The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Spudnuts

04/19/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Mike Ketola

Ketola

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Mike Ketola, who cooks at not one but two restaurants that have been inducted into The Charlottesville 29.  Ketola is the longtime sous chef of Mas, and also cooks at Barbecue Exchange.  Ketola’s picks:

1)  Glazed Blueberry Cake Donut at Spudnuts.  “Is there anything they can’t do?”

2)  Tequila-lime Chocolate at Gearharts.  “The aged anejo tequila-lime fondant is the perfect complement to the intensely rich and sweet white chocolate casing.”

3)  Seared Jumbo lump Crab and Corn Cake at Three Notch’d Grill.  “Lightly textured, virtually exploding with flavor- the velvety lemon beurre blanc and refreshingly crisp jicama slaw really take it to the next level.”

4)  Pappardelle Ragu at Tavola.  “Rich and meaty pork ragu, supple ribbons of housemade pasta: comfort food turned up to 11!”

5)  Chicken Shawarma at Aromas Cafe.  “I always get it with extra habiba sauce, which is really out of this world tasty!”

08/10/2012

Five Finds on Friday: Vu Nguyen

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Vu Nguyen, owner of Zinc and the newly opened Moto Pho Co.  Nguyen’s five picks:

1)  Sausage, Egg and Cheesse,  Coffee, and a Chocolate Glazed Donut at Spudnuts.  Really doesn’t need an explanation.

2)  Veggie on Rye with House Dressing, add Watercress and a Side of House Dressing, 1/2 pint Exotic Grains, and Rte 66 Dill Pickle Chips at Take It Away.  I’m not a vegetarian.

3)  Bamee Moo Dang at Pad Thai.  Wonton Noodle Soup is what they call it on the menu, which is weird because the literal translation is Ramen Red Pork.

4)  The bar and the man who makes it, Paulie, at Vivace.

5)  Four C’s on a Sugar Cone at Chaps.  This is a recent revelation for me, thanks to my better half, Laura, replacing Arch’s Swirl with M&M’s as indulgence #1 (besides Talisker).