The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: The Charlottesville 29

03/16/2016

Duner’s

duners

4372 Ivy Road . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 293-8352
http://www.dunersrestaurant.com/

Why Duner’s?

After a turbulent two years, Duner’s landed on its feet. Though the longtime owner sold the restaurant in 2022, and its new owner passed away unexpectedly in 2023, the Charlottesville institution is now under the stewardship of chef-owner Christian Kelly. Few would be more capable of sustaining its legacy. With a background in fine dining at Clifton Inn and less fussy Southern fare at Maya, Kelly draws on both experiences to deliver the crowd-pleasing and refined cuisine that has attracted regulars to the Ivy icon for four decades. Long live Duner’s.

What to Order

The menu can change every day at Duner’s, and is conveniently posted online. Given the frequent changes, specific dish recommendations may be less helpful than suggested categories. Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. One fixture at Duner’s has been Pastry Chef Linda Steiner, who has been with the restaurant since the 1990s. Below is a list of our suggestions and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a Duner’s dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Fried Oysters
  • Mussels
  • Grilled Pork Chop
  • Grilled Salmon
  • Dessert

Five Finds on Friday Picks

Duner's

03/15/2016

Al Carbon

Al Carbon245 Merchant Walk Ave Suite 200 . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 284-5251
http://www.alcarbonva.com

Why Al Carbon?

This order-at-the-counter joint specializes in whole chickens cooked over coals in a rotisserie oven imported from Peru. While the chickens are delicious, the Mexican dishes may be even better, which is no wonder given the heritage of owner Myriam Hernandez. In addition to great options for solo diners, the menu includes family meals like whole chickens with a selection of sides. Great for takeout, there are also tables for dining in, and bottled beers and cocktails to wash down the fiery food. With a quality-to-value ratio that is difficult to match, Al Carbon is on a short list of restaurants we would most wish to live near, and a fixture on The Charlottesville 29.

What to Order

From chicken to sandwiches to sides, it’s hard to go wrong at Al Carbon. Below is a list of our suggestions, Myriam’s own favorites, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named an Al Carbon dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken
  • Cemitas, especially Milanesa de Res y Chorizo
  • Fried Yucca
  • Platanos Fritos
  • Chiles Toreados & Cebollitas
  • Jalapeno and Cilantro Sauce
  • Churros

Owners’ Picks

  • Fresh Guacamole
  • Cemita de Carne Enchilada
  • Taco de Chori Pollo
  • Taco de Lengua
  • Elote Con Mayonesa

Five Finds on Friday Picks

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Photo by Tom McGovern

03/14/2016

Bizou

Bizou

119 W. Main Street . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 977-1818
http://www.bizoudowntown.com/home

Why Bizou?

In March 1991, in a small space on a then-desolate downtown mall, two young chefs, one from France and one from West Virginia, opened a restaurant that would shape Charlottesville dining for decades. The French chef was Vincent Derquenne, the West Virginian Tim Burgess, and their restaurant was called Metropolitain. In 1995, it moved to a larger space on Water Street before closing in 2002.

But its original location lives on in Bizou, which shares the look, spirit, and owners of the eatery the New York Times once called reason to move to Charlottesville. The ethos behind both — “what if it’s all about the food?” — has come to dominate Charlottesville dining. Meanwhile, Bizou has continued to deliver gussied-up comfort food in a diner-like setting from knowledgeable and polished servers. Lunch is a great value and has a huge daily following. Dinner is even better. And the restaurant has not missed a beat since Tim passed the baton to his son Travis in 2024. It’s indispensable on The Charlottesville 29.

What to Order

Daily dinner specials are the options most reminiscent of Metropolitain’s great dishes, but several regular menu staples are standouts as well. Below are our picks, those of Derquenne and Burgess, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named a Bizou dish as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Patisserie Assortment (brunch)
  • Brioche French Toast (brunch)
  • Brownie Canele (brunch)
  • Homemade Classic Meatloaf
  • Chicken Caesar Salad
  • Dinner Specials
  • Grilled Banana Bread (Charlottesville’s signature dessert?)

Owners’ Picks

  • Chocolate Croissant (brunch) (Burgess)
  • Fried Catfish (Burgess)
  • Smoked Salmon w/ Fried Green Tomatoes (Derquenne)
  • Steak Salad (Derquenne)
  • Grilled Banana Bread (Burgess)

Five Finds on Friday Picks