The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Fabio’s

#8: Cheesesteak – Belle

The Cheesesteak 

Usually you have to choose. Do you want an original cheesesteak? Or do you want one prepared by a great chef? As delicious as the original rendition is, it doesn’t exactly require a culinary degree to make. And so, when a great chef takes a stab at a cheesesteak, while the result is often delicious in its own right, the experience can differ from the sandwich made famous by former hot dog stand owners in Philadelphia.

Belle chef John Shanesy somehow does both. The cheffy tweaks he makes to one of America’s favorite sandwiches manage to enhance it while also yielding a result faithful to the original. No, he doesn’t use Amoroso rolls. He has access to hoagie rolls baked fresh every day by a world class baker: his brother Scott, with whom he co-owns Belle. As for the cheese sauce, Shanesy makes an upgraded version of “whiz” by combining Tillamook cheddar and American cheese, which he steeps at 180 degrees in Mt Crawford milk and heavy cream with dried chilies and herbs, fresh thyme, black pepper, and salt. For the sandwich, he griddles sliced steak, mushroom duxelles, bell pepper, and white onion, and chops them all together.  For assembly, he smears mayo on the top bun and adds iceberg lettuce. On the bottom bun, he adds the steak mixture and cheese sauce. The result is a sandwich that may differ from the original, but still tastes faithful to the style. A classic made even better.

#8: Cheesesteak – Belle
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Steak and Cheese at Taste Shack (GFA), Villy at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue,  Beef Cheesesteak at Farmacy, Cheesesteak at Fabio’s, The Whiz at Lucky Blue’s, Philly Steak/Cheese at Tubby’s, Cheesesteak Hoagie at Revolutionary Soup, Philly Cheesesteak at Timberwood Grill. Vegetarian Alternatives: Philly Cheeseshroom at Kitchen(ette), The Godfather with Shrooms at Lucky Blue’s, Vegan Cheesesteak/Vegetarian Cheesesteak at Champion Brewing Company

Five Finds on Friday: Trish Dombrauskas

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Trish Dombrauskas, chef of Riverbirch Restaurant, which opens this month in The Shops at Riverside Village, on Stony Point Road. Cooking has been in Dombrauskas’ family all of her life, which may be why she attended the Culinary Institute of Virginia before a career in a wide range of restaurants and other food service jobs, the most impactful being chef at senior living communities. “Senior living taught me patience, and that a person developing a memory from an item you served them is the most superior gift that can be given to a chef,” says Dombrauskas. Riverbirch’s menu will feature gussied-up American comfort food, with a focus on local sources like The Local Food Hub, Cavalier Produce, Albemarle Baking Company, The Spice Diva, and Blue Ridge Coffee Crafters. Dombrauskas’ favorite is local ribeye, hand cut in house, finished with whole butter. She also likes the Riverbirch signature burger with local beef, topped with a local egg, house made farmer’s cheese, and onion jam. Dombrauskas’ picks:

1) Pupusas Revueltas at Mi Canton. “I discovered Mi Canton a year or so ago and have made it a regular stop of mine. There are so many delicious items on their menu, it is difficult to go wrong. But I always go back to the very first dish I had at Mi Canton, the pupusas revueltas. They are thick, Salvadorian tortillas stuffed with cheese, pork, and beans and served with a delicious fresh salad called cortido, a vinegary cabbage slaw that makes the dish perfection. The owners always make you feel welcome and you can tell they are proud of their products.”

2) Sicilian Style Pizza at Fabio’s in Gordonsville. “I moved to Gordonsville three years ago this past September and the first place I ate was Fabio’s pizza. Their pizza is phenomenal. My father grew up in New Jersey and as a kid I ate great pizza. Fabio’s in Gordonsville has great pizza, but I feel like the hidden gem is their Sicilian style pizza. The crust is thick, and they top it with the best cheese and toppings around. They even slice their sausage for their pizzas which is just the way I remember it as a kid. I love to chat with the owners, old school guys who know the importance of old school pizza. I always have a laugh while I’m there, because they remind me of my uncles back in New Jersey.”

3) The Fat and Sassy at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “Indulgent is the best word to describe this flatbread/cheese bread crossover. It is covered with full cloves of roasted garlic and served with the best house made ranch dressing around. Every time I visit it is a must for me to purchase a jar of their ranch dressing to take home. Dr. Ho’s has a fabulous menu, but every time I am drawn into the Fat and Sassy and it never fails how delicious it is.”

4) Potato Salad at Mel’s Cafe. “Mel’s potato salad is a simple mayonnaise, mustard, onion-based potato salad. It is simple, but delicious. It is the perfect side for any of their sandwiches or burgers. Mel’s potato salad reminds me of the potato salad my mom’s best friend makes, and ultimately it reminds me of home.”

5) The Black Beauty at Livery Stable. “The cocktails at the Livery Stable are well thought out and quite delicious. The ambience of the Livery Stable is what makes it an interesting spot to hang out. The Black Beauty is my favorite with raspberry vodka, cassis, and topped with ginger beer. It is bright and delicious. Be sure to sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders. They make the experience interesting to say the least.”

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Five Finds on Friday: Jennifer Mowad

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Jennifer Mowad of Cocoa & Spice, the acclaimed chocolatier at 506 Stewart Street, off Meade Avenue. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates and her latest creations. Mowad’s picks:

1) Chicken Pad Thai & Thai Iced Tea from Thai Fresh. “As soon as I finish setting up my tent at Friday’s After Five, I walk to Thai Fresh and am greeted with a big smile and warm hello from the owner. I opt for the not spicy version and am never disappointed. While I’m devouring it back at my tent my customers always comment on how delicious it looks. And the iced tea is so flavorful & refreshing on a hot summer night!”

2) Banana Nut Bread from Green House Coffee. “I’ve become addicted to this banana nut bread! Every time I re-stock my display at the Crozet Artisan Depot I stop by Green House and snag an end piece (it’s bigger than the middle piece…shhh). It’s not too sweet and has a great texture!”

3) Filipino BBQ Platter from Little Manila. “Most weeks you can find us both set-up at the UVA Hospital Market, Sprint Pavilion events, & the City Market. Lucky for me, Fernando and his family are keen on my brownies and chocolate drinks and I can often trade a few of those for a platter of his delectable food – marinated pork belly, chicken, pancit, & lumpia. I also love their Instagram page, especially the videos of the chicken or pork belly caramelizing on the grill!”

4) Cheese Pizza from Fabio’s. “I moved to Charlottesville from northern New Jersey and love a NY style pizza. After a long day at my shop on Stewart Street I head right around the corner to Fabio’s and snag a slice of cheese pizza. When I’m extra hungry I treat myself to the White Gourmet – broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, white sauce, garlic, & mozzarella!”

5) Trifecta from Pearl Island and Banh Mi from Vu Noodles. “Since they share a spot at the Jefferson City School I’m selecting a dish from each and counting it as one of my five! Pearl Island’s entrees are all so delicious it’s hard to pick just one. The trifecta combines their pork, chicken, and beans, not to mention a generous portion of rice, kale salad, and the fried plantains. Javier will often trade for one of my iced hot chocolates at our Thursday market! . . . A roll can make or break a banh mi sandwich – one bite of Vu Noodles’ vegan version and I’m transported back to Vietnam.”

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