The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Hamiltons’

03/29/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Curtis Shaver

curtis-shaver

Photo courtesy of Greg Vogler.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Curtis Shaver, who recently left his position as sous chef of Duner’s restaurant to become executive chef of Hamiltons’ at First & Main.  Beginning this Sunday, Hamiltons’ is launching a weekly brunch – just in time for spring weather and people watching on the downtown mall from Hamiltons’ well-situated patio.   Shaver’s picks:

1)  Crispy Fried Eggplant at Taste of China.  “Taste of China is consistently good.  The soup dumplings are great too.”

2)  House-smoked Pastrami Reuben at Fardowners.  “The fact that they use pastrami and smoke it themselves makes this Reuben top notch.”

3)  Animal Crackers at Glass Haus Kitchen.  “What’s not to love about fried chicken skins and pigs ears?”

4)  Gyro or Souvlaki at Mykonos Cafe.  “A lunch time favorite of mine.”

5)  BBQ at BBQ Exchange.  “Craig is a culinary mastermind and his BBQ is worth the trip to Gordonsville.  Worst part is I never can decide on a sauce. They’re all so good.”

10/19/2012

Five Finds on Friday: Larry Sabato

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  With election season in full swing, this week’s picks come from one of the nation’s most renowned election experts, Dr. Larry Sabato, director of the UVa Center for Politics.  The Wall Street Journal once called Dr. Sabato “probably the most quoted college professor in the land.”  You can follow his famous Crystal Ball of election projections here.  Most significantly, Dr. Sabato is a lover of Charlottesville food.  Dr. Sabato’s picks:

1)  Melanzane al Parmigiano at Tavola.  This really gets back to my Italian roots.  Tavola is a great addition to the Charlottesville culinary scene.

2)  Vegetarian “Blue Plate Special” at Hamiltons’.  A classic, perfect every time.

3)  The Haystack  at the Horse & Hound.  Stack of roasted vegetables, goat cheese, pesto, and sprouts, on multi-grain bread.  Horse and Hound is a favorite at the UVa Center for Politics.  They have a great menu and also do a wonderful job on catering.

4)  Donut Ice Cream Sandwich at Carpe Donut.  Cinnamon-sugar donut sliced in half and layered with homemade vanilla ice cream.  The perfect food to fulfill one’s guilty pleasure.

5)  Cookie Dough Archer at Arch’s Frozen Yogurt.  Lots of cookie dough in vanilla frozen yogurt.  Students aren’t the only ones who love Arch’s!