The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Petite MarieBette

08/22/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Holly Hammond

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Holly Hammond of Whisper Hill Farm, whose August tomatoes are worth waiting all year long. The tomatoes will be among the offerings at Tomato Tomato Fest, Tuesday August 26 at The Little Market at Lampo. Tomato farmers, artisans, and vendors will celebrate the Charlottesville area’s tomato harvest, while Lampo makes a special tomato-centric menu for the occasion. Details here. Dress in tomato gear, enter gardening and art competitions, and celebrate this year’s harvest. Hammond’s picks:

1) Basil Tofu at Cafe 88. “Jenny is always at the front counter, ready for my favorite order when I go to Cafe 88. When I asked her for her favorite tofu dish, she did not hesitate -Basil Tofu. Wowee! She sends this bento box out of the park, with crispy tofu fried to perfection, saucy eggplant, and green beans. Everything cooked to perfection. Being a veggie farmer, I am particular about these things, and Jenny nails it with this dish. To be honest, everything she sends out is excellent.”

2) Avocado Toast at Petite MarieBette. “There’s something special about going into PMB on a Sunday morning after a long week farming and a vibrant Saturday sale at IX Farmers Market. The vibe is chill, and the staff is always warm and friendly. Pair that with an iced London Fog and their Avocado Toast with an egg, and life is good. Avocado toast might not be something I would typically order, but theirs is done so deliciously. Perfectly mashed avocado on a slice of their multigrain sourdough topped with corn, cotija, and pickled onion. What’s not to love?”

3) Banh Mi at Vu Noodles. “Julie soars in the kitchen, and her banh mi is no exception. That toasty baguette with tofu, vegan mayo, cilantro, cucumbers, and jalapenos hits the mark every time. She is also just a bright human whose spirit shows up in her food. Truly, a Charlottesville treasure.”

4) Veggie Pizza at Mona Lisa Pasta. “After eight hours of setting up and selling to our wonderful customers at market, the perfect place to pick up lunch to bring back for the crew is Mona Lisa’s. If you haven’t ordered pizza from them, you are missing out. A little Italian gem in the heart of Cville, you can find all kinds of things to love at this shop and take home a delicious meal. The veggies on their pizza are cut and cooked perfectly, with not too much sauce or cheese on the pizza. The best after-market meal.”

5) Caesar Salad at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “I can’t forget to mention another favorite place to go out on a weekday evening. It’s always hopping, and the staff at Dr. Ho’s gets it done. The best way to start your meal is with their Caesar salad. The dressing is cheesy, and the salad always comes very well dressed, with that classic crunchy romaine and flaky parmesan, and croutons. Don’t sleep on that Fat and Sassy either.”

 

03/22/2024

Five Finds on Friday: Travis Burgess

Photo by Eze Amos

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Travis Burgess, who is now a co-owner of the restaurant group his father helped build, which includes Bizou, Bang!, Crush Pad, and The Space. Read here about the unsurpassed legacy of his father Tim Burgess, and what’s next. Travis’ picks:

1) English Muffins from Cou Cou Rachou. “This is actually the best thing in Charlottesville. So light and fluffy, perfectly buttery and acidic. I stop by weekly to pick these up for the restaurants. The highlight of my week is seeing how many of these I can eat in the car during the three minute drive back to work. Cou Cou is the perfect vibe. Step in and you quickly forget you are on Preston Ave. A slice of Paris right here in Charlottesville with the friendliest staff in town. Pro tip: grab a 6 pack to go, freeze what you don’t eat instantly, and wake up on a weekend morning and make your significant other the best and easiest breakfast egg sandwich in town.”

2) Cabeza Quesadilla from Tacos Gomez. “Worked my way through the Tacos Gomez menu before realizing this. Quesadillas are the move here. And I get it that cabeza can be a little intimidating for us gringos, but these beef cheek quesadillas are incredible. Still can’t figure out what kind of cheese they use but you’ll get some iconic cheese pulls and the meat is so tender. Red sauce is a little too spicy for me. Extra green sauce always. Tortillas are made fresh right there. It is no wonder that the parking lot always has a line in it.”

3) Kouign Amann at Crush Pad Wines “V needs a shoutout here. A true culinary genius – like actually a genius – and the best mentor, godfather, and friend I could ask for. His kouign amann is the best thing he makes. It disappeared after Covid but rumor has it it is on the dessert menu at Crush Pad. Flaky, buttery, caramel croissant dough perfection. But be aware, it is dangerous. Took an extra home last week to surprise the wife and bake off at home. I ended up eating 80% of it. Apparently it’s just like they make in Brittany, but I wouldn’t know because I am still waiting on him to go on our boys’ trip to Brittany.”

4) Porchetta Sandwich from Petite Mariebette. “The other porchetta sandwich in this town. This one deserves some love too. They mix it up every year (currently, Porchella), and it is typically only on the menu for a few months, so get it while you can. It’s the best sandwich they make. Fresh ciabatta soaks up all the porchetta drippings, so much melty gruyere holding the broccoli rabe and everything all together. Just the right amount of pickled veg. The kind of sandwich you finish and immediately crave another. Treat yourself and splurge on a caramel latte while you are at it.”

5) Double Bacon Cheeseburger at the Riverside Lunch bar by myself without my wife. “I can’t be the only one with this routine. But apparently some consider Riverside not to be light and healthy, so we can’t eat there. This one is a real treat for me. Some Sundays when she double books yoga classes around lunch time, I’ll sneak up the street. Double bacon cheeseburger, lettuce, grilled onion, mayo, a side of fries and a cola. Sitting at the bar, NASCAR on one TV, NFL on the other. If you see me there alone at the bar don’t worry. I’m in my happy place.”

05/23/2022

#15: Bocadillo – Mas Tapas

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Ham Sandwich

It may be the most popular sandwich of the Western world. #1 in the USA, #1 in the U.K., and in France some even claim it accounts for 70% of sandwiches eaten in the country.

While many cultures have their own takes on a ham sandwich, Charlottesville’s peak form is the Spanish rendition at Mas Tapas. Chef Mike Ketola has been doing it the same way for nearly two decades, starting with a crusty roll, baked fresh every day in-house. Atop that Ketola slathers Mas’ famous garlic alioli, made by a slow, patient process. And, then there’s just ham and cheese. As with everything at Mas, though, sourcing is key. The jamon Serrano and queso Manchego are world class. As is the sandwich.

#15: Bocadillo – Mas Tapas
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: The Oliver at Paradox Pastry, Knoxville at Petite MarieBette, Jambon Beurre at Belle, Ham & Brie at Revolutionary Soup (GFA), Prosciutto & Mozzarella at Feast!, Smoked Ham, Bacon, Cheddar Melt at Tubby’s. Vegetarian Alternatives: K.I.S.S. at Ivy Provisions (GFA), La Giaconda at Mona Lisa, Caprese at Feast!, Caprese Panini at Tilman’s