Author: Charlottesville29

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Spencer Crawford, sous chef of Palladio Restaurant, which was recently invited to make yet another appearance at the James Beard house. Crawford’s picks:

1) Virginia Apple Cider from Bold Rock Hard Cider. “What I drink almost all the time. Not a bad place to go and hang out either.”

2) Spudnuts from Spudnuts. “All of them. There’s a reason it has been on a lot of people’s list. Best in town or anywhere else.”

3) Pulled Pork Sandwich and Hushpuppies from BBQ Exchange. “Smoky pork-a-liciousness. ‘Nuff said.”

4) Tie between Loaded Footlongs from Jak’n Jil and Bacon Cheeseburgersfrom Riverside Lunch. “Both places have been around forever. Never been disappointed.”

5) Pancakes from Tip Top. “Good simple food done the same way every time.”

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Virginia Wineworks’ Michael Shaps, widely regarded as one of Virginia’s top winemakers. Next Thursday at The Ivy Inn, Shaps’ wines will be part of a very special wine dinner, featuring a multi-course meal, paired with some of Shaps’ best wines, all for $75. Spots are going fast. Book yours at (434) 977-1222. Other than “everything at The Ivy Inn,” here are Shaps’ picks:

1) Mushroom Crepes at The Alley Light. “I was there recently with the whole staff of the Wineworks. We were a fairly large group lounging on the couches and sharing plates. The plates of crepes barely made it halfway around before we needed to order more. Nobody wanted to share these!”

2) Croissants at Albemarle Baking Company. “They remind me of the croissants I get in Meursault. Fresh, flaky, buttery. No need for jam.”

3) Vegetable Soup at C&O. “We eat this for lunch during harvest. It’s on the late-night menu at the restaurant and would be great then, too. It is light but satisfying, seasonal and delicious.”

4) Cheese from Feast! “No matter what you are looking for, they will have it and help you find it. The service at the cheese counter is friendly and enthusiastic and the cheeses are of the highest quality, best selection outside of Fromagerie Hess in Beaune.”

5a) Country Pate from JM Stock Provisions. “It is smoky and wrapped in bacon. What more could you want?”

5b) Martinis at Bang! “My current favorite is Da Bomb Basil. So darn refreshing on a hot night.”

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Todd Grieger, Executive Chef of Red Pump · A Tuscan Kitchen, the new project from the team behind Pippin Hill set to open next month on the downtown mall. Grieger is also a veteran of top area kitchens like Palladio Restaurant, Mas, C&O, and Maya. Grieger’s picks:

1) Pork Belly at BBQ Exchange.  “Smoked pork belly?! What else is there to say? It’s just delicious. Covered in Colonel Bacon sauce and Hog Fire sauce . . . that’s legit.”

2) Prix Fixe Menu at The Shack. “Ian is super talented and the food is awesome. It’s the best deal to eat the food of one of the best chefs in the area.”

3) Spencer Crawford’s Salumi at Palladio. “I’ve eaten salumi all over, and his is just fantastic—best I’ve had.”

4) Bocadillo at MAS. “I don’t get in there as much as I like but the chefs there (Ketola and Mick) are my peeps. When I worked there I would eat one every day with smoked tomato aioli. It’s tasty.”

5) Biscuits at Maya.  “If you want fluffy and delicious biscuits that are the real deal then you have to get the biscuits at Maya. They are a rite of passage, working the veg station there, and Christian’s biscuits are the benchmark I try to achieve when I make them. My favorite snack when I worked there was two biscuits and ham gravy with Tabasco sauce.”

On Fridays, we feature five food finds from local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Brian Jones, chef of Petit Pois. On May 13, Petit Pois is hosting the Charlottesville stop of Wines of Germany’s second annual Riesling Road Trip.  Paul Grieco (of NYC’s Hearth and Terroir), who in 2012 won the James Beard Award for nation’s best wine and spirits professional, is traveling up and down the east coast with wine writer Stuart Pigott in a wine bar on wheels. On May 13, Grieco and Pigott will be at Petit Pois for a multi-course dinner with eight different German wines. $52, all inclusive. To reserve, call 434-979-7647.  Jones’ picks:

1) Pepperoni Pizza and Grape Soda at Vinny’s Pizza & Pasta in Ruckersville.  “Just like the local pizzeria in my town where I grew up. While I can’t put down the grape soda like I used to as a kid, this combination makes me feel like I’m 14 again.”

