Here’s where the rubber meets the road on this whole “buy local” business: Go into a big chain store and the jewelry displayed before you is the same as the jewelry displayed before shoppers in Urbandale, Iowa, or Maricopa, Arizona. In other words, it’s nothing special. And, we’re willing to bet, the person behind the counter knows very little about each piece beyond what he’s recited to customers every day for the last year and a half. That’s why readers choose Andrew Minton, who helps them understand each facetof jewelry-buying, from diamondsand pearls to custom pieces madein-house. On Millmont Street, family-owned Schwarzschild offers more than 100 years of experience in luxury watches and estate jewelry.
HOME STORE
HomeGoods
Runner-up: Circa
Honorable mention: The Habitat Store
Sometimes the best plan you can have is no plan at all, and that works out well for readers, who say that HomeGoods—that 29th Place mecca for pillows, pitchers, rugs and rustic outdoor furniture—is their go-to spot for a room refresh, even if they don’t exactly know which direction to go just yet. French country? Modern glam? The décor chain encourages keeping your options open. In McIntire Plaza, browsing Circa’s 10,000 square feet will always turn up a treasure.
CONSIGNMENT SHOP
Darling Boutique
Runner-up: ReThreads
Honorable mention: Kid to Kid
The secret to Darling owner Linnea White’s success? Besides a major sense of style (and consequently stylish inventory from clothing to locally made accessories), we’d wager it’s social media. The downtown shop owner shows off her #darlingfinds @shopatdarling on Instagram, as well as co-founded @bossbabes cville, a collective of local female business owners and entrepreneurs. Speaking of, Melissa Meece’sReThreads takes the second place spot with her robust collection of new-to-you pieces in McIntire Plaza.
PLACE FOR A DRESS
Belk
Runner-up: Anthropologie
Honorable mention: BitterSweet
Look in just the “dress” category on Belk’s website and you’ll find more than 3,000—that’s three thousand—options. Fit and flare, casual, bodycon, homecoming, cocktail, sweater… No wonder readers say Belk is best for everything from a LBD to a cotton shift. For the more creative dressers (with deeper pockets), runner-up Anthro stocks frocks with unique patterns, textures and silhouettes for women who are too cool for trends, but still want to look (and feel) beautiful.
PLACE FOR KIDS’ GEAR
Old Navy
Runner-up: Kid to Kid
Honorable mention: Shenanigans
Let’s be honest: Kids grow at such a rapid pace that what fits little Bowen-Arrow this week might not fit her in a few more, which is why readers refuse to pay more than a pocketful of loose change to outfit her in the latest trends. Old Navy, you say, is the go-to spot. The Barracks Road chain offers deep—and frequent—discounts on everything from onesies to knock-off Vans. At consignment chain Kid to Kid, parents stock up on everything their little one needs, cribs, clothes, toys and hair accessories included.
Photo: Stephen Barling
WINE SHOP
Market Street Wine
Runner-up: Wegmans
Honorable mention: Trader Joe’s
When Market Street Wineshop owner Robert Harllee announced in early 2018 that he was selling his downtown shop, local oenophiles shuddered to think that the charming store, with its Friday tastings and local bread and cheese offerings, might be lost forever. But true fans knew better: New owners and longtime employees Sian Richards and Thadd McQuade wouldn’t fix what wasn’t broke. They did make a few minor adjustments: Now called Market Street Wine, the store boasts new floors and a rearranged shelving system. Over at Wegmans, shoppers choose booze from all over the world. What pairs with kale-and-quinoa cakes?
LOCALLY OWNED GROCERY STORE
Foods of All Nations
Runner-up: Feast!
Honorable mention: Reid Super-Save Market
Whether you’re an expat looking for a taste of your home country or just a curious foodie hoping to surprise guests with an unforgettable treat, you agree that Foods of All Nations has what you’re looking for (and even what you’re not). Beyond dry goods from every corner of the world, the Ivy Road shop stocks fresh-made sushi, prepared foods to go and a full deli with some of the most reliable sandos in town. Runner-up Feast! has been doling out quality samples from Spanish manchego to country ham—as well as offering the best from local purveyors—from Main Street Market for more than 16 years.
CHAIN GROCERY STORE
Wegmans
Runner-up: Trader Joe’s
Honorable mention: Whole Foods Market
If we picture our former grocery store as a paramour, we can imagine that the day we left it behind for Wegmans was a tough one: We’re sorry, baby. It’s not you; it’s just that Wegmans makes it so easy to, like, be myself, y’know? Like my true self, the one who feels like Marathon bread is its own food group, and who doesn’t like chopping up veggies to make a mirepoix. We’vehad a really good run, but I just needto see where this goes. Of course we’dnever say that to Trader Joe’s, though, which comes in second for its Everything But The Bagel seasoning and affordable wine section (among other things).
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
New Dominion Bookshop
Runner-up: Blue Whale Books
Honorable mention: Read It Again Sam
The oldest independent bookseller in Virginia (the shop opened in 1924 and moved to its current spot on the Downtown Mall, a former shoe store, in 1926), New Dominion carries on a decades-old tradition of matching reader to reading material. Owner Julia Kudravetz does so by hosting regular events and continuing a tradition of thoughtfully curating the store’s collection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature and informative coffee table books. A few blocks down, at Blue Whale, find tomes on Thomas Jefferson, Virginia history and architecture, including rare hardcovers.
GIFT SHOP
O’Suzannah
Runner-up: The Virginia Shop
Honorable mention: Rock Paper Scissors
Since 1996, shop owner Suzannah Fischer has been stocking her shelves with a playful, joyful array of, well, just about everything you might want (or want to give)—scarves, candles, soaps, jewelry dishes, jewelry!, purses, books, stationery, figurines—each display after the next arranged by color to delight (if not mesmerize) you. To expand on her downtown shop’s offerings, in mid-2018, Fischer opened O’Suz For Littles on Second Street NE, so finding something for your best friend’s new baby is as easy as snapping a onesie (even easier, probably, if you factor in the squirming). Across town at The Virginia Shop, snag a postcard depicting Monticello or a tin of real Virginia peanuts.
NURSERY/GARDEN STORE
Ivy Nursery
Runner-up: Fifth Season Gardening
Honorable mention: Snow’s Garden Center
Owners Clare and George Carter have spent the last 43 years cultivating such a beautiful scene at their shop off Ivy Road that even novice gardeners feel compelled to give it two black thumbs up. The landscape architects opened the store shortly after graduating from UVA with three goals in mind: provide the freshest, most beautiful plants and flowers they could find; hire folks who knew what they were talking about and could advise those who didn’t; and provide helpful design and horticulture guidance. More than four decades in, they’re still the standout. Fifth Season Gardening, in the No. 2 spot, rules the garden scene inside city limits with garden fixins’, urban DIY equipment and landscape décor.
