The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Category: Five Finds on Friday

03/14/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Jackie Bontjes

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from The Wine Guild’s and Oakencroft Farm & Winery’s Jackie Bontjes, who just earned her WSET II With Distinction. In celebration, below Bontjes has selected five of her favorite Charlottesville foods. Meanwhile Bontjes has begun writing wine recommendations for The Wine Guild members, like this one. Join here to receive yours. Bontjes’s picks:

1) El Cubano at Guajiros. “Growing up in South Florida I was so lucky to be in an area that had incredible Cuban food. When I moved to Virginia it became the thing that I missed the most. Guajiros’ El Cubano is a classic, even bringing their bread in from Florida to give it that true taste and texture.”

2) Spicy Eggplant at Tangerines Kitchen. “The perfect blend of flavor and heat, the fried tofu in the dish is so incredibly well done that you don’t even need the meat. I ordered it on a whim one night, breaking away from my usual Red Curry or Drunken Noodles order, and kept coming back to it.”

3) Fried Catfish at Harold’s Chicken. “Fried catfish is another nostalgia meal for me. My dad grew up eating it with fresh catfish caught on the Illinois River near his hometown of Havana, Illinois, and so it was always special when he’d make it for us. Their fish is always perfectly done and brings me right back to childhood dinners and cooking with my dad.”

4) Rotisserie Chicken con Esquites y Platanos at Al Carbon. “Their rotisserie chicken stays at the top of my list for an easy dinner. It is always perfectly flavored and never overcooked. Pair it with the esquites — with mayo, trust me — and their fried plantains for the perfect meal. I always get the chipotle crema for a little extra kick.”

5) Tres Leches Cake at Baker No Bakery. “Trying to pick just one thing that Chris does well is kind of impossible. She’s an absolute wizard with flavor and watching her growth has been an absolute joy. She’s the reason I found the Wine Guild and helped set me on the journey I’m on, and I couldn’t be more grateful to her and her absolutely incredible pastries. Her tres leches cake that she puts together with seasonal produce and decorations is the perfect dessert to share for an occasion.”

12/20/2024

Five Finds on Friday: Annie Keller

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Annie Keller, the Orzo Director of Hospitality who has just released her debut album: Merry & Bright. Why a Christmas album for her debut? “Christmas is my favorite time of year,” said Keller, “encapsulating a spirit of giving and hope, eating sweets without guilt, watching movies with happy endings, and making memories with people we love.” With ten classic songs and a title derived from the 1954 film White Christmas, Merry & Bright eschews modern production to recall a simpler time of gathering around the piano singing, says Keller. Available on all streaming platforms, like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube. Keller’s picks:

1) Orzo’s Hummus at Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar. “I can no longer buy grocery store hummus because this hummus is leaps and bounds better than any in stores. Orzo’s hummus pairs a healthy kick of garlic and zest of lemon with a smooth, creamy consistency. It pairs beautifully with bread or veggies. Orzo’s rotating menu always has an abundance of delicious dishes, but thank goodness that the hummus is a permanent menu item.”

2) Roasted Cauliflower at Marigold. “This is one of the best plant-based dishes I have had in my life. The cauliflower is roasted and glazed in turmeric tahini and red zhug sauce, topped with crushed pistachios to give a nice crunch. I find myself going back again and again for this dish, and I even picked it to be my birthday dinner meal last year.”

3) Cranberry Gelato from Splendora’s Gelato. “Growing up in Charlottesville, the orange Splendora’s Gelato shop on the downtown mall was always a welcome sight, and I was devastated to see it close a few years back. But imagine my surprise when walking around the Stonefield shopping center, only to see a Splendora’s sign across from the Regal cinema. I had to wander inside, and I was elated to find out that this was indeed the same Splendora’s I grew up knowing. This gelato is the best in town by far, and they post weekly flavors on their social media, including traditional gelato and a wide variety of dairy-free options.”

4) Roots Bowl from Roots Natural Kitchen. “I’ve never had a bad Roots bowl, and I eat lunch there at least twice a week. The ingredients are always fresh and flavorful. I usually build my own bowl including kale, shaved Brussels sprouts, brown rice, garlic/lime tofu, avocado, cabbage, chickpeas, cilantro-lime vinaigrette, basil-balsamic vinaigrette, sriracha, and a squeeze of lime. I always use the Roots mobile app, making it super easy to place my order and pick up my lunch fifteen minutes later.”

5) Espresso at Tavola. “Usually people head to Tavola for housemade pasta, but it’s actually my favorite after-dinner spot for an espresso. They use the highest quality beans, and the espresso shot is always bitter, smooth, and piping hot. In my opinion, the Belmont neighborhood is also a quieter, more quaint spot for a night out. With lights strung outside and along the street and charming architecture, some of which dates back 100 years, find me unwinding after dinner with some friends – or with my English Cocker Spaniel, Wallace – and an espresso.”

04/12/2024

Five Finds on Friday: Lorena Aparicio

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Lorena Aparicio, who this week celebrates her tenth anniversary of work at Sultan Kebab. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Aparicio has been a key reason for Sultan Kebab’s decade of excellence and success. In addition to her picks, below are words of appreciation from Sultan Kebab’s owners. Aparicio’s picks:

1) Carnitas at El Puerto. “I like the carnitas because they are made with the flavor of my country.”

2) Enchiladas Verdes at El Comalito. “The sauce is delicious.”

3) Sopa de Gallina at El Ciruelo.”It is good quality chicken from Honduras, and has a unique flavor.”

4) Tacos de Carne Asada at Tacos Gómez. “I like their carne asada tacos because the tortillas are freshly made.”

5) Pupusas at Mi Casita. “I like their pupusas because they are soft with well-melted cheese.”

Sultan Kebab’s tribute to Aparicio:

We celebrate a remarkable milestone at Sultan Kebab restaurant – 10 incredible years with our dedicated team member, Lorena!

Lorena, your hard work and unwavering loyalty have been instrumental in our journey to becoming the thriving restaurant we are today.

We are forever grateful for your dedication, expertise, and kindness. Your presence has been a cornerstone of our success, and we cannot imagine Sultan Kebab without you.

As we mark this decade-long journey together, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for all that you do. You are more than just a team member – you are family.

Here’s to many more years of delicious food, warm smiles, and unforgettable experiences together! Cheers, Lorena, and thank you for being an integral part of our Sultan Kebab family!