Celebrate the start of fall (Sunday, September 22!) with a good old-fashioned Octoberfest party and pumpkin carving contest at Champion Brewing Company on Saturday, September 21 from 5-9pm as the Sixth Street craft brewery taps its “Commonfest” Octoberfest-style beer, and awards the best carved pumpkin. All pumpkins in the running will later be used in the seasonal pumpkin beer. The party has a true Bavarian theme, complete with music and German sausages from Gryffon’s Aerie. Dig out your lederhosen and we’ll see you there!
The wait is finally over—Pasture is officially open for business in the Shops at Stonefield. It’s been a long process (the restaurant was expected to open last winter), but worth the wait. Chef Jason Alley is a Virginia native who also owns two restaurants in Richmond—Comfort and Pasture’s flagship. The bar opens at 4pm and dinner is served at 5pm. Pick up next week’s C-VILLE for a deeper look into Pasture, Alley, and what you can expect to see on the menu.
Speaking of openings, Carmello’s is giving it another go. After shuttering its last two locations on Emmet Street and Fontaine Avenue, the local favorite opened its third location in 29th Place (formerly Shoppers World Court) on 29N. Expect the reliable menu of Italian standards.
Toast Thomas Jefferson’s vision of viticulture during Mountain & Vine, a guest-to-chef dinner that supports Monticello and the 30 wineries of the Monticello Wine Trail. Enjoy fare from six local chefs who will be cooking at individual food stations, paired with tastings of five complementary wines. Chefs include Ian Boden of Glass Haus Kitchen, Curtis Shaver of Hamiltons’, Aaron Cross of Keswick Hall, and Harrison Keevil of Brookville Restaurant. Plus, Sweethaus is bringing cupcakes. The event takes place on Saturday, October 5 from 5-9pm at Montalto, overlooking Monticello. The Downbeat Project will provide tunes. Tickets are $125, and $25 (tax deductible) of each ticket sold supports the Thomas Jefferson Foundation of Monticello. Tickets can be purchased at monticello.org/mountain andvine. For more information about the participating wineries, visit monticellowine trail.com.