The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Back 40

Five Finds on Friday: Mike Perry

Perry

Today’s Five Finds come from Mike Perry, co-chef of Brasserie Saison, which appears twice in the 2017 list of chefs’ “Best Thing I Ate All Year,” and is ringing in the New Year with a special four course dinner on New Year’s Eve. Details and reservations here. Perry’s picks:

1) Roast Lamb at Ivy Inn. “Having worked with Angelo for years, one thing he always has on his menu is lamb and it’s always fantastic. I remember taking part in events he’s hosted, roasting a whole lamb or goat over a pit and to this day these are some of my most fond food and community experiences.”

2) Bellissima Pizza at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “My thinking on this is… THIS PIZZA. It’s their house margherita with the addition of shaved country ham, arugula and aged parmesan. ‘Nuff said. Oh, and Michael Wayne’s BBQ –some of the best I’ve ever tasted in Virginia.”

3) Rotisserie Chicken at Al Carbon. “It’s not a secret and I love it. I get takeout and my family crushes it.”

4) Tasting  Menu at Back 40. “I’m definitely biased here because Tucker is my homie. His courses are interesting and thoughtful from beginning to end and it feels like more than just dining.”

5) El Fuego Wrap and IVP Banh Mi at Ivy Provisions. “The El Fuego Wrap is this breakfast burrito that barely fits in your hand. It’s dripping with magic chorizo grease and it’s nostalgic to the burritos I used to eat when I was growing up in Colorado. I never blink about ordering it. Everything they do in that shop is really well done. They just nail the banh mi and whenever I eat it, I wish there was more, even though it’s enough to feed two people.”

Five Finds on Friday: Alex Toomy

Alex

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Alex Toomy of Ragged Branch Distillery. On December 17, beef and whiskey from Ragged Branch will be featured in a special dinner at Back 40 restaurant with chef Tucker Yoder. Seats are extremely limited. Get yours here.  Toomy’s picks:

1) Timbercreek Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and extra mayo at Citizen Burger Bar. “No better place to watch my favorite sports event with friends than at this downtown mall burger joint.”

2) Prime Rib – rare – at Aberdeen Barn. “The side dishes are legendary, just like the wait staff.  Might not need to eat for a couple of days.”

3) Fried Oysters at Duner’s. “Crazy for the oysters, veal scallopini and homemade bread at this Ivy go-to. Sometimes after a long week,  we need a place ‘where everyone knows your name’ and the staff remembers our favorites. And if we have to wait for a table at the bar, it is always worth our while.”

4) Ragged Branch Ribeye at Back 40. “Super cool new place at Timbercreek Market ~ nothing quite like feasting on the fruits of our labor and then shopping for the week. That’s a good thing.”

5) The Bar at Hamiltons’. “Ragged Branch Bourbon at the bar. This is how we like to start a weekend.”

Ragged Branch Dinner, December 17, 2017, 6 pm

Sorghum and Rye Glazed Smoked Steelhead, Sprouted Lentils, Brussel Sprouts

Seared Pork Belly, Stone Ground Grits, Cider Bourbon Veil, Caramelized Cabbage

Braised Short Rib, Red Wine Anise Jus, Charred Carrots and Onions

Dry Aged Ribeye, Farro, Cauliflower, Maitake Mushroom

Whisky Chocolate Crémeux, Rye Cherry Jam, Shortbread