The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Riverside Lunch

12/06/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Jason Oliver

Jason

Photo by Heidi Crandall ©, Devils Backbone Brewing Company.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Jason Oliver, Brewmaster at Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which was named Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival.  Next week be on the lookout for the latest batch of Dark Abby, their limited release Belgian Dubbel.  Also, on December 17 Devils Backbone is hosting a Mystery Dinner Theatre, where the entire pub dining area will serve as the “stage.”  Oliver’s picks:

1)  Lasagna at Beer Run.  “It doesn’t matter if it’s meat or vegetarian.  Every lasagna I’ve had at Beer Run is delicious, served smothered in bubbling cheese that’s hotter than the surface of the sun.  Let it cool for a few minutes and you’ll have some great comfort food, plus an awesome beer selection.”

2)  Shishito Peppers at Citizen Burger Bar.  “They are simple, straightforward, and delicious.  Flash fried peppers with an Asian inspired sauce that’s semi-sweet and salty.  Most of the time the peppers are mild but it’s a little like roulette because you may land on a hot one which can light you up.”

3)  Durban Spiced Chicken at The Shebeen.  “The Shebeen has a great relaxed feel to it and is unique for it’s South African inspired foods and atmosphere.  Durban Spiced Chicken is a peri-peri spiced chicken breast served with the South African staple mealie pap (think savory grits) and a sauce called “Voodoo” which is spicy and awesome.  I usually ask for additional side of Voodoo sauce.”

4) Mediterranean Salad with Wood-Roasted Salmon at Brixx Pizza. “Sometimes I want a cool refreshing dinner-sized salad and I have found few better.  The salad bowl is chilled, the lettuce crisp, the portion ample, with the blackened salmon hot, well seasoned, and straight from the wood fired oven.  Simple and pure.  A perfect salad when you want a light meal.”

5)  Cheeseburgers at Riverside Lunch.  “I was turned on to Riverside just a few months ago and they are really that good.  Riverside also has one of the best prices on local bottled craft beer in Charlottesville which makes the combination of awesome old school burgers and affordable beer a no brainer.”

10/18/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Penn Webster

Penn

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Penn Webster, sous chef of The Ivy Inn Restaurant.

1)  Cheeseburger at Riverside Lunch.  “I order mine with chili, onions, mustard, and slaw. That is ‘all the way’ where I come from in North Carolina, and Riverside does it right on.  You have to order a basket of fries and onion rings to share at the table.  Plus, the nice lady writes on your cup what drink you are enjoying with your meal!”

2)  Spanakopita from Mr V’s Kitchen.  “I have been eating Mr V’s wonderful pastry for years.  I just don’t tire of it ever.  On special occasions, he makes lahanodolmades, meat-stuffed cabbage rolls. They are 100 percent awesome. Plus, he makes a mean pizza as well.”

3)  Rock Barn Bratwurst and Barefoot Bucha Cherry Root at the Lockn’ Festival.  “Odd combo for sure, but at Lockn’ it just seemed right.  It kept me going for four days of fun and working the festival.”

4)  Tacos at La Michoacana.  “It really doesn’t matter what type of tacos you order.  They all taste good, and I end up smothering them with fresh hot salsa out of the squirt bottles anyway. It is cheap and tasty.  And, remember to bring cash.”

5)  Chicharron en Salsa Verde at El Tepeyac. “Not something I would recommend eating everyday, but it is so good and spicy. I think I broke out in a sweat last time I ate it.”

10/11/2013

Five Finds on Friday: James Lum III and Matt Greene

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On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today is a special Friday because it is the Grand Opening of the much-anticipated new nose-to-tail butcher, JM Stock Provisions & Supply, at 709 W. Main St.  To mark the day, we are featuring the picks of the butcher’s owners, James Lum III and Matt Greene, the Virginia natives who worked together at Brooklyn’s acclaimed butcher, The Meat Hook.  James and Matt’s picks:

1)  Cheeseburger at Riverside Lunch.  “It’s pretty much everything I want in a burger, and Riverside is everything I want in a restaurant.” – Matt

2)  Blueberry Cake Donut at Spudnuts.  “Life altering.” – James

3)  Aioli at MAS Tapas.  “It made me rethink how I make alioli.” – Matt

4)  Everything at The BBQ Exchange.  “Go hungry and order everything.” – James

5)  Pimento Cheese Fritters at Maya.  “If there’s a dish involving pimento cheese on a menu, I get it.  This one doesn’t disappoint.” – James