The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Oakhart Social

11/02/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Yvonne Cunningham

yvonne

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Yvonne Cunningham of Nona’s Italian Cucina, a new local artisan of small batch tomato sauce. Cunningham learned to make tomato sauce during her seven years in Naples, and the result is already winning raves at Charlottesville City Market. Now, her next batch will be available at retail stores as well. Starting November 21, in addition to Charlottesville City Market, you can find it at Market Street Wine, The Spice Diva, Nourish Louisa, and any other vendor wise enough to source from her. Also, December 1 she will offer free samples at The Spice Diva.  Follow along her Facebook page for updates. Cunningham’s picks:

1) Fried Chicken at Michie Tavern. “For a lil taste of 18th Century cooking, Michie Tavern is a must. Every time we have guests in town, we either begin/end with Michie Tavern of course before/after we have toured Jefferson’s Monticello. The staff is outfitted in 18th Century clothing to make your experience complete. From the home style southern fried chicken (best I have EVER tasted and they sell the breading so you can make it at home) to the homemade peach cobbler (to die for), Michie’s definitely does not disappoint. I love the buffet style set up, but if you would like more the staff kindly bring it to you. So get on over to the Ordinary for a lovely afternoon.”

2) In Bloom at Oakhart Social. “Just discovered this gem! The food and staff are amazing and I love the location. I am a people watcher! What really sticks out for me is the In Bloom cocktail. WOW, just WOW! So flavorful and delicious. I mean with lavender infused vodka, crème de violet, elderflower and rose water, how can you go wrong? A match made in heaven.”

3) The Birdwood at Bellair Market. “Now, Bellair Market and I go back a ways. Remember the derecho of 2012? We had been living in Crozet since 2007 and must have driven past Bellair thousands of times and just never stopped. Fast forward to late June of 2012. The derecho blasts through Crozet and Charlottesville, and we are without power for days, but miraculously Bellair Market had power and was feeding the masses. The line was out the door! I said what the heck lets see what the hype is about (plus we were starving) and stepped inside. It smelled like a bakery, as the ovens had been running non-stop baking fresh bread. I stood in line and ordered one of many choices they have of sandwiches. They also make homemade soups and salads are made fresh daily. I was so impressed. What I thought was a gas station/mini mart was actually an extraordinary kitchen, making amazing quality, healthy products. My favorite sandwich is the Birdwood, yup named for the golf course right across the street. French bread with a delicious herb mayo, Havarti cheese, roasted turkey breast, red onions, peppers and romaine lettuce. I have a difficult time deciding on which sandwich, I haven’t tried them all, but all I have tried have been phenom!”

4) Donuts at Chiles Orchard. “Very close to my home and my heart. I spend a lot of time at the orchard from late spring, picking strawberries; early summer, picking cherries; mid summer, picking peaches and hopes of grabbing some of those delicious figs they get from another local farmer; fall for apples, cider and of course pumpkins. Going out to Chiles Orchard is like visiting family. Lisa, one of the employees at Chiles, and I really struck up a friendship. She is great and is always so helpful and answers all my questions about the fruit that is in season. Favorite thing at Chiles: apple cider and peach donuts, yum!”

5) Artichoke Pate at Early Mountain Vineyards. “Not only is the drive beautiful as is the view of the mountains once you arrive, but the wines and food are scrumptious! My personal favorite is the artichoke pate, I know right? Creamy, garlicky and loaded with artichoke hearts, served with cornichons, roasted red pepper and New York style crackers. Oh My! Another favorite is the charred carrot salad: charred carrots and parsnips, feta dill crema, and arugula. The feta dill crema totally brings the salad together. Also, the Early Mountain Vineyard Rose, is light crisp and very satisfying, one of my favorite wines!”

09/21/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Ashley Williams

ashleywilliams

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Ashley Williams, new owner of Tavern & Grocery. Williams’ picks:

1) Charred Carrots at Oakhart Social. “I can’t get enough of these. Something about them just hits all the right chords. They are still crispy, and charred, and richly seasoned, all at the same time. Bold, balanced, perfect.”

2) Skillet Roasted Mussels at Tavola. “Whenever I go to Tavola, I have to order the mussels. Skillet roasted with just some garlic, they are indulgent and just plain FAB. Throw in a good crisp Italian white wine, and I’m good.”

