Jennifer Mowad’s shop, Cocoa & Spice, opens in York Place on the Downtown Mall in October. Photo: Eze Amos
Jennifer Mowad’s nickname, Cocoa, suits her well. After all, the owner and chocolatier behind Charlottesville chocolate shop Cocoa & Spice has always had a sweet tooth. There’s even a family video to prove it: Mowad, at age 3, so excited to find her candy-filled Easter basket that she literally falls over with joy, hitting her head on the basket on her way down.
In high school, she got the idea that she might someday run her own business, but she wasn’t thinking it would involve her love for sweets. Her passion reemerged when she started making peanut butter cups for friends and family while in graduate school for instructional technology—but in the ensuing years chocolate remained just a hobby.
In 2010, just after she turned 27, Mowad’s view of the world—and her place in it—changed drastically. Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the body’s immune system, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment for six months, which was followed by a time of “figuring herself out” again.
As a part of that process, Mowad went out on a Colorado-based adventure program for young adult cancer survivors called First Descents, where she has served as a volunteer and participant several times since. “The whole point of the program is life after cancer, pushing yourself to do things you didn’t think were possible,” Mowad says. “The trip inspired me to pursue what my dream had been, to say, ‘Now is the time—I think I should I do it.’”
After that, she focused intently on sharing her love of chocolate with others. After completing an apprenticeship at East Van Roasters in Vancouver and online studies via the Ecole Chocolate Professional School of Chocolate Arts, she launched Cocoa & Spice out of her home kitchen in 2015, selling from a food cart on the Downtown Mall. Two years later, she moved production to a commercial kitchen on Stewart Street.
In late August, Mowad—who has shown no sign of her cancer recurring—brought Cocoa & Spice back to where it all began, relocating to York Place on the mall. She did it with a little help—nearly $4,000—from an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The new space will allow for classes, private events, and custom favors in a more customer-facing environment, with treats including peanut butter cups, drinking chocolate, and bark available for purchase.
Brand new for the York Place location of Cocoa & Spice is a chocolate library, which will highlight bean-to-bar makers from across the U.S. and show off the many different flavor profiles of chocolate. Mowad was inspired to start the library after seeing one during a visit to another chocolate shop in her travels.
“That’s what I really like about this field,” Mowad says. “People are really willing to share, whether it’s ideas or recipes. It’s very collaborative and giving.”
For Mowad, the best is yet to come: Following a soft opening on September 15, the new Cocoa & Spice will officially open its doors the first weekend in October.
J.M. Stock’s ham biscuits are served seven days a week until noon—or when they sell out. The Happy Cook has an excellent selection of classic picnic baskets. In addition to picnicking, Beaver Creek Lake is a good place for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Photos: Tom McGovern, Morgan Sayler, Jack Looney
Take advantage of the last few days of summer and take your meal outside! We put together an arrangement of local goodies to stock your basket, plus some favorite spots to spread a blanket and while away the afternoon.
Bread ends with house dressing from Take It Away
Tucked into the Corner’s Elliewood Avenue, Take It Away is best-known for its sandwiches. But the shop also sells (equally delicious) bread ends, a byproduct of sandwich-making. “I’ve had many returning UVA alums tell me they got them through college,” says owner Tom Bowe.
Tasting notes: Sold by the bag, bread ends are best paired with a container of Take It Away’s special house dressing—a secret sauce that may include mayo, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic, sugar, and pepper.
Caromont Farm artisanal goat cheese
The fresh chevre made from Caromont Farm goat’s milk was the first cheese produced on the Esmont farm back in 2007, and it’s a bestseller to this day. Mild, soft, and smoothly textured, it’s available online and around town at locations including Feast!, the Charlottesville City Market, and the Nelson Farmers Market, in Nellysford.
Tasting notes: Delicious enough to eat unaccompanied from the tip of your finger. But if you’re looking for a pairing, try the chevre with a fresh white wine— a Jefferson Vineyards viognier, perhaps— a salad with grapefruit and arugula, or use it as a spread for a gingersnap cookie. This cheese knows no bounds.
Green Goddess dressing and dip from Feast!
This magical condiment gets its creaminess from a combination of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, plus a little zip from rice wine vinegar, but the basil and parsley are the stars of the show.
Tasting notes: Addictive and versatile, this concoction goes well with tortilla chips or crudité. It could also be used as a sandwich spread, or dressing for a chilled pasta salad. Or you just might find yourself eating it by the spoonful.
