The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: The Whiskey Jar

05/17/2022

#22: The Angry Bird – Kitchen(ette)

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Chicken Sandwich
(Roasted or Grilled)

Charlottesville has not always been a great place for sandwiches. Over the last decade, though, the quality and quantity of sandwiches in Charlottesville have exploded, thanks to a cadre of chefs who have turned their passion for sandwiches into businesses.

Leading the way is a pair who love sandwiches almost as much as they love each other. After catering together for years, in 2017 Morgan Hurt and her husband Gabe Garcia Gomez decided to pursue their dream of running a sandwich shop. At Kitchen(ette), they make refined versions of classic sandwiches as well their own creations. You can’t go wrong, but one standout is their riff on a chicken sandwich. For the Angry Bird, they roast dry-rubbed chicken thighs and stack them on ciabatta with cheddar cheese, herb aioli, red onion, sliced tomato and greens. What makes it “angry” is the addition of fresh jalapeños, a nod to Gomez’s Mexico City roots, and indeed this is his favorite sandwich on the menu. A worthy choice.

#22: The Angry Bird – Kitchen(ette)
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches 

Others of Note: 90’s Club at Revolutionary Soup (GFA), Winner Winner at Ivy Provisions (GFA), Chicken Philly in a wrap at Beer Run, The Scott Norwood at ooey, gooey, crispy, The Grilled Clucker at Multiverse Kitchens, The Wilson at The Whiskey Jar, Fluvanna at MarieBette, El Paso at Foods of All Nations. Vegetarian Alternative: The Penny at Kitchen(ette)

05/15/2022

#24: Oyster Po’ Boy – The Whiskey Jar

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Po’ Boy

I am just a po’ boy, though my story’s seldom told.

His story is that The Whiskey Jar’s fried oysters were the favorite dish in Charlottesville of the restaurant owner’s late father, who was known to be unafraid to say what he thought. Others have called them the best fried oysters anywhere. And, they are the foundation of the area’s most crave-worthy po’ boy.

The kitchen lightly coats Virginia or North Carolina oysters in a house breading, and fries them on high heat to achieve a crisp exterior without overcooking them. The rest of the sandwich’s adornments are traditional: shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion, and house remoulade. All are nestled just right into a mini French loaf to allow for suitable chomping.

#24: Oyster Po’ Boy – The Whiskey Jar
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: The Peacemaker at Southern Crescent, Poboy Sandwich at Royalty Eats

04/24/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Shantell Bingham

Shantell

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Shantell Bingham, Program Director of Food Justice Network, which this week joined forces with City Schoolyard Garden and Urban Agricultural Collective to become Cultivate Charlottesville – an integrated approach to creating and sustaining a healthy and just food system in Charlottesville. “Before COVID-19, about one in six Charlottesville residents struggled with food insecurity, and we’re now seeing that number expand,” said Bingham. To learn more about the mission of Cultivate Charlottesville — and how you can help —  join their Zoom webinar Tuesday April 30 at 11:00 am. Bingham’s picks: 

1) Creole Beans from Pearl Island. “I’m a North Carolinian to my soul. And while I didn’t grow up with Caribbean cuisine, tasting Pearl Island ignited something in my spirit. Their bean stew is a savory heaven anyone can enjoy. Paired with tostones and a dash of garlic sauce, it hits the belly like a hug from home.”

2) Chocolate Chip Beignets from Blue Moon Diner. “It feels good to live in the Blue Moon neighborhood. But even if I didn’t, their chocolate chip beignets, lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of warm chocolate sauce — if you dare to dip — is pure bliss.”

3) Beef Noodle Soup from Café 88. “I’ll be honest. I would be a full blown pescatarian if it weren’t for their beef noodle soup. I’ll cheat for it every time, especially during the cold months.”

4) Mac & Cheese from Soul Food Joint. “I’m not sure many people realize how delicious mac & cheese tastes when it’s baked. It’s as though that extra step is the piece of the process that infuses the heart into the dish, and Soul Food Joint does this to a science. Their baked mac & cheese is done just enough so the top is a little crispy but the inside cheesy and sharp.”

5) Red Snapper with Cherry Tomatoes at The Whiskey Jar. “This is one of those places with seasonal treats worth waiting for. Their red snapper with cherry tomatoes is my weekend celebration. And when the red snapper season ends, the bourbon bread pudding is more than enough to guarantee my visit year-round.”

 

snapper

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