount of food.  Also, I recently ate at the bar because there was a wait and my friend and I got to talking with Ayo the bartender.  He’s a great guy and made dinner even more enjoyable.”