Photo: Stephen Barling
LOCAL SPORTING GOODS STORE
Blue Ridge Cyclery
Runner-up: Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Honorable mention: Mincer’s
Few shops do bikes like Shawn Tevendale and his team do bikes. Since 2010, the Preston Avenue and Hollymead Town Center retailer has serviced, sold and rented rides, not to mention led group road, dirt and gravel treks of its own. Needless to say, at BRC, it’s ride or die. Meanwhile, Virginia and North Carolina chain Great Outdoor Provision Co. helps get you outfitted for camping, hiking, fishing, paddling and more.
LOCALLY OWNED PET SUPPLY STORE
Pet Supplies Plus
Runner-up: Crate & Marrow
Honorable mention: Pet Food Discounters
We wouldn’t trade couch snuggles and slobbery kisses for anything, but we’ll admit that even the cutest, sweetest, smooshiest wittle wub-wub face can be a drain on the finances, not to mention—gasp!—kind of an inconvenience sometimes. Readers say Pet Supplies Plus is their go-to spot for easy shopping for food, health care and pet grooming. In Stonefield, Crate & Marrow offersall-natural, organic food and treats for your furry friend, plus collars, leashes and toys.
PLACE TO BUY A CAR
Umansky Automotive Group
Runner-up: CarMax
Honorable mention: Jim Price
As the woman in the commercials sings, “Brown, Brown, Brown, you’ll love the service.” And that rings true even after Dan Umansky, a Memphis-based dealership owner, bought the Brown fleet in fall of 2017. Umansky, who employs 850 people across 16 dealerships, hasn’t changed much about the popular car shop—prospective buyers are still greeted bythe same faces and still peruse the familiar selection of brands. And, of course, they can expect the samereliable service. On Pantops, powerhouse chain CarMax gives buyers affordable used and new options.
PLACE TO BUY A SUIT
The Men’s & Boy’s Shop
Runner-up: JoS. A. Bank
Honorable mention: Beecroft & Bull
Woe that good service is so missing from the modern-day shopping experience that a trip to The Men’s & Boy’s Shop feels like traveling back through time, but that’s part of its charm. The Downtown Mall store prides itself on attentiveness, consideration of details and reliability. And, if that’s not enough, the shop offers free alterations for the life of the suit you buy. In Barracks Road Shopping Center, runner-up Jos. A. Bank stocks suits, separates and design-your-own pieces.
A fun fact about Adam Donovan-Groves? As a child, he attended Astronaut High School near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It’s not what you think—kids here aren’t preparing for space travel—but it might explain his meteoric rise in the local wedding planning industry. Having been in business for just over four years (with a background in event planning at Keswick Hall), DGE has offices in Georgetown and New York, as well as Charlottesville, and serves couples all over the globe. Orpha Events’ Marisa Vrooman takes the No. 2 spot for her stunning work in everything from destination weddings to nonprofit events.
Photo: Jen Fariello
WEDDING VENUE
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Runner-up: King Family Vineyards
Honorable mention: Keswick Vineyards
Having already been in the wedding industry for nearly two decades as a planner, it seemed a natural fit that Lynn Easton and her husband, Dean Andrews, would open their own venue. Of course, as with everything under the Easton Porter Group umbrella, Pippin is part of a luxury brand—and you get what you pay for. A big day here doesn’t come without a hefty price tag, but readers agree it’s worth it for the barn-inspired reception space, rolling landscape, expert catering and practically everywhere you look, the high touch details Easton is known for. In Crozet, King Family offers couples a versatile space and, most importantly, its award-winning wines (see Best Local Winery).
REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE
Old Metropolitan Hall
Runner-up: The Local
Honorable mention: Ivy Inn
When Old Metropolitan Hall opened its door in 2013, affianced couples in Charlottesville and beyond were swooning for its mirrored back wall, sparkly chandeliers and cellar bar, carved from the building’s basement and transformed into an intimate space with black and white tile floors, built-in benches and a mirror displaying the venue’s name in vintage type. But the deal got even sweeter in 2017, when the Downtown Mall venue partnered with neighbor Brasserie Saison to provide in-house catering. Over in Belmont, The Local offers charming ambience and a Southern menu worth dishing over.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jen Fariello
Runner-up: Sarah Cramer Shields
Honorable mention: Ashley Cox
Thanks to Instagram, these days practically everyone and their mother thinks he can be a photographer. Until, that is, you see work from a pro, someone who has studied and honed the craft for decades and makes you realize it takes more than the Valencia filter to create a good picture—someone like Jen Fariello, who after 22 years in the business continues tochurn out beautiful portraits of local couples, whether it’s an engagement session in a downpour or a post-wedding stroll across the Lawn. Fellow UVA grad Sarah Cramer Shields lends an expert eye toward capturing the most important moments of your big day.
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Ian’s Creations
Runner-up: Tom Daly
Honorable mention: Orpha Films
We open with a drone shot over the vines of Keswick Vineyards. We see a fountain bubbling with clear water. We watch a child hurriedly scatter petals down the aisle. For four years in a row, readers have agreed that Ian’s Creations’ Ian Atkins captures the details that often go overlooked and presents them in—for lack of a better term —a cinematic moving picture of your most special day. In second place, Tom Daly weaves ninja-like through the crowds to catch your favorite moments (and then some) from start to finish.
CATERER
Harvest Moon Catering
Runner-up: Exchange Events & Catering
Honorable mention: The Local
When we talk about personalizing a wedding, usually that means koozies customized with the couple’s name and wedding date, or a guest book with pictures from their travels for friends and family to sign. But there are other ways to add your stamp to the big day, starting with food. Harvest Moon, readers say, check all the boxes on requests for specialized menus (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free), and embrace creative challenges like incorporating family recipes. Don’t expect any vegan options from BBQ Exchange’s catering arm (unless you count the homemade pickles)—though the Gordonsville spot’s slow-roasted pork may be worth a carnivorous switch.
FLORIST
Hedge Fine Blooms
Runner-up: Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Design
Honorable mention: Don’s Florist & Gifts
There are two requirements of a big-day bouquet: that it be beautiful and that it last long. Readers agree Hedge delivers on both, creating dreamy arrangements—for centerpieces, aisle décor, wedding arches and the bridal bouquet —that still look fresh after hours of photographs, sitting in direct sunlight and the traditional bouquet toss. Southern Blooms’30+ years in the biz means the Madison company never disappoints, crafting works of art from garden-style flowers, fruits and vines.