Ham biscuits from J.M. Stock Provisions
Run, don’t walk, to J.M. Stock, where ham biscuits are served seven days until noon or when they sell out, whichever comes first.
Tasting notes: Dressed with honey and hot sauce, the biscuits certainly have a kick, but the combination of smoke, sweet, salt, and spice is just right. “They’re freaking delicious—they hit all the flavor profiles you want,” manager Ben Moore-Coll says. “They go great with a cider like the Potter’s Craft Farmhouse Dry.” One is a snack, two make a meal. Just don’t forget napkins.
JAM According to Daniel
Local jam maker Daniel Perry adds one pound of fresh local fruit to every jar of jam he makes. It’s available at a number of area retailers including Albemarle Baking Company and Charlottesville City Market, where Perry samples about a dozen different varieties every Saturday.
Tasting notes: The bestselling jam can change from month to month along with the seasons, but the strawberry rhubarb is a year-round favorite. “It’s great with a slice of baguette and a soft spreadable cheese,” Perry says. If you’re torn between a long loaf from ABC or MarieBette, you can sidestep the issue and just use good ol’ water crackers.
The lazy person’s picnic
Short on time? Don’t fret. In addition to Take It Away, a mean sandwich can be found at Greenwood Gourmet Grocery, Ivy Provisions, Keevil & Keevil, and Bellair Market. Or try Tilman’s on the Downtown Mall, which offers a picnic menu featuring cheese, charcuterie, dips, and spreads.—Meg Irvin
No basket? No problem.
Sure, you could use that beat-up old grocery bag to haul your stuff, but to really picnic in style, go for a classic basket. Stop by the The Happy Cook, in Barracks Road Shopping Center, where there’s a great selection.
Where to lay your blanket
Beaver Creek Lake: This gem out towards Crozet is a great place to boat, kayak or canoe. There are several picnic tables available for lunch on the water.
Greenleaf Park: A great option for families, Greenleaf Park offers a picnic area, a spray ground, and a half-basketball court.
The Lawn: Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy a more serene experience on Grounds at UVA. If you’re lucky, you might even find a spot in one of the pavilion gardens.
Jefferson, Pollack, and King Family vineyards are three of a number of vineyards that allow guests to bring their own food. At any of these spots, there are striking views and—of course—plenty of wine to go with your sun-drenched snacking.
The rooftop deck at Camp Ten Four, at The Graduate Charlottesville, opens up a panoramic view of the city (which covers 10.4 square miles). Photo: Ron Blunt
Whether you’re kicking back with a cocktail or tucking into a hearty meal, a great view always enhances the moment. You may be on a patio in the country, gazing at a distant mountain ridge, or on a cozy porch in the city, surrounded by strings of sparkling party lights. Whatever your vantage point, there’s a reason the phrase “drinking in the view” was invented. Here are just a few places where the outlook is always bright.
Camp Ten Four is delightfully, um, campy. Photo: Roy Blunt
1. Camp Ten Four at The Graduate Charlottesville
The view: Camp Ten Four is named for the 10.4 square miles that make up Charlottesville proper. Nine floors up, the rooftop restaurant’s view stretches from West Main Street all the way the Blue Ridge Mountains. On a recent visit, one guest was overheard saying, “This is the spot.” Sounds about right.
The vibe: The restaurant offers casual fare in a laid-back setting, not surprising for a place with camp in its name. String lights, picnic tables, and rocking chairs all contribute to the atmosphere, as does the aural backdrop of a lively playlist at just the right volume. Indoor and outdoor seating are available.
The menu: Sharables and sandwiches dominate the menu. A highlight is the crispy chicken sandwich, served with a honey hot sauce and piled high with a spicy slaw. Sides are a la carte, and both food and drink are ordered at the bar. The rotating drink menu is playful, with three varieties of Boozed Capri—think an adult Capri Sun—and a spicy pineapple mule among the selections.
Vitals: 1309 W. Main St. 295-4333. graduatehotels.com
Early Mountain, in Madison, offers broad views of the vineyard and the peaks beyond, but what you’ll see inside is equally delicious. Photo: Tom McGovern
2. Early Mountain Vineyards
The view: The atmosphere at Early Mountain Vineyards is well worth the drive out to Madison. The property certainly doesn’t lack beautiful things to ogle, with green rolling hills, mountains, vineyards, and two historic barns all on site. “One of the most important things about the view is that it’s here no matter the weather, with the way the vineyard is situated,” says Aileen Sevier, director of marketing.
