The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Cou Cou Rachou

10/30/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Tami Resch

Do you know Charlottesville super-couple Tami Resch and Joel Cuellar? Resch is the former freelance baker of layer cakes and cupcakes at MarieBette. Cuellar is the former Spirits Sommelier of Manhattan’s legendary Brandy Library, who runs Speakeasy. (He’s also a judge in Malt Masters 2026, coming soon.) Now, with their daughters Islay and Skye, they are opening Charlottesville Cupcake.

Opening in November at 402 Commerce St., across from the Jefferson School park, Charlottesville Cupcake will serve the cupcakes that earned Resch a following at MarieBette, along with some new creations. Follow their Instagram page for updates. Resch’s picks:

1) Vanilla Bean Marmalade Danish at Cou Cou Rachou. “I am embarrassed to say how long it took me as a baker to visit Cou Cou Rachou, especially since my neighbor Sarah is a baker there, but I was so delighted when I did. I had an incredible Vanilla Bean Marmalade danish and the vibe is so friendly and cheerful.”

2) Rose Geranium Ice Cream from SugarBear. “I’ve only had it once after having the great fortune of tasting a rose geranium panna cotta at Emily’s home for dessert. I literally couldn’t speak. It was the best thing I had ever tasted. Thankfully she made it into an ice cream and it had this delicate floral, slightly herbal, precious flavor. Let’s talk her into making it again next spring.”

3) Tres Leches Cake from Florosa at JBird. “Chris does an absolutely outstanding version and her presentation is so beautiful. It feels so generous and deliberate in its loveliness. It feels like you’re eating a gift every time.”

4) Lobster Tempura at Ten Sushi. “Every time our family has a big event to celebrate, the kids (now 18!) want to go to Ten Sushi. We sit down and mainly order four plates of Lobster Tempura, and also multiples of Ten Hamachi, but it’s the crispy delicate crunch on the big chunks of lobster that get me.”

5) Salt Risen Potato Rolls at Aster. “My husband didn’t look happy when I ordered the potato rolls the first night we went to Aster. There was just so much more on the menu that looked interesting and exciting. But I was so right. They’re served warm with this giant smear of local butter which I did not leave a trace of.”

03/21/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Megan Hereford and Jocelyn Kuzelka

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Megan Hereford and Jocelyn Kuzelka of Daring Wine & Cider Co, whose Crab Apple Blend won Cider of the Year at last week’s Governor’s Cup. The duo will be at Café Frank this Sunday for a Virginia Women in Wine Dinner – a four-course feast paired with wines from them and Veritas Winery. A few seats still remain. And, they will be pouring samples April 5 at Charlottesville City Market and April 12 at The Workshop. Hereford’s and Kuzelka’s picks:

1) Caesar Salad and Pomme Frites at Café Frank. (Megan) “This is my favorite girl dinner when I get home from being on the road slinging wine and cider or traveling for my day job. Paired with a dirty martini, it fulfills all of my bar food needs in a boujee way. The salad has just the right amount of dressing, a fantastic three-year-aged parmesan and white anchovies. I hold the croutons but I am sure they are amazing as well. The frites are always perfectly cooked and come with a delicious charred onion aioli. It is the perfect meal to enjoy with a drink at the bar.”

2) Gluten-Free Muffins at Cou Cou Rachou. (Megan) “No matter the season these muffins never disappoint. I don’t know how they do it, but these have to be the best gluten-free baked goods I have tried in 15 years of eating gluten-free. They are always fluffy and light and I always look forward to new flavors. The current variation is citrus sesame and is an inspired flavor combo.”

3) Chili Milli Gobhi at Kanak Indian Kitchen. (Megan) “This is a go-to add-on to my carryout order here. These zesty cauliflower florets are crispy and have this amazing spicy, sweet and sour flavor from chili garlic sauce. They are the perfect appetizer for any meal here.”

4) Coat Czech at Selvedge Brewing. (Jocelyn) “When you grow up in the U.S. with Czech relatives telling you, ‘Jocie, you are Czech! You drink beer for breakfast!’, you better believe the search for a Czech-style pale lager sometimes feels like a perpetual quest that normally leads to disappointing emptiness. That is until a fellow cidermaker and beer lover took me to Selvedge Brewing. Their Coat Czech is absolutely superb. The earthy floral aroma and delicious Saaz bitterness that cleanses the palate after every sip just feels like going home. A proper pour from their Lukr faucet, watching the bartender keep the faucet submerged under the cap of foam which results in a fresher tasting pint, and believe me you will understand what all the fuss is about. The perfect pint for any reason.”

5) Kolače at Praha Bohemian Bakery. (Jocelyn) “No trip to Charlottesville is complete unless I find myself at Praha Bohemian Bakery in Crozet. I love the vibe of this cozy café that feels like a sidewalk café in Prague. The farmer cheese kolače are my favorite, the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Honestly, everything I have had here is high-quality and delicious.”

12/29/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Rachel Gendreau

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Rachel Gendreau, of Crush Pad, Luce, and Bizou. A Certified Sommelier, Gendreau these days is most often at Crush Pad, where if you walk in and ask her to choose a glass, a bottle, or even a case, you will walk out happy. “I am blessed to eat and drink exceptionally well in my line of work with Vincent & Co., and so this was a major challenge,” said Gendreau. “I went with the dishes I returned to most often this past year, the things that make my heart happy and were always enjoyed in beloved company.” Gendreau’s picks:

1) Skip Burger at Blue Moon Diner. “Somehow both tragically hip yet endlessly welcoming, everything about the Blue Moon vibe is immaculate, and Laura is truly the coolest. I’ve been coming religiously for the Skip Burger since I was in college, a slightly runny egg, perfectly medium rare patty, crisp LTO, bacon, melty cheddar, side of fries (dipped in mayo, because I’m a monster), and invariably accompanied by a bottle of the house bubbles to share. THE breakfast burger to cure anything that ails ya.”

2) Boat Noodles at Thai Cuisine & Noodle House. “Thai Cuisine is my go-to Thai spot for sure, and while Jay and his crew always deliver exceptional pho and curries, I’m a Boat Noodle girl for life. Something about that dark, rich broth and the chew of the noodles, tons of cilantro and scallions, bulked up with an extra portion of Gai Lai. Oh baby.”

3) Celery Salad at Birdhouse. “I am lucky to live in a killer food neighborhood, and having this gem within walking distance is a beautiful and dangerous thing. Liz’s expertly curated low-intervention wine list is a major draw, as is the achingly perfect chicken and sides the kitchen turns out, but nothing has my heart quite like the celery salad – a light, refreshing, texturally perfect foil to all of the schmaltzy goodness on the table.”

4) French Onion Croissant at Cou Cou Rachou. “Another neighborhood delight, and one with which I share a name. My daughters and I allow ourselves carte blanche and always leave much poorer, but with a box full of sweet and savory masterpieces. We are fond of the quiche-lets, the caneles, the sourdough, the giant cookies, and whatever mousse is in the fridge upon arrival, but the French Onion Croissant rocks our world every single time. Get two, trust us.”

5) Lobster Roll and Oysters at Public Fish & Oyster. “Nobody does happy hour quite like Public – snag a couple of early barstools, and let John make you a pristine Negroni. Order a dozen dealer’s choice bivalves, always expertly shucked, and work your way through them while waiting for a generously portioned lobster roll (Maine-style or bust, fight me). Add a glass of sharp, saline Muscadet, and you’ll probably hear me purring from West Main Street.”