Parallel 38 is going to the Beard House
It’s been less than six months since Justin Ross opened Parallel 38, the Mediterranean-inspired Stonefield spot specializing in small plates and wine, and it’s already getting national attention. Last week, Ross and chef Alfredo Malinis, Jr. were invited to prepare dinner at The Beard House in New York City.
The James Beard Foundation is a national nonprofit that recognizes culinary professionals and gives what are known as the Academy Awards of the food world. Other Charlottesville chefs to receive accolades from the foundation include former Glass Haus chef Ian Boden and Ivy Inn’s Angelo Vangelopoulos.
Ross and Malinis are still finalizing the details of their menu for the event, but they expect it will include a reception of three hors d’oeuvres, followed by a sit-down five-course meal, paired with cocktails and wine.
Relay Foods expands to Harrisonburg
Relay Foods is expanding once again, which means James Madison University students can now join the growing population of shoppers who are too busy, tired, or hungover to make their way to an actual grocery store. The Charlottesville-based online grocery service, which launched in 2009 and has grown to serve much of Virginia and the Washington D.C. area, announced last week that it now serves Harrisonburg, with a new pickup location at Peakside Pharmacy, off Route 33 East.
Virginia named most surprising wine state
We all know that the Commonwealth is the place to be when it comes to wine, but it seems that the rest of the nation is catching on to our little secret. The U.S. beat out France in wine consumption for the first time last year, and national wine experts are taking notice of where all that wine is coming from (aside from California, of course, which produces more than 90 percent of American-made wines). Last week, Wine America spokesman Michael Kaiser told ABC News that Virginia is one of the six “big players” in the world of wine-making right now, along with Texas, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, and Missouri.
We’re always keeping our eyes and ears out for the latest news on Charlottesville’s food and drink scene, so pick up a paper and check c-ville.com/living each week for the latest Small Bites. Have a scoop for Small Bites? E-mail us at bites@c-ville.com.