The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Pearl Island Catering and Cafe

08/28/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Elizabeth Irvin

Charitable organizations have not been immune to the effects of COVID-19, which has slowed donations and required crowd restrictions that have cancelled fundraising events vital to charities’ budgets. Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Executive Director of one such organization: Elizabeth Irvin of The Women’s Initiative, which provides mental health care services to Charlottesville area women. In lieu of their annual Barn Party, this year The Women’s Initiative is hosting a virtual Family Variety Show, where, families can enjoy, from their own homes, a petting zoo, clowns, the infamous bear (who some say talks too much), games, and even a special performance by Dave Matthews. Learn how your family can support The Women’s Initiative and enjoy the event. Irvin’s picks:

1) Chicken Sous Poulet, with kale salad, plantains and pikliz at Pearl Island Cafe. “At The Women’s Initiative we all love that this exceptional food is just steps away from our satellite office at the Jefferson School City Center, and appreciate their years of catering our Family Barn Party.”

2) Ginger Lemongrass Noodles at Vu Noodles. “I used to be so torn between Pearl Island and Vu Noodles when they shared the Jefferson School space. Now Vu is on Water Street, and I am all about their healthy and delicious options.”

3) Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken at Al Carbon. “The chicken is absolutely delicious and we love supporting this local, family owned business.”

4) Turkey on Everything w/ Pepper Spread at Bodo’s. “A parent’s dream restaurant. For maximum enjoyment, add potato chips and a Coke and head to Walnut Creek on a Saturday morning for some stand-up paddle-boarding.”

5) Dulce de Leche Gelato at Splendora’s. “They will be closing this weekend (then hoping to reopen at a new location so keep your eyes out!), but I will get by there to order one last scoop on the downtown mall. They’re also raffling off free gelato to folks who make a donation to local mental health services—including The Women’s Initiative—through this Sunday. I’m doubly grateful for the goodness they bring to our community.”

04/24/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Shantell Bingham

Shantell

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Shantell Bingham, Program Director of Food Justice Network, which this week joined forces with City Schoolyard Garden and Urban Agricultural Collective to become Cultivate Charlottesville – an integrated approach to creating and sustaining a healthy and just food system in Charlottesville. “Before COVID-19, about one in six Charlottesville residents struggled with food insecurity, and we’re now seeing that number expand,” said Bingham. To learn more about the mission of Cultivate Charlottesville — and how you can help —  join their Zoom webinar Tuesday April 30 at 11:00 am. Bingham’s picks: 

1) Creole Beans from Pearl Island. “I’m a North Carolinian to my soul. And while I didn’t grow up with Caribbean cuisine, tasting Pearl Island ignited something in my spirit. Their bean stew is a savory heaven anyone can enjoy. Paired with tostones and a dash of garlic sauce, it hits the belly like a hug from home.”

2) Chocolate Chip Beignets from Blue Moon Diner. “It feels good to live in the Blue Moon neighborhood. But even if I didn’t, their chocolate chip beignets, lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of warm chocolate sauce — if you dare to dip — is pure bliss.”

3) Beef Noodle Soup from Café 88. “I’ll be honest. I would be a full blown pescatarian if it weren’t for their beef noodle soup. I’ll cheat for it every time, especially during the cold months.”

4) Mac & Cheese from Soul Food Joint. “I’m not sure many people realize how delicious mac & cheese tastes when it’s baked. It’s as though that extra step is the piece of the process that infuses the heart into the dish, and Soul Food Joint does this to a science. Their baked mac & cheese is done just enough so the top is a little crispy but the inside cheesy and sharp.”

5) Red Snapper with Cherry Tomatoes at The Whiskey Jar. “This is one of those places with seasonal treats worth waiting for. Their red snapper with cherry tomatoes is my weekend celebration. And when the red snapper season ends, the bourbon bread pudding is more than enough to guarantee my visit year-round.”

 

snapper

06/07/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Javier Figueroa-Ray

Javier

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Javier Figueroa-Ray of Pearl Island Catering and Cafe, where today and every Friday you can find Figueroa-Ray’s signature braised oxtails. Besides the cafe at Jefferson School City Center, Pearl Island’s soulful Caribbean cuisine is available at the Charlottesville City Market on Saturday mornings and the UTeam Farmers Market at UVA, Thursday’s 11-2. Figueroa-Ray’s picks:

1) Banh Mi at Vu Noodles.”Being in the kitchen for so many hours, appetite is hard to find. But whenever it comes, I really crave a banh mi from Vu Noodles. I love the crusty bread, 5 spice Tofu, the fresh cilantro and even the pickled daikon radish. Julie does a great job with this sandwich. I think it’s a must have for any foodie in town.”

2) Coming Home Tea by Wild One Herbs. “I’m a sucker for drinks. You could say I’m a “drinkaholic” (I walk around the kitchen with a gallon of water everyday). I love drinks. This particular tea blend by local tea maker/ herbalist Kayde Fen embodies the phrase ‘Coming Home.’ The balance among holy basil, nettle, spearmint, oatstraw licorice and lavender really agrees with my palate. Calming and sweet but not too sweet. Perfect tea for me hot or cold.”

3) Spam Musubi  from Mochiko. “Growing up in Puerto Rico, spam was a family favorite. My mom would make it in every conceivable way. Then I found Mochiko in Charlottesville. Their Spam Musibi, or what I like to call Spam Sushi, with their spiced rice and marinated spam wrapped in seaweed, is the perfect bite after long hours of the city market or a late night of cooking with my favorite beer.”

4) Water Kefir Soda from Farmstead Ferments. “Like I mentioned before, I’m a drinkaholic. And every time that I can catch these guys at the Farmer’s Market, I can’t help but have two or three bottles of any flavor they have available that day. No matter how long the line is for Pearl Island, I have to get this magnificent elixir. The perfect drink to balance mind and spirit under the pressure of the hot sun of the market. Can’t have enough of it.”

5) Cold Hot Chocolate from Cocoa & Spice. “Jennifer’s delicious Iced Hot Chocolate is one of my favorite things to get at the Thursday market on Hospital Drive. Really nice balance of chocolate and sweetness makes this beverage for this particular drinkaholic a must have.”

oxtail

Oxtail Fridays