The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Oakhurst Inn

05/30/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Nadirah Muhammad

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Nadirah Muhammad, the Batten School Marketing / Communications Project Manager who is so committed to community engagement that she is a finalist for Best Local Influencer in Best of C-VILLE 2025. You can vote for her here. Muhammad was also named one of Charlottesville’s Finest by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is raising money for its mission of curing cystic fibrosis. You can learn more and support the cause here. Finally, through her philanthropy and engagement, Nadirah earned a nomination for C-VILLE’s Best Activist/Humanitarian, and you can vote for her here. Muhammad’s picks:

1) Lomo Saltado at Inka Grill. “Book your reservation at Inka Grill immediately. This meal is so good that I was practically licking the bowl by the end. The rich umami flavor from the steak pairs perfectly with the acid and brightness of the tomato and cilantro, and it’s all rounded out by the crunch of the French fries and the balance of the white rice. Perfection. Everything is also plated so beautifully, which, for a person who is constantly posting on social media, is just icing on the cake.”

2) Montpelier Chicken Salad from Simeon Market. “Let me start by saying that I consider myself a chicken salad connoisseur. I grew up in Virginia Beach, and my absolute favorite local spot was Taste Unlimited—they make the best chicken salad sandwiches. However, when a former coworker suggested I try Simeon Market’s chicken salad, it felt like all was right in the world. I love all the elements of this chicken salad—the walnuts for some crunch, grapes for a sweet bite with a little burst. This chicken salad is the best of the best, and I always start craving it right around when summer is about to start—so, now!”

3) Sous Poulet Chicken with Pikliz Slaw from Pearl Island Café & Catering. “The only word I have for this meal is ‘wow.’ Every part of this platter is so well-balanced and full of flavor. It is perfectly savory, creamy from the gravy, and packs the best flavor punch you can get in town. I’m also just personally a huge fan of everything Pearl Island does for the community, and walking in there feels like being embraced in a warm hug. Literally thinking about placing an order now.”

4) Seaside Lime Cake from Cake Bloom. “I make it a priority to order my birthday cake from Cake Bloom every year because the Seaside Lime flavor comes out in June. I like to think of it as: I blew out the candles and instantly my wish came true because my dream cake is sitting in front of me. As someone who worked in bakeries for almost a decade, I tend to have high standards when it comes to pastries and desserts, and the lime curd mixed with the salted vanilla buttercream is the absolute perfect bite.”

5) Caramel Macchiato from Oakhurst Café (Bonus: Espresso Martini). “Walking into Oakhurst feels like stepping into a quaint and cozy neighborhood café that you just happened to stumble upon, and then you’re casually greeted with the best coffee you’ve ever had. The caramel macchiato is one of my favorite sips in Charlottesville, and I love that it’s brewed from locally roasted coffee beans and adorned with a stunning caramel drizzle pattern. If it’s late enough in the day and I’m feeling spicy, the espresso martini is also a personal favorite and always my drink of choice.”

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. One chef said: “dish of the universe,” while another said: “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 do not 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

11/09/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Gisela Carradero Rivera

Gisela

Today’s Five Find on Friday come from Gisela Carradero Rivera, Chef de Cuisine of Oakhurst Inn Cafe and Espresso Bar, where she has just introduced new fall menus. For breakfast, there are pumpkin waffles with whipped cream cheese, spiced rum syrup, and candied pumpkin seeds. But, don’t worry, the coconut grits are still there, too, though now they come with house smoked maple glazed pork belly and baked apples. For lunch, there’s a sandwich de pernil, with local braised pork, salsa criolla, and avocado aioli on an olive oil baguette. And, a harvest greens salad, with butternut squash, apples, fried Caromont Farm chevre, and lemon vinaigrette. See the full menus here. Rivera’s picks:

1) Aburi Salmon at Now & Zen. “A former chef of mine introduced me to Now & Zen back in my Keswick days and I can’t seem to stop going back, definitely a go to. The Aburi Salmon was on of his favorites and my husband and I always get it. Never changes and it is always delicious.”

2) Num Tok and Thai Tea at Monsoon Siam. “Can’t ever go wrong with cilantro, red onions, basil and all of the amazing ingredients in the Num Tok dish. Or any dish at the restaurant. Definitely my favorite Thai spot in town.”

3) House Sausage Pizza at Oakhart Social. “Let’s be honest, I love every dish I’ve ever had at that place. I think they do an amazing job! But the one thing I always get is the house sausage pizza. Love it.”

4) Mary Lou Mule at The Alley Light. “I love Mules, but the Mule at The Alley Light has been number one for me since the first time I drank it.”

5) Chocolate Praline Crunch Cake at Albemarle Baking Company. “It’s amazing. I find any reason to try and buy it for someone’s birthday although I try to eat it by myself.”