The Charlottesville 29

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

Tag: Three Notch’d Grill

10/16/2015

Five Finds on Friday: Elizabeth and Tony Smith

Smiths

Photo by Jen Fariello.

On Fridays, we feature five finds from local chefs and personalities.  It’s Virginia Wine Month, so today’s picks come from Elizabeth and Tony Smith, owners of Afton Mountain Vineyards. The month brings many great excuses to visit the beautiful vineyard.  Every Sunday from 11-2 are Mimosa Mornings, and on Sunday October 25 and Saturday October 31, the vineyard will host the outstanding new food truck Cote-Rotie. Smith’s picks:

1)  Steamed Mussels with White Wine, Thyme and Garlic Butter at Three Notch’d Grill. “Hayden’s butter sauce just begs to be sopped up with bread. The laid-back atmosphere is a perfect disguise for how great their food is.”

2)  Red Pepper Soup with Crab and a House-made Pretzel from the Bavarian Chef food truck at Champion Brewing Company.  “Though we both grew up here, we’d never been to the Bavarian Chef restaurant, so their food truck experience with a Shower Beer or Missile IPA from Champion is the perfect casual evening.”

3)  The Vegetable Board and Mushroom Soup at The Alley Light. “It’s tough to mention this place since it’s already so acclaimed – and hard to get in – but the carrots and other veggies are just incredible. Fill up with the most flavorful mushroom soup. We were fighting over the last drop – and Tony won.”

4)  The Burger at Brookville Restaurant.  “Fresh-ground beef, gouda-stuffed with a bacon marmalade and Dukes mayo. Done. The perfect excuse to sneak downtown for (Saturday or Sunday) lunch.”

5)  Pazo de Barrantes Albarino at MAS Tapas.  “We’ve been a fan of this grape for years (the wino’s “margarita”). We found this particular wine at our Tuesday night hangout Mas, and we had the great opportunity to visit this winery on a recent trip to Spain. Our own AMV Albarino will be available next spring, so we needed to sample this grape as much as possible to develop our own style. Tough job.”

02/06/2015

Five Finds on Friday: Michael Lewis

Lewis, left, with Rufus.

Lewis, left, with Rufus.

On Fridays, we feature five foods finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Michael Lewis, chef-owner of Mono Loco.  On Sunday, February 22, Mono Loco is doing yet another of its hugely popular pop-up brunches, from 12-4.  There’s great stuff on those pop-up brunch menus, so mark your calendars. Lewis’ picks:

1)  Double Espresso at Greenwood Gourmet Grocery. “This is how I start most mornings: a double espresso with David and Nina the owners, and joining in on the colorful conversations.  It’s a gourmand’s Mom & Pop!  In the afternoons, try an amazing chicken sope with fresh pineapple pico, hope Claude Thibaut is doing a wine tasting, and say hello to Rufus the dog.”

2)  Smoked Jalapeno Meatloaf Sandwich from South Fork food truck. “Phil used to work with us at Mono, so its awesome to watch his continued success. I never imagined I could derive so much joy from a meatloaf sandwich, but his is savory and rich with a hint of spice, and he won’t judge you if you order two!”

3)  Carne Asada at MAS Tapas.  “My happy place.  Tomas and crew are my go to spot for the Charlottesville uninitiated.  It’s crowded, brash, loud and unapologetic, and I love that.  Plus, the carne asada is always spot on.”

4)  Crabcake at Three Notch’d Grill.  “Out in Crozet, Haden and Cathy just run a solid, chill place.  Sit at the bar, have a Titos’s martini and my favorite crabcake in town.  They’re filled with crab, not filler, and the jicama slaw and lemon beurre-blanc just balance the dish beautifully.”

5)  Spicy Tuna Tartar at Zocalo.  “Some people complain that it’s the same menu, so what!!  It’s consistently good food, year in and year out, which is incredibly difficult to do.  And, the tuna tartar is the best app in town.”

03/21/2014

Five Finds on Friday: Emily Pelton

Veritas 23apr13 JLooney-0064

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Emily Pelton, Winemaker at Veritas Vineyards and Winery, who next week, on March 31, will be part of a very special event at Clifton Inn: the Women in Wine Dinner. It will feature six courses of chef Tucker Yoder’s food paired with wines from Pelton, Kirsty Harmon of Blenheim Vineyards, and Pamela Margaux of Margaux and Company. The menu looks fantastic.  Call 434-971-1800 to reserve your spot.  Pelton’s picks:

1)  Chirashi and a Hendricks Dirty Martini at the bar at TEN. “My favorite quick, de-stress dinner.”

2)  Burger and Blanc de Blancs at Brookville.  “It is outstanding and creative, and perfectly balanced, even in its over-the-top nature. My favorite meal to share with a friend and a bottle of Thibaut–Janisson, Cuvee D’Etat 2008.”

3)  Fried Chicken and a Hangar Hound at The Whiskey Jar.  “It’s my favorite comfort food on the mall. I love Will Richey’s passion for good traditional recipes, and his passion for local and fresh.”

4)  Bangkok Mussels at Public Fish & Oyster.  “One of my new favorite dishes. There is possibly no better meal than moules frites, and they do a great job of keeping it classic with a really flavorful twist.”

5)  Fried Oysters and Barboursville Pinot Grigio at Three Notch’d Grill.  “A wonderful combination of savory crunchy friedness and fresh zestiness.”

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