The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: The Alley Light

02/03/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Patrick McClure

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Patrick McClure, General Manager of Tavern & Grocery, which this week won 2017’s Best New Restaurant. McClure also manages and co-owns the restaurant’s downstairs bar Lost Saint. McClure’s picks:

1) Iced Coffee from Splendora’s Gelato. “I hope PK will forgive me for hipping more people to this, but the iced coffee from her shop is absolutely the best I’ve ever had. I’m a regular to the extent that most of the folks behind the counter will start pouring mine as I’m coming through the door. A simple recipe and the cold Toddy method of brewing produce a rich but mellow brew with low bitterness and a mild nuttiness. I drink it black, and try to start every work day with one. Their gelato is pretty amazing as well.”

2) Magical Mystery Tour Pizza from Mellow Mushroom. “I know, I know, everybody loves Lampo. Me too! Luckily for me, my favorite pizzas are like apples and oranges, and I don’t have to compare them. The wonderfully spongy and heavily parmesan-dusted crust Mellow consistently delivers is my style, and the combination of pesto, mushrooms, jalapenos, spinach, feta and mozzarella cheeses is perfect. I sometimes add bacon to this vegetarian pie.”

3) Malt Whiskey from Spirit Lab Distilling. “Charlottesville’s oldest distillery is the one you probably haven’t heard of yet, and Ivar Aass is producing some great distillate. He’s patched together a solera-style barrel aging system that has produced (only) 94 bottles to date of handmade single malt that is rich in toffee and vanilla notes with a smoky backbone that I can’t wait to enjoy again.”

4) Ham Biscuit from JM Stock Provisions. “I have only had this twice. The early risers usually buy all of them before I can get to JM Stock, especially since I think pre-noon is early morning. The perfect biscuit, tender tasso ham, honey and just enough hot sauce to wake you up are worth setting my alarm for.”

5) Cocktails from my Favorite Charlottesville Bars: Oakhart Social, Tavola Cicchetti Bar, and The Alley Light. “My peers around town (and my teammates at Lost Saint) are producing cocktails on the level of the great cocktail bars in the country, and I’m excited for more people to find this out. Go see Albee or Brendan at Oakhart Social, Steve at Cicchetti, Micah at The Alley Light or Carrie and Colin here at Lost Saint, and you’ll be treated to excellent service and a bevy of delicious and balanced flavor combinations that will open your eyes to the great American history of cocktail culture.”

 

01/27/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Nick Moon

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Nick Moon, sous chef of Brasserie Saison, opening next week on the downtown mall. Read all about it here. Moon’s picks:

1) Carne Asada at MAS Tapas. “The best steak in Charlottesville. Period. Perfectly balanced with smoked tomato alioli and a duck fat tortilla, it really doesn’t get any better than that. Throw in an amazing staff and it creates an atmosphere that will keep you coming back again and again.”

2) Polpettine al Forno at Lampo. “Succulent pork and beef meatballs showered with pecorino. Pair that with their house bread and it sets the entire tone of your visit. Great date spot, but come early because Lampo is popular for a reason!”

3) Pimm’s Cup at The Alley Light. “Pimm’s cups are not just light and refreshing in the summertime, but a drink for year round. Watching master mixologist Micah whip up a drink is a true sight to behold. Make sure to check out the amazing nightly specials that Chef Robin has as well, because what is a great drink when not paired with an amazing meal?”

4) Sausage Béchamel at Petit Pois. “Creamy rich béchamel with local sausage over potatoes with perfectly poached eggs and hollandaise. Couple that with a cozy space and great service and you’ll be ready for an evening of leisure.”

5) Cheese Steak Hoagie at Revolutionary Soup. “This is the real deal, sirloin topped with onion, peppers and provolone. Being constantly on the go, I live off of the quick service and the locally sourced goodies that they have. My guilty pleasure after lunch? Chocolate chip cookies by Rachael Pennington.”

12/05/2016

Brian Jones Joins The Alley Light

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Already a talented bunch, The Alley Light‘s kitchen staff just got even better. Earlier this year, Brian Jones, who ran Petit Pois’ kitchen for more than a decade, decided it was time to move on. His new project was to oversee the kitchen of Timberwood Tap House, the restaurant from the Timberwood Grill team which opened in October, across from Wegmans. Now that Timberwood Tap House is up and running, Jones is returning to more sophisticated culinary arts.

In mid-December, he will join The Alley Light’s kitchen, led by Executive Chef and co-owner Robin McDaniel. “Robin and I are excited to bring aboard Brian Jones,” said McDaniel’s husband Chris Dunbar, also a co-owner. “Having both worked with Brian for a number of years at both Petit Pois and Fleurie,” said Dunbar, “we have first hand knowledge of his work ethic, attention to detail, organization, and creativity.”

It was difficult for Jones to leave Timberwood Tap House, which he says is off to a great start and in very good hands. “I had a wonderful time with the Timberwood family,” Jones said, “but, I realized that being behind the range, cooking, was where I wanted to be.”  Jones is excited to have the chance to do that at The Alley Light, while reuniting with McDaniel and Dunbar.

The restaurant does not expect any significant menu changes resulting from the hire. Instead, McDaniel will just have one of the best assistants a chef could hope for. Jones has worked with some of the nation’s most decorated chefs chefs, such as Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert and Jean Georges Vongerichten. “Personally and professionally, we couldn’t imagine a better fit here,” said Dunbar.

Congrats to Jones and The Alley Light.