On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Stephanie Williams of La Vache Microcreamery, maker of extraordinary handmade caramels. A modern day renaissance woman, the mother of two is a trained architect who also co-founded the outstanding wine buying club The Wine Guild, and occasionally combines her loves of architecture and wine by designing custom wine cellars. La Vache caramels are available at select outlets throughout the area. Williams’ picks:
1) Passionfruit Cheesecake at The Alley Light. “There is not a better dessert on any menu in Charlottesville. Jose de Brito is a master of the kitchen—if he cooked a shoe there is no doubt I would eat it and it would be delicious.” (Note: kudos also belong to pastry chef Robin.)
2) Brioche from Albemarle Baking Company. “Nothing says Saturday morning like buttery flaky french toast made from ABC’s brioche with real maple syrup.”
3) Chef’s Tasting Menu at the Clifton Inn. “Chef Tucker Yoder knows how to highlight the ‘terroir’ of vegetables unlike anything I have ever experienced before – always with an unexpected twist, always with very few and simple ingredients, always delicious. Put your taste buds in Tucker’s hands for an evening.”
4) Toss-up between Lamb Bacon at JM Stock Provisions & Supply and the Almond Cupcakes at Sweethaus. “Both are variations on classics and both are insanely good.”
5) Pig & Fig Terrine by Smoking Goose from Feast! “I can’t go on a picnic without this ever again. What a treat!”
The Charlottesville 29 is a publication that asks, if there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29? Follow along with regular updates on Facebook and Twitter.