Photo: Jen Fariello
TENTS AND RENTALS
Skyline Tent Company
Runner-up: MS Events
Honorable mention: Festive Fare
They’re not just for rain, you know. A beautiful Sperry tent from Skyline—those carnival-y sailcloth toppers with pennant flags flying—can actually steal the show (sorry, lovers). The Charlottesville and Charleston, South Carolina, company has been erecting shelters for more than 15 years at corporate events, festivals and, of course, weddings, be they vinyl, sailcloth or even harder structures with a glass ceiling. Of course, once the tent’s up, you’ll need a few things to fill it. Readers turn to MS Events for everything from chargers and china to linens and lounge furniture.
CAKES AND DESSERTS
Albemarle Baking Company
Runner-up: Chandler’s Bakery
Honorable mention: Cakes by Rachel
C&O has steak Chinoise, Continental Divide has margaritas, Bodo’s has the deli egg—if there’sone “dish” Albemarle Baking Company is known for, it has to be the princess cake. Layers of moist vanilla sponge cake and Bavarian buttercream, blanketed with a sheet of sugary, almondy marzipan and topped with a pink rosette. There’s almost no other choice when it comes to a wedding day confection, though the West Main Street bakery can create just about anything you dream up. For a more traditional take, runner-up Chandler’s Bakery whips up layers from German chocolate to banana nut.
BAND (OR BOOKING AGENCY)
Sam Hill Entertainment
Runner-up: Love Canon
Honorable mention: 20 South Productions
It might be a dangerous game, mixing business with pleasure, but it’s worked for Sam Hill founder Hank Wells since 1995, when a hobby of booking bands for everything from fraternity events to corporate functions turned into a successful company that connects live performers with audiences across the U.S. In second place, acoustic-roots-meets-’80s-pop band Love Canon, who readers say always get their toes a-tappin’.
DJ (OR BOOKING AGENCY)
Kevin Graham (DJ for All Occasions)
Runner-up: John Garland DJ Services
Honorable mention: Derek J Tobler
If you like Michael Jackson, Kevin Graham is your guy. Not to say that he won’t play today’s top hits at your reception, too (see Best Local Radio Personality), but MJ is overwhelmingly his favorite. He’s even admitted to owning a cardboard cut-out (or two) of the King of Pop. We can’t confirm thatGraham won’t bring one to the wedding, but at least you won’t have to pay for an extra plate. Runner-up John Garland has a music library of more than 30,000 songs at his fingertips, all of which are ready to keep your party bumpin’.
CEREMONY MUSICIAN
Charlottesville High School String Quartet
Runner-up: Travis Elliott
Honorable mention: Plum Blossom String Quartet
There’s something so charming about employing a group of high schoolers to perform at your reception, but make no mistake: These aren’t your regular high schoolers. By the time they’re rising seniors—like the kids in Chestnut Oak, one of the quartets in the current CHS string ensemble —many of them have already performed in world-class venues suchas the Chartres Cathedral in France or St. Mary’s Church in Killarney, Ireland. In other words, they’re practically pros. In the runner-up spot, alt-rock guitarist Travis Elliott delivers on a less traditional start to your big day.
Photo: Jen Fariello
SOUND AND LIGHTING
Blue Ridge Event Production
Runner-up: MS Events
Honorable mention: The AV Company
When you picture your special day, you think dress, food, invitations—not necessarily a spotlight in the shape of your initials or a crystal chandelier descending over a table. But lighting may be the unsung hero of your reception, adding intimacy or glamour. Again this year, readers say Blue Ridge—which specializes not only in accents like pin spots, LEDs and logo lights but also digital recording and video services—lights up their life. Nabbing the red ribbon, MS Events takes its usual décor offerings to the next level, with bistro lighting, uplights, pipe and drape and more.
OFFICIANT
Dave Norris
Runner-up: Claire Frances
Honorable mention: Kate Adamson
“We got married by the mayor,” some couples can say. Of course, Dave Norris hasn’t been Charlottesville’s mayor since 2011, but the qualities that got him the job aren’t lost on those looking to say “I do” in Charlottesville. Norris is happy to work toward a ceremony you feel good about, whether traditional or more personalized. Runner-up Claire Frances will do the same. As an ordained interfaith minister, she relishes customizing a ceremony to your unique specifications, which she’s been doing since 2004 for more than 900 weddings.
INVITES/CALLIGRAPHY
Rock Paper Scissors
Runner-up: T&N Printing
Honorable mention: If So INKlined
Often said to be the first taste your guests get of the wedding to come—and whether it’s formal, casual or a little quirky—the invitations play a pretty important role in setting the tone. But not only that, the experts at Rock Paper Scissors help dream up the entire paper suite, from programs to signage, sometimes even with custom art from co-owner and designer Dani Antol. Readers turn to T&N for affordable printing (hey, all that paper don’t come cheap!) and the kind of friendly service only a family-run business can provide.
WEDDING JEWELRY
Andrew Minton Jewelers
Runner-up: Fink’s Jewelers and Schwarzschild Keller & George Jewelers (tie)
Honorable mention: Tuel Jewelers
Buying your wedding jewelry—be it the engagement ring, wedding band or earrings for the brideon her big day—is serious business and, in many cases, a serious investment. And that’s exactly how Andrew Minton and his team treat it when you walk in the door, taking the time to explain cut, color, clarity and cost for novice diamond-buyers. And if you’re interested in an heirloom, they also repair and restring pearl jewelry, so Nana’s necklace can be your something old. Over at Fink’s, find name brands like David Yurman, Forevermark and even Rolex, while Schwarzschild offers everything from rings and necklaces to men’s watches.
While the local wedding industry is booming, it’s a wonder there aren’t more local options for wedding attire. No matter, say brides. SWAK has just what they’re looking for, from simple silhouettes to intricate beading and, since launching an in-house design armearlier in 2018, custom pieces. Store owner Susan Sorbello launched Sorbello Couture, putting her fashion design background to good use creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Speaking of custom, Ayvazyan & de Beauvoir helps you dream big, with stunning designs for brides looking for a unique work of art. In Fishersville, Amanda’s Touch stocks a reasonably priced selection of gowns for brides and ’maids.
