The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Three Notch’d Grill

04/19/2013

Five Finds on Friday: Mike Ketola

Ketola

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Mike Ketola, who cooks at not one but two restaurants that have been inducted into The Charlottesville 29.  Ketola is the longtime sous chef of Mas, and also cooks at Barbecue Exchange.  Ketola’s picks:

1)  Glazed Blueberry Cake Donut at Spudnuts.  “Is there anything they can’t do?”

2)  Tequila-lime Chocolate at Gearharts.  “The aged anejo tequila-lime fondant is the perfect complement to the intensely rich and sweet white chocolate casing.”

3)  Seared Jumbo lump Crab and Corn Cake at Three Notch’d Grill.  “Lightly textured, virtually exploding with flavor- the velvety lemon beurre blanc and refreshingly crisp jicama slaw really take it to the next level.”

4)  Pappardelle Ragu at Tavola.  “Rich and meaty pork ragu, supple ribbons of housemade pasta: comfort food turned up to 11!”

5)  Chicken Shawarma at Aromas Cafe.  “I always get it with extra habiba sauce, which is really out of this world tasty!”

08/24/2012

Five Finds on Friday: Mark Thompson

Photo by Jen Fariello.

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs or personalities.  As August is Virginia Craft Beer Month, we are following last week’s picks from Blue Mountain’s Taylor Smack with picks from Mark Thompson, Founder and Master Brewer of Starr Hill Brewery.  Tomorrow is not only the Virginia Craft Brewers Fest, but also the start of Starr Hill’s Back to School week, featuring six  consecutive nights of Starr Hill events at bars on UVa’s corner.  Thompson’s picks:

1)  BBQ Sandwich and a cold Northern Lights at Three Notch’d Grill.  Made with love by my lifelong friend Hayden Berry.

2)  Hippie Wings (with Ghost Rider sauce if you dare) and Festie Amber Lager at Fardowners with Grover the chef/owner.  (Hippie Wings are breaded Portabella mushrooms tossed in your choice of sauce.)

3)  Picnic lunch from Greenwood Gourmet Grocery.  The food is as excellent as the company of Dave and Nina.

4)   Gambas al’ Parilla at Mas, to catch up with Tomas, and because you can still taste the garlic the next day.

5)  Any place that serves Starr Hill beer, because the best beer in the world is always the one in front of you.