Coming soon to a parking space near you: The Lunchbox. The latest in a string of food cart developments already reported on this year, Josef Young and Daniel Heilberg’s bright red 18’x8’ pull-behind trailer will bring yummies right to you (and your tummy).
Young and Heilberg, recent James Madison University grads with degrees in business, say their sense of community will be reflected in their new venture. The two Charlottesville natives plan to show up to as many local events—Fridays After 5, the City Market and musical festivals among them—as they can, and their menu and operation will evolve.
For now, they’re working out some basics. The trailer will arrive in about a month to be outfitted with a grill, an oven and stove combo and a fridge. Plus, the owners met with Crutchfield last week to talk about a TV and sound system for the mobile kitchen. And what mobile kitchen is complete without a satellite dish?
And what of the menu? Young tells Restaurantarama that they’ll draw on his Peruvian heritage for at least one of the staple dishes, but The Lunchbox will also serve kabobs, sandwiches, fried foods and a few vegetarian options. “We’re meticulous and picky about what we eat ourselves,” he says. “We want to bring restaurant quality food at fast food prices.”
Welcome home
The search is over, folks. We’ve been following Keswick’s hunt for a new chef for weeks now and, says General Manager Matthias Smith, they’ve finally found someone. Or, rather, returned to someone.
Dean Maupin, who worked at Keswick from 2002-2006, will be leaving his current post at the Clifton Inn in two weeks and heading back to Fossett’s. We wonder, why’d he ever leave? Smith says, “It’s not so much going away as coming to something.”
Since Maupin left, the hotel’s operation has gotten even larger, giving the chef a lot of opportunities to put his stamp on things.
Wings ‘n things
New business alert! Wings Over Charlottesville, a new—you guessed it—Buffalo wing joint, just opened on Ivy Road. The menu boasts more than 18 different sauces and free delivery. Visit wingsover.com for more info.
Up 29N, the fifth Guadalajara is underway. The restaurant, located in the former Royal Indian spot on Seminole Trail, has applied for an ABC license.
Wine on
Attention, wine lovers: Wintergreen Resort will host an International Wine and Food Festival on Saturday, September 4. The event will feature more than 50 varieties of vino from Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa and Virginia. Ten tastings will run you $20; additional tastings will be two for $1. And don’t forget to eat! The Festival will also offer food for empty—save for the wine, of course—tummies. Visit wintergreenperformingarts.org for more info.