The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Virginia Distillery Company

02/13/2026

Five Finds on Friday: Joel Cuellar

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Joel Cuellar, former Spirits Sommelier of Brandy Library, who now presides over Speakeasy + Whiskey Bar at The Doyle Hotel, where he is beloved for his service, cocktails, and knowledge of all things spirits. A world expert on whisky and permanent judge at New York International Spirits Competition, Cuellar has a palate that can discern a whisky’s origin, age, and barrel type. Saturday, February 28 is a rare chance learn from him at a Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Dinner. Guests will begin and end their evening with an apertif and digestif prepared for the occasion by Cuellar. In between are four courses paired with Virginia Distillery Company whisky, which Cuellar calls among the best spirits in the world. Menu below. Tickets here. Cuellar’s picks:

1) Burger at Smyrna. “I feel like every single dish I have tasted here is always the best it can be and while the burger doesn’t seem like the best choice out of the ethnicity of their cuisine, for me there’s no better execution in town. Perfect blend of flavor and texture. Also, best fries.”

2) Octopus at Zocalo. “At the bar, I always run polls on where is the best anything in town and I started to ask my customers where is the best octopus, so I can go to all these places to draw my own conclusions. Chef Will Miguel at Zocalo took the title. Its texture, flavor, presentation make for an exquisite dish I can always go back to.”

3) Sopes at El Comalito. “Out of the hands of Lucia, all the dishes here have the authenticity of someone who grew up with them, not a recently acquired knowledge. Try with any of their fresh salsas for a kick and you are totally savouring real Mexico.”

4) Old Tom Gin from our dear friend Ivar at Spirit Lab Distilling. “Old Tom differs from London Dry in the fact that it is aged in an oak barrel and has somewhat of a little sweetness to it. Rich texture followed by a multilayered mouthfeel, a bold collection of botanicals well integrated. It’s a pleasure to make a drink with it. Howeber, I personally like to sip this one, maybe with the addition of a few drops of water. Perfectly rounded and an amazing long finish.”

5) Notorious P.I.G. at Ivy Provisions. “If you have lived in the Tri state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) you may have seen an old Italian Salumeria, where you might have routinely picked up a sandwich. This is the memory, well executed: generous amount of cold cuts, cheese, shredded lettuce, oil and vinegar. And some hot peppers on top.”

09/12/2025

Five Finds on Friday: Amanda Beckwith, Brian Hersey

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Amanda Beckwith and Brian Hersey, of Virginia Distillery Co., which has just released a rare single malt whisky tribute to Charlottesville. Single malts are defined by their sense of place, and so the distillery’s new whisky celebrates the Charlottesville community on which the its success stands. “Crafted from this place for this place,” The Charlottesville 29 Single Barrel is the distillery’s first and only 100% American single malt finished in a single port cask. Read all about it and how Charlottesville is putting American single malt on the map in this week’s C-VILLE.

A habitual collaborator, Director of Liquid Development Amanda Beckwith asked colleague Brian Hersey to join her for Five Finds on Friday. Their picks:

1) Veggieletta and a Chai Latte at Belle. “I always savor my rare lunches in Charlottesville, and love meeting a friend or two at Belle. The abundance of olives falling out from the veggie and mozzarella-laden sourdough sandwich makes me so happy, and the chai latte rounds things off with the perfect, balancing, sweetly spiced sip.”

2) Champignon at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “One of our favorite ways to celebrate the wrap of a long work week is heading to Dr. Ho’s. The perfection of the Champignon’s roasted mushrooms and garlic never fails to hit the spot for me. For Brian, it’s the perfect balance in the Bellissima between the salty country ham, acidic and bitter note from the arugula, sweetness from the roasted tomatoes, and creamy richness of the cheese that wins the day.”

3) Irish Dexter Beef at The Apple Shed. “The Apple Shed is a year-round fruit stand on Route 29 S in Lovingston. Russ sells his own locally grazed cattle, and the Irish Dexter beef is one of Brian’s favorite proteins to cook with. A light oak smoke and then smashed into a cast iron with grilled onion, American cheese, pickles and Duke’s is the perfect rich and beefy bite.”

4) Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas at Continental Divide. “The vibrant energy and fun atmosphere here always make Continental Divide a good time. Brian’s typical order is the Red Hot Blues and a margarita. The Red Hot Blues are simple and delicious, with a great tang from the goat cheese accompanied by plenty of Wait a Minute and a little bit of Danger sauce that make for the perfect high-energy bar snack. My go-to is their phenomenal spinach and mushroom enchiladas, and yes, a marg.”

5) Chocolate Almond Croissant at MarieBette. “While there’s nothing better than a luxurious weekend brunch here, Brian and I mostly use MarieBette to go. Torn between the sweet and the savory options, Brian is all about prezzant, a hybrid pretzel croissant with everything bagel seasoning. I usually select a pain au chocolat or chocolate almond croissant.”

04/22/2016

Five Finds on Friday: Will Reed

Reed

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Will Reed, Whisky Experience Ambassador at Virginia Distillery Company, which recently took home a gold medal for its flagship Virginia Malt Whisky in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  On May 21, the distillery is celebrating World Whisky Day  at its beautiful visitor center, where you can enjoy a cocktail, sip a wee dram, and enjoy food from Code Fresh Food Truck. Special guest Gearharts Fine Chocolates will even offer a whisky and chocolate pairing demo from 11:30-2:30pm.  Reed’s picks:

1) Chicken Cassoulet at Orzo.  “Every dish at Orzo is delicious, but their Southern take on chicken cassoulet is beyond mouthwatering. After my first bite, I feel like I could die happy.”

2) Don Juan at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “My favorite way to wind down after work is to swing by Dr. Ho’s. You really can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas, but their Don Juan with roasted tomatoes is pretty killer.”

3) Peanut Butter Pups from Gearharts Fine Chocolates.  “Besides having the amazing combination of chocolate and peanut butter (who doesn’t like that, right?), Gearharts donates a portion of the sales from these chocolates to a non-profit that supports wounded veterans.”

4) Strawberry Picking at Chiles Orchard.  “There’s nothing like biting into your first sun ripened strawberry in springtime. Something I look forward to every May is filling up a basket of strawberries at Chiles before heading over to King Family or Veritas Vineyards. A little cheese, some fresh strawberries and Virginia wine, and you’ve pretty much found the ideal Charlottesville afternoon.”

5) Saint Andrew cocktail at Lost Saint.  “Every drink Patrick and Carrie create at Lost Saint is delicious and unique. Their Saint Andrew cocktail, made with our whisky, Cocchi di Torino and Benedictine is dangerously addictive. I’d have one every night if I could.”