For some, this may seem an appropriate end to a difficult year. As 2016 closes, so does Spudnuts, the Belmont institution whose donuts have been making Charlottesville residents happy for decades. The last day will be December 30.
So long 2016. So long Spudnuts.
Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Kelsey Naylor, sous chef of Timbercreek Market, which this week launched full-service dinner three nights a week. Naylor’s picks:
1) Radish Kimchi from Sussex Farm. “By far the best and most authentic kimchi in Virginia. You can find them at the city market every Saturday and they introduce a new type of kimchi every week.”
2) Blueberry Donuts from Spudnuts. “There is nothing better than one of their blueberry cake donuts with a cup of coffee in the morning.”
3) Oh Toro at TEN. “Fatty Tuna is one of my favorite things in the world and Ten definitely does it right.”
4) Crispy Beef at Taste of China. “Crispy Beef and Scallion Bubble Pancakes are by far my favorite, but I’ve never had anything there that I didn’t love.”
5) Hellboy Pizza at Lampo. “The perfect pizza to go along with a Narragansett Tall Boy. It really doesn’t get any better than that.”
On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Devin Murray, chef of the recently recharged The Whiskey Jar. Murray’s picks:
1) Warm Glazed and Blueberry Donuts at Spudnuts. “I have been lucky to enjoy these donuts for twenty-five years. I am reminded of my childhood every time I stop in. Warm Glazed and Blueberry are my go to, but I love them all.”
2) Egg and American on an Everything Bagel at Bodo’s. “My best Bodo’s memory was the day I found out they would be serving eggs all day.”
3) Red Hot Blues with Danger Sauce and Margaritas at Continental Divide. “The margaritas are a great way to cool the burn of the Danger sauce. The small, loud, high energy atmosphere along with the margaritas keep me coming back.”
4) Carne Asada and Bocadillo Jamon at MAS Tapas. “I could eat the carne asada everyday. It is consistently my favorite dish at Mas. The Bocadillo Jamon is another favorite. The wood oven bread, garlic alioli, Jamon serrano ,and manchego cheese make a perfect sandwich.”
5) Peanut Butter Pie at The Pie Chest. “Baker Rachel Pennington puts a lot of love into all of her pies, but this one is my favorite. The texture of the filling is light and creamy and the thick graham cracker crust seals the deal for me as the best peanut butter pie I have ever eaten. Peanut butter fans you need this in your life.”