The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Brazos Tacos

10/16/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Kate Asquith

Todays Five Finds on Friday come from Kate Asquith of Appalachian Beekeeping Collective, a nonprofit organization that trains and supports people to become beekeepers in economically distressed areas of Virginia and West Virginia. Appalachian Beekeeping Collective then purchases honey from its beekeepers and sells it online, with all proceeds going back to the non-profit’s efforts to support beekeepers. This week Appalachian Beekeeping Collective launched its new online store, where you can buy delicious honey, while supporting their cause. Feel-good holiday gifts. Asquith’s picks:

1) Scallion Bubble Pancake from Peter Chang. “My whole family is in love with these, but my six-year-old especially. She will tell anyone who asks that it’s her favorite food. It’s the main thing keeping my hope alive that she’ll be an interesting eater.”

2) Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich from Market Street Market. “I think this is a perfect sandwich. I also don’t understand how they can make such good salads for less than $5. Of all the things I have missed during the pandemic, I think I miss the Market’s deli the most.”

3) Morning Melt Sandwich on Everything Croissant from Bowerbird Bakeshop. “My second favorite sandwich in Charlottesville right now, and especially when they had fresh tomatoes this summer. I like to meet a friend here and then bring a box of their gorgeous pastries home for my family. Also a big fan of their rosemary almond croissant.”

4) Triple Pickle Taco from Brazos Tacos. “Honestly, I just go down their menu and pick all the tacos with the mushrooms bruja. This is my favorite.”

5) La Familia from Al Carbon. “A full rotisserie chicken and several sides. This is my go-to takeout. My children are probably 15% pollo al carbon at this point, we get it so often. My favorite side is the platanos fritos with the delicious cinnamon cream sauce. The rest of my family practically lives off yucca fries and yellow rice.”

03/20/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Margo Bulka

Margo

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from an unsung hero of the COVID-19 crisis, WillowTree Principal Product Strategist Margo Bulka, who single-handedly designed and built Charlottesville’s best resource for responding to it: supportcville.com. There, you can find how to help and how to get help. In maintaing the site, Bulka is grateful for Jordy Yager, who oversees the site’s content, and WillowTree, for its great support of her efforts. In Bulka’s picks, she celebrates restaurants offering takeout as a way to try to survive this crisis:

1) The Bill at Brazos Tacos. “‘Mashed potatoes on a taco?’ My skeptical out of town visitors will always raise an eyebrow. ‘Just trust me.’ With potatoes and mushrooms smothered in zingy honey jefe topped with cilantro, The Bill has the natural joy of a taco but with a kick. Unexpected but amazing.” (UPDATE: Brazos is closed indefinitely.)

2) Shaved Salad at Oakhart Social. “Around an evening dinner table, a friend shared a rumor about this salad – supposedly, it was once voted the best in the world. The whole world? Crisp fresh fennel, sweet crunch of fresh apple, parmesan dressing. Heavenly. Pass it on.” Order it for curbside pick-up here. 

3) Margarita D.O.C. at Lampo. “I can’t tiptoe around it. Picking a favorite on the Lampo menu is next to impossible (the Hellboy, the Abruzzo . . . the Cavoletti Di Bruxelles) but the Margarita D.O.C. wins the crown. The simplicity of fresh, bubbling mozzarella di bufala after a trip inside the wood-fired oven makes it unforgettable.” Order it for curbside pick-up here.

4) Kao Soi at Monsoon Siam. “Curry, brothy, noodle-y goodness topped with crispy egg noodles and cilantro. A remarkable symphony of savory and sweet against a soft crunch. What is even happening in that bowl? Unclear, but it’s fantastic.” Order it for curbside pick-up or delivery here.

5) Lemon Ricotta Pancakes at MarieBette. “You’ll have to zoom in early on Saturday mornings to beat the line, but the weekend alarm is worth it. I love this stack of fluffy pancakes followed by the morning nap that often ensues.” Call (434) 529-6118 to order Buttermilk Pancakes from MarieBette’s new takeout menu here.

brazos

11/01/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Portia Boggs

Portia

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Portia Boggs of The Local Food Hub, which, in parternship with Junction and Monticello Wine Trail, is hosting an upcoming benefit called What Grows Together Goes Together. November 7 at Junction, the wines of five local wineries will be paired with appetizers by chef Melissa Close-Hart. to illustrate the natural pair-ability of food and wine from the same region. Tickets are $50 each and include a wine glass to take home. All proceeds benefit Local Food Hub. Tickets and details here. Boggs’ picks:

1) Thai Tofu Wrap at Revolutionary Soup. “Rev Soup has been a favorite spot since I first moved to Charlottesville in 2012, and this sandwich is my go-to. On chilly days, I like to pair it with the Spicy Senegalese Peanut Tofu soup for a meal that is equal parts hearty, spicy, and warming. It’s no coincidence that both dishes use locally-made Twin Oaks Tofu, the best tofu I’ve had in my 12+ years of vegetarianism.”

2) Mushroom, Leek, and Gruyere Pot Pie followed by Dark Chocolate Cream Pie at  The Pie Chest. “I could have gone with anything the Pie Chest offers – they make a range of sweet and savory pies, rotating with what is in season. I’ve never had a bad experience, and am typically first in line to try the new releases. Mushroom, Leek, and Gruyere and Dark Chocolate are available year-round, and are consistently phenomenal. They share a space with Lone Light Coffee, whose latte goes perfectly with a warm piece of fruit pie.”

3) Mexican-Style Street Corn at Junction. “The only thing better than freshly-picked, grilled and generously buttered corn is Mexican street-style corn, and Junction does it perfectly, with a spot-on balance of flavor. Their housemade queso and guacamole are another must whenever I go.”

4) Migas Tacos at Brazos Tacos. “These crunchy, cheesy, egg-y tacos are worth the early-ish wakeup time and wait in line they often require. The Migas is my favorite, but all their tacos are incredible. As an added bonus, you can get them with Ula Tortilla’s, a local tortilla company that knows their stuff!”

5) Lacinato Kale Salad at MarieBette. “This salad, paired with a cafe au lait, followed by one of their amazing pastries (pretzel croissant, anyone?) is a dream lunch. Their second location, Petite MarieBette, is right by the Local Food Hub offices, making it an ideal easy, fast, and delicious last-minute lunch.”

mexicancorn

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