The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: Moto Pho Co.

Five Finds on Friday: Brooke Fedora

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Brooke Fedora, the Culinary Institute of America graduate who runs Horse & Hound Gastropub with her husband Luther.  Every year, Horse & Hound is one of the best places in Charlottesville to celebrate Oktoberfest.  This year’s party will last from September 14 through October 31, and will include Oktoberfest beer specials, prizes, live entertainment, and, best of all, a menu of German specialties like Kartoffelpuffer, Wurst, Jager-Schnitzel, and Linzer Torte.  Details here.  Fedora’s picks:

1)  Bun Thit Nuong (Pork Vermicelli) at Moto Pho Co.  “This dish is light, healthy, and delicious.  I could eat it everyday. ”

2)  Pulled Pork BBQ Platter at Buttz BBQ.  “Chris does a great job with all of his sauces, meats and sides.”

3)  Pan Fried Dumplings at Kyoto.  “My 5 year old son is obsessed with dumplings and these are his and my favorite in town.”

4)  Pistachio Cupcake at SweetHaus.  “These cupcakes are fresh daily and perfect for celebrations or a sweet snack.”

5)  Vella Jack Cheese Fritters at Zocalo.  “These hit all the flavor points on your tongue and leave you wanting more.”

Two for Tuesday: Moto Pho Co. and Beer Run

Food 241

1)  Banh Mi at Moto Pho Co.  Moto Pho Co. is not our typical experience with banh mi sandwiches, which we are accustomed to eating in more downscale digs.  We have enjoyed extraordinary banh mi sandwiches at bare bones bakeries, foul-smelling Asian grocery marts, and holes-in-the-wall that were filthier than our college dorm room.  While these Vietnamese sandwiches can take many forms, they are almost always served on crusty baguettes, and filled with some sort of meat, such as pork liver pate, head cheese, pork meatballs, or pork belly.  Garnishes often include cucumber, pickled carrots, daikon, cilantro, chilis, chili sauce, and mayonaisse.  Like Banh Mi Boys in Toronto or The Box here in Charlottesville, Moto Pho Co. takes these humble sandwiches to slightly snazzier digs – a sleek, airy dining room and a welcoming patio on West Main Street.   Despite the upgrade in surroundings, the sandwiches themselves stay true to form, with just the burst of flavors that makes banh mi sandwiches one of our most irresistible cravings.   We’ll be back again and again.

Food 240

2)  A.M. Biscuit at Beer Run.  For years, one of our favorite parts of Sunday has been Conchi’s Biscuit Basket at Beer Run’s brunch, which contains three biscuits that are so light that they seem to defy physics.  The biscuits are worth waiting all week for.  Now, we don’t have to wait anymore.  Beer Run has recently made the biscuits part of the daily breakfast menu.  The A.M. Biscuit ($3.75) includes a freshly baked cheddar-scallion biscuit with egg and a choice of cheese.   A delicious and hearty start to the day, particularly when you’re not sure if you’ll have time for lunch.

Five Finds on Friday: Vu Nguyen

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Vu Nguyen, owner of Zinc and the newly opened Moto Pho Co.  Nguyen’s five picks:

1)  Sausage, Egg and Cheesse,  Coffee, and a Chocolate Glazed Donut at SpudnutsReally doesn’t need an explanation.

2)  Veggie on Rye with House Dressing, add Watercress and a Side of House Dressing, 1/2 pint Exotic Grains, and Rte 66 Dill Pickle Chips at Take It Away.  I’m not a vegetarian.

3)  Bamee Moo Dang at Pad ThaiWonton Noodle Soup is what they call it on the menu, which is weird because the literal translation is Ramen Red Pork.

4)  The bar and the man who makes it, Paulie, at Vivace.

5)  Four C’s on a Sugar Cone at ChapsThis is a recent revelation for me, thanks to my better half, Laura, replacing Arch’s Swirl with M&M’s as indulgence #1 (besides Talisker).

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