The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Mockingbird

11/29/2024

Five Finds on Friday: Lindsay Comstock

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for Five Finds on Friday to come from a reader drawn at random. This year’s winner is Lindsay Comstock, a native Virginian and DC transplant who has lived in Belmont with her husband and two Jack Russell terriers for nearly a decade. Comstock says she loves galavanting in Charlottesville and “feels so grateful for this fun opportunity.” Comstock’s picks:

1) Chicken 65 at Kanak. “The spicy appetizer of my dreams. Everything I’ve had at Kanak has been excellent, but the Chicken 65 is out of bounds. Heavy on the chile pepper with notes of ginger providing relief from the heat, this dish delivers every time. I usually linger at Kanak just jealously observing what comes out of the kitchen, and planning my order for next time.”

2) Cafe Au Lait with Housemade Almond Milk at Lone Light Coffee. “So darn good. The spin on this classic comes from the slightly tart almond milk with perfect foam every time. Word on the street: they sweeten the almond milk with figs? Let me know if you figure it out. Love the vibe of this cozy, friendly spot.”

3) Fried Green Tomatoes at Mockingbird. “Crunchy, salty, and perfect. And yes- there is pimiento cheese involved. Bonus: they are gluten-free. Go for the food and stay for the inviting, dog-friendly patio- our favorite in Belmont.”

4) Panang Curry with a cold glass of Gruner Veltliner at Maple Pine. “A perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. This dish thrives on texture with a crunchy yellow bell pepper as the star of the show. Girls’ lunch, Friday night dinner, any occasion- color me happy. Yes, I had my birthday lunch there.

5) Fried Chicken and Biscuits at Vision BBQ. “They nail it every time, but I’m especially impressed with their gluten-free fried chicken and biscuits. It brings a happy tear to my gluten-free eye to be able to eat truly delicious comfort food at this funky joint.”

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.”