The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Beer Run

05/24/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Jeff Bloem

Jeff

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Jeff Bloem, founder of the area’s only local malt house, Murphy & Rude Malting Co., which makes specialty and base malts from grains harvested by small grain farmers across Virginia. Along with The Charlottesville 29, Murphy & Rude is the other collaborator on Reason Beer’s outstanding Collaboration 29, now available at Beer Run and Kardinal Hall, among locations. Murphy & Rude is also helping to fight Cystic Fibrosis with several upcoming fundraisers, where you can drink free beer, among other things. Details below. Bloem’s picks:

1) Pork Milanese at Tavola. “What makes this dish so list-worthy is that I don’t even think it’s because of the pork. Don’t get me wrong, the pork is incredible – locally sourced, perfectly seasoned, breaded, and sautéed – but it’s the balance of the background of Meyer lemon, capers, Roma tomatoes, and sautéed arugula that makes you ponder ordering another one. And so consistent.”

2) Grilled Radicchio Salad (add Salmon) with Allagash FV13 at Beer Run. “This one is my victory set — one of those quick and simple but arm twisting go-tos for good moods. The acidity of the Flanders-esque farmhouse ale is a delicious contrast to the bite and richness of the salad. No FV-13? Sub Collaboration 29. Collaboration 29 offseason? Grab a Belgian from the hallway to the back bar, middle shelf.  Remember, you did good.”

3) Four-egg white Greek omelet, no bread, home fries with black coffee at Tip Top. “Before I opened the malt house I worked from home for nearly seven years. I didn’t get out much. Kid drop-offs were my commute and I used this favorite to stretch it out a bit while I was ‘driving home.’ Nothing fancy, but man, hits the spot. Regardless of what you order, go big and leave a 40% tip. Those guys and gals are the hardest working staff in town.”

4) Fried Bologna Sandwich at Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen. “I grew up on these things and while Miracle Whip (don’t hate, I’m a Midwestern transplant) would take it up a notch, they nail it here. I’m not sure anything Harrison Keevil touches lacks a component of back-home authenticity, but this one really makes me smile as I inhale it in my car before even turning it on.”

5) Egg & Chorizo Burrito at Sunoco on 5th Street Extended. “The back half of the Sunoco gas station on 5th Street Extended (across from Fifth St. Station development, next to Burger King, soon to go back to a Shell station) has long been utilized as a commercial kitchen for a small, often unknown, pop-up restaurant. This occasion is no different. I have no idea what the name of the Mexican place is that currently holds it down but it’s a gem.  Authentic, homemade, and cooked-to-order. There is La Michoacana and then there is this place.”

Murphy & Rude Cystic Fibrosis Fundraisers

All Out Before You (Brewer’s) Ball Out!
Saturday, June 1 at 4 p.m.
Orangetheory Fitness Charlottesville

Get an incredible workout (and watch Jeff kill himself to keep up with his wife), raise funds to Cure CF, and refresh afterwards with free pours of Collaboration 29, a collaboration IPA between Murphy & Rude Malting Co., Charlottesville 29, and Reason Beer.

Class Reservations: $25. To book: Call OTF Charlottesville at (434) 483-5757 or text event organizer Kelly Bloem at 703-919-0972 .

Ax Throwing
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery (IX Park)
Friday, June 7 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Join open play or team up for some friendly competition to throw axes to Cure CF! Hosted by Lynchburg-based PowerPlay, $5 buys you 5 throws and there will be free giveaways to keep you coming back for more. No advance reservations or RSVP needed.

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12/21/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Marijean Oldham

Marijean0035

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Marijean Oldham, author of the 100 Things to Do in Charlottesville Before You Die. “It could have easily been 100 Things to Eat, but I needed to expand the scope, rather than my pants,” says Oldham. Cross off all of the remaining names from your Christmas list with the newly-released second edition, now available at New Dominion Bookshop, The Virginia Shop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.  Oldham’s picks:

1) Meatless Bolognese at Prime 109. “When I tell people a steakhouse is one of my new favorite restaurants, they are extremely surprised, because I don’t eat meat. And, while I could make a meal of a cocktail and Parker House rolls, the bolognese is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.”

2) Nachos at Beer Run. “Get the nachos your way, with meat, beans or both, add extra jalapenos, and avocado if you like. They get a highlight in a chapter of my book. They’re that good.”

