The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Cou Cou Rachou

01/20/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Monique Moshier

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Monique Moshier of The Happy Cook. Charlottesville’s favorite kitchen supply store for decades, The Happy Cook also offers private events and hands-on cooking classes, which are now back in full swing and in-person, after a pause during the pandemic. Moshier’s picks:

1) English Muffins from Cou Cou Rachou. “I love just about everything from Cou Cou Rachou (particularly the Parisian vibe), but my regular indulgence is the English Muffins.  Their English Muffins elevate everything you pair them with. I love pairing them with homemade jam or my favorite use is making an egg sandwich from my backyard chicken eggs and aged white cheddar.”

2) Bison Hanger Steak from Mockingbird. “Melissa Close-Hart is such an amazing chef, and I love so much about her new restaurant in Belmont. The Bison Steak is delicious. I love that option on the menu as I feel like I don’t see Bison on the menu often around Charlottesville. You get the satisfaction from steak but with more complex flavor, and Mockingbird does a great job on this dish complementing the Bison with accompanying sides.”

3) Corner Bowl on Greens from Poke Sushi Bowl. “I feel so spoiled by having Poke Sushi Bowl across the street from The Happy Cook. They have so many good options but my regular indulgence for lunch is the Corner Bowl on Greens. This bowl features salmon, mango, eel and avocado over mixed greens so it hits my sushi favorites but feels healthier over greens with all the same satisfaction.”

4) Floral Funfetti Cake from Cake Bloom. “Cake Bloom is such a fun spot. Normally you can’t have that fancy wedding cake without the big event, but with Cake Bloom you can pop in anytime for a slice. This is a favorite spot of mine to get together with friends and enjoy a glass of champagne. The Floral Funfetti is both beautiful to look at and fun for the taste buds. The flower petals that run through the cake add to both the aesthetic of the cake as well as being well balanced in the flavor.”

5) Old Fashioned from The Mill Room. “I was never much into whiskey until the last few years but now it is my go-to liquor for cocktails. There is nothing more quintessential in the realm of whiskey than a well done Old Fashioned, and Mill Room does it right. I love that they use a large ice cube, a good quality cherry, nice slice of orange peel, and even the glass and ambiance add to the experience.”

12/17/2021

Five Finds on Friday: Liz Broyles

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Liz Broyles of Birdhouse, open now at 711 Henry Avenue, in the former home of Ace Biscuit & Barbecue and Dottie’s Cafe. While Broyles has spent much of her career in the front of the house, she is now in the kitchen with a new restaurant focusing on “supporting regional farmers and delivering quality food to our community.” Birdhouse serves rotisserie chickens from area farms, with a selection of locally sourced, vegetable-driven sides. “We are lucky to live in a place with so many folks committed to growing and producing quality food,” said Broyles. “We hope Birdhouse will grow into a place that connects farmers and producers with our community.” There are stellar wines, too, as Broyles previously worked for a wine distributor and oversaw wines at C&O. Broyles’ picks:

1) English Muffin from Cou Cou Rachou. “Best English muffin I’ve ever had. If you haven’t checked out Rachel De Jong’s baked goods yet, you gotta do it.”

2) Falafel Bowl from Otto. “This bowl is a treat. Falafel sits on top of roasted beets, white bean salad, red cabbage salad, sumac onions, Coban salad, fried eggplant and greens.

3) Bricolage from Patois Cider. “These amazing ciders made by Patrick Collins are really special, crafted with intention and care at each stage. Patrick scouts for apple trees in the mountains and harvests these ol’ timey varieties with the help of his partner Danielle LeCompte. Ciders are made without modification or added yeasts and are unrefined and unfiltered. Delicious.”

4) Marinara D.O.C. Pizza from Lampo. “San Marzano tomato, garlic, wild oregano, sea salt, olive oil. Nuff said.”

5) Cauliflower Sous Shu from Pearl Island. “The food at Pearl Island is full of flavor, healthy and fresh. Make sure you get an extra side of Pikliz.”

11/26/2021

Five Finds on Friday: Jen Pease

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for a reader selected at random to participate in Five Finds on Friday, and this year’s winner is UVa Associate Professor Jen Pease. Pease’s picks:

1) Miso Chocolate Chip Cookie from Cou Cou Rachou. “My platonic ideal of a cookie: the perfect balance of crispy/chewy and salty/sweet. We are so lucky to live in a town with several amazing bakeries, and Cou Cou Rachou is a fabulous addition. (My kids also wanted me to mention their favorite treats: the Prezzant and the Stuffed Chocolate Shortbread, both from MarieBette.)”

2) Migas Taco from Brazos. “I first tried migas tacos while visiting Austin a few years ago, and I was thrilled to find them on the menu at Brazos. Egg, veggies, cheese, and tortilla chips? On a taco? Yes, please. Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.”

3) Raspberry Triangle from Atlas Coffee. “Atlas is the epitome of the neighborhood coffee shop: the type of place where you always see familiar faces and the baristas start your order when you walk in the door. A latte and a raspberry triangle is my favorite way to start a workday.”

4) Beets from Oakhart Social. “My husband and I frequently have a hard time deciding which of the many great veggie dishes to order at Oakhart, but this one always makes the cut.”

5) Seabass Normandy from Café Frank. “One of the best dishes I have eaten this year. We love the atmosphere at Café Frank – another great addition to the Charlottesville dining scene.”