The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Five Finds on Friday

03/24/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Mark Benusa

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Mark Benusa, co-founder of Fine Creek Brewing Company, which is joining an elite group of artisans next month for Field Day at Blenheim Vineyards. April 8 from 12 – 5pm, there will be tacos by Tyler’s Meats N’ Such, wine by Blenheim, beer by Fine Creek and music by Erik “Red” Knierim. Advance tickets are just $15 and get you two tacos and a glass of wine or beer. Get yours here. Or, if you can’t make that, check out Fine Creek’s Wild + Weird Festival April 22. Benusa’s picks:

1) 80 Shilling Scottish Ale at Decipher Brewing. “The last couple of times I’ve gotten together for beers with my ‘dad’ friends, we’ve met at Decipher Brewing. The guys at Decipher are hands down brewing some of the best beers in town. The 80 Shilling Scottish Ale is incredible. The perfect combination of malty and drinkable. Decipher has plenty of great options on tap, so it’s saying something that I went back for pint #2 of this delicious brew. Especially for someone who is constantly trying new beers.”

2) Cinnamon Roll from T’s Sweetz at IX Art Park. “With such a mild winter, my family and I have been lucky to make it out to the IX Market on several Saturday mornings this season. A few weeks ago, we bought our 5-year-old twin boys a cinnamon roll from T’s Sweetz. This thing was not only colossal but delicious. The kids loved it. The best part was, it was so large, their scavenger dad got to polish off the bit they couldn’t finish.”

3) Chiles Toreados y Cebollitas at Al Carbón. “Al Carbón is one of our go-to family take out spots. It’s one of those rare finds that easily pleases the whole family. One of our favorite sides they have are the Chiles Toreados y Cebollitas. The dish consists of whole chiles and green onions grilled to be crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Salty and sweet, this dish is a palate-pleasing addition to what is always a tasty meal. Now that we’ve found out they deliver, we plan on ordering a lot more often.”

4) Burger and Beer at Mount Ida Reserve. “With a new baby at home, date nights with my wife are unfortunately few and far between. However, we’ve discovered the next best thing which has proven to be easier to achieve: the lunch date! On Valentine’s Day last month, we wanted to do something different and get out of town. We decided to head south down to Mount Ida Reserve Tasting Room & Taphouse. We each got a different burger and beer to try: classic smash for my wife and feisty bull for me, paired with a Festbier and Marzen. Both burgers and beers were phenomenal. And the views were just as good. Taking in the long view of the mountains with a satisfying burger and beer, we felt like we really got to escape, even though we still had a two-month old on our laps.”

5) Crispy Fish with Green Onion at Taste of China. “Chinese, and Szechuan specifically, is one of our favorite take out options on those occasions when we’re looking for some heat. While we do frequent Peter Chang’s, we were turned on to another great option farther north: Taste of China. Don’t let the basic name fool you, these folks have some complex and unique dishes. One we love is their Crispy Fish with Green Onion. Salty filets of crispy fried fish are tossed with chili powder and cumin and topped with cilantro.  Once you’ve tasted these perfectly fried bites, I guarantee you’ll crave them like we do.”

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.”

01/13/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Ann Dunn

There has long been a bond between Charlottesville’s fitness community and its food community. (Some have called it a “Paradox.”) As the New Year brings new fitness goals, today’s Five Finds on Friday come from one of Charlottesville’s best to help with those goals: Ann Dunn of Formula Complete Fitness. A former NCAA All-American runner, Dunn loves running, fitness, and training others. And Charlottesville food. Visit Formula’s website to learn how to get started, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Dunn’s picks:

1) Gentle Green from The Juice Laundry. “This juice has ruined any other cold-pressed juice for me. Other juices do not stack up. It is the perfect balance of health and flavor, with a unique combination of kale, spinach, cucumber, grapefruit, and apple juices. It is light and refreshing. When paired with a protein, it is a great start to the day. Plus, I feel like I’m #winning when I get in my greens before 8 am.”

2) Breakfast Bowl at Guajiros. “When beans and rice are a staple in my diet, I feel really good. This dish is a special treat though. I love gallo pinto (Nicaraguan rice and beans), and the pico and cilantro aioli add a tasty touch. The bowl comes with plantains or queso frito (fried cheese) too. I’m from Wisconsin, so I usually choose the latter. Pro tip: don’t miss out on the cafe con leche, the most decadent way to get your coffee fix.”

3) Blue Slate from Greenwood Grocery. “If I am spending the day at one of our amazing local wineries, I love picking up sandwiches and snacks from Greenwood Grocery. The Blue Slate is a classic turkey, havarti, lettuce, and tomato sandwich served on country bread with a perfectly crispy crust. This simple sandwich has a welcomed, unique twist with an ancho lime mayo spread, making it a perfect pairing for the wine and views of the Blue Ridge.”

4) Kale Caesar Salad and Bolo Pasta from Luce. “This Caesar salad, made with kale, shaved brussels, and tomato confit, is one of the best salads I’ve ever tasted. The Bolo is on point, especially if you order it at Crush Pad. There, the staff can share their wine wisdom and offer a perfect wine pairing.”

5) Fries & Flip at Tavern & Grocery/Lost Saint. “If I had to pick a guilty pleasure, it would be of the potato and salt variety. So naturally, the hand-cut fries at Tavern are the best $8 I’ve ever spent. Thin and crispy, they come with homemade spicy ketchup and garlic aioli. Drooling. Make sure you save room for a Flip at the Lost Saint, a speakeasy beneath Tavern & Grocery. I’m not much for cocktails, but the PB&J Flip is peanut buttery, milkshakey goodness. A really fun way to cap off an evening.”

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