Author: Charlottesville29

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Sarah Cramer Shields and Andrea Hubbell, founders of the Charlottesville food website Our Local Commons, and creators of the books of the same name. Volume 2 of Our Local Commons has just been published, and tomorrow, October 11, there is a celebration at JM Stock Provisions called Meet Your Makers. Meet folks whose stories are told in Our Local Commons and enjoy free samples of their products, including Flora Artisanal Cheese, Potter’s Craft Cider, Three Notch’d Brewing Co., Freestone Pies, Virginia Vinegar Works, andWhisper Hill Farm. Sarah and Andrea’s picks:

1) Garganelli with Butternut Squash, Kale, Caramelized Onions and Sage at Tavola. “Seeing it on the menu each year marks the beginning of the fall season and we just can’t get enough of it.”

2) Fried Oysters at the Cardinal Point Oyster Roast. “The Rappahannock River Oyster guys whip up an amazingly light and crispy batter that we crave all year. Mark your calendars for November 15-16. Great music, wine and OYSTERS!”

3) Bulk Spicy Sausage from Babes in the Woods. “We use it in pasta dishes and soups all year long, but especially love it this time of year paired with squash and kale. It is a staple in both of our homes! You can get it at the farmer’s market or at Relay Foods.”

4) Takeout from Pad Thai. “It’s so important to have good takeout options while trying to wrangle one-year-olds during the witching hour. Our favorites are the Tom Yum Noodle Bowl, the Green Papaya Salad, and the Garlic and Black Pepper Crispy Pork, which the Ouypron family made for us during our interview for the website. It’s not on the menu, but if you ask Jay nicely they will make it for you!”

5) Cupcakes and Shenandoah Joe Coffee at Sweethaus. “Our go-to afternoon meeting spot for a caffeine and sugar pick-me-up. We love the almond cupcakes! And, they just made their cookie dough frosting available by the tub! Enough said.”

On Fridays, we feature five foods finds selected by locals chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Hillary Lewis, founder of Lumi Juice, the Charlottesville-based cold-pressed juice company that in just eleven months has already established a national footprint. Yet, Lewis stays true to her local roots, with juice names like Wahoo Orange and Belmont Beet, which the bottle says will surprise and charm you “just like the Charlottesville neighborhood that shares its name.” Lewis’ picks:

1) Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies at Brookville. “This is hands down THE BEST dessert I’ve found in the city. Actually, everything Brookville does is amazing, from bacon popcorn to bacon waffles (you can tell they dominate when it comes to bacon). You can’t go wrong eating at this establishment on the downtown mall.”

2) Sushi at Now & Zen. “When I walk into this sushi restaurant, I instantly get a smile on my face. The staff is personable and the specials are always dynamic and flavorful. Whenever pomegranates are in season they use them, and combined with fish its a wonderful way to get not only your omega-3s, but also, antioxidants!”

3) Blanchard’s Coffee at La Taza. “Living in Belmont makes grabbing any meal at La Taza a seamless endeavor, and now they have Blanchard’s coffee from Richmond. Many of their blends are organic and all are full of flavor. Making your way to La Taza is definitely worth the drive!”

4) Late Night Menu at C&O. “I typically don’t get out of work at a reasonable ‘dinner time’ hour, and I’m always hungry! From cocktails to food, there is something for everyone on this menu. I love the charcuterie plate with their in-house brown mustard. It is happiness in a bite.”

5) Beer and Ambiance at Champion Brewing Company. “Every week I feel like Champion has a new beer that pushes the envelope with ingredients like cayenne or lavender. The atmosphere rocks – you can watch a sports game or the news, or hang outside for a game of corn hole with a cold beer. Not to mention, there’s always a delicious food truck.”

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Parallel 38 chef Alfredo Malinis, Jr., who is fresh off an appearance at the James Beard House and whose cooking Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema recently compared to what’s found at some of D.C.’s best restaurants. On Tuesday, September 9 at Parallel 38, you can enjoy the special menu that Malinis prepared at the James Beard House. $120. One night only. Reservations required. Call (434) 923-3838.