2) Original Tart Yogurt with Oreo Cookie Crumbs at Sweet Frog. “With my six and seven year old girls, these Sweet Frog dates are always sweet times.”

3) Olive Thyme Levain at Albemarle Baking Company. “Toast a slice for breakfast to go with your coffee.”

4) Spicy Tuna Tartar at ZoCaLo. “Super clean flavors with a little bit of spice. A great way to replenish some calories after a hard night’s work. Probably the most consistent restaurant in town. They’re always on point.”

5) Mussels from Seafood @ West Main.  The place to grab a bag of mussels before your next party, or any seafood for that matter. Petit Pois Restaurant sources all of their seafood through Seafood @ West Main. Everything is always super fresh. Pristine quality fish.”

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Rachel Willis, a New England Culinary Institute alum whose resume reads like a greatest hits of Charlottesville restaurants over the last few decades: Metropolitain, Continental Divide, L’Avventura, and Executive Chef of Clifton Inn. Willis now runs Black Twig Farm with her husband, and also the much-acclaimed Cakes by Rachel. Willis’ picks:

1) Drunken Noodles with Beef at Pad Thai. “The first time I went to Pad Thai was shortly after they opened. I was eight months pregnant and with three other very pregnant friends. We devoured half the menu and were in ecstasy. Within an hour of my son being born, I was begging my mother to go get me this dish. Nothing ever tasted better.”

2) Lobster Roll from Foods of All Nations. “When in town doing the mad errand dash, I more often than not find myself stopping for this quick lunch. Theirs is the best to-go sushi in town. And the lobster roll is my favorite!”

3) Orange Martini at Fardowners. “Order only one . . . trust me.”

4) Bratwurst and Fall Sown Spinach from Double H Farm. “Richard was a close friend and I will miss him dearly. What a blessing Ara and Gayane are here to carry on what he started. The brats are perfect and if you are lucky enough to get some of the spinach they have right now, saute lightly and they are perfect together. Their soil grows great greens.”

5) Princess Cake from Albemarle Baking Company. “I haven’t had a slice in a long time, but I still hear it call to me all the way out here in Crozet. There are some combinations that are just perfect.”

On Fridays we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Stu Rifkin, the restaurateur and real estate maven who has done it all when it comes to Charlottesville restaurants: owned them, ran them, and brokered their sale. From April 7 thru 14, restaurants of theCharlottesville Restaurant Group, for whom Rifkin has consulted, are offering $50 gift certificates for just $25 each, with all proceeds going to the care of Wes Chang, TEN chef Pei Chang’s todller son who is undergoing treatement for stage IV neuroblastoma. Purchase yours at MAS, Mono Loco, Blue Light Grill, TEN Sushi, and Three Notch’d Grill. Or, you can contribute directly at the website www.weschang.myevent.com.

Rifkin’s relationship with so many restaurants made his picks particularly difficult, as he might have chosen Calamari Tempura from TEN or a BLT on Rye with Fried Pickle Chips and extra thick Ranch from The Nook. Excluding restaurants where he “eats for free,” Rifkin’s picks:

1) Cherry Star at Spudnuts. “Or any donut frankly. We are truly blessed to have such a simply perfect donut shop in town. CW Llad immortalized the Cherry Star in a poem on the back page of C-VILLE many years ago. I’ve been consuming them regularly ever since.”

2) Pepperoni Pizza at Whole Foods. “Sad but true that some of the best pie in town comes from a grocery store. It’s not consistent, but when they get it right it’s unsurpassed deliciousness.”

3) Bambino Cone at Splendora’s. “Choose a flavor and get a small scoop on a tiny cone. It’s a perfect palate cleanser and a tasty treat. Salted Caramel Gelato or Grapefuit Sorbetto works for me.”

4) Tacos Campechanos at Don Panchito Taco truck on 29N. “I’ve tried them all and these guys knock it out of the park. The campechanos combine carne asada and chorizo.”

5) Smoked Turkey Croissant, Potato Salad and Limeade at The Blue Ridge Pig. “Their Dill Sauce is transcendent. I would eat anything they put it on.”