The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Al Carbon

08/28/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Elizabeth Irvin

Charitable organizations have not been immune to the effects of COVID-19, which has slowed donations and required crowd restrictions that have cancelled fundraising events vital to charities’ budgets. Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Executive Director of one such organization: Elizabeth Irvin of The Women’s Initiative, which provides mental health care services to Charlottesville area women. In lieu of their annual Barn Party, this year The Women’s Initiative is hosting a virtual Family Variety Show, where, families can enjoy, from their own homes, a petting zoo, clowns, the infamous bear (who some say talks too much), games, and even a special performance by Dave Matthews. Learn how your family can support The Women’s Initiative and enjoy the event. Irvin’s picks:

1) Chicken Sous Poulet, with kale salad, plantains and pikliz at Pearl Island Cafe. “At The Women’s Initiative we all love that this exceptional food is just steps away from our satellite office at the Jefferson School City Center, and appreciate their years of catering our Family Barn Party.”

2) Ginger Lemongrass Noodles at Vu Noodles. “I used to be so torn between Pearl Island and Vu Noodles when they shared the Jefferson School space. Now Vu is on Water Street, and I am all about their healthy and delicious options.”

3) Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken at Al Carbon. “The chicken is absolutely delicious and we love supporting this local, family owned business.”

4) Turkey on Everything w/ Pepper Spread at Bodo’s. “A parent’s dream restaurant. For maximum enjoyment, add potato chips and a Coke and head to Walnut Creek on a Saturday morning for some stand-up paddle-boarding.”

5) Dulce de Leche Gelato at Splendora’s. “They will be closing this weekend (then hoping to reopen at a new location so keep your eyes out!), but I will get by there to order one last scoop on the downtown mall. They’re also raffling off free gelato to folks who make a donation to local mental health services—including The Women’s Initiative—through this Sunday. I’m doubly grateful for the goodness they bring to our community.”

05/01/2020

The Charlottesville 29 Challenge: Free Restaurant Meals for Those in Need

Cemita

Need a meal? Have one on us. Want to give meals to others? You can do that, too. All while providing Charlottesville restaurants cash flow they need to survive. The Charlottesville 29 Challenge. Here’s how it works. And, thank you to realtor Matt Kneece for the idea.

The Charlottesville 29 has started tabs at Al Carbon and Bashir’s for anyone who could use a meal right now. Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet, are battling COVID-19 on the front lines, or just could use a meal, a free meal is yours until the tabs run out. No questions asked.

1) If you would like a meal, call Al Carbon at (434) 202-2609 or Bashir’s at (434) 923-0927 and ask for a meal on The Charlottesville 29 tab. Until The Charlottesville 29 tab is exhausted, the restaurants will provide you a free meal.

2) If you would like to donate to the The Charlottesville 29 tab, this is the easiest way to help. Just call Al Carbon at (434) 202-2609 or Bashir’s at (434) 923-097 and ask to donate to The Charlottesville 29 tab. The restaurants will replenish the tab with your donations.  

3) If you would like to start your own restaurant tab, call the restaurant of your choice, and ask if they are able to set up a tab for free meals for others. Provide your credit card information and the tab amount ($100? $200? $500?). Next: post on social media about the tab you have started and tag two friends to challenge them either: (1) to donate to an existing tab; or (2) start their own. Also, to help the challenge grow, tag The Charlottesville 29 (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Matt Kneece (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). #TheCharlottesville29Challenge

 

03/13/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Chrissy Benninger and Kyra Miller

Bluegrass

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come Chrissy Benninger and Kyra Miller – the mother-duo daughter behind Bluegrass Grill & Bakery, which Benninger owns and Miller manages. They have both joint and separate picks:

1) Princess Cake at Albemarle Baking Company (both). “This cake has been our family’s favorite for years, especially for birthdays, and it even made an appearance as Kyra’s wedding cake. I would break my strict autoimmune diet any day of the week for a piece of Princess Cake.”

2) Volcano Roll at Now & Zen (both). “Now & Zen is one of our ‘special dinner’ places to go. We’ve had numerous plates there but the one we love the most is the Volcano Roll. Everything there is fresh and huge, and the staff is amazing.”

3) Cinnamon Maple Twist at Paradox Pastry (Kyra). “I have had the pleasure of working with Jenny, and was able to try many of Paradox’s buttery, sweet, delicious pastries. The cinnamon maple twist is incredible and possibly one of the best sweets I’ve ever had.”

4) Campechano Tacos at Tacos Gomez (Kyra). “The closest you’ll get to a traditional Mexican street taco. The homemade tortillas and sauces are amazing! My husband I always order the campechano tacos. And make sure to get a horchata, if you’re lucky enough to go when they are serving them.”

5) Roasted Chicken at Al Carbon (Chrissy). “I had a different choice in mind and then, for some reason, I thought about this chicken. It is literally the best chicken I have ever had. The. Best. I can eat half a chicken by myself. Whatever they do to that chicken is something blessed by culinary angels.”

Al Carbon Rotisserie Chicken, Charlottesville, VA 10/05/2015

Photo by Tom McGovern