The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Seafood @ West Main

07/27/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Ellie Grinspun

ellie shot summit

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Ellie Grinspun, the former chef-owner of Kafkafe who now runs Ellie Cooks, a personal chef service in your home. Details here. Grinspun’s picks:

1) Blueberries from The Berry Patch in Free Union. “A tradition that began 18 years ago, picking blueberries with my son, and still continues. When he was younger we would read ‘Blueberries for Sal’ at bedtime in preparation for our morning adventure. As he surpassed me in height it became a competition to see who could pick the most – me, but he definitely eats the most! Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!”

2) Coppa Pork Steaks salted and thrown on the grill from JM Stock Provisions. “Ask the boys, Alex and Ben, to cut it thick! Serve it with a huge seasonal salad and enjoy. Oh, and their tasso ham sliced to go or served on their flaky biscuits with honey and hot sauce. Don’t forget to follow Autumn Olive Farms on Instagram and watch videos of their adorable piglets running and grazing!”

3) Farmers in the Park at Meade Avenue. “This is my idea of a perfect market – low key, shaded, local fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, drinks, desserts, and food. No crowds means you can chat with the vendors and really get to know them!”

4) Scallops from Seafood @ West Main. “Lately, I like them raw! Slice them horizontally and layer them on a serving platter with chunks of local peaches, paper thin slices of cucumbers, drizzle with a shallot white balsamic vinaigrette and a sprinkling of Maldon flakes, and top with torn pieces of fresh mint. Simple and fresh.”

5) Ending an evening out with a Chocolate Pot de Crème at Orzo. “Think chocolate pudding marries crème brûlée. Or, the deconstructed s’mores bread pudding and a whiskey sour prepared with an egg white at Oakhart Social.”

 

 

07/03/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Sara Adduci

Sara

Photo by Justin Ide.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Sara Adduci, cheesemonger of Feast!.  Last weekend, Adduci helped make Charlottesville proud at The Cheesemonger Invitational, in New York City, where top cheesemongers from around the country competed against one another in cutting, selling, tasting, wrapping, and proving their cheese knowledge.  Adduci finished in 4th place while fellow Charlottesville monger Nadjeeb Chouaf took 2nd place.  A great showing for Charlottesville.  Adduci’s picks:

1)  Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue.  “I just adore breakfast and brunch foods and these are simply fantastic! It’s truly hard for me to pick a single item in this category, because I also have a big crush on the ginger scones from Albemarle Baking Company and the BFP (big f****ing pancake) with bacon from Brookville.”

2)  Spanish Tuna Salad and White Bean Salad from Feast! with Pea Shoots from Manakintowne Specialty Growers. “Mix these three items together in a bowl and you get my ever-so-lazy, non-cooking, dinner or lunch more often than I care to admit.”

3)  African Curry Powder from The Spice Diva.  “Simply saute any gorgeous, local veggies that suit your fancy with garlic, onions, and this flavorful, not too hot, green curry, top with toasted pine nuts and serve over the nutty, Kagayaki 6 Grain Rice blend from Seafood @ West Main. Delish.”

4)  Farmhouse Dry Cider from Potter’s Craft Cider.  “I love this stuff, in all its bone dry, bubbly, apple-y glory. It is great on its own and also great as a cocktail mixer. I like it with the brown liquors, but I seriously think you could use it wherever club soda is called for with great success. I have some mulberry gin steeping and I look forward to trying them together.”

5)  Linguica Sausage from The Rock Barn. “I just can’t get over my deep affection for this Portuguese style sausage. I make a simple marinara with a couple of links of this sausage pulled from the casing, add fresh sheep and goat milk ricotta from Twenty Paces, some fresh spinach or basil and serve it over pasta. Then, the next day I take the leftover sauce, add black beans, and serve an over-easy egg on top. So good.”

05/02/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Brian Jones

jonesSmiling

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Brian Jones, chef of Petit Pois.  On May 13, Petit Pois is hosting the Charlottesville stop of Wines of Germany’s second annual Riesling Road Trip.  Paul Grieco (of NYC’s Hearth and Terroir), who in 2012 won the James Beard Award for nation’s best wine and spirits professional, is traveling up and down the east coast with wine writer Stuart Pigott in a wine bar on wheels.  On May 13, Grieco and Pigott will be at Petit Pois for a multi-course dinner with eight different German wines.  $52, all inclusive. To reserve, call 434-979-7647.  Jones’ picks:

1)  Pepperoni Pizza and Grape Soda at Vinny’s Pizza & Pasta in Ruckersville.  “Just like the local pizzeria in my town where I grew up. While I can’t put down the grape soda like I used to as a kid, this combination makes me feel like I’m 14 again.”

2)  Original Tart Yogurt with Oreo Cookie Crumbs at Sweet Frog.  “With my six and seven year old girls, these Sweet Frog dates are always sweet times.”

3)  Olive Thyme Levain at Albemarle Baking Company.  “Toast a slice for breakfast to go with your coffee.”

4)  Spicy Tuna Tartar at ZoCaLo.  “Super clean flavors with a little bit of spice. A great way to replenish some calories after a hard night’s work.  Probably the most consistent restaurant in town.  They’re always on point.”

5)  Mussels from Seafood @ West Main.  “The place to grab a bag of mussels before your next party, or any seafood for that matter.  Petit Pois Restaurant sources all of their seafood through Seafood @ West Main. Everything is always super fresh. Pristine quality fish.”

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