HAIR STYLIST
Erica Haskins (Top Knot Studio)
Runner-up: Brianna B. Adams
Honorable mention: Daphne Latham
You, but better. That should always be the goal when you (or your mom or your eight bridesmaids) sit in the hair chair on your big dayand that’s what readers agree they get when Erica Haskins is at the brush. Be they classic chignons orcascades of curls down your back,the Top Knot owner’s creations capture the mood and beauty of the bride who wears them (and they stay put for hours on end, as if by magic). Brianna Adams, in second place, delivers on soft, romantic updos.
MAKEUP ARTIST
Evonne Burns
Runner-up: Daphne Latham
Honorable mention: Nikki Fayolle
We’re not saying a turn in the makeup chair is the reason to get married, but your big day is certainly a perfect excuse to be treated like a Kardashian (hey, those ladies know from weddings). At the expert hand of Evonne Burns, who’s been in the business more than 25 years, you’ll be ready for your close-up. Runner-up Daphne Latham, whose credentials also include powdering the faces of Dave Matthews and Howie Long (among others), strengthens your star power.
GIFTS AND FAVORS
Gearharts Fine Chocolates
Runner-up: The Virginia Shop
Honorable mention: Feast!
The new trend in late-night treats for guests—a donut truck, milk and cookies, even McDonald’s hamburgers (we’ve seen it first-hand) —capitalizes on a universal truth: After a few drinks, it’s time for a snack. Savvy couples killtwo birds with one stone by sending guests back to the hotel with a take-hometreat and, again this year, they agreethere’s no better option than a two- pack of local sweets from sweetheart Gearharts chocolates. At The Virginia Shop, find more edibles, from peanuts to popcorn, plus touristy trinkets from the Commonwealth. It’s for lovers, after all.
Photo: Jen Fariello
TRANSPORTATION
Albemarle Limousine
Runner-up: C’ville Hop On Tours
Honorable mention: Camryn Limousine
Whether you’re pulling away from the rollicking landscape of Pippin Hill or the Corinthian columns of Keswick Vineyards, hopping in the old Toyota Corolla might take a bit of magic out of the moment, especially when the other details of your wedding—the custom foil invitations, the personalized cake topper—were so intentional. Enter Albemarle Limousine, who since 2008 has kept couples riding in style, in everything from a vintage Fleetwood Cadillac to a 1946 Marc IV Jaguar. Runner-up Hop on Tours is a solution for pre-wedding celebrations: Gather your wedding party and board the 14-passenger bus for customized rides to breweries, wineries and then some.
It was over a cup of tea and a fifth of Evan Williams that Koda Kerl and Marie Borgman decided to form Chamomile & Whiskey in the winter of 2011. Since then, the band —which also includes banjo, bass, drums and electric guitar in addition to Kerl’s guitar and Borgman’s fiddle—has released two albums and toured extensively, playing its signature bluegrass folk and earning accolades for its drunken Irish sound to tune-smithing. Erin & The Wildfire, with its rock-soul-funk sound, is this year’s runner-up.
MUSIC VENUE
The Jefferson Theater
Runner-up: Sprint Pavilion
Honorable mention: John Paul Jones Arena
An extensive renovation in 2009 returned the Jefferson to its former glory as a stage for famous performers like Harry Houdini and The Three Stooges, restoring its architecture while modernizing the space for a new audience. Almost 10 years later, it still shines thanks to its two full-service bars, sophisticated lighting system and five-star acoustics owing to the high ceilings and sloped floor. Last year saw acts from Tig Notaro to Yonder Mountain String Band to Yo La Tengo take the spotlight. In second place, another venue in the Coran Capshaw empire: Sprint Pavilion, where crowds love gathering during the warmer months for concerts en plein air.
ART GALLERY
IX Art Park
Runner-up: Second Street Gallery
Honorable mention: The Fralin Museum of Art
You won’t find placards with explanations of the artist’s vision here. Nor will you feel the need to be especially quiet, in reverence to the work—just ask the kids you’ll inevitably find running around (see Best Kids’ Park). No, IX Art Park encourages more than your typical art gallery allows, because IX itself is pretty darn atypical. It’s not everywhere you find a living jungle gym or a bench made from borrowable books, after all, and that’s exactly why it takes the prize. In second place, Second Street Gallery challenges its viewers, too, with provocative work from contemporary artists, as well as lectures, tours and workshops.
DAY TRIP
Shenandoah National Park
Runner-up: Carter Mountain Orchard
Honorable mention: Richmond
In fall of 2017, the National Park Service announced a huge increase in entrance fees. At Shenandoah National Park, that would have meant a $40 bump per vehicle, to $70 from $30. The proposal, however, was met with public outcry and the NPS’ final decision settled on a $5 increase during peak season, ensuring that the 200,000-acre park (500 miles of hiking trails included) could continue to be enjoyed by many each year. Second place stop Carter Mountain boasts fruit orchards, donuts, wine and a country market, plus a view over Charlottesville proper.
TRIVIA NIGHT
Mellow Mushroom
Runner-up: Random Row Brewing Company
Honorable mention: Firefly
There are a few things to know if you want to succeed at Mellow Mushroom’s Wednesday night trivia (besides the answers to the trivia questions, that is, which can range in topic from art and literature to math and sports): First, get there early. The action starts at 9pm, but true players show up by 8. Next, follow @MellowCville on Twitter to get the night’s theme for a team name. And last, don’t forget to order pretzel bites. …Wait. We don’t need to tell you this—you’re a bunch of know-it-alls anyway. Youprobably even know that, across town, Random Row’s Sunday trivia night with Geeks Who Drink also keeps crowds guessing.
What do we want? Booze! When do we want it? At the movies! That seems to be the mantra this year, at least, as Violet Crown and Alamo —two theaters where you can drinkwhile you watch—take the top prizes. Downtown at Violet Crown, grab some avocado spring rolls or a chicken pesto pizza with your Barboursville Pinot before settling into your cushyreserved seat (hint: The front row reclines!). At Alamo, raise your order card for a Bee’s Kiss—rum, honey, vanilla ice cream, Honeycomb cereal—and bottomless popcorn.
Photo: Martyn Kyle
LOCAL THEATER (LIVE)
Live Arts
Runner-up: American Shakespeare Center (Staunton)
Honorable mention:
IX Art Park
Known for pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a local performance space, Live Arts impresses again this year with its commitment to forging community and theater. With the hiring of its new producing artistic director, Bree Luck, came a vow for the 2018-2019 season to reverse an oft-seen ratio: This year, nearly 80 percent of the productions are written or conceived by a woman or person of color, because theater—like community—should welcome everyone. Over Staunton way, ASC gives thespians an authentic experience, bringing to bear the Bard’s best work in a replica Globe theater.
