The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: The Pie Chest

05/22/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Courtenay Tyler

Courtenay

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Courtenay Tyler, co-founder of Tilman’s, which has lots of news this week. First, building on the success of the shop’s pop-ups, Tilman’s is launching a takeout menu. Today through Monday, from 12-6pm, guests will have the option of taking their order to-go or enjoying it “picnic style” on the patio. In addition to food and wine, there will be cocktails like Negronis, martinis, and sangria. Pre-ordering is preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome. Next, COVID-19 be damned, Tilman’s is planning a sister restaurant for later this year. In the former home to Tin Whistle Pub, Tonic will be a cafe and bar, with a patio and outdoor bar, offering small plates of vegetables, seafood, and fresh sandwiches, including house roast beef. Stay tuned for details and an opening date, likely this summer. Tyler’s picks, which focus on takeout and delivery options in the Culture of Takeout:

1) Tuna Avocado Carpaccio at Now & Zen. “This is probably the one dish in Charlottesville that I crave the most. It’s packed with big chunks of fresh tuna, avocado, and my favorite, tobiko. The wasabi dressing is always light, and the salad is perfectly dressed. My husband and I will wait in line for all of Chef Toshi’s small plates, but this is always the first thing that we order.”

2) Deonjang Jjigae at Maru. “Steven and Kay Kim are my next door neighbors at Tilman’s, and boy, did I luck out in that respect. They are incredibly nice. Kay has a sharp wit, and best of all Steven is an amazing chef. I love this Korean miso stew (don’t ask me how to pronounce it). It’s a big umami bomb, which I love. It has tofu and veggies and is a little spicy, and I always get it with clams. It comes with their homemade banchan, which has kim chi and other interesting things I can’t identify until I ask. I’m really happy if there’s pickled burdock that day.”

3) Any Soup at Bizou. “I have no idea how every single soup I have had from Bizou is amazing, but it is. Their shrimp bisque is actually the very first meal I ate here in Charlottesville, when I moved here in 2014. A mention on their specials board will definitely make me stop in. They have the butternut squash bisque on their to-go menu this week, and they are on my list for take-out. When things were ‘normal,’ they provided a much needed respite after a long day at Tilman’s. I enjoy sitting at that bar, and chatting with Rachel about her wine list. She has a great palate and point of view. And, she writes the best wine descriptions in town.”

4) Triple Citrus Pie at The Pie Chest. “Rachel’s pies aren’t super fancy. They are simple, and homey, and made with love, and in that, reflect Rachel’s personality. Her triple citrus is sublime. That texture! It’s such a treat.”

5) Chocolate Gelato at Splendora’s. “PK’s chocolate gelato is like no other. Deep, dark, intense. It may sound plain, but I promise you, it is not. It’s dangerous that PK is now delivering. All I have to do is call or text, and next thing you know I have my fix.”

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11/01/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Portia Boggs

Portia

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Portia Boggs of The Local Food Hub, which, in parternship with Junction and Monticello Wine Trail, is hosting an upcoming benefit called What Grows Together Goes Together. November 7 at Junction, the wines of five local wineries will be paired with appetizers by chef Melissa Close-Hart. to illustrate the natural pair-ability of food and wine from the same region. Tickets are $50 each and include a wine glass to take home. All proceeds benefit Local Food Hub. Tickets and details here. Boggs’ picks:

1) Thai Tofu Wrap at Revolutionary Soup. “Rev Soup has been a favorite spot since I first moved to Charlottesville in 2012, and this sandwich is my go-to. On chilly days, I like to pair it with the Spicy Senegalese Peanut Tofu soup for a meal that is equal parts hearty, spicy, and warming. It’s no coincidence that both dishes use locally-made Twin Oaks Tofu, the best tofu I’ve had in my 12+ years of vegetarianism.”

2) Mushroom, Leek, and Gruyere Pot Pie followed by Dark Chocolate Cream Pie at  The Pie Chest. “I could have gone with anything the Pie Chest offers – they make a range of sweet and savory pies, rotating with what is in season. I’ve never had a bad experience, and am typically first in line to try the new releases. Mushroom, Leek, and Gruyere and Dark Chocolate are available year-round, and are consistently phenomenal. They share a space with Lone Light Coffee, whose latte goes perfectly with a warm piece of fruit pie.”

3) Mexican-Style Street Corn at Junction. “The only thing better than freshly-picked, grilled and generously buttered corn is Mexican street-style corn, and Junction does it perfectly, with a spot-on balance of flavor. Their housemade queso and guacamole are another must whenever I go.”

4) Migas Tacos at Brazos Tacos. “These crunchy, cheesy, egg-y tacos are worth the early-ish wakeup time and wait in line they often require. The Migas is my favorite, but all their tacos are incredible. As an added bonus, you can get them with Ula Tortilla’s, a local tortilla company that knows their stuff!”

5) Lacinato Kale Salad at MarieBette. “This salad, paired with a cafe au lait, followed by one of their amazing pastries (pretzel croissant, anyone?) is a dream lunch. Their second location, Petite MarieBette, is right by the Local Food Hub offices, making it an ideal easy, fast, and delicious last-minute lunch.”

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10/11/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Becca Lesnoff

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Becca Lesnoff of Brasserie Saison. Lesnoff is a Board Member of Red Shoe Cville, the fundraising branch of Ronald McDonald House, which is hosting the Battle of the BBQ, Saturday, October 26 at Champion Brewing Company to determine which of our area’s top barbecue joints makes the best barbecue. For details and tickets, go here. Lesnoff’s picks:

1) That’s My Yam or The Solid on corn tortillas at Brazos. “It is one of my favorite taco shops in one of my favorite areas of town. I feel like I am back in Asheville when I sit down outside of Brazos surrounded by art at IX. It’s a first choice to meet friends for lunch and bring my pup.”

2) Honey, Sausage, Goat Cheese and Egg Hand pies at The Pie Chest. “These breakfast/anytime meals are perfect when I am running around and need something hot, delicious and totally unique. I am often sent on a Pie Chest run from the staff at Brasserie, as it is something we all agree that we love.”

3) Frijoles Pupusas at Super Amanecer. “This place is truly a secret that I stumbled upon while looking for pasilia chillies for my partner, Jacob, to make homemade tamales. This has become a favorite after playing disc golf in Charlottesville.”

4) Crispy Scallops at Brasserie Saison. “I know it sounds like a cop-out to go with a dish from a restaurant I work at, but I feel like it should actually speak so much louder. This is the original dish that we opened the restaurant with that comes with the most delicate celery root puree, rice flour seared scallops, julienne celery root and benne seeds. It just came back onto the menu and I know that I am not the only person who is stoked.”

5) The Heavy Hand at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “This is one perfectly greasy pie layered with sopressata, capicola, italian sausage, onions, mushrooms, basil, and three cheeses. Their signature Dr. Ho’s ranch and a cold beer are the only things necessary to complete this indulgence. Another disc golf tradition after Jacob and I play a round at Walnut Creek.”

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