The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Peter Chang’s China Grill

11/29/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Jess Martin

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This week brings the annual Thanksgiving drawing for a reader to participate in Five Finds on Friday. Though Jess Martin no longer lives in the Charlottesville area, the longtime resident says she still enjoys remaining a regular source for where to eat around town. Martin’s picks:

1) Pad See Ew + Chicken Wings + Wonton Soup at Chimm. “When I heard Jay Pun was going to be a part of another restaurant venture (with Thai Cuisine and Noodle House), I was already sold. Pad See Ew lately has been my go to Thai dish but this is the best I’ve ever had. Next time I’m in town I need to try something else on the menu, but this is my favorite killer combo.”

2) Nasty Chicken Biscuit at Miller’s Downtown. “If you know me, then you know this may have a little bias. But it doesn’t. Okay, maybe a little. Miller’s has a kitchen the size of your bedroom but is one of the largest and busiest spots, pumping out food on the downtown mall. All of their food is made fresh – soups, dressings, chicken, etc. This dish is a stunner and filler whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or late night. It’s also totally shareable.”

3) Dry Fried Eggplant at Peter Chang China Grill. “When it comes to snacks and appetizers I typically go for meats. This dish is also made with pork belly but I really dig the eggplant because it’s a nice light flavorful start to your meal and allows space for more of the delicious food there.”

4) Mac n’ Cheese with potato cake at The Virginian. “I often drove to Charlottesville from Nelson County or Harrisonburg when I was a teenager until my late 20’s and then I finally moved there. Any rainy day (or any excuse really) I’d go to The Virginian for this dish. Total comfort food, filling, and cheap. It’s top of my list on my next trip back to Cville.”

5) Porchetta Panuozzo at Lampo. “You don’t need to be a giant shiny restaurant to execute the best food ever. Lampo is top notch, and Charlottesville is lucky to have a place like it. The atmosphere is comfortable and the menu is easily shareable among two people. With this sandwich, you get your protein and delicious veggies. Can’t go wrong.”‘

Dried-Egg-Plant

 

01/19/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Wiley Kimball

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Wiley Kimball of Parallel 38, which Wednesday, January 24, is hosting a happy hour and dinner with local wine star and itinerary creator Jake Busching. Happy hour, from 4-6 pm, includes a “meet and greet” with Busching and discounted prices on his wines. Dinner begins at 6:30, and includes a seven course feast with Busching, paired with Busching wines and other special selections. Guests can attend either or both events. Buy your dinner tickets at (434) 260-8793. Kimball’s picks:

1) One-Eye Burger from Mel’s Cafe. “This is, to me, the perfect burger. Just the right size, just the right amount of grease, and topped with a fried egg. I get mine with grilled onions, mayo, and hot sauce. Mel’s is a great spot for a casual lunch and the service is some of the friendliest you’ll find anywhere. If you haven’t been, you need to change that ASAP.”

2) The Rocket from Snowing in Space. “I can get down with just about everything from Snowing in Space but I always gravitate to this take on a Mexican hot chocolate. The Rocket is their cold-brew espresso mixed with milk, cinnamon, and a touch of chili powder. I usually drink my coffee black but something about this creamy, slightly spicy concoction always hits the spot.”

3) Literally Any Beer from Three Notch’d Brewing. “I wracked my brain trying to narrow this down to even only three favorites and I couldn’t. Their beers are just that good, especially the seasonals and collaboration brews. Special shout out to their collab with Oskar Blues, the Black & Goldings black ale. If you want something a bit more adventurous, stop by the Sour House on Preston (in their original taproom) and embrace the funk.”

4) Dry-Fried Eggplant at Peter Chang China Grill. “I could easily do this list five times over with only dishes from Peter Chang, but this is my hands down favorite. Light, crispy, savory, and with just enough spice to wake your palate up (and build up to some of the other dishes!). You hand me a couple orders of this and a tall Sapporo and I’ll be the happiest person on the planet.”

5) Wine and the View at Brent Manor Vineyards. “If I need to get out of town, this is my go-to. Tucked away just off 29 in Nelson County, this small vineyard is run by the lovely Jorge and Tracie, who not only make their own lineup of wines including a beautiful Chambourcin, they also stock a rotating selection of Portuguese wines and “winetail” specials that are always surprising and refreshing. All of that, paired with some beautiful VA scenery, makes for a perfect lazy afternoon. They’re closed for the season now but look out for them to reopen in the spring – you won’t be disappointed.”

01/12/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Daniel Kaufman

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Daniel Kaufman of Public Fish & Oyster, now home to one of the best happy hours in town, 4-6 pm every day. Besides special food items like lobster rolls, there are great deals on wine, beer, and classic cocktails like negronis. “Lots of people know about our lobster rolls being offered during happy hour,” says Kaufman, “but the clam strip roll our chef Gregg has worked into the menu is probably the best sandwich I have ever had (bias aside).” Kaufman’s picks:

1) Boquerones at MAS Tapas and Parallel 38. “Perhaps it is cheating a bit to mention two places here, but I love what both restaurants do with these perfect little fishes. Mas takes a traditional approach serving these vinegar-and-olive-oil marinated white anchovies with lemon and garlic. P38 takes them in a different direction adding a touch of Maras red pepper which adds a welcome hint of spice. Either way, they are probably my favorite snack food.”

2) Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings) at Taste of China. “I am a dumpling junkie, and was so happy to see someone local doing real Soup Dumplings. Taste of China serves them perfectly steamed and filled with the most delicious molten-lava-hot broth just waiting to scald the hell out of your mouth. Every bit worth the pain involved.”

3) Scallion Bubble Pancakes at Peter Chang’s China Grill. “The first time I saw these delivered to a table, I thought it was the most ridiculous looking dish I had ever seen. Two basketball-sized balls of fried dough served alongside some brownish-yellowish sauce. I was in love the first time I had them. You have to eat them before they get cold and when you do, they have the most amazing chewy texture that comes to life when dipped in the sweet curry sauce served along side.”

4) Mexican Street Corn at Al Carbon. “Street corn has shown up on countless menus in the last year, but I haven’t tasted one that tops these guys. They make theirs with fresh cotija cheese and a spicy/sweet mayonnaise concoction and finish it with a hint of lime juice which adds the perfect hint of acidity to the creamy sauce. The perfect accompaniment to their amazing chicken.”

5) Shaved Salad at Oakhart Social. “This is the best salad I have ever had, and I know I’m not alone on this one. Dates, apple, arugula, watermelon radish, fennel, toasted breadcrumbs. Sweet, bitter, crunchy, tart, creamy all works together harmoniously. I’d happily go vegetarian if I got to eat this every day of my life.”

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