The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: The Whiskey Jar

08/04/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Joy Ting

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Joy Ting, Winemaker and Head Enologist at Michael Shaps Wineworks, and co-creator of a new wine from Jake Busching Wines called Orphan. In 2015, when Busching had just started at Michael Shaps, surplus Pinot Gris grapes (“orphans”) gave Busching and Ting a chance to experiment. Treating white wine grapes as red, they fermented the juice in contact with the skins. The result was initially “rough and tight,” Ting recalls, and needed time.

Fifteen months later, Ting says, the unusual bronze wine had reached its potential, but still needed an identity. Enter Will Curley (Wine Buyer for Ten Course Hospitality and Manager at Brasserie Saison), Priscilla Martin (General Manager and Wine Director at Tavola), and Joy’s husband Paul. What started as a conversation over sandwiches at Kitchen(ette) soon became a passion project. Orphan no. 1 was born. The very limited production will be available later this month exclusively at Brasserie Saison and Tavola, and by retail only from The Wine Guild and http://jakebuschingwines.com/. Ting’s picks:

1) English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich at Timbercreek Market. “Made with a house-made English muffin, a farm fresh egg, breakfast meat (bacon or sausage, depending on the day) and cheese, this is a great way to start the weekend. It is a Saturday ritual in my family to stop at Timbercreek for breakfast on the way home from the Farmer’s Market. My husband and I are in withdrawal since they have been closed for remodeling, but we are excited to see the newly redone space.”

2) Ma La Fish at Taste of China. “My first experience with tongue-numbing ma la spice was at Taste of China, and it was a revelation. It is used in many dishes there, but the fish is my favorite. Its perfectly fried to be crispy outside, warm and tender inside, with ma la energizing the whole thing.”

3) Fried Chicken and Collards at The Whiskey Jar. “I love the relaxed atmosphere at the Jar, and although I have tried pretty much everything on the menu, it is all I can do not to order this every time.  Some things are classics for a reason.

4) Pairings at Fleurie. “This is where my husband and I go for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. The food is great, no matter what we order. Erin Scala and her team pair unique and delicious wines with each dish, enhancing the flavors and the experience.”

5) Fleur de Sel Caramels from La Vache Microcreamery. “These caramels are just the right texture with just the right balance of sweet and salty.  They are beautifully packaged and make great gifts. There are other flavors (like milk stout, lavender and honey, and sweet tea), that are all delicious, but again, I like the classics.”

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02/17/2017

Five Finds on Friday: Laura Fonner

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come Laura Fonner, the mother of four who recently resumed her former role as head chef at Duner’s, after several years catering. Famous for its lines, Duner’s now takes reservations(!) but only via Open Table, not by phone. Walk-ins always welcome, too. Fonner’s picks:

1)  Funghi Pizza at Lampo. “This dish is amazing because of its simplicity and perfection. What a great showcase for such amazing mushrooms. Paired with a bottle, yes I said bottle, of their Gossip Pinot Grigio, it’s a match made in heaven.”

2) Green Smoothie from Smojo. “Beth Harley has been running a smoothie truck for years but just recently moved into the Piedmont Place in Crozet. Her green smoothie is amazing. All of them are. I have four kids so anything quick and and easy is always my go-to. Her ingredients are organic and her combinations are unique and delicious.”

3) Brisket & Cheese Sandwich at Smoked Kitchen & Tap. “I live in Crozet and work in Ivy, so naturally I tend to stay in the area! Smoked finally opened up a brick and mortar location in Piedmont Place. Their meats are amazing. My inner fat kid is in love with their brisket and cheese sandwich with charred onions and Duke’s mayo on Texas toast. It is sloppy and full of flavor.”

4) Fried Oysters at The Whiskey Jar. “I am a sucker for fried oysters and these are wonderful. Perfectly flash fried so they are super juicy In the middle.”

5) BLT w/ Avocado on Everything at Bodo’s. “Like I said before, I have four kids, so I tend to eat places that don’t mind me bringing in a backpack of toys and sometimes screaming children. I have lived here my entire life and can’t imagine a better go-to than Bodo’s. Their bagels are consistently good! Their BLT is just great, add avocado and it’s even better. I’m also a sucker for their tabouli.”

04/29/2016

Five Finds on Friday: John Schaible

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from John Schaible, chef of the new-and-improved Fry’s Spring Station, under the guidance of Ben Thompson and Tommy Lasley. Schaible first worked with Lasley at Orzo and Thomspon at The Rock Barn, before they both suggested he take some time away from Charlottesville to train in other venues. After stints at two highly acclaimed spots – Westchester’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Brooklyn’s The Meat Hook – Schaible, who has been dubbed Johnny Meat, has returned to town to run the kitchen at Fry’s Spring Station. Schaible’s picks:

1)  The Gobbfather at Ivy Provisions.  “Always a healthy start to my day – hahaha! When I can squeeze past 40 other people and get a sandwich, it’s the Gobbfather and a Traeger Brothers coffee. The staff is actually really friendly and the space is fun and pretty accessible. They carry great product, wine, beer and lots of grocery for adding to your pantry or inventory.”

2) Potato, Egg, and Cheese Taco by Brazos Tacos from Atlas Coffee. “Atlas is right next to Fry’s, so if I can’t have a Gobbfather in the morning, I get a taco from the steam table. Laurie at Atlas is one of the coolest business owners and she introduced me to this great idea that Brazos has and their awesome tacos.”

3)  Cheddar Jalapeno Dogs from The Rock Barn at the City Market. “Though I don’t butcher with Ben any more, if I have some time Saturday morning, I stop by the Market to give him or his crew some guff and pick up these dogs. Ben’s products are  really great and he isn’t afraid to R&D new stuff and test it on the public.”

4)  Raw Fish Salad at Now & Zen. “Really just the best for a quiet lunch and to satiate any raw fish cravings a meat eater finds when they are low on omega 3s. I have always really liked Now & Zen. They do really good, fun sushi for a very affordable price. Their raw fish salad is pretty amazing. Fresh, light, citric and loaded with salmon, tuna, mackerel, scallop. It’s like their kitchen fish sink.”

5)  Manhattan at The Whiskey Jar. “Something about Charlottesville brought out my love of bourbon. The Whiskey Jar has pretty simple straightforward and perfected cocktails. A Manhattan does it for me. I like the casual and social feel of the Jar and sometimes, when I am lucky, I get to see Red and the Romantics there.”