The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Guajiros

03/14/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Jackie Bontjes

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from The Wine Guild’s and Oakencroft Farm & Winery’s Jackie Bontjes, who just earned her WSET II With Distinction. In celebration, below Bontjes has selected five of her favorite Charlottesville foods. Meanwhile Bontjes has begun writing wine recommendations for The Wine Guild members, like this one. Join here to receive yours. Bontjes’s picks:

1) El Cubano at Guajiros. “Growing up in South Florida I was so lucky to be in an area that had incredible Cuban food. When I moved to Virginia it became the thing that I missed the most. Guajiros’ El Cubano is a classic, even bringing their bread in from Florida to give it that true taste and texture.”

2) Spicy Eggplant at Tangerines Kitchen. “The perfect blend of flavor and heat, the fried tofu in the dish is so incredibly well done that you don’t even need the meat. I ordered it on a whim one night, breaking away from my usual Red Curry or Drunken Noodles order, and kept coming back to it.”

3) Fried Catfish at Harold’s Chicken. “Fried catfish is another nostalgia meal for me. My dad grew up eating it with fresh catfish caught on the Illinois River near his hometown of Havana, Illinois, and so it was always special when he’d make it for us. Their fish is always perfectly done and brings me right back to childhood dinners and cooking with my dad.”

4) Rotisserie Chicken con Esquites y Platanos at Al Carbon. “Their rotisserie chicken stays at the top of my list for an easy dinner. It is always perfectly flavored and never overcooked. Pair it with the esquites — with mayo, trust me — and their fried plantains for the perfect meal. I always get the chipotle crema for a little extra kick.”

5) Tres Leches Cake at Baker No Bakery. “Trying to pick just one thing that Chris does well is kind of impossible. She’s an absolute wizard with flavor and watching her growth has been an absolute joy. She’s the reason I found the Wine Guild and helped set me on the journey I’m on, and I couldn’t be more grateful to her and her absolutely incredible pastries. Her tres leches cake that she puts together with seasonal produce and decorations is the perfect dessert to share for an occasion.”

11/24/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Lora Henderson Smith

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for a reader selected at random to participate in Five Finds on Friday, and, from the hundreds of entrants, this year’s winner is Dr. Lora Henderson Smith. An Assistant Professor at UVa’s School of Education and Human Development, Smith came to Charlottesville a decade ago as a grad student and has been on the hunt for delicious and affordable food ever since. Now with a three year old daughter, it’s often takeout, but she still enjoys seeking out great food around town. Her picks in the order she discovered them:

1) Hibachi Combination Chicken and Shrimp from Kabuto. “Bonus points for the super reasonably priced lunch special.”

2) Kao Pad Ka Pow with Chicken from Monsoon Siam. “It’s not on their menu any more, but occasionally they’ll still make it. I can always get it at Pineapples.”

3) Shrimp Casserole Platter from Sultan Kebab. “My husband first introduced me to this dish. Our household loves it.”

4) Hands On Breakfast with Chicken from Guajiros. “The cilantro aioli is to die for. I think this is currently my favorite meal in Charlottesville.”

5) “Burfday Muun Rox” Cake Tin from Caked Up Cville. “Because, just one cupcake isn’t enough, but a dozen is too much for my family of 3. The cake tins are perfect.”

 

 

 

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.”