The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: The Alley Light

04/07/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Kathryn Matthews

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Kathryn Matthews of Iron Paffles & Coffee, which opens downtown this Tuesday, April 11, and will serve Charlottesville’s first ever paffles. What’s a paffle? It’s puffed pastry pastry cooked on a waffle iron, then stuffed with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. Matthews’ picks:

1) Prosciutto Pizza at Lampo. “I was blown away when I first tried Lampo’s pizza and I have been an avid customer since. The prosciutto pizza is my favorite. The meat is sliced fresh and the lemon is a very nice touch.”

2) Chocolate Almond Croissant at MarieBette Cafe and Bakery. “I usually have a hard time choosing between a chocolate or an almond croissant, but MarrieBette has it all in one! And it is divine!”

3) Avocado Toast at Beer Run. “Avocado on a thick piece of MarieBette multigrain bread? Yes, please! And I always add bacon to boot.”

4) Paramount Bramble at The Alley Light. “I’m originally from England and we love our brambles. So I was very excited when The Alley Light added this cocktail to their seasonal menu. It’s the perfect combination of sweetness with a punch, and a perfect accompaniment to any of their dishes.”

5) Appetizers at Sultan Kebab. “I spent three years in the Middle East where Turkish food (or variations thereof) is common in local restaurants. Sultan Kebab hits the nail on the head with their appetizers and I could not pick just one. The kisir, dolma, halloumi, and baba ghanoush are all fantastic.”

03/24/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Reggie Calhoun

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Photo by Derrick Waller.

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Reggie Calhoun, chef of Draft Taproom and Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar, both of which have donated great items to the Auction for Allie, where local businesses are auctioning off special experiences and services to benefit chef Allie Redshaw. See all the great items and place your bids here. Also, on Monday, March 27, Calhoun is competing against Miso Sweet chef Frank Paris III in a Duel Chef Showdown at Tin Whistle Pub. Details and tickets here. Calhoun’s picks:

1) Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Riverside Lunch. “This is not only a place that sells the best burgers in town but it also holds a lot of memories for me growing up playing soccer. My friends right after practice would go straight here and get the double bacon cheeseburger with fried onions and pickles. These burgers are perfect just as they are – juicy with tons of beef flavor and a tiny bit of crispiness to them. Each bite just melts away. It’s the perfect burger!”

2) Bourbon Fruit Punch at The Alley Light. “The first time I went to this place, I expected it to be over-the-top good, and sure enough it was. I sat at the bar and asked the bartender to select a drink. She asked me which spirit I wanted, and I chose bourbon and said I’d like something very refreshing. She ended up making a drink that not only was the best fruit punch drink I have ever had but still to this day is my favorite drink I’ve ever had, period.”

3) Polyface Chicken Wings at Rapture. “Nothing much to say other then hands down the best chicken wings in Cville. Super clean and clear chicken flavor, juicy, and crispy.”

4) Gambas al’ Parilla at MAS Tapas. “Very simple dish, but that’s just the reason why these shrimp are awesome. Briny and fresh, with the fattiness of the garlic alioli that they make in house, which is key, and huge chunks of sea salt.No lie, I eat these once a week or at least every other week. I love MAS!”

5) Carne Asada at MAS Tapas. “In my opinion, this is one of the top steaks in Cville because it is always cooked perfectly and seasoned just right so the steak flavor shines through. Served with garlic alioli and tortillas dabbed with duck fat.”

 

03/10/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Linda Steiner

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Linda Steiner, pastry chef at Duner’s, whose desserts are known to be destination-worthy. It’s shad roe season, and Duner’s is one of the only places in town to enjoy the delicacy, but supplies are very limited. Every Thursday Duner’s receives enough to make just eight weekend orders of the sauteed Pamlico Sound fish egg sacks. First come first serve, and just for a few weeks. Steiner’s picks:

1) Crab Pot Stickers at Bang! “Crab Pot Stickers and Firecracker Shrimp get ordered every time. As well as my Bang-A-Rita. If it is nice enough, you have to sit outside and enjoy all of Vincent and Tim’s hard work.”

2) Dumplings at Marco & Luca. “I have a really hard time going downtown and not bringing home some of the best dumplings and peanut noodles in C-Ville.”

3) Prosciutto Pizza at Lampo. “Andrew KILLS it with his cool wine selections. I just let him pick and always leave happy.”

4) Cured Salmon at The Alley Light. “Any cocktail from Micah, one of the best in all of C-Ville, if not Virginia! And is there really anything that you would not be happy with off of their menu? They have not missed a beat since the changing of the guard in the kitchen. The Cured Salmon and Potted Shrimp get me every time if they are on the menu.”

5) Beef and Broccoli at Silk Road. “A little off the path, but everyone should really try this place in Waynesboro. (Turn into the old Shoneys on your way towards the Home Depot) Ambiance, Ambiance, Ambiance! The food is really great, the Lunch Boxes are great, but if you have to pick one, go for the Beef and Broccoli.”