LOCAL RADIO STATION
Hot 101.9
Runner-up: 91.9 WNRN
Honorable mention: 99.7 CYK
The feather in Monticello Media’s cap (along with honorable mention 99.7), Hot 101.9 hit the Ruckersville airwaves in 1990 and, in the years since, has kept listeners engaged with contemporary pop hits from morning to night. Get a jumpstart when you wake up from the morning zoo—Elvis Duran and company—followed by best radio DJ Kevin Graham (see below) and then “PJ in the PM,” PJ Styles’ afternoon offering from 3 to 7pm. If you turn the dial to 91.9, listener-supported WNRN gives you a little bit of everything, from blues and rock to country and alt-Latino.
LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Kevin Graham (Hot 101.9)
Runner-up: Sherry Taylor (Z95.1)
Honorable mention: Tom Morgan (99.7 CYK)
Kevin Graham is your guide to midday listening, hosting Hot 101.9’s 10am to 3pm slot. Not surprisingly, he’s also your pick for wedding DJ (see Weddings). Safe to say, the man is pretty immersedin music, and has been for a while: He started DJ for All Occasions back in 2004 and serves couples from here to Fredericksburg. In the runner-up spot, Sherry Taylor wakes up early to play you the hitsfrom 5 to 10am. This includes Impossible Trivia, a segment during which the 25-year radio pro asks listeners questions like “We spend about 18 minutes a day thinking about what?” and “Statistics show you’re likely to make more than $2,000 extra per year if you have what trait?” At least we know where to listen for the answer.
LOCAL TV PERSONALITY
Josh Fitzpatrick (NBC29)
Runner-up: Norm Sprouse (NBC29)
Honorable mention: Kasey Hott (NBC29)
Following the great blizzard of March 2013, a young Josh Fitzpatrick decided he’d like to study meteorology. Snow was his favorite type of weather and he wanted to learn more about it. Cut to November 2017 when, after 10 years as a meteorologist in West Virginia, he joined the NBC29 weather team. A few months later, runner-up Norm Sprouse (and a perennial winner in this category) scaled back his own role at NBC29 from an on-air weatherman to a more behind-the-scenes position.
ANNUAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL
Tom Tom Founders Festival
Runner-up: Virginia Film Festival
Honorable mention: Charlottesville Dogwood Festival
A week-long festival around Thomas Jefferson’s birthday (and, coincidentally, festival founder Paul Beyer’s, too) that’s focused on the tenets of the third president —entrepreneurship, innovation and culture among them—Tom Tom introduces to town movers, shakers and tastemakers. Spring 2018 brought legendary newsman Dan Rather to the stage. But the fest isn’t out of mind the rest of the year either. The foundation also hosts Tomtoberfest, a block party in Market Street Park with live music, food trucks and vendors, each September. Taking the silver medal is the Virginia Film Fest, an annual celebration of all things movies, with four days of exclusive screenings and, often, celebrity sightings.
CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Mall
Runner-up: Belmont/Carlton
Honorable mention: Fry’s Spring
Cost of living notwithstanding, the Downtown Mall (and surrounding North Downtown neighborhood, which is what we suspect readers were going for here) offers modern conveniences—a grocery store, a movie theater, coffee shops aplenty—across eight historic city blocks. And is it a coincidence that the best neighborhood is also the best place to discover a doggo (see below)? We think not. Runner-up Belmont/Carlton offers some of the priciest real estate in the city, but readers say it’s worth it for the creative community, divine dining and walkability to nearby downtown.
PLACE TO DOG-WATCH
Downtown Mall
Runner-up: Chris Greene Lake
Honorable mention: UVA Grounds
No doubt you’ll be delighted to make the acquaintance of Mozart, the friendly Mastiff who turns heads whenever he traverses the mall. Or Roo, the beagle-Chihuahua mix who sometimes shops with her owner at Urban Outfitters. You’ll want to stop and dole out a few pets to labradoodle Jockamo and say hello to Gizmo, the corgi who lives at Blue Whale Books. It’s clear the mall is a spot for paws. Traditionalists might spot Spot at Chris Greene Lake, where he loves splashing away a case of the zoomies.
Good things, they say, come in small packages. And the best things come from Lampo. The pint-sized Neapolitan pizzeria opened in 2014 to rave reviews and since then has set the standard for just plain good food in our area. Don’t get us wrong—“just plain good” doesn’t mean boring. Somehow, the boys of Lampo (including this year’s best chef, Ian Redshaw) know just how to craft a dish—from antipasti to dolci—that straddles the line between familiar and exciting. Sure, you’ll find a traditional margherita pizza on the menu, but you’ll also be tempted by the Hellboy, a permanent special that combines salami and mozzarella with orange blossom honey and scorpion oil. Down the street at The Local, executive chef Matthew Hart serves a farm-to-table menu that showcases the best of the area, from Buffalo Creek short ribs to Appalachia Star greens.
NEW RESTAURANT
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Runner-up: Junction
Honorable mention: Iron Paffles & Coffee
By the time Three Notch’d opened its 17,400-square-foot space at IX, the craft brewery had already established three taprooms, plus locations in Harrisonburg and Richmond. What it didn’t have, the owners felt, was a flagship location—somewhere that served as an anchor for the brand. The new spot, which opened in fall 2017, expands the brewing operations and offers a full German brewpub menu. (Try the pretzel bites, which the restaurant pairs with a beer cheese made with its own 40 Mile IPA.) Long-awaited Junction, in Belmont, opened in late 2017 with a menu of inventive modern Mexican dishes at the hand of celebrated local chef Melissa Close-Hart.
BAR
The Alley Light
Runner-up: Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Honorable mention: Kardinal Hall
By now, you know the drill: Peek through the gate down the alley off Second Street SW and, if the light is on, The Alley Light is readyto serve. Once up the stairs, you’llfind bar manager Micah LeMon and his team serving up classics and originals, all with housemade ingredients (think tonics, bitters and syrups) that make each concoction one of a kind. If you’re looking for something a bit more caszh, pull up a yellow stool to Three Notch’d’s concrete bar, where the IX brewery pours its flagship and seasonal brews from more than 40 taps.
SPORTS BAR
Citizen Burger Bar
Runner-up: Kardinal Hall
Honorable mention: Wild Wing Café
Walk into the Downtown Mall burger spot any given afternoon, and you’ll see a full bar of spectators with eyes trained on one of the many TVs behind it, their hands absentmindedly lifting a grass-fed burger to their lips. Golf, basketball, the World Cup—each goes down better with a beer and an American Classic. Readers say the combo is undeniable. At Kardinal Hall, choose from more than 50 beers on offer and take a seat in front of a big screen or play a game yourself. Kardinal’s home to popular board game Chickapig and an outdoor bocce court.
