The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: The Corner

10/28/2014

Two for Tuesday: Dr. Larry Sabato

Larry_Sabato15JC

Note: This post is part of our guest series, The Corner, by digital media students at The University of Virginia.  Today’s student contributor is Meghan Kasel.

Tuesdays during The Corner series feature two favorite Corner food items selected by a different University figure each week.  With Election Day just a week away, this week’s picks come from one of the nation’s leading election experts, Dr. Larry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, author or editor of two dozen books on American politics, and according to the Wall Street Journal, “probably the most quoted college professor in all the land.” If you want to know who is going to win next Tuesday, check out Dr. Sabato’s Crystal Ball.  If you want to know what to eat on The Corner, check out his picks, below.

1)  Avocado and Feta Pizza from Christian’s Pizza.  “The crush of students at Christian’s Pizza at all hours of the day and night reminds me of the University Diner and University Cafeteria (both long gone), that I frequented as a UVA student.  When the lines aren’t quite as long (mostly on holidays and during exams), I love stopping in for a slice of the Avocado and Feta pizza.  This is a vegetarian’s dream!”

2)  Cinnamon-Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese from Bodo’s.  “It’s hard to find a better breakfast than a fresh from the oven bagel.  Perfect every time.”

10/22/2014

The Corner: The Virginian

Virginian

Photo by Hajung Yoo.

Note: This post is part of our guest series, The Corner, by digital media students at The University of Virginia.  Today’s student contributor is Hajung Yoo.

The Background

If you’ve been in Charlottesville for more than a week, chances are you have heard of The Virginian. Established in 1923 by University of Virginia Alums Billy Gooch and Ellis Brown, it is the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville.

Current owner Andy McClure took over shortly after graduating UVa Comm ’01. And, in running a restaurant that once had to convert to a soda fountain during prohibition, McClure has always been mindful of the need to strike a balance between preserving history and forging ahead.

The Experience

Thus, while The Virginia is designed to be a modern, attractive bar, the décor looks to the past, evoking nostalgic feelings of all-American comfort. Dark vintage wooden booths and dim lights recall a low-key speakeasy, and the vintage photos and wall décor reinforce the visual throwback. The menu also skews to Americana, with comforting options like chicken, burgers, salads, crab cakes, pasta, and sandwiches.  Modern touches include wine and draught beer lists that are exclusively Virginian.

With three other restaurants in town (The Biltmore, Citizen Burger Bar, and West Main), McClure is fiercely proud of Charlottesville. “I think Charlottesville is outrageously unique…we do a ridiculous job in terms of food options, the experience and quality of chefs and style.”

What to Order

The Virginian’s most popular menu item is the Stumble Down Mac N’ Cheese – creamy, cheesy pasta with pepper jack under a cheddar potato cake. It’s one of Dean Groves’ favorites, too, who also likes The Rachel, which is essentially a turkey Reuben. But, if you ask the expert what to get, McClure will tell you his favorite is the steak and cheese, with thinly sliced steak, grilled onions, and American cheese on a toasted sub roll. A close second, he says, is the gourmet grilled cheese, with cheddar, provolone, and Swiss, on sourdough, grilled to a golden brown.

10/21/2014

Two for Tuesday: Allen Groves

Groves

Note: This post is part of our guest series, The Corner, by digital media students at The University of Virginia.  Today’s student contributor is Ali Donaldson.

Tuesdays during The Corner series feature two favorite Corner food items selected by a different University figure each week. First up is Allen Groves, Dean of Students at the University of Virginia, a graduate of the UVa School of Law, and Guiness world record holder for most high fives in an hour. Dean Groves’ picks:

1) The Rachel and a side of Stumble Down Mac ‘N Cheese at The Virginian. “The Virginian is one of the few restaurants on The Corner that was around when I was a student. They have a special on Wednesdays called ‘The Rachel’ which is essentially a turkey Reuben. But, anytime I go in there, I ask them for the Rachel even if it’s not a Wednesday, and they’ll make it for me. The Virginian is also known for their side dish mac and cheese, which is a wonderful little pot that has macaroni and cheese and on top of it a spicy potato cake. So you put that combination together, and it’s incredible.”

2) Fried Egg and Cheese Sandwich with Grits at The Pigeon Hole. “I’ve been there now three times with students. It’s incredible. The grits are really good, not that soupy kind – real grits.”