The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Belle

11/21/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Andy Argaud

In the Charlottesville food community, when one has a need, others rush to fill it. Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from A Squared Pizza’s Andy Argaud, who could use our help. His three-year-old daughter Zoey was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and now the “precocious, funny, and determined 3-year-old who loves unicorns, Bluey and K-pop Demon Hunters” is in the fight of her life. The community is rallying to help Zoey and her family, raising funds for medical expenses, lost income, and basic household needs: How to chip in: “Help Zoey Beat Leukemia.”

Another way to help is by enjoying Argaud’s delicious pizza at A Squared. Argaud has cut back hours, but still opens from 3 – 8 pm. Argaud’s picks:

1) Vietnamese Coffee from Nguyen’s Kitchen. “I’m typically a black coffee drinker but will always make an exception for this. The coffee is strong enough to power through the cream and sugar to make it an excellent treat. Drink before noon though if you dont want to be awake all night.”

2) Jambon Buerre from Belle. “I am a Frenchman at heart, and this sandwich takes me to sitting at a cafe in the middle of Paris. Their baguettes are the best in town, which pairs so well with the salted butter and ham.”

3) Carne Asada Torta from El Comalito. “After living in L.A. for a few years, I have become very particular with my Mexican food, and Comalito always satisfies. The asada torta is meaty, cheesy and spicy, all the makings of great Mexican dishes. Don’t forget the salsa verde.”

4) Chicharrón, Queso and Frijoles Pupusa from AMIGO Mercado Latino. “This place is a hidden gem. The pupusas are filled to the brim inside delicious masa, paired with slaw. Kick it up a notch with their habenero orange salsa.”

5) Chicken Parm with Pink Lady Sauce from Sal’s Caffe Italia. “I might get in trouble for this one as its a ‘secret menu’ item but boy is it good.  A cripsy chicken cutlet with melted mozzarella, on top of a bed of pink lady (marinara and alfredo mix) noodles makes for a delicious meal.”

 

09/12/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Amanda Beckwith, Brian Hersey

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Amanda Beckwith and Brian Hersey, of Virginia Distillery Co., which has just released a rare single malt whisky tribute to Charlottesville. Single malts are defined by their sense of place, and so the distillery’s new whisky celebrates the Charlottesville community on which the its success stands. “Crafted from this place for this place,” The Charlottesville 29 Single Barrel is the distillery’s first and only 100% American single malt finished in a single port cask. Read all about it and how Charlottesville is putting American single malt on the map in this week’s C-VILLE.

A habitual collaborator, Director of Liquid Development Amanda Beckwith asked colleague Brian Hersey to join her for Five Finds on Friday. Their picks:

1) Veggieletta and a Chai Latte at Belle. “I always savor my rare lunches in Charlottesville, and love meeting a friend or two at Belle. The abundance of olives falling out from the veggie and mozzarella-laden sourdough sandwich makes me so happy, and the chai latte rounds things off with the perfect, balancing, sweetly spiced sip.”

2) Champignon at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “One of our favorite ways to celebrate the wrap of a long work week is heading to Dr. Ho’s. The perfection of the Champignon’s roasted mushrooms and garlic never fails to hit the spot for me. For Brian, it’s the perfect balance in the Bellissima between the salty country ham, acidic and bitter note from the arugula, sweetness from the roasted tomatoes, and creamy richness of the cheese that wins the day.”

3) Irish Dexter Beef at The Apple Shed. “The Apple Shed is a year-round fruit stand on Route 29 S in Lovingston. Russ sells his own locally grazed cattle, and the Irish Dexter beef is one of Brian’s favorite proteins to cook with. A light oak smoke and then smashed into a cast iron with grilled onion, American cheese, pickles and Duke’s is the perfect rich and beefy bite.”

4) Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas at Continental Divide. “The vibrant energy and fun atmosphere here always make Continental Divide a good time. Brian’s typical order is the Red Hot Blues and a margarita. The Red Hot Blues are simple and delicious, with a great tang from the goat cheese accompanied by plenty of Wait a Minute and a little bit of Danger sauce that make for the perfect high-energy bar snack. My go-to is their phenomenal spinach and mushroom enchiladas, and yes, a marg.”

5) Chocolate Almond Croissant at MarieBette. “While there’s nothing better than a luxurious weekend brunch here, Brian and I mostly use MarieBette to go. Torn between the sweet and the savory options, Brian is all about prezzant, a hybrid pretzel croissant with everything bagel seasoning. I usually select a pain au chocolat or chocolate almond croissant.”

06/10/2022

Five Finds on Friday: Allen LeHew

School’s out for summer!

For many in Charlottesville, nothing says summer more than Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books, the iconic OBX shop that fuels vacationing Charlottesvillians with waterfront coffee. It turns out the love affair is mutual, as longtime owner Allen LeHew loves Charlottesville, and makes frequent journeys to Charlottesville for food (and sports!). Quietly, he is also a regular contributor to fundraisers when members of the Charlottesville food community are in need. No wonder Charlottesville finds his shop such a pleasant place to be.

To kick off beach season, today’s Five Finds on Friday come from LeHew. Check out his great picks, and don’t miss Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books this summer:

1) Seasonal Fruit Brioche at Albemarle Baking Company. “This delicate, light and fluffy brioche, filled with pastry cream and seasonal fruit, is perfect with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or even for dessert.”

2) Jambon Beurre at Belle. “Belle’s take on this classic French sandwich is so simple yet so delicious. The house baked bread, using flour from Woodson’s Mill, is perfection. Finish your meal with one of Belle’s cinnamon rolls or chocolate chip cookies.”

3) Pig Mac at Little Star. “#11 on Simon’s 29 Sandwich list. A breaded pork cutlet with all the fixings to make it a Mac. Served on a brioche sesame seed roll. One of those thing I eat and days later think about and crave another.”

4) Quenelles de Brochet at Café Frank. “My wife Judy and I try to dine at Café Frank whenever we are in town. Nothing disappoints, but the standout so far has been the Quenelles. The pike dumpling practically melts in your mouth and the rich velouté is the perfect accompaniment.”

5) Ethiopian Qabballe Pourover at Mudhouse. “I’m partial to the fruit forward Ethiopian coffees and the pourover method really brings the fruit out. Leave the cream and sugar out, and enjoy the subtle nuances and mouthfeel of the coffee. You can’t go wrong with any of the single origin coffees Mudhouse has to offer.”