The Local, located in Belmont, has been constantly expanding to meet business demands since it opened in 2008. Word on the street is it may be stretching across Hinton Avenue, as restaurant owner Adam Frazier recently put a bid on the last remaining commercial building available in the neighborhood. You’ve probably noticed it on the way to MAS—the big, red brick house across from the Belmont Market. We’re keeping an eye out and an ear to the ground as future plans progress.
What do you get when you cross two skilled butchers in the process of opening a whole animal butcher shop that also stocks gourmet sundries, with a national magazine that promotes localized educational events? A Butcher Block Party, that’s what. Kinfolk magazine and JM Stock Provisions are going whole hog (or at least half of one) with a butchering demonstration using pork from Timbercreek Organics, followed by a smattering of grilled delicacies, including sausage and charcuterie, wine, and a Q&A session with the farmer, Zach Miller. The event takes place in the library at Blenheim Vineyards on Sunday, July 21 from 1-4pm. Tickets are $90 and can be purchased online at kinfolk butcherblockvirginia.eventbrite.com.
Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison has begun “Food Truck Sundays.” The series kicked off July 7 with Blue Ridge Pizza Company serving up locally inspired mobile wood-fired pies alongside live music, and Virginia wine flights. The next event is July 21, when Richmond-based Mosaic Edibles’ food truck will serve comfort foods like grilled cheese with gouda and pimento, falafel on pita with garlic mayo, and braised beef quesadillas. Stay tuned for the full schedule, as each Sunday’s food adventure will be different.
Blue Mountain Brewery expanded its canned beer lineup just in time for the summer heat. Where cans of Full Nelson and Classic Lager have had a special place in our koozies for quite some time, now Steel Wheel ESB and Kolsch 151 join the party too. All four cans will be on shelves by August if not sooner.
Coming soon: Gerry Danner’s Soul Bowl, a vegan takeout spot, will take over that adorable hole-in-the-wall spot (formerly Nicola’s Chicken Kabobs, run by the owners of Marco & Luca) next to Firefish Gallery on Second Street NW. A longtime Charlottesvillian, Danner previously owned Blue Moon Diner and Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie.
Insert joke about cutting the cheese: The C’ville Cheese Store, which opened less than a month ago, is closing its doors. Rumor has it all cheese was 60 percent off last week. No word on when the store’s last day will be, but it had a gouda run. (Sorry.)