3) Santa Fe Enchiladas at Continental Divide. “I can’t even think about going to Continental Divide without ordering the Santa Fe Enchiladas. I mean, as many times as I try to order something else, I just can’t do it. And with the pumpkin muffins on there, just doesn’t get better. (Not to date myself, but I’ve been ordering this for close to 20 years, and they are perfect every time.)”

4) Turkey on an Everything Bagel at Bodo’s. “A simple turkey sandwich on an everything bagel at Bodo’s is beyond a must. Lettuce, tomato, onion, light mayo, and you’ve done it. I lived in NYC for ten years and there was that deli that always just got it ‘right.’ Bodo’s gets this right, on another level. And how it’s less than $5 and you get it in less than 5 minutes . . it’s a simple miracle and gets me through a tough morning every time.”

5) Tuna Tartare at Now & Zen. “I don’t know how Toshi puts out food as good as he does in such a tiny spot, but he does. Now & Zen delivers with the tuna tartare. Fresh, seasoned perfectly, and beautiful. Any time I think of sushi, this is the dish I want.”

07/20/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Gay Beery

Gay Beery

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from chef Gay Beery, of A Pimento Catering, a guest on the latest episode of the Charlottesville-based podcast Edacious, where you can learn all about her career and why she considers her catering jobs like “her babies.” Beery’s picks, “with implied apologies.” she says “to all the wonderful things I’ve missed here – I love you all still”:

1) Whole Grain Rye from Little Hat Creek Farm. “A recent pleasure of mine (or should I say obsession) is the whole grain rye from the kind people at Little Hat Creek Farm. I think of this bread as more of a kornbröt, dense with moist grain, hinting at a custard-like texture, just crying out for butter (I oblige). Though, I also slather it with fromage frais from Caromont Farm (thank you, Gail). I do love all slow-risen, high-moisture breads and this provides. This is definitely one of my ‘desert island’ foods – it could keep despair at bay for at least a week or two, and conveniently would likely be almost as good the fourteenth day.”

2) Funghi Pizza at Lampo. “Does this really need any explanation? Probably not. But I will say that no matter how many times I’ve had this, I still want more. Thankfully, Lampo has a wine list that always entices and I’m pretty sure I’ve never ordered the same wine twice – so there’s that. And I’ll order escarole off any menu that offers. Glee.”

3) Coupe Maison at C&O. “C&O has owned a piece of my heart for one reason or ten for the last two decades. In their care, I’ve celebrated weddings and funerals (yes, they were celebrations), birthdays and just having seen the baddest band at The Rose (it was always okay to arrive here at 1:30 AM and know you could stay a while). For all those years, the C&O has offered some comfort and love on white china and white linen. Respect. Their bartender roster is as notorious – if more skill-based – as the Parking Lot, with some overlap. Out of everything on the menu, I think the most lasting impression has come served in a tall glass – the Coupe Maison. Too much for me, but I like to watch.”

4) Vegetables at Oakhart Social. “So far, Oakhart Social has yet to leave me NOT amazed. The thrill of reinvention is alive and well in this kitchen, especially if you like to dig into a meal rich in vegetables. Crisp or fork tender, braised or fried, with or without the adornment of animal protein, every dish from this kitchen sings. I always order the flatbread special, I never tire of their shaved salad (dates, yes), and whatever they do with a carrot, you know it’s going to exceed your expectations. (I’ve had a real thing for carrots this year, the high of which I experienced at the eponymous Via Carota in NYC. If you’re in the city, just do it.) Their meat dishes are all fabulous, indeed, but I most often eat just the veg here, because there is more than one could want, and that is a sincere pleasure. Great cocktails! But as someone who can really only manage one and a half glasses of the average wine pour, I love the incremental ways you can order wine here, without the emotional burden of waste or overindulgence.”

5) Fried Chicken from Wayside Takeout . “My husband, who is sitting with me right now, is demanding I include the Wayside, as their fried chicken (and my favorite, fried gizzards) are our last-minute go to when we are too tired to cook and teetering over the hangry edge of a day. We recently learned the limits, though, on a sad Sunday when we both had to work and each held out the carrot (there’s the carrot again, ha), and discovered, mid chicken skin fantasy, that they are civilized and observe their Sundays away from the shop. Bless ‘em.”

“Why does any of this matter? Because food is love. It’s true.”