“Tater totchos and a few truffles to go!” That’ll likely become your regular order at FIREFLY, where new owner Jennifer Mowad has relocated her popular artisan chocolate business, Cocoa & Spice.
The new space adjacent to the restaurant will host a grand re-opening party the first weekend of Pride Month—June 1 and 2—with chocolate tastings, a tour of the new production and retail space, and a full menu of chocolate and other confections (think truffles, drinking chocolate, and bean-to-bar).
“I look forward to sharing this new space with the Charlottesville community,” Mowad said in a press release for the event. “Having the grand re-opening the first weekend of June means you can kick off Pride Month by supporting a local queer-owned business!”
Established in 2015, Cocoa & Spice was previously housed in York Place on the Downtown Mall. The new shop can be accessed through the red door on the Market Street side of the Linen Building where FIREFLY is located—or through the restaurant itself. As Moward recounted on a recent Instagram post, some lucky restaurant guests were given the first slice of warm brownies from the shop. Truffles and chocolate bark will be available for sale at FIREFLY outside of retail store hours, too, in case you want dessert for later.—Caite Hamilton
Worth staying up
Following its move to the former Peloton Station location on 10th Street NW, local favorite Guajiro’s Miami Eatery is now featuring a late(r)-night menu. Guajiro’s After Dark, as it’s been branded, is available Wednesday to Saturday, 5-10pm, with a menu that includes everything from birria ramen and a classic Cuban sandwich to beer, wine, and the restaurant’s signature cocktail list.
Now open
Add these new spots to your must-try roster: Lazeez, a modern, upscale Indian spot in the former Red Pump Kitchen space on the Downtown Mall and SugarBear, a from-scratch gourmet ice cream shop that champions local ingredients, at 1522 E. High St. in the former Pie Chest outpost.
Up for grabs
Sad news for fans of Umma’s, the buzzy Korean/Japanese restaurant from chefs Kelsey Naylor and Anna Gardner: The owners announced on the restaurant’s Instagram page that it was up for sale. “TLDR: we are moving to the city [in] 6ish months (Philadelphia and Charlotte).”
Umma’s opened in 2022 following the success of their food truck, Basan, known for its unique take on ramen. In the years since, the brick-and-mortar has earned recognition for both its inventive menu (read: Big Mac Dolsot Bokkeumbap) and its Big Gay Dance Parties. The post notes that, until they leave, the restaurant will stay open.