Five Finds on Friday: Megan Hereford and Jocelyn Kuzelka
Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Megan Hereford and Jocelyn Kuzelka of Daring Wine & Cider Co, whose Crab Apple Blend won Cider of the Year at last week’s Governor’s Cup. The duo will be at Café Frank this Sunday for a Virginia Women in Wine Dinner – a four-course feast paired with wines from them and Veritas Winery. A few seats still remain. And, they will be pouring samples April 5 at Charlottesville City Market and April 12 at The Workshop. Hereford’s and Kuzelka’s picks:
1) Caesar Salad and Pomme Frites at Café Frank. (Megan) “This is my favorite girl dinner when I get home from being on the road slinging wine and cider or traveling for my day job. Paired with a dirty martini, it fulfills all of my bar food needs in a boujee way. The salad has just the right amount of dressing, a fantastic three-year-aged parmesan and white anchovies. I hold the croutons but I am sure they are amazing as well. The frites are always perfectly cooked and come with a delicious charred onion aioli. It is the perfect meal to enjoy with a drink at the bar.”
2) Gluten-Free Muffins at Cou Cou Rachou. (Megan) “No matter the season these muffins never disappoint. I don’t know how they do it, but these have to be the best gluten-free baked goods I have tried in 15 years of eating gluten-free. They are always fluffy and light and I always look forward to new flavors. The current variation is citrus sesame and is an inspired flavor combo.”
3) Chili Milli Gobhi at Kanak Indian Kitchen. (Megan) “This is a go-to add-on to my carryout order here. These zesty cauliflower florets are crispy and have this amazing spicy, sweet and sour flavor from chili garlic sauce. They are the perfect appetizer for any meal here.”
4) Coat Czech at Selvedge Brewing. (Jocelyn) “When you grow up in the U.S. with Czech relatives telling you, ‘Jocie, you are Czech! You drink beer for breakfast!’, you better believe the search for a Czech-style pale lager sometimes feels like a perpetual quest that normally leads to disappointing emptiness. That is until a fellow cidermaker and beer lover took me to Selvedge Brewing. Their Coat Czech is absolutely superb. The earthy floral aroma and delicious Saaz bitterness that cleanses the palate after every sip just feels like going home. A proper pour from their Lukr faucet, watching the bartender keep the faucet submerged under the cap of foam which results in a fresher tasting pint, and believe me you will understand what all the fuss is about. The perfect pint for any reason.”
5) Kolače at Praha Bohemian Bakery. (Jocelyn) “No trip to Charlottesville is complete unless I find myself at Praha Bohemian Bakery in Crozet. I love the vibe of this cozy café that feels like a sidewalk café in Prague. The farmer cheese kolače are my favorite, the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Honestly, everything I have had here is high-quality and delicious.”
