The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Peter Chang’s

10/26/2012

Five Finds on Friday: Dahlia Lithwick

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s come from political observer Dahlia Lithwick, who is not just the nation’s leading Supreme Court writer, but also a lover of Charlottesville food.  Lithwick’s picks:

1)  Truffled Mushroom Ragout at The Local.  My ongoing problem is that although I love everything on the menu at The Local, if I don’t get the truffled mushroom pasta I get depressed.  Also, the one time I got a half-order I got depressed too.  Best just to scarf down the whole bowl and smile.

2)  Coriander Fish Rolls at Peter Chang’s China Grill.  These are stupidly delicious.

3)  Must Khiar (cold yogurt soup) at Ariana Grill Kabob House.  You are either a cold soup person or you aren’t.  But if you are and you haven’t had this one, you should.  Dunk their bread in it.  Use it as raita over everything!  Oh my god, just writing this makes me need some Right Now.

4)  Boquerones con ajo at Mas.  (Plump white Cantabrian anchovy filets in an olive oil, garlic, lemon marinade).  Possibly not a first-date food.

5)  Black Bean Breakfast Burrito at Bluegrass Grill and Bakery.  But I could have picked any breakfast item at random and said the same.

10/02/2012

Two for Tuesday: October 2, 2012

1)  Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil at Gingko.  When it comes to “Chinese” food, Charlottesville has come a long way.  Years ago, there was nothing beyond the standard Chinese-American places where the menus are all the same.  Sure, every now and then we get a hankering for a cloying, glowing mess like General Tso’s Chicken at a shopping mall.  Usually, though, we prefer something more refined.  Thankfully, Charlottesville has seen a proliferation of restaurants that are daring not to dumb it down.  Taste of China, Peter Chang’s, and Cafe 88 come to mind.  Now another restaurant appears poised to join them.  Gingko, recently opened just off The Corner, supplements a menu of standard Chinese-American fare with authentic Sichuan options.  The Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil are a good place to start.  Handmade dumplings swim in a pool of oil seasoned with just enough Sichuan chilis to create the desired numbing effect.

2)  Quiche at Paradox Pastry.   Yes, the egg is custardy.  And, yes the ever-changing fillings always seem fresh and flavorful.  But, as you might expect at a bakery, the crust of these personal-sized pies steals the show.  Flaky, buttery, and rich, it has the unmistakable stamp of a professional baker.  The quiches are so rich in fact that we like to take them home to pair with something acidic.  We’ve had luck with Planet Earth Diversified greens tossed in a French vinaigrette from Feast!, or a crisp white like the Blenheim Vineyards Chardonnay.

09/07/2012

Five Finds on Friday: Somdev Devvarman

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs or personalities.  With the U.S. Open finals this weekend, we take a break from chef picks to feature those of a Cavalier tennis legend.  Two-time NCAA singles champion Somdev Devvarman is on a very short list of the greatest athletes in UVa history.   Now on the pro tour, Devvarman is still often in Charlottesville, and he knows his food.  (His Twitter profile says: “I play tennis & love eating.”)  Devvarman’s picks:

1)  Warm Medley of amFog Wild Mushrooms at Ivy Inn.

2)  Cigar Rolls and Drunken Noodle at Monsoon Siam.

3)  Chicken w. Three Peppers in Hot Iron Plate at Peter Chang’s China Grill.

4)  Every omelet (as long as you get home fries) at Bluegrass Grill and Bakery.

5)  Buffet Lunch at Milan.