COFFEEHOUSE
Shenandoah Joe
Runner-up: Mudhouse
Honorable mention: MarieBette Café & Bakery
Bigger is better. That’s true of a cup of coffee and that’s true of Shenandoah Joe’s Preston Avenue coffee shop, which in late 2017 underwent a significant expansion. The resulting design capitalized on what caffeine fiends loved about the old space: a cozy area for lounging and sipping and a large section for the roastery (and the consequent waft of fresh brew). In the runner-up spot, Mudhouse shines with multiple locations, thoughtfully sourced beans and a few national awards under its lid.
BRUNCH
MarieBette Café & Bakery
Runner-up: Bluegrass Grill & Bakery
Honorable mention: Tip Top
Whether you’re in the mood for sweet (try the stuffed French toast) or savory (recommended: simple baked eggs, enhanced with just herbs, cream and garlic), expect a wait outside this popular Rose Hill Drive eatery come brunch time. In the few years since they opened, owners Jason Becton and Patrick Evans have turned their bakery, named for their daughtersMarian and Betty, into a must-visit spot for breakfast, lunch and take-home treats. In second place, a longstanding Charlottesville fave: Known for its signature muffiny-sconey biscuits, Bluegrass also often has a line snaking out the door. No matter: It’s worth the wait.
DRAFT BEER SELECTION
Draft Taproom
Runner-up: Beer Run
Honorable mention: Sedona Taphouse
It’s not exactly BYOB, but it is PYOB—pour your own beer. Downtown’s Draft Taproom offers 60 brews on tap, with a twist: Serve yourself. Fill up your pint (or take enough for a little taste) with Starr Hill, Champion or any number of featured breweries from around the country, and your card is automatically charged by the ounce. At Beer Run, expect a variety of choices: The popular Carlton Road spot offers tripels, stouts, IPAs and then some, plus weekday happy hours from 3- 6pm.
RESTAURANT WINE LIST
Tavola
Runner-up: The Alley Light
Honorable mention: Fleurie
In the two years she’s been managing the wine program at Tavola, Priscilla Martin has enacted some significant changes, not only making the Belmont restaurant’s wine list more accessible and reasonably priced, but reaching out to others in the food community to create memorable collaborations, like helping to save an orphaned Pinot Gris from Michael Shaps Wineworks from extinction by bottling it and serving it at the restaurant. Downtown at The Alley Light, local wines take center stage on the extensive menu.
PATIO
Blue Mountain Brewery
Runner-up: Brazos Tacos
Honorable mention: Kardinal Hall
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American is only spending 7 percent of her life outdoors. But does the EPA know about Blue Mountain? Because, listen, try to snag a spot on its patio on an autumn Saturday and all statistics go out the window. Whether you’re under the pergola or at a table beneath one of the brightly colored umbrellas (or, if you’re really trying to soak up some Vitamin D, down by the cornhole boards), readers say the Afton brewpub is the place to be. Back in town at IX, Brazos’ Austin-style tacos make the perfect companion to fresh air and sunshine.
No surprise here: You’ll find the best bartender behind the best bar. Micah LeMon’s been back there since the restaurant opened in 2014 and has taken this title each year since. Readers know he’s the local authority in everything from classics to inventive tiki drinks—and the go-to mixologist when it comes to helping you discover a new favorite. Down the street at The Whiskey Jar, Brett Harder pours from the restaurant’s list of 125+ ryes, whiskeys, bourbons and scotches, and then there’s the menu of craft cocktails.
SPECIALTY FOOD SHOP
Feast!
Runner-up: Foods of All Nations
Honorable mention: The Pie Chest
The largest selection of cured meats in Virginia; local and international cheeses, hand-selected by award-winning cheesemongers; a homemade lunch menu of inventive sandwiches and salads. The list of reasons locals love Feast! is almost as long as its list of accolades. For 16 years, the MainStreet Market shop has made readers believers in shopping (and tasting) local. Off Ivy Road, Foods of All Nations stocks imported and domestic fare, plus a deli counter with specialty meats like head cheese or Lachsschinken, a dry-cured pork loin that takes on the flavors of salmon when aged.
LOCAL WINERY
King Family Vineyards
Runner-up: Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards
Honorable mention: Barboursville Winery
Is it the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains? Is it Sunday polo matches? Is it the selection of wine, finely tuned by winemaker Matthieu Finot? Our best guess, it’s all of these things that keeps readers excited to try any and all of the Crozet winery’s creations. In second place, Pippin Hill’s six acres makes boutique wines from sauvignon blanc, petit verdot and viognier grapes, which the kitchen pairs with its celebrated farm-to-table menu.
LOCAL BREWERY
Three Notch’d Brewing Company
Runner-up: Blue Mountain Brewery
Honorable mention: Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Harrisonburg, Richmond, Charlottesville and, soon, Roanoke? When readers choose Best Local Brewery, they choose one they’ll be able to visit—no matter how far they roam (except Rome)—for APAs, IPAs, sours and then some, each in the brew house’s signature rustic-industrial space. Up Route 151, Blue Mountain boasts 10 beers on tap and a robust menu with burgers, pizzas and sandwiches galore.
LOCAL CIDERY
Bold Rock Hard Cider
Runner-up: Potter’s Craft Cider
Honorable mention: Albemarle CiderWorks
Make it all the way to the summit of Mount Bold Rock, an 801.5-foot elevation (don’t worry, it’s just a ramp from the parking lot to the front door), and you’ve earned a cold Virginia Apple. Or, if you prefer, one of the Nellysford cidery’s seasonal offerings—blackberry, blood orange or even rosé, which debuted in early 2018. City-side, find runner-up Potter’s Craft at its Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative tasting room and cider garden, and get your hands on a glass of grapefruit hibiscus or Farmhouse Dry.
BAKERY
MarieBette Café & Bakery
Runner-up: Albemarle Baking Co.
Honorable mention: Chandler’s Bakery
First came the brioche feuilletée (aka the bronut, a hybrid of brioche, donut and croissant, which earned mentions in Food & Wine and on Thrillist), then the prezzant (part pretzel, part croissant). There’s no telling what the French bakery will come up with next, but we’re happy to keep eating financiers in the meantime. Runner-up ABC charms withbeautiful tarts, pastries and breads(not to mention the baked donuts —an impossibly fluffy-yet-dense confection generously dipped in sugar).
