The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Arch’s Frozen Yogurt

Two for Tuesday: Mussels at Orzo and Wow Cow at Arch’s

Food 225

1)  Mussels at Orzo.  On a very short list of dishes we would consider for our last meal on Earth is moules frites – the brilliant Belgian invention of mussels, broth, and french fries.  Orzo’s Greek-influenced riff on the dish reminds us how partial we are to bold flavors.  While our palates are gradually coming to appreciate the pleasures of subtlety and delicacy, at heart we remain suckers for big flavors.  (Give us an Epoisses, not a fresh chevre.)  Orzo’s mussels are studded with assertive ingredients like tangy feta cheese, ouzo, and crumbled house-made sausage redolent of fennel.  Once you finish the healthy portion of mussels, the crispy fries are the perfect sponge to soak up the heady broth.

2) Wow Cow at Arch’s.  If you are like us, you are chemically destined to overindulge every holiday season.  No matter how much we try to avoid it, there is something about November and December that causes us to eat like bears preparing to hibernate.  Thus, we begin each year feeling as though we are overstuffed geese waiting for their livers to be seared and served with a Sauternes.  Consequently, low-cal January has become an annual tradition, where we reintroduce ourselves to ways to reduce calories without too much pain.  While this generally means eliminating sweets altogether, if we do get a craving, a nearly guilt-free fix is a frozen dessert known as Wow Cow, available at Arch’s.  Made from extra grade A whey, and sweetened with fructose from fruit, Wow Cow weighs in at just 12 calories per ounce, which means a 4 oz serving is less than fifty calories.  Although not technically frozen yogurt or ice cream, Wow Cow is way to get that fix when counting calories.

Five Finds on Friday: Larry Sabato

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  With election season in full swing, this week’s picks come from one of the nation’s most renowned election experts, Dr. Larry Sabato, director of the UVa Center for Politics.  The Wall Street Journal once called Dr. Sabato “probably the most quoted college professor in the land.”  You can follow his famous Crystal Ball of election projections here.  Most significantly, Dr. Sabato is a lover of Charlottesville food.  Dr. Sabato’s picks:

1)  Melanzane al Parmigiano at TavolaThis really gets back to my Italian roots.  Tavola is a great addition to the Charlottesville culinary scene.

2)  Vegetarian “Blue Plate Special” at Hamiltons’A classic, perfect every time.

3)  The Haystack  at the Horse & Hound.  Stack of roasted vegetables, goat cheese, pesto, and sprouts, on multi-grain bread.  Horse and Hound is a favorite at the UVa Center for Politics.  They have a great menu and also do a wonderful job on catering.

4)  Donut Ice Cream Sandwich at Carpe Donut.  Cinnamon-sugar donut sliced in half and layered with homemade vanilla ice cream.  The perfect food to fulfill one’s guilty pleasure.

5)  Cookie Dough Archer at Arch’s Frozen Yogurt.  Lots of cookie dough in vanilla frozen yogurt.  Students aren’t the only ones who love Arch’s!

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