The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Multiverse Kitchens

06/05/2022

#2: Stock Ham Biscuit – Stock Provisions

What else is there left to say about the Stock Ham Biscuit? Dish of the Year. Charlottesville’s signature dish. “Dish of the universe,” one chef said, while another might have put it best: “so good I stare at it while I chew.”

Indeed, it is common to wonder how something that looks so simple can evoke such a reaction. Here are 1,314 words on the biscuit that still cannot explain it. You just have to see for yourself.

#2: Stock Ham Biscuit – Stock Provisions
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: #CvilleHamBiscuit at The Ivy Inn, The Oakhurst Biscuit at Oakhurst Inn Café, Ham Biscuit at Paradox Pastry, Vegetarian Alternative: Fried Green Tomato and Pimento Cheese Biscuit at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, The Basic at Multiverse Kitchens

06/02/2022

#5: Fried Chicken Sandwich – The Fitzroy

 

The Fried Chicken Sandwich

When an expert panel of chefs, historians, and others once convened to determine Charlottesville’s signature dish, the fried chicken sandwich received strong consideration. Fried chicken has a long history in the region, and sandwiches of it are all over Charlottesville. It’s one of the deepest sandwich categories in town.

Among a stellar lot, the most crave-inducing comes from the The Fitzroy. The difference is in the details. First, boneless chicken thighs receive a soak in a honey-dill brine. Rinse and drain thoroughly before another soak, this time in buttermilk, for several hours. Next comes a dredging in flour and spices and then, finally, they are fried. The finished thighs are placed atop a brioche bun with sliced pickles. The final twist is the addition of lemon to the cayenne-spiked aioli that gets smeared on the bun. The touch of acid works, and may be the difference-maker that has turned this into an industry favorite, drawing those who discover it back to The Fitzroy just to get their fix.

#5: Fried Chicken Sandwich – The Fitzroy
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Ol’ Dirty Biscuit at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, Fried Chicken Sandwich at Bizou, Shack Style Chicken Sandwich at Taste Shack (GFA), The Mother Clucker at Multiverse Kitchens. Vegetarian Alternatives: Crispy Artichoke Sandwich at Belle, Oyster Mushroom Sandwich at Multiverse Kitchens

05/24/2022

#14: Breakfast Sandwich #1 on English Muffin – Belle

The Breakfast Sandwich

A day just feels different when it begins with a great breakfast sandwich. Fortunately, Charlottesville has no shortage of them, especially at Belle, the Belmont bakery and café run by the Shanesy brothers: chef John and baker Scott.

There are six numbered breakfast sandwiches at Belle, all delicious, but the most satisfying is the first: Breakfast Sandwich #1. Folded egg topped with a sausage patty and a slice of melting American cheese. As listed on the menu, the sandwich comes on house brioche, which is delicious. It’s baked by Scott Shanesy, after all. But, the sandwich reaches even greater heights on the bakery’s English muffin, which Belle calls “the house specialty.” Yes, it’s special. Like a sausage egg McMuffin on steroids, there’s no more delicious way to power up the day.

#14: Breakfast Sandwich #1 on English Muffin – Belle
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Troutlandish at Chickadee, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich at Bizou, Southern Breakfast Sausage Biscuit at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, Sausage, Egg, & Cheese on English Muffin at Grit, Morning Melt with Kimchi on a Za’atar Croissant at Bowerbird Bakeshop, Hangover Cure at Multiverse Kitchens, Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit at Timberlakes Soda Fountain, Egg & Gruyere, with sausage on a baguette at MarieBette.

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