The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Five Finds on Friday

07/03/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Casey Bauer

Photo by Sanjay Suchak and Charlottesville Albemarle CVB

Today’s Five Finds on Friday from chef Casey Bauer of Maggie’s Midtown, where she has been helping chef Tarik Sengul make pub fare reflecting Virginia and its British roots. Tomorrow’s July 4 issue of The Daily Progress will cover their most daunting task: a traditional Sunday Roast. Bauer’s picks:

1) Smash Burgers and Family Meal at Stock Provisions. “I fell in love with Stock before even returning home from my travels. The love they put into their work as well as the care and time they put into sourcing from the right farms are beautiful things to witness and be a part of. Not to mention those boys know how to throw down. Between biscuits and smash burgers sold only on Fridays to family meals cooked daily, they stay on my mind. As for family meal — smoked bbq chicken, tri tip tacos off the Weber Grill, or mushroom risotto — whatever it was that day we knew we were eating good.”

2) Steamed Dumplings ftom Hong Kong Chinese. “These are pure nostalgia for me. After a long day as a line cook back in the day, coming home to my Dad ordering an insane amount of Chinese food for the both of us was one of my favorites things. He would always order extra dumplings because I would always eat his. Miss you Dad. Anyways these steamed dumplings fix my craving every time.”

3) Tamales from Super Amanecer. “Tamales have always felt like home to me in any kitchen. Before heading into work I will stop by this grocery store and grab maybe ten tamales. They have a couple different options to choose from. When I get to work I pass them around the kitchen staff. Sharing food is a form of love and shows appreciation. Ever since I started working in kitchens fifteen years ago, this was something coworkers would always share with me and each other before a shift or after.”

4) Wood Fired Oysters and Hamachi Crudo at Oakhart Social. “These are two of my favorite dishes of the year by far. I was introduced to these guys and have had a crush on them ever since. They are always making some bomb specials, and the flavors are so playful while still showcasing the purity of the ingredients. Just a great vibe with some great people and great food.”

5) Apple Fritters from Sbrocco’s. “These dang apple fritters are so delicious. My pregnant sister has me drive them to her on her lunch break at UVA hospital. They have the cutest little store front and offer a good selection of yeasted simply made doughnuts.”

05/22/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Gerry Sweeney

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Gerry Sweeney, involved in two businesses that have been busy lately. For one, he is Brand Ambassador for Eastwood Farm and Winery, which has just revamped the Virginia Wine Collective, the incubator for nine small local winemakers, which is now open Wed-Fri, serving thin-crust pizzas, appetizers, wine flights, and draught beer. Meanwhile, with his wife Susan, he co-owns Cake Bloom which recently expanded and relocated to 120 10th St. NW. Sweeney’s picks:

1) Chicken Wings with Alabama Sauce or Dry Rub at Vision BBQ. “I’ve been following Mike Blevins — and his smoked chicken wings — for years, and they’re hands down the best in town. My go-to after-work pitstop these days is Vision for a plate of wings and Bitburger, and when my wife asks what’s for dinner, I order more smoked chicken and take it home for an easy taco dinner.”

2) El Capitan at Beer Run. “Morning, noon, or night, this place checks all the boxes. Unpretentious, quality food, good people, and, of course, the beer. On weekends, the breakfast tacos plus a National Bohemian win every time. Thank you, John Woodriff.”

3) Carnitas Tacos at La Michoacana. “Edgar Gaona’s carnitas tacos at La Michoacana are the real deal — raw white onion, the perfect bit of cilantro, and no slaw nonsense. A cold Pacifico in the free hand, and I could swear I was back at my favorite taqueria in Sonoma. Same story, too. Started in a truck, earned the brick and mortar. Every bite tastes like someone who’s been chasing this exact pork shoulder his whole life.”

4) Oysters at Public Fish & Oyster. “When my wife and I are missing our old haunts on Tomales Bay, we meet for a Tuesday happy hour date. A dozen or two oysters, a couple of Narragansett tallboys, frites, and some properly charred Brussels sprouts, and we’re the happiest East Coasters in the world.”

5) Double Cheeseburger at Riverside Lunch. “The lollipop place, as my daughter Lucy calls, is exactly what a hometown burger joint should be. Double cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, a sweating Miller High Life, and a staff that treats you — and your kid — like a regular from day one. Nothing here is reinventing the wheel, and that is precisely the point.”

04/24/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Sarah and Hannah Glatt

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from The Cville Sisters: Sarah and Hannah Glatt.

For some Charlottesville residents, gratitude for the area’s bounty sparks a passion to savor all it offers. The Cville Sisters have felt that for years: from high school to college, and now as they build their lives here. In their new Instagram feed, the bon vivants share their pursuit of Charlottesville’s good life. “We really love this community and want to see it thrive, and this feels like a fun way to contribute,” said Sarah. The Cville Sisters’ picks:

1) Daiquiri at Bar Baleno and Saltati Scarola at Lampo. “Whether it is a Thursday evening after Lampo’s 6 pm Run Club or while waiting for a table at Lampo, starting off with a Dealer’s Choice daiquiri from Matthew is the move. Then we’ll head over to Lampo to start our meal off with the Saltati Scarola, pairing it with our favorite pizzas, or sometimes a sandwich, to follow.”

2) Hibiscus Spritzer and Spiced Meatballs at Ethos Wine & Tea. “Get the Hibiscus Spritzer, but make it a wine spritzer. And, we always end up with an order of the spiced meatballs. Read a book, people watch, or catch up with friends while enjoying the atmosphere.”

3) Tequila Pork Ribs with Plantains and Cebollitas at Al Carbon. “Whenever it gets busy in our house, and we want something great to eat, we automatically think of Al Carbon and their Tequila Ribs. The whole rack can go a long way, and they taste even better paired with the plantains for something sweeter and the cebollitas.”

4) Chocolate Orange Blossom Cheesecake Ice Cream at SugarBear. “While the chocolate orange blossom cheesecake ice cream is the top contender, there are so many amazing seasonal ice cream flavors constantly rotating through. From the Bodo’s Everything Bagel seasoning collab or the current Blueberry Sunshine, you can’t make a wrong choice. So little time to sample them all.”

5) Iced Almond Date Latte at JBird Supply Coffee Roaster. “We love hitting the IX Farmers Market, and our first stop is always the JBird coffee tent for an iced almond date latte. We’ll sip our way around and pick up anything else we need, or want: plants, pastries, stickers, and more. Although we haven’t made it out to their new location by FIREFLY yet, we’re so excited to check it out for our coffee fix—and grab a sweet treat from Florosa.”