Lobs to love
There’s still time to get your claws on some claws at Shadwell’s Lobstravaganza. Through the end of August, Shadwell’s is serving citrusy lobster ceviche, decadent lobbie sliders, and, for those ready to get crackin’, a whole steamed lobster.
Ivy Provisions is also riding the crustacean current with limited-time lobster rolls—take your pick of the classic Maine cold salad style or the Connecticut version, warm and drizzled with butter. Catch them while you can!
New crush
Vincent Derquenne and Tim Burgess of Bizou and Bang! are teaming up again. Crush Pad Wines, a new wine store on the Downtown Mall, offers a curated selection of cult and hard-to-come-by wines that Derquenne and his team of sommeliers have a knack for finding. Derquenne oversees Crush Pad’s wine selection, and chef Burgess pairs the vino with snacks, small plates, cheeses, and charcuterie. Go for the rare vintages, and stay for the delicious eats and beautifully renovated space.
Chicken in the Road
“If you build it, they will come,” especially when there’s fried chicken involved. Emmet Street has five chicken-centered fast-food joints all within a mile of one another, yet everyone seems to be clucking about the new Chick-fil-A location that’s set to open at Barracks Road Shopping Center in September. The restaurant has a new twist on its traditional First 100 celebration, during which the first 100 patrons to an opening get a free meal every week for a year. At the Barracks Road, they’ll be giving away those free sandwiches to 100 people who are making an impact on the Charlottesville community. The awardees have yet to be announced.
Chicken in the Street
Yet another chicken eatery is expanding in Charlottesville: Al Carbón, the locally owned rotisserie and grill, has added a second location at 5th Street Station. Co-owners Myriam and Claudio Hernandez are excited to offer more of their traditional South American recipes, including coal-fired roasted chicken, plantains, fried yucca, and street corn, and C’villians are excited to eat more of it.
Siren’s call
The COVID economy claimed another dining spot when The Shebeen closed its doors August 20. Walter Slawski’s South African eatery has been dishing out peri peri wings, Durban spiced chicken, lamb potjie and sadza cakes since 2003. “COVID was tough for us with two hospitality businesses,” says Slawski. “I am super proud that we made it through and that I am able to relinquish Shebeen [restaurant space] on my terms to a new owner who has the drive and passion to bring something exciting and new to the Charlottesville culinary scene.” Look for a new seafood concept, Siren, by chef Laura Fonner to fill the sports pub and braai location. And The Shebeen might not be gone for good—Slawski says it’s possible that a smaller version of the restaurant may eventually return to the local food scene.