On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Jason Oliver, Brewmaster at Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which was named Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival. Next week be on the lookout for the latest batch of Dark Abby, their limited release Belgian Dubbel. Also, on December 17 Devils Backbone is hosting a Mystery Dinner Theatre, where the entire pub dining area will serve as the “stage.” Oliver’s picks:
1) Lasagna at Beer Run. “It doesn’t matter if it’s meat or vegetarian. Every lasagna I’ve had at Beer Run is delicious, served smothered in bubbling cheese that’s hotter than the surface of the sun. Let it cool for a few minutes and you’ll have some great comfort food, plus an awesome beer selection.”
2) Shishito Peppers at Citizen Burger Bar. “They are simple, straightforward, and delicious. Flash fried peppers with an Asian inspired sauce that’s semi-sweet and salty. Most of the time the peppers are mild but it’s a little like roulette because you may land on a hot one which can light you up.”
3) Durban Spiced Chicken at The Shebeen. “The Shebeen has a great relaxed feel to it and is unique for it’s South African inspired foods and atmosphere. Durban Spiced Chicken is a peri-peri spiced chicken breast served with the South African staple mealie pap (think savory grits) and a sauce called “Voodoo” which is spicy and awesome. I usually ask for additional side of Voodoo sauce.”
4) Mediterranean Salad with Wood-Roasted Salmon at Brixx Pizza. “Sometimes I want a cool refreshing dinner-sized salad and I have found few better. The salad bowl is chilled, the lettuce crisp, the portion ample, with the blackened salmon hot, well seasoned, and straight from the wood fired oven. Simple and pure. A perfect salad when you want a light meal.”
5) Cheeseburgers at Riverside Lunch. “I was turned on to Riverside just a few months ago and they are really that good. Riverside also has one of the best prices on local bottled craft beer in Charlottesville which makes the combination of awesome old school burgers and affordable beer a no brainer.”
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 onFacebook and Twitter.
