On Fridays, we feature five foods finds selected by local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Mitchell Beerens, co-owner of Lampo, the much-anticipated new restaurant to open this fall, with partners Loren Mendosa, Ian Redshaw, and Andrew Cole. Beerens has spent time in the kitchens of Bizou,MAS, and Tavola. In the former location of The Farm, Lampo will specialize in real Neapolitan pizza. Beerens’ picks:
1) Cheese Plate at Flora Artisanal Cheese. “This little cheese counter hidden in the back of a coffee shop is truly a Charlottesville treasure. Nadjeeb Chouaf is one of the most knowledgeable cheesemongers I’ve worked with. He has everything from the best imported mozzarella to local treats like Twenty Paces ricotta.”
2) Vegetarian Blue Plate at Hamiltons’. “My favorite lunch on the downtown mall. I order it every time and can only hope that whomever I’m with will let me have a bite of what they ordered so I can sample some of the other offerings.”
3) Vella Jack Cheese Fritters at Zocalo. “My go-to appetizer at the most consistent restaurant in town. You can always count on this dish coming out perfect. It’s both sophisticated and fun. Just like the place that it is served.”
4) Truffle Fries at Citizen Burger Bar. “French fries are my favorite food on earth. At Citizen they use a special potato that creates a truly superior fry. Combined with truffle oil and Parmesan they are a real treat.”
5) Beef Tendon and Tripe in Szechuan Chili Sauce at Peter Chang’s China Grill. “This is a very ‘chefy’ dish. All of the bits and pieces that no one else wants expertly prepared and transformed into something greater than the sum of its parts. I can’t go to this restaurant without ordering three of four items. It’s a fatty’s paradise.”
