The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: Afghan Kabob Palace

05/14/2021

Five Finds on Friday: Fernando Dizon

The Dizon family, on opening day, May 14, 2021.

Today’s the day! Manila Street is opening in Dairy Market. What a proud day for the families who live on Manila Street and great day for Charlottesville diners. To celebrate, today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Fernando Dizon, who owns Manila Street with his wife Jessie. Dizon’s picks:

1) Apple Galette from Bee Conscious Baking Company. “Patrick and Alexis just opened their new spot in Dairy Market and we couldn’t be happier for them. Also for our tummies because now we can get their goodies everyday. The Apple Galette is my favorite. Caramelized apples inside a perfectly crispy crust. Everything they make is delicious. Our boys love their cinnamon sugar donuts.”

2) Special Waffle at Milli Coffee Roasters. “This is our go -to spot for breakfast on Sundays. A Belgian waffle topped with brie, Granny Smith apple and honey. The waffle is always crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. I really need to know how they make their batter.”

3) Gambas al’ Parilla at Mas. “This is our go-to date night spot. Sitting on the patio with a pitcher of sangria and some delicious tapas is our happy place. The grilled shrimp are a must. Served grilled shell on sprinkled with sea salt on a bed of aioli.”

4) Complete dinner for Two at Afghan Kabob Palace. “Over the last year we’ve ordered a lot of takeout. Afghan Kabob has always done a fantastic job. The food quality and the service is always consistent. The complete dinner for two is so much food you’ll have leftovers for lunch the next day. It comes with salad, two appetizers, two entrees and two kinds of dessert as well as a choice of coffee or tea. My favorite of the entrees is the Qabuli Palow- tender lamb with raisins and carrots on a bed of brown rice.”

5) Loose Goose Martini at Zocalo. “After trying all those good eats you can wash it all down with a Loose Goose at Zocalo, another favorite spot in C’ville. Hands down my favorite cocktail anywhere. I always order it with a jalapeño to add a little kick. Sipping on one of these at the bar or on the patio at Zocalo is a must try in C’ville.”

06/15/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Jill Myers

jill

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Jill Myers, the certified Olive Oil Sommelier who does a great service for Charlottesville by bringing us some of the world’s best olive oils, from places like Umbria, Greece, Spain, Sicily, and Tuscany. Find these rare gems at The Spice Diva, Foods of All Nations, JM Stock Provisions, Beer Run, Mona Lisa, Greenwood Gourmet, Gabriele Rausse, Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Keevil & Keevil, C & O, MarieBette, and Lampo. “Each one has a story connected to it,” says Myers, “and a producer who is practicing stellar methods at every point of production.” For a deeper look at olive oils, save the date – July 15 – for a special seminar and tasting at The Spice Diva. Stay tuned for details. Myers’ picks:

1) Charcuterie Board and 2010 Petit Verdot at the Library at Barboursville Vineyards. “At the Library at Barboursville Vineyards, I love the elegant wine flights, charcuterie boards, and seasonal appetizers accented with estate grown vegetable and herbs. The warm Italian-style hospitality created by Alyson Foldvary and others at the Library makes this an incredibly unique and memorable experience.”

2) Dreams of Beirut Tea at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. “I love to cozy up during the cold winter months with a pot of Dreams of Beirut tea, a sweetened black tea with nuances of cloves and pepper. During the heat of summer, I like a rose milkshake garnished with petals on the quiet patio in the back. The drurrie/kilim pillows and the Middle Eastern style transport me to another place.”

3) Fromage Plate with Spanish Red at C & O Restaurant. “Although the bar for a cocktail is at the top of my list, the C&O patio is another favorite of mine. Dinner on the patio would include the fromage plate to start, followed by tuna crudo or beef carpaccio and ending with creme brulée. Wine, coffee or a digestive will never disappoint at the C&O.”

4) Viognier and Tim’s Fresh Bread with Olive Oil at Gabriele Rausse Winery. “The fresh bread that Tim Rausse bakes daily, paired with high quality Sicilian olive oil, while sipping Gabriele Rausse wines is a simple, yet beautiful tasting. This is a setting that causes one to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and wine. I will return often.”

5) Qabuli Palow and Firnee at Afghan Kabob Palace. “I was introduced to this restaurant by Gabriele Rausse and have returned a number of times. The food is delicious. The bolanee kadu, maust-e-khiar soup, and naan are great for appetizers, followed by qabuli palow, chicken kofta and lamb tikka kabobs, and then firnee, a rose water and cardamom custard. My children love this restaurant and ask to finish up with the doogh, a yogurt shake garnished with mint. Writing this tonight, we may return this week!”

05/04/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Eric Breckoff

Chef Eric 1_edited

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Eric Breckoff, Culinary Arts Director at Piedmont Virginia Community College, where he helps to develop skilled chefs to put into Charlottesville restaurant kitchens. Breckoff enrolled his first students in 2013, and since then graduates have gone on to kitchens like The Alley Light, MarieBette, and Red Pump Kitchen. More information on the program is here. Breckoff’s picks:

1) Carne Asada Gorditas at La Michoacana. “Tragically, only three gorditas come to an order, and my wife and I have to share one and supplement with our second choice tacos: also carne asada, Mexican style. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with anything here.  Simple, down to earth, family-run restaurant that takes pride in their food.  Did I mention the margaritas?”

2) Kofta Kabob with Chick Peas at Afghan Kabob Palace. “My wife and I both love Middle-Eastern food, and Afghan Kabob Palace never fails to please. When it’s cool outside, the aush soup is comforting and warm. For starters, we love the samosas and the bolanee gandana. Crispy, delicious turnover packets of love. My go-to entrée is the kofta kabob and my wife loves the vegetarian plate (make sure you get the pumpkin and the chickpeas).”

3) Moules Frites at Brasserie Saison. “I could eat this every day the rest of my life. Perfectly cooked. Perfectly seasoned. Just the perfect food made with love and care.”

4) Piggie Smalls Pizza at Fry’s Spring Station. “A perfect restaurant to sit outside on a Friday after work and enjoy well crafted, delicious food made with love. A Piggie Smalls  pizza and a beer with the crispy gnocchi & beet salad makes a perfect meal.”

5) Sausage, Egg, & Cheddar on an Everything at Bodo’s. “Ok, I know everyone puts Bodo’s on their list. Why? It’s that good. An everything with egg, cheese, sausage is my morning go-to. Some might say I have a problem. I say I can stop anytime I want to, but why would I want to?”

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