The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Paradox Pastry

03/22/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Alex George

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On Fridays we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Alex George, of Commonwealth Restaurant and SkyBar, who has resurrected his much-missed restaurant Just Curry, which recently opened in a new space across the downtown mall from Commonwealth.  George’s picks:

1)  Shrimp and Grits at Horse & Hound.  “Luther Fedora’s shrimp and grits  are amazing!  The best damn grits I’ve ever had.”

2)  Almond Croissant at Paradox Pastry.  “Jenny Peterson does an absolutely fantastic job with these croissants.  I have at least two a week.”

3)  Crispy Skate Wing with Linguini Aglio at Tavola.  “This is one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long, long time.”  (Note:  This was also a pick in our feature on Tavola.)

4)  Prosciutto and Blue Cheese Sandwich at Market Street Market.  “With pear, honey, and basil on ciabatta bread, this is my favorite anytime sandwich.”

5)  Cornmeal-crusted Fried Oysters at Maya.  “Christian Kelly’s fried oysters are a must-have every time I go there.”

03/08/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Jenny Peterson

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Happy Birthday!  Today’s picks in Five Finds on Friday come from Jenny Peterson of Paradox Pastry, the outstanding baker of birthday cakes and much more, whose creations have made several appearances in Two for Tuesday.  Peterson’s picks:

1)  Olde Salt Oyster Stout at Champion Brewing Company.  “All of the beers here are wonderful, but a weekend afternoon spent sliding oysters along with this beer is indelibly etched on my palate.  Perfection.”

2)  Carne Asada at MAS. “I feel so unadventurous and borderline boring by ordering this dish every time I go to Mas.  I just can’t not order it.”

3)  Fried Mussels and Truffled Fries at Skybar.  “We work long days on Fridays at Paradox and afterward, my Sugarista Sue and I head to the Skybar for a refreshing beverage.  The fries are a staple and the mussels have replaced my former favorite, the fried oysters!”

4)  Our Famous Veggie Pizza at Blue Mountain Brewery.  “After delivering wedding cakes to one of the many wineries in the area, I treat myself to this pizza and always offer to share with the folks sitting with me at the bar.”

5)  Blueberry Handpie at Paradox Pastry.  “It’s . . just . . . perfect.  Love you hold in your hand!”

02/05/2013

Two for Tuesday: Paradox Pastry and Afghan Grand Market

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1)  Italian Cream Cake at Paradox Pastry.  For most of our lives, dessert has been the course that interests us least.  Even from a young age, we found ourselves ordering an appetizer for dessert.  Paradox Pastry has got us re-thinking things.  They continue to crank out so many wow-inducing creations that we wonder if we’ve been giving dessert short shrift all these years.  Our latest crush is Italian Cream Cake.  Four layers of cake with coconut, walnuts, and cream cheese frosting, it’s like a cross between German Chocolate Cake and Carrot Cake, yet with no chocolate and no carrots.  A paradox, of sorts.

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2)  Shami Kebab at Afghan Grand Market.  It seems not long ago that we wondered why the Washington D.C. area had so many great Middle Eastern kebab shops, while Charlottesville had none.  Times have changed.  Ariana.  Afghan Kabob Palace.  Sultan Kebab.  M&M Lounge.  Bazlamas.  Aromas. Sticks.  And, now, Grand Market, the tiny Middle Eastern food shop we have frequented for years that recently added a kitchen in the rear of the store.  It’s tough to pick a favorite.  The warm bread, puffed and charred by the tandoor?  The rib-sticking, spiced, stewed okra?  And, then there is the Shami Kebab — spiced ground beef skewered and grilled to order with a side of minty, yogurt-based sauce.  Yes, the menu is limited and unpredictable, and, yes the seating is even more limited — just a few chairs and tables at the front of the store.  But, the food will keep us coming back.