Author: Charlottesville29

On Fridays, we feature five food finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Jennifer Keevil, manager of Brookville Restaurant, which she co-owns with her husband and chef Harrison.  On the last day of 2012, the Keevils welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl named Caroline.  With pregnancy behind Jennifer, we asked her what she is most excited to eat again.  “Here are the things I am most looking forward to,” says Jennifer, “now that our beautiful Caroline is with us.”  Welcome Caroline!

1)  “Omakase sashimi, sushi, and sake at TEN Sushi.”

2)  “A refreshing  Greyhound and grazing off the late night menu at C&O.”

3)  “Shopping and tasting all the raw milk cheeses and charcuterie at Feast!.”

4)  “Gambas al’ parilla  smothered in aioli and homemade sangria at Mas.”

5)  “A perfect runny egg on anything at Brookville.”

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 finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Mike Yager, sous chef of the new Glass Haus Kitchen.  On New Year’s Eve, Glass Haus Kitchen will offer two seatings.  The first, between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm, will feature a 4-course dinner.  The second, between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, will feature a 5-course dinner, champagne toast at midnight, and a private dancing party until 2:00 am.  Yager’s picks:

1)  Charleston Wings at The Lazy Parrot Grill.  “On boys’ night out, that’s the place we go to get the best wings in town.  And, Charleston is by far the best flavor.”

2)  Bison Burger at Beer Run.  “Best beer selection in town by far, and the burger is a bad mamma jamma.”

3)  Hamachi Collar at Ten Sushi.  “Everything Pei does is awesome.  Hamachi collar just happens to be one of those things.”

4)  Hangar Steak at Petit Pois.  “I love steak frites, and I love hangar steak. You can’t go wrong with hangar steak and french fries that are done right.”

5)  PBR at Miller’s Downtown.  “Something about that bar makes PBR taste better than it already does.  Maybe it’s the dirty bar scene with loud music (Barling and Collins are amazing Sunday night entertainment), or maybe it’s the fact that they have the best bartenders in the world right at my front door.”

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 and The Charlottesville 29 feature five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  This week’s picks come from Angelo Vangelopoulos, chef and owner of Ivy Inn.  Vangelopoulos’ picks:

1)  Nachos at Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie.  “It’s the first thing that comes to mind when I decide to make the trip to North Garden.  I love the Jack London pizza, but the nachos make me come back over and over.”

2)  Moroccan Wrap or Chicken Shawarma Wrap at Aromas Cafe.  “It’s a toss up: the Moroccan wrap with the world’s tastiest eggplant or the shawarma.  Hassan and his staff make the experience memorable — great place for a lunch date.”

3)  The Chef’s Counter at Clifton Inn.  “It’s like eating in your own kitchen if it was staffed with five great chefs and a great service staff.  The snacks and courses seem to be endless.”

4)  Chorizo Potatoes with a side of Homemade Tomatillo-Avocado Sauce at Cafe Cubano.   “It’s so good I’ll eat yours too.”

5)  Goat Vin D’Alho and Naan at Milan Indian Cuisine.  “Ask for extra napkins and order another beer.  It’s succulent, spicy and soul warming.  Don’t even try to eat without using your hands.”

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, The Charlottesville 29 features five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today, on the fifth anniversary of the first beer sale at Beer Run, the picks are from Beer Run co-owner Josh Hunt.  To celebrate the day, Beer Run will be tapping rare kegs of beer and offering food and drink specials throughout the day.  Hunt’s five picks:

1)  Cheeseburger “All the Way” and a Coke in the Bottle at Riverside Lunch off High St.  “As someone who grew up on the east side of Charlottesville, the Riverside has been an institution since long before I started going in the 80′s with my brothers and step-dad, to the old location on Long St., where the CVS is now.  I’ve been all over this country and I haven’t found a better or more classic cheeseburger.  Plus, the service is probably the fastest in town.”

2)  Boquerones Con Ajo at Mas.  (Plump white Cantabrian anchovy filets in an olive oil, garlic, lemon marinade).  “Man, these anchovies are a thing of beauty — briny, fresh and plump, resting perfectly in olive oil.  I think Tomas has some in-depth secret process that makes these so amazing.  Excellent with a crisp white wine or a glass of Duvel Belgian golden ale.”

3)  Baltimore-style Pit Beef Sandwich With Creamy Horseradish Sauce and a Cheerwine at Ace Biscuit & Barebecue.  “When I go to Ace, I  just let Brian & Gabby in the kitchen tell me what to order.  I’ve yet to leave disappointed . . . or hungry.”

4)  Lunch Buffet at Milan Indian Cuisine.  “My girlfriend Chelsea turned me on to Milan, and its fantastic buffet, with a selection of delicious curries, rice, veggies, meats, chutneys, salads, naan and sauces.  It also happens to be a great spot to meet my mom, who is a vegetarian and loves it.”

5)  Fried Lotus Root at Peter Chang’s China Grill.  “Holy Toledo, these things are like the best shoestring fries you’ve ever had, but better and flavored with spicy Sichuan peppers and spices.  The are only available in season and fantastic with beer (like most things).  Tip: Always order at least one item off of the hand-written page on the back of the menu.  There are great authentic and seasonal dishes on that page.”

The Charlottesville 29 is a publication that asks, and answers: 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 and The Charlottesville 29 feature five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  In honor of the recent Virginia Cider Week, today’s picks come from Tim Edmond, co-owner of Potter’s Craft Cider, which, in its short existence, is already winning praise far and wide. Edmond’s picks:

1)  Soft Pretzel at Early Mountain Vineyards.   “If you haven’t ventured to Madison to check out this winery, the soft pretzel is reason enough.  They also have an awesome selection of Virginia wines and partner with wineries from across the state.  The fact that it is beautiful, they are steadfast supporters of Virginia wine and have committed to donate all profits to the Virgina wine industry, those are good reasons to check it out too.”

2)  House-made Sorghum Butter at The Whiskey Jar.  “I could eat it by itself but usually put it on hush puppies or ham biscuits.  Love this place, love the food and the understated local ingredients.”

3)  Goat Pasanda at Milan.  “I order this extra spicy with garlic naan.”

4)  Ginger Kombucha from Barefoot Bucha with a Hot Donut from Carpe Donut. “A favorite Saturday morning ritual is to walk the dog to Carpe Donut.  The kombucha is awesome and I love that you can also find Barefoot Bucha on draft at places like Blue Mountain Brewery, Whole Foods, and The Whiskey Jar.”

5)  Dinner at Forage.  “This is a ridiculously awesome supper club from chefs Megan Kiernan and Justin Stone.  They cook some of the best food in Charlottesville that is either foraged, bought, or bartered from local sources.”

The Charlottesville 29 is a publication that asks, and answers: if there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29? Follow along with regular updates on Facebook and Twitter.