THAI
Monsoon Siam
Runner-up: Thai 99 II
Honorable mention: Thai Cuisine & Noodle House
When Monsoon co-owner Kitty Ashi arrived in the United States in 2006, she had just $500 to her name. Hard work (and a partnership with a friend from art school) eventually grew that to $20,000, which enabled her to buy Monsoon and turn it into Charlottesville’s best Thai restaurant. It might even be Madison, Wisconsin’s best restaurant, too: In 2014, the business partners opened a second (remote) location. Thai 99 II up 29N nabs the runner-up spot with traditional favorites and specialty dishes like crispy duck and volcano chicken.
INDIAN
Milan Indian Cuisine
Runner-up: Himalayan Fusion
Honorable mention: Maharaja
Of course the Emmet Street restaurant serves reliable standards from biryani to vindaloo, but by all accounts, Milan’s lunch buffet is where the magic happens. First,two words: unlimited naan. Ordering the buffet comes with stacks on stacks of hot, fluffy naan right to the table. Next, vegetarian-friendly. Choose a pakora, paneer or a side of salad from the salad bar. Finally, dessert: Skip the mango lassi and indulge in Indian custard and rice pudding (also on the buffet) instead. In second place, Himalayan Fusion’s $9 lunch spread gives downtown diners a taste of Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine.
MEXICAN
Guadalajara
Runner-up: La Michoacana
Honorable mention: Continental Divide
“Mexican food by Mexican folks,”the Guadalajara entry in C-VILLE’s dining guide has read for years. And you’d think it wouldn’t get much better than that, except that each of the restaurant’s four locations offers margs the size of a small fish bowl, complimentary chips and salsa to start and no one blinks an eye when you roll up with seven friends and spend the whole meal cackling over inside jokes (just us?). Runner-up La Michoacana earns your vote with traditional Mexican tacos, the kind Anthony Bourdain might have raved about—just meat, onion, cilantro and lime, served in a hole-in-the-wall spot off East High Street.
JAPANESE
Now and Zen
Runner-up: Ten
Honorable mention: Sakura
The downtown-adjacent sushi spot from former Tokyo Rose chef Toshi Sato may be the size of a postage stamp (or, say, the size of a sushi roll?), but it packs a lot of flavor. Take, for instance, the crunch roll, a combo of tempura shrimp, avocado and crab stick, covered in tempura flakes with a side of eel sauce, or even the regular special blue crab miso soup, which includes half a crustacean in the salty broth. Runner-up Ten wows year after year with upscale Japanese dishes and popular cocktails.
ITALIAN
Tavola
Runner-up: Lampo
Honorable mention: Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Next year, Tavola will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, and with it comes a number of greatest hits —hit recipes and interesting pop- ups (remember Marco Polo?) that demonstrate owner Michael Keaveny’s range and dynamic collaborations, as in 2016 when the restaurant partnered with a Tuscan chef from Charlottesville’s Italian sister city, Poggio a Caiano. Any restaurant-goer knows it’s innovation that keeps us curious, but a plate full of Tavola’s signature pappardelle doesn’t hurt either. A few blocks over, Neapolitan pizza joint Lampo nabs the second place spot for authentic pies and small plates.
FRENCH
Fleurie
Runner-up: MarieBette Café & Bakery
Honorable mention: Bizou
When Jose de Brito—the former Alley Light chef whose other local highlights include HotCakes and Ciboulette—left town to pick up an apron at the Inn at Little Washington, locals thought that might have been the last we’d hear of him. But when he returned in 2017, he landed right where he belongs: In the kitchen at Fleurie. A Charlottesville fine-dining standard-bearer, the downtown restaurant takes the win for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful plating and exquisite tasting menu. In second place is Euro-inspired MarieBette, where you can find Parisian treats from baguettes to pain au chocolat.
CHINESE
Peter Chang China Grill
Runner-up: Red Lantern
Honorable mention: Taste of China
It’s hard to mention Peter Chang China Grill without using the word “elusive”—for so long, its namesake chef was difficult to pin down, having moved from Fairfax to Georgia to Tennessee and then some. By the time he opened Peter Chang China Grill in Barracks Road North Wing in 2011, though, the jig was up: A preview of his award-winning skills at 29N’s Taste of China had already left diners anticipating the menu to come. Though Chang’s long gone, having opened seven more eponymous spots elsewhere in as many years, the Szechuan specialties at PCCG have been hard to top. In second place, Red Lantern is your choice for no-frills Chinese fare and reliable delivery.
STEAK
Downtown Grille
Runner-up: Aberdeen Barn
Honorable mention: The Local
Even as new trends continue to pop up across the local dining scene, a great steak, we’d contend, never goes out of style. Around these parts, readers say the Downtown Grille, with its prime menu of ribeyes, strips and filets, is your pick for a classic T-bone and martini. Runner-up Aberdeen Barn has been cooking your Angus steaks and roast primerib to perfection—over a charcoal hearth, no less—since 1965.
Photo: Tom McGovern
COMFORT FOOD
Riverside Lunch
Runner-up: BBQ Exchange
Honorable mention: Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
To be considered true comfort food, experts (i.e. this writer) agree a dish must have two things: It must be warm (extra points if there’s a bit of grease involved) and it must be served somewhere without a hint of pretension. Riverside’s burgers—smashed, fried and served all the way, on a paper plate—hit the spot every time. Gordonsville barbecue spot BBQ Exchange checks both boxes, too, with a menu of Southern staples out of its barn-inspired interior.
VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY
Revolutionary Soup
Runner-up: Roots Natural Kitchen
Honorable mention: Brazos Tacos
The Three Sisters soup, the Roquefort salad, the black bean and spinach wrap: Whatever your pleasure, readers agree Revolutionary Soup satisfies any number of meat- free cravings from both its downtown and Corner locations. And, in 2017, the restaurant re-introduced its poetry discount: Recite five lines from the work of a featured poet and get 10 percent off your order. On West Main Street, Roots offers a customizable salad bowl menu for even the pickiest of palates.
DIETARY- OR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY
The Juice Laundry
Runner-up: Burtons Grill
Honorable mention: Brazos Tacos
It’s easy to be dietary-friendly when your ingredients are 100 percent pure and 100 percent organic, as they are at The Juice Laundry. The Preston Avenue smoothie bar serves an impossibly delicious (sprouts, parsley, cilantro, jalapeño? We’ll never know why that works), all-natural menu of cold-pressed juices, bowls and cleanses to help you meet your daily nutrition requirements. Allergy-friendly chain Burtons Grill accommodates guests with specific restrictions (peanuts, gluten and then some) with an accessible menu and strict prep protocols.