1) Triple Cheeseburger at Riverside Lunch. “I love everything about this place. The staff, the food, and the ‘hometown secret’ feel. Triple cheeseburger is a must.”

2) Risotto at Vivace. “The risotto is the best I’ve had in a long time.”

3) Crispy Shredded Beef at Kyoto. “Incredible. If I could eat this every day, I would. My fiance won’t let me!”

4) Pancit at Little Manila. “Little Manila and Got Dumplings are must stops at the Saturday morning market. If the farmer’s market was open every day, I would still go just for those two stands. The pancit is just like my father makes!”

5) BBQ at Pasture. “Three letters. BBQ.”

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:

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Dean Maupin, chef-owner of C&O restaurant. Maupin’s picks:

1)  French Macarons from Albemarle Baking Company.  “They are just so well done, as is everything they bake there! They put such a huge smile on my kid’s faces when I bring some home.”

2)  Dinner at TEN.  “I wish I could eat there every day, easily some of the most well executed and tasty food around.  Remember Pei’s pop up Handsome Boy Noodles, off the charts.”

3)  Charcuterie from The Rock Barn.  “We offer a plate of it here at the C&O – braunschweiger, Daisy Della, coppa, it’s all right on the money. Their andouille, kielbasa and bacon are great as well.”

4)  Manti at Sultan Kebab. “Offered as a special from time to time, you may want to call ahead for this one, very special and full of Turkish soul, proprietors Deniz and Serhat have it on point!”

5)  Caterpillar Roll at Kabuto.  “I inhale this dish whenever I go there, very clean flavors and great service!”

On Fridays we feature five food finds selected by local chefs or personalities. This week’s picks come from Doug McLeod, chef of Duner’s. McLeod’s picks:

1) Chicken and Waffles at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue. “One of my guilty pleasures, best Southern food in town.”

2) Dried Fried Eggplant Szechuan Style at Taste of China. “I find myself craving them. And the service is always friendly.”

3) Chorizo Taco at La Tako Nako. “My late night Mexican fix.”

4) Lamb Saagwala at Maharaja. “I also love the smell of incense and vibrant Indian decor.”

5) Popeye Pizza at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie. “Lots of whole garlic. Vegetarian favorite. Plus anecdotes from Mike McCarthy.”

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 on Facebook and Twitter. 

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Stephanie Williams of La Vache Microcreamery, maker of extraordinary handmade caramels. A modern day renaissance woman, the mother of two is a trained architect who also co-founded the outstanding wine buying club The Wine Guild, and occasionally combines her loves of architecture and wine by designing custom wine cellars. La Vache caramels are available at select outlets throughout the area. Williams’ picks:

1) Passionfruit Cheesecake at The Alley Light. “There is not a better dessert on any menu in Charlottesville. Jose de Brito is a master of the kitchen—if he cooked a shoe there is no doubt I would eat it and it would be delicious.” (Note: kudos also belong to pastry chef Robin.)

2) Brioche from Albemarle Baking Company. “Nothing says Saturday morning like buttery flaky french toast made from ABC’s brioche with real maple syrup.”

3) Chef’s Tasting Menu at the Clifton Inn. “Chef Tucker Yoder knows how to highlight the ‘terroir’ of vegetables unlike anything I have ever experienced before – always with an unexpected twist, always with very few and simple ingredients, always delicious. Put your taste buds in Tucker’s hands for an evening.”

4) Toss-up between Lamb Bacon at JM Stock Provisions & Supply and the Almond Cupcakes at Sweethaus. “Both are variations on classics and both are insanely good.”

5) Pig & Fig Terrine by Smoking Goose from Feast! “I can’t go on a picnic without this ever again. What a treat!”

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 on Facebook and Twitter.