The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Petite MarieBette

05/21/2022

#18: Ednam – The Market at Bellair

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Turkey Sandwich

There is something distinctly American about our love of turkey. And, it’s not just Thanksgiving. Nowhere in the world does turkey dominate lunch boxes, sandwich boards, and refrigerator drawers the way it does here. It is the most popular deli meat in the country.

When it comes to turkey sandwiches, some purists insist on turkey that is freshly roasted. Others have come to prefer the processed turkey products more common at deli counters, supermarkets, and sandwich shops. In fact, it is this latter style of turkey meat that inspired the career of the most famous sandwich maker Charlottesville has ever produced. Mason Hereford founded the first sandwich shop to be named Best New Restaurant in the Country, Turkey and the Wolf. But long before he graced magazine covers and award lists for his New Orleans restaurant, Hereford grew up in Charlottesville, and credits his love affair with sandwiches to a place he’d go twice a week: The Market at Bellair.

Founded in 1991 by former caterers, The Market has since expanded from its Ivy gas station location to become such an institution that almost everyone has their go-to order from its menu of elaborate sandwiches, many with local names like Afton, Farmington, and Keswick. While all are delicious, the Ednam is hardest to resist. Boar’s Head maple turkey joins bacon, Havarti, lettuce, tomato, and avocado, on freshly baked bread. The kicker is the market’s own herb mayonnaise, an ingredient so habit-forming that some people go twice a week.

#18: Ednam – The Market at Bellair
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Gobbfather at Ivy Provisions (GFA), Turkey No Wolf at The Wich Lab, Herb Oven Roasted Turkey at Market Street Market, After the Hunt at Hunt Country Market & Deli, The Smokin’ at The Market at Bellair (GFA), Turkey Muffaletta at Mona Lisa, Fifeville at Petite MarieBette, Hot Sicilian at Dürty Nelly’s, Farmington at The Market at Bellair (GFA), Turkey Bacon Club at Revolutionary Soup, Birdwood at The Market at Bellair (GFA); Vegetarian Alternatives: Yogaville at The Market at Bellair (GFA), Sly Fox at Hunt Country Market & Deli

05/10/2022

#29: PMB Grilled Cheese – Petite MarieBette

The Grilled Cheese

It might seem odd to go somewhere specifically for a grilled cheese, but the royal treatment that Petit MarieBette gives the humble staple of pool snack bars and children’s menus makes it destination-worthy. Will Darsie’s attention to detail elevates the sandwich with Pennsylvania cheddar and Alpine gruyere on the bakery’s own sourdough.  A thin layer of Duke’s mayo on the outside of the bread before grilling seals the deal with color, crispness, and flavor. When a grilled cheese craving creeps, the PMB Grilled cheese satisfies like none other in town.

#29: PMB Grilled Cheese – Petite MarieBette
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches 

Others of Note: Seasonal Grilled Cheese at Feast! (GFA), Grilled Cheese at Revolutionary Soup (American on sourdough)

07/03/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Ludi Avagyan

citizens

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Ludi Avagyan of Double H Farm. As the United States celebrates its freedom this week, Ludi and her parents became citizens. When the Avagyans arrived from Armenia sixteen years ago, Ludi spoke no English. She went on to finish near the top of her class in high school and now attends the University of Virginia. Ludi credits her perseverance to the example of her parents, who arrived with almost nothing and now own one of the most beloved farms in our food community. Read the story of the Avagyans’ amazing path to citizenship. Ludi’s picks: 

1) Lemon Meringue Pie from Albemarle Baking Company. “You can’t beat this perfect combination of sweet and tarty goodness. The lemony flavor is just right with a hint of sweet meringue on top. It’s the perfect treat.”

2) Iced Vanilla Latte from Petite MarieBette. “Every time I’m downtown, I find myself grabbing a latte from MarieBette. It might just be my favorite iced vanilla latte in town, and that’s saying a lot because lattes are my choice of drink at any coffee shop. I usually grab a plain baguette on my way out too.”

3) Don Juan Pizza at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “They have the best pies, a must try for all pizza lovers. Topped with oven roasted tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, and three varieties of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, and feta) this makes for the perfect pizza. I also love to add pepperonis for an extra kick of flavor.”

4) Kale and Walnut Salad from Greenwood Gourmet Grocery. “A great vegetarian option and a healthy treat. This refreshing kale salad also includes strong flavors of dried cranberries, feta, with walnut balsamic vinaigrette.”

5) Local Chicken Salad Sandwich Melt from Feast!. “I love a good chicken salad, and Feast! has perfected it with gouda cheese and crunchy romaine lettuce on ciabatta bread I’d suggest adding bacon on top and grabbing a fruit salad as a side.”