3) Truffled Mushroom Ragout at The Local. “It’s possible I’d eat a truffled shoe, I love the flavor so much, but this dish with the house made fettucine, white truffle oil, dozens of local mushrooms and a just-right amount of parmesan cheese is the standard order every time I’m at The Local.”

4) Tofu Caramelized Onions from Vu Noodles. “This is one of those dishes I crave on a regular basis. Mostly it’s as takeout through the tiny window shop called The Spot on 2nd Street, to be eaten on a park bench if its nice or back at my desk if I’m busy. (Vu Noodles has a second location at The Jefferson School). Vegetarians crave umami, the category of taste that exists outside of sweet, sour, salt, and bitter. It’s hard to get when you don’t eat meat but the combo of rich caramelized onion, the texture of the tofu, and the noodles gets right to heart of that hunger spot.”

5) Deviled Egg Dip with Savory Waffles and Crispy Potatoes at Brasserie Saison. “I’m not ashamed to admit I had this dish two days in a row last winter. It is comfort food wrapped in a snuggly blanket. Next time I order it, I might even share.”

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10/19/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Lisa Reeder

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Lisa Reeder, January 13, 1974 – October 14, 2018

The Charlottesville food community lost a pillar this week. The Local Food Hub’s Lisa Reeder was a tireless advocate for our local food community, overseeing programs like Fresh Farmacy, Farm to Workplace, Harvest of the Month and more. In celebration of Reeder’s life and passion for Charlottesville food, today’s Five Finds on Friday are Reeder favorites remembered by her friends, husband, and son.

1) Rosso from Gabriele Rausse Winery. “Lisa loved and championed many things, but supporting local producers, celebrating outstanding craftsmanship, and enjoying a good red wine with a meal were all very high on her list. A perfect synthesis of these loves can be found in the wines of her friend, Gabriele Rausse. At a table with Lisa, a bottle of Cab Franc or Red blend was often accompanied by anecdotes of the friendship and meals shared with the Rausse family over the years.” – Chelsea Hoyt

2) Red Hot Blues at Continental Divide. “Lisa and I started working at the Divide in college but our love affair with the ‘careful top plate is hot’ delicacy and a side of ‘wait a minute’ continues. Lisa always ordered fresh tomatoes on top and you can’t go to the Divide without a margarita on the rocks with salt. It feels like home in those booths, ordering from the tequila list that will forever be Lisa’s chalkboard to me.” – Marlena Simon

3) Pierogie and Mettwurst and Jägerschnitzel Dinner at Augustiner Hall and Garden. “Lisa loved all things German, with food being near the top of that list. She and I had these pierogies twice in the past month. The first was to-go while dancing to her favorite local band, We Are Star Children, at the Pavilion. But two weeks ago, we had a proper meal at the restaurant. She split the pierogies and the jägerschnitzel dinner with my husband, and raved about them both. Plans were quickly made to try her own hand at schnitzel with my daughter Francesca, her often sous-chef. We’re going to keep that promise and continue Lisa’s legacy of food exploration and experimentation.” – Jen Oppenheimer

4) Heritage Apples from Vintage Virginia Apple. “Lisa loved all things apple. She taught classes about apples. She coordinated apple festivals. She looked forward to the fall harvest every year. Her favorite apple event was helping to hand out apples at schools for Farm to School Week through the Local Food Hub. She truly believed: An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away.” – Geoff Shaw, Lisa’s husband

5) Nachos at Beer Run. “I am Lincoln, Lisa’s nine-year-old son. My mom and I would always walk to Beer Run and have date nights sharing nachos that my Dad couldn’t eat because he can’t have dairy. We did this a lot and always enjoyed it.” – Lincoln Shaw

While Reeder’s passing leaves a gaping hole in our food community, no one will miss her more than her son and husband. Geoff:

Lisa had battled melanoma since 2012, and it was only after she died that we found out she had a tumor in her brain that had grown really fast. Not only was it unexpected (we had no idea), but it was very quick as well. We feel blessed that she didn’t suffer.

We had an amazing day Saturday with friends in West Virginia. Lisa did everything she wanted. We went hiking and wine tasting, and she was surrounded by some of her close friends. She made dinner for nine people with spaghetti squash from Whisper Hill, beef from Free Union Grass Farm, and lettuce from Radical Roots. It’s exactly those moments that make her the happiest. She went to bed feeling fine, but left us in the night.

To carry forward Reeder’s legacy, you can help her husband and son as they embark upon this next chapter of their lives. Help Here.