The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Citizen Burger Bar

01/31/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Andy McClure

Andy

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Andy McClure, owner of Citizen Burger Bar, The Virginian, West Main, Three Restaurant, and The Biltmore.  “Loving the idea of this,” said McClure, “and owning five restaurants in town, I thought it best to exclude my own places from contention. So here goes the list of my 6th through 10th favorite places I would dine at or visit throughout the day.”

1) Eggs and Grits at The Pigeon Hole. “This relatively new Elliewood Avenue spot on the Corner is kitschy, fun, and cozy. The food is good, the people are good, and it’s a great addition to the Corner. It feels like one of those ‘been there forever’ breakfast joints in the Low Country.”

2) “Grab and Go” Sandwiches at Feast!. “They are all fast and easy and oh-so-good (they only make like 3 or 4 types), and the store itself is awesome. The amazing level of staff product knowledge at the cheese and meat counter is enough to make any restaurateur question their training program.”

3) Flat-top Burgers at Riverside Lunch.  “Grease everywhere, crispy edges, thick raw white onion, gooey American, and they’re served blazing hot.  When they’re on their game, they’re the best greasy spoon burger around. Plus I never really recommend getting gourmet burgers (or any large burger really) to go. Old school flat-top hamburgers travel really well . . . and sometimes gorging at home is all you want.  True burger lovers know that small diner-style burgers and large gourmet burgers aren’t really in the same universe, but they both can be perfect depending on one’s mood, and Riverside always helps my mood.”

4) Steak at the Downtown Grill.  “I love Mas…and I love TEN…and I love Continental, but sometimes you just need a giant steak, some raw oysters, and potatoes done 10 ways.  Gimme a bar stool, a well-cooked piece of meat, and a big red wine and I’m quite content. I can’t wait to see their renovations. In addition, I consider our little city so lucky to have a downtown area like we do, so an after dinner stroll on the mall is hard to beat.”

5) Late Night Cheese Breadsticks from The College Inn.  “The Corner is overlooked too often. It’s one of the oldest areas of town and offers the best bar crawl in the city. Though it has many food and drink staples, there’s nothing better for soaking up the booze after a night of excess than a nice delivery of cheese breadsticks with ranch from College Inn.”

“Now start a diet the following day.”

12/06/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Jason Oliver

Jason

Photo by Heidi Crandall ©, Devils Backbone Brewing Company.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Jason Oliver, Brewmaster at Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which was named Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival.  Next week be on the lookout for the latest batch of Dark Abby, their limited release Belgian Dubbel.  Also, on December 17 Devils Backbone is hosting a Mystery Dinner Theatre, where the entire pub dining area will serve as the “stage.”  Oliver’s picks:

1)  Lasagna at Beer Run.  “It doesn’t matter if it’s meat or vegetarian.  Every lasagna I’ve had at Beer Run is delicious, served smothered in bubbling cheese that’s hotter than the surface of the sun.  Let it cool for a few minutes and you’ll have some great comfort food, plus an awesome beer selection.”

2)  Shishito Peppers at Citizen Burger Bar.  “They are simple, straightforward, and delicious.  Flash fried peppers with an Asian inspired sauce that’s semi-sweet and salty.  Most of the time the peppers are mild but it’s a little like roulette because you may land on a hot one which can light you up.”

3)  Durban Spiced Chicken at The Shebeen.  “The Shebeen has a great relaxed feel to it and is unique for it’s South African inspired foods and atmosphere.  Durban Spiced Chicken is a peri-peri spiced chicken breast served with the South African staple mealie pap (think savory grits) and a sauce called “Voodoo” which is spicy and awesome.  I usually ask for additional side of Voodoo sauce.”

4) Mediterranean Salad with Wood-Roasted Salmon at Brixx Pizza. “Sometimes I want a cool refreshing dinner-sized salad and I have found few better.  The salad bowl is chilled, the lettuce crisp, the portion ample, with the blackened salmon hot, well seasoned, and straight from the wood fired oven.  Simple and pure.  A perfect salad when you want a light meal.”

5)  Cheeseburgers at Riverside Lunch.  “I was turned on to Riverside just a few months ago and they are really that good.  Riverside also has one of the best prices on local bottled craft beer in Charlottesville which makes the combination of awesome old school burgers and affordable beer a no brainer.”