The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Mas Tapas

10/16/2015

Five Finds on Friday: Elizabeth and Tony Smith

Smiths

Photo by Jen Fariello.

On Fridays, we feature five finds from local chefs and personalities.  It’s Virginia Wine Month, so today’s picks come from Elizabeth and Tony Smith, owners of Afton Mountain Vineyards. The month brings many great excuses to visit the beautiful vineyard.  Every Sunday from 11-2 are Mimosa Mornings, and on Sunday October 25 and Saturday October 31, the vineyard will host the outstanding new food truck Cote-Rotie. Smith’s picks:

1)  Steamed Mussels with White Wine, Thyme and Garlic Butter at Three Notch’d Grill. “Hayden’s butter sauce just begs to be sopped up with bread. The laid-back atmosphere is a perfect disguise for how great their food is.”

2)  Red Pepper Soup with Crab and a House-made Pretzel from the Bavarian Chef food truck at Champion Brewing Company.  “Though we both grew up here, we’d never been to the Bavarian Chef restaurant, so their food truck experience with a Shower Beer or Missile IPA from Champion is the perfect casual evening.”

3)  The Vegetable Board and Mushroom Soup at The Alley Light. “It’s tough to mention this place since it’s already so acclaimed – and hard to get in – but the carrots and other veggies are just incredible. Fill up with the most flavorful mushroom soup. We were fighting over the last drop – and Tony won.”

4)  The Burger at Brookville Restaurant.  “Fresh-ground beef, gouda-stuffed with a bacon marmalade and Dukes mayo. Done. The perfect excuse to sneak downtown for (Saturday or Sunday) lunch.”

5)  Pazo de Barrantes Albarino at MAS Tapas.  “We’ve been a fan of this grape for years (the wino’s “margarita”). We found this particular wine at our Tuesday night hangout Mas, and we had the great opportunity to visit this winery on a recent trip to Spain. Our own AMV Albarino will be available next spring, so we needed to sample this grape as much as possible to develop our own style. Tough job.”

09/11/2015

Five Finds on Friday: Liberty Kalergis

Liberty

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Now that a drink she makes has been named after her, today’s picks come from Liberty Kalergis, longtime manager at MAS Tapas.  Kalergis’ picks:

1) Nachos at Beer Run. “Piled so high you never need an entree. Run by a family so near and dear to my own, we can’t wait to see what they bring to the table at Kardinal Hall, aiming to open their doors this October.”

2) Any Seasonal Vegetable at MAS Tapas.  “Whether it’s padron peppers, cauliflower, artichokes, Brussels, broccolini, or chanterelles, you can’t go wrong with a simple olive oil and sea salt sauté. Good enough to make me go vegetarian . . . almost.”

3) Austin Morning at Brazos Tacos.  “Three of my favorite words = breakfast all day. Egg, brisket and mashed potato paired with Hunter’s Shower Beer from Champion = perfection. Bring the dog or the kid to explore IX Park while Peter and his hard working crew whip you up a little taste of Texas. Who knows, you could even run into a traveling petting zoo.”

4) The Natural at Mono Loco and Nelson County Gentleman at The Alley Light. “My liquor of choice varies by season, so for now it’s tequila all the way in The Natural margarita on the invariably entertaining Mono Loco patio. But when the leaves start falling I crave a couch and a Nelson County Gentleman at Alley Light. Named after one of the bearded mix-maestros behind the bar, you can only find this carbonated, small-batch rye, birch, root and peppermint medley in the cooler months.  Fingers crossed he’ll be making a reappearance this year.”

5)  Carbonara Pizza at Lampo.  “It’s too hard to pick the best dish from their regular menu, so I won’t! Peppery porchetta and cracked eggs made their debut on a white pizza at the pop-up brunch last week and did not disappoint. Neither did Eames’ aptly-named Retox Jus. Stay tuned for the next pop-up dates throughout the winter to catch this beauty before she makes a regular appearance on the brunch menu next Spring. Oh, and always listen to Andrew and Rowe behind the bar.”

09/04/2015

Five Finds on Friday: Eames Coleman

Eames

On Fridays, we feature five finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Eames Coleman, sole proprietor of Kareem Abdul Jus-Bar, who says that, in October, a new baby will be born.  “And we shall call him, Blue Star JüsBar and Baja Fish Taqueria,” says Coleman of his new place in Main St. Market across from Seafood @ West Main.  Expect a menu of all kinds of fresh fish tacos, Coleman’s famous ceviche, veggie and vegan tacos, and of course his popular juice and smoothies, as well as “fun stuff” like frozen juice pops and pop-up Sunday brunches. Coleman’s business partner in the new venture is Chas Webster, owner of the Richmond Continental Divide who once ran The Box.  Coleman’s picks:

1)  Hellboy Pizza at Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria.  “Homage to great Paulie Gee’s in Brooklyn. Soppressata picante, house made mozzarella, and in-house scorpion pepper honey.”

2)  “Liberita” at MAS Tapas.  “Liberty Kalergis’ margarita.  Not on the menu, but that’s what I call this MAS veteran’s mar’, best around.  Only available Tuesdays and Thursdays, cause this busy mother manages her family on the off days. Go Liberty.”

3)  I Love You So Much at Brazos Tacos.  “That’s the name of the taco! This bad boy has scrambled eggs, chorizo, mashed potatoes, roasted corn salsa, and queso fresco. The name speaks for its self.  Peter Griesar is a king amongst men – a fellow musician killing it in a kitchen!”

4)  Spicy Pork Nachos at  Mono Loco.  “Everything about this place makes want more! From the owners to the dishwashers, these cats run a tight, but fun ship. Never had a bad time on this block and don’t plan on it. A real institution created by smiles, laughter and good times and great fare!”

5)  Meatloaf at Bizou.  “In my first season in Charlottesville for my 24th b- day in 2000, my mother and sister took me there cause mom had heard about this dish. ‘It’s the best, it’s the best,’ she noted in her Italian tone. Guess what, I still don’t need Google cause my mother is always right.”