The vibe: Guests can choose from a number of different experiences in the expansive setting, including a traditional tasting, flights, or a picnic on the back lawn with a bottle of wine. The winery hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including its bi-annual Oyster Fest and Solstice Sundown event. (Ed. note:
The menu: A bestseller here is the ever-evolving cheese and charcuterie board, featuring cured meats, local cheeses, housemade pickles, and a creamed honey so good that one visitor purchases containers of it in bulk. The grilled cheese isn’t too shabby, either. “I’ve had so many people write in and say this is the best grilled cheese they’ve ever had in their life,” Sevier says.
The balcony at Michael’s Bistro and Tap House overlooks The Corner, where the city and UVA meet and mingle—but you may be forgiven for shortening your focus to take in the beautiful food. Photo: Tom McGovern
3. Michael’s Bistro and Tap House
The view: Owner Laura Spetz’s preferred table on the balcony at Michael’s Bistro is just outside in the right-hand corner. From there, she can look down along the Corner and watch the comings and goings of a quintessential Charlottesville place, or shift her gaze to UVA’s iconic Rotunda. The outdoor space is small, with only four two-top tables (that’s part of what makes it special),
The vibe: Word has it that several regulars visit Michael’s Bistro almost every single day the restaurant is open. It’s no surprise, given how comfortable and inviting it is. Outside, the open-air space shows off with string lights and flickering lamps, a calm oasis above the madding crowd on University Avenue.
The menu: A patron’s impression of Michael’s Bistro might shift depending on which menu she chooses to focus on. The list of nightly drink specials showcases deals on rails and pitchers that no doubt cater to UVA students, but the beer and craft-cocktail menus both have a more universal appeal. The food menu is just the right size, with enough entrée and small-plate options to please every palate without inducing decision fatigue. The fried green tomato small plate served with a housemade pimento cheese sauce is a delicious way to start your meal.
Vitals: 1427 University Ave. 977-3697. michaelsbistro.com
The Rooftop, in Crozet, is known for its food, by chef Justin van der Linde, but the view is also undeniably good. Photo: Jack Looney
4. The Rooftop
The view: The Rooftop delivers sprawling mountain views worthy of the restaurant’s name. Even diners facing inward can enjoy the scenery, captured in the reflection on the glass wall that separates the interior and exterior of the space.
The vibe: It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re on any rooftop, and almost impossible if that rooftop is this one. The breeze hits just right, the service is warm and welcoming, and the experience is chill at this classy yet casual space. Fair warning: The Rooftop can be tricky to find. Enter through Smoked Kitchen and Tap, head down the hallway, and get in the elevator to find your way upstairs.
The menu: Launched by chef Justin van der Linde, of Smoked barbcue-truck fame, and partner Kelley Tripp, formerly of The Fitzroy, the restaurant offers options suited for both celebratory occasions and a Friday night out. Truffle fries, served with aged Parmesan, white truffle, fresh herbs, and a garlic aioli for dipping are a crowd favorite. Other popular selections are the mussels simmered in Bold Rock cider and the hanger steak.
Dining outdoors at The Southern Crescent Galley and Bar offers the look, feel, and flavors of New Orleans, right in the middle of Belmont. Photo: Tom McGovern
5. The Southern Crescent Galley and Bar
The view: An evening at The Southern Crescent could easily be mistaken for a friend’s party at a house with a great outdoor space—in this case, a pleasantly worn Victorian with a porch and patio. Deliberately evoking the Big Easy, the Crescent—named for the Amtrak train that round-trips between New York and New Orleans—prompts a sigh of relief like the one you experience at the start of a vacation. Through twinkling lights and sweeping trees, visitors will see the character and homes that make up the Belmont neighborhood.
The vibe: This charming spot claims no pretenses, and its quirkiness is exactly what makes the restaurant so inviting. The concept was born from the experiences owner and executive chef Lucinda Ewell had growing up in New Orleans, and that inspiration comes through in touches, like fleur-de-lis floor tiles, potted tropical plants with big, broad leaves, and brightly painted furniture nestled in the lush gardens.
The menu: Among the drink selections is the Vieux Carré cocktail first made at New Orleans’ famous Carousel Bar. The menu features a raw bar, gumbo that’ll make your mind travel to the bayou, and entrées like smothered catfish. A variety of po’ boys are also available, made on fresh Leidenheimer Bread shipped from Louisiana. “Aside from the bread, everything we do is made from scratch—including our beignets, which some people say are better than the ones at Café Du Monde,” Ewell says.
