The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville
02/28/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Josh Lowry

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Photo courtesy of Josh Lowry.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Josh Lowry, sous chef of Zocalo (and earlier this week Zy.De.Co.)  Lowry’s picks:

1)  Thai Beef Consomme Noodle Bowl at Pad Thai.  “Rich, brothy, crunchy, sweet, sour, savory. It’s everything in a bowl . . . the best!”

2)  Pastrami and Swiss on an Onion Bagel with mustard at Bodo’s.  “We are extremely lucky to have a place like this in Charlottesville.  Let’s not take it for granted.”

3)  The Classic #1 at Chick-fil-A.  “My alltime favorite restaurant.  When I was a kid they always had sweet old ladies out front with free chicken samples.  I always walked by a second time for another free taste . . . they almost always let me.”

4)  Dan Dan Noodles at Taste of China.  “I know most folks have gone over to Peter Chang’s new spot but this is my go-to.  Again, Charlottesville is lucky to have a place like this.”

5. Burrata at Tavola.  “If you haven’t been . . . go!”

02/19/2014

Angelo Vangelopoulos: James Beard Semifinalist

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Angelo Vangelopoulos has added yet another honor to his resume: James Beard Award semifinalist.  The longtime chef-owner of the Ivy Inn, who last year was named to the Mt. Rushmore of Charlottesville chefs, is among twenty semifinalists for 2014 Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic, the James Beard Foundation announced today.  The James Beard Awards are essentially the Academy Awards of the food world, and Vangelopoulos joins elite chefs from cities like Washington D.C. and Philadelphia on this year’s list of semifinalists.

Congratulations to Vangelopoulos and Charlottesville on yet another instance of national acclaim for Charlottesville food.

02/14/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Matt Turner

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On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Matt Turner, chef of the brand new Public Fish & Oyster, which opened last week. Turner once was chef at Jarman’s Gap and Camino, among other area favorites. Public features a seafood-focused menu of dishes like raw or broiled oysters, clam chowder, and four different kinds of moules frites. For meat-lovers, there is pork belly sausage, steak frites, and more.  Turner’s picks:

1)  Tacos at La Michoacána. “The meats, the tortillas, the house-made condiment bar, it’s all good. I have a 4 taco per week habit.”

2)  Fried Chicken at Brown’s.  “I live two blocks from a fried chicken joint yet I choose to drive across town for Brown’s. The sides really push them over the top.”

3)  Crispy Beef Salad at Thai 99 (Fontaine Location Only). “I used to frequent Thai restaurants in the DC metro area and always had a romance with Thai crispy duck salad. This is the best representation one can get locally. It’s everything all at once: sweet, sour, salty, savory, nutty, citrusy, fresh and packed with umami.”

4)  The Bellissima at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie.  “Chain pizza should hang its head in shame.”

5)  Wood Fired Bread at MAS Tapas.  “The arts and disciplines of artisanal food are dying slow deaths in today’s corporate monopoly dominated world.  The oven alone at Mas is a local treasure.  The bread that comes out if it is something to behold.”