KID-FRIENDLY
Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie
Runner-up: Brazos Tacos
Honorable mention: Tip Top
Don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t eat with your elbows on the table—there are so many rules for kids come dinnertime. But even Emily Post knows that eating pizza with your hands is not only acceptable, it’s part of the experience (no foolin’, she says it’s A-okay). Dr. Ho’s gives families a reason to dig in, from cheeseburger pizza to the classic Humble Pie. Over at IX, youngsters grab a few Brazos tacos, then go play in the nearby grassy field while their parents sip a watermelon marg.
Photo: Jeffrey Gleason
DESSERT MENU
Oakhart Social
Runner-up: Fleurie
Honorable mention: Bang!
With a menu that’s rave-worthy from top to bottom (the Brussels sprouts! the wangz! the wood-fired oysters!), it’s almost a shame to call out Oakhart for its desserts alone. But the work chef Tristan Wraight and his team at Oakhart are doing for our sweet tooths (sweet teeth?) is certainly as noteworthy as the rest of the menu. Take, for instance, the uber-popular bread pudding, which is essentially a deconstructed s’more: A smear of chocolate pudding coats the plate and is accompanied by generous, lightly torched dollops of marshmallow, pillowy squares of bread and a few handfuls of puppy chow. At Fleurie, pastry chef Serge Torres creates French dinner-enders that are not only stunning in flavor, but almost—we said almost!—too pretty to eat.
FRIED CHICKEN
Wayside Fried Chicken
Runner-up: Michie Tavern
Honorable mention: Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
In 2014, Malcolm Gladwell posed a theory that in order to become an expert in something, you need to have done that thing for 10,000 hours. That would explain, then, why Wayside is our area’s standard-bearer for crispy, juicy, classic fried chicken: The JPA spot has been serving its ole Virginia version for more than 50 years (translation: more than 100,000 hours). At historic Michie Tavern, try anything on the buffet of Southern staples—mashed potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese, stewed tomatoes—but don’t skimp on the yard bird, baked or fried.
BURGER
Citizen Burger Bar
Runner-up: Riverside Lunch
Honorable mention: Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
You pledge allegiance to the grass-fed beef on the patty of Citizen’s burgers, and to the Albemarle Baking Co. bun on which it stands, one lunch special under a fried pickle, with mushrooms and Swiss cheese for all. In the runner-up spot, Riverside’s double cheeseburgers never diminish in your estimation.
BBQ
BBQ Exchange
Runner-up: Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
Honorable mention: Smoked Kitchen and Tap
Like pasta or pancakes, barbecue is a culinary minefield: It looks simple (just slow-roast it and you’re done, no?), but make one wrong step and you’re toast. Luckily, chef Craig Hartman has the chops to take his Gordonsville joint to the top of all the “best barbecue” lists. Since 2010, the former fancy-food chef has taken his fine dining know- how and applied it to pork belly, brisket and then some, earning repeat customers who travel from all over the state to get a taste. In town, hole-in-the-wall Ace offers a menu of from-scratch, down-home favorites.
WINGS
Wild Wing Café
Runner-up: Wings Over Charlottesville
Honorable mention: Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ
Menu hack: To get a taste of a restaurant’s menu, start by eating lunch there first. True, there aren’t many surprises here (it’s wings, man), but the Amtrak station spot offers a mean lunch deal: all-you-can-eat wings for $12.99. You start with 12, and if you think you can handle more, add on six by six with various flavors of sauce until you’re stuffed. Then come back for dinner. Wings Over Charlottesville takes second place with a wide variety of sauces, meaty wings and quick delivery.
PIZZA
Lampo
Runner-up: Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie
Honorable mention: Christian’s Pizza
“Now who ever heard of cutting pizza with scissors?” you can hear your grandmother say. Of course, Lampo isn’t your grandmother’s pizza place…unless your grandmother’s Italian. The Neapolitan joint has been officially certified for authenticity by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana, which means it meets requirements for ingredients, cook time and temperature set forth by the Italian organization. It also, say readers, meets requirements for best pizzain the land. Over in North Garden, Dr. Ho’s takes a more Southern approach, with specialty pies and create-your-own concoctions.
FROZEN TREAT
Splendora’s Gelato
Runner-up: Chaps Ice Cream
Honorable mention: La Flor Michoacana
Splendy’s, for those in the know, is more than just your average gelato shop. Owner PK Ross dreams up inventive recipes, like peach pie or yuzu, to push you outside of your chocolate-or-vanilla comfort zone. And, recently, Ross has expanded her offerings: Don’t miss gelato sandwiches, which combine the downtown shop owner’s unique flavors with cookies from Belmont’s found. market. Just down the mall, Chapsgives you that old-school ice creamshop experience, with oh-so-cozybooths and classic flavors like butter pecan or cherry vanilla.
Photo: Amy Jackson Smith
CHEF
Ian Redshaw (Lampo)
Runner-up: Craig Hartman (BBQ Exchange)
Honorable mention: Dean Maupin (C&O)
Six years ago, before we’d barely even gotten a taste of his talents, then-l’étoile chef de cuisine Ian Redshaw told a C-VILLE writer that his five-year plan included opening a simple Italian restaurant serving authentic Roman food. And how would he get there? “Work hard and keep your head down.” That’s difficult to do when your menu includes the city’s best pizza (and then some) and folks can’t stop buzzing about it, but either way, his dream came true. Over in Gordonsville, Craig Hartman translates his fine-dining background to no-frills, real Virginia barbecue.
ANNUAL FOOD AND DRINK EVENT
Porkapolooza
Runner-up: Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival
Honorable mention: Know Good Beer Festival
There’s a date in mid-February that gives us the warm-fuzzies. The world turns pork, er, pink and there’s love and hope in the air again. …Or is that the smell of smoking pig? We don’t mean Valentine’s Day (though love is certainly involved): Come rain or shine, BBQ Exchange’s annual Porkapolooza is February’s best day, readers say. Each year, chef Craig Hartman presents an all-you-can-eat menu for those willing to belly up to the Gordonsville restaurant for an $18 entrance fee. Monticello’s Wine Trail fest in May gives locals a sip of the AVA, with winemaker dinners, winery tours and a grand tasting event.
SPOT WHEN THE BOSS IS BUYING
The Alley Light
Runner-up: Hamiltons’ at First & Main
Honorable mention: Downtown Grille
Would it be considered a missed opportunity dining at a place where the plates are small and the cocktails plentiful? No, say readers. That’s just what you want when you’re out with your company’s head honcho. Whether you’re getting a raise or getting berated, everything goes down a little smoother with barkeep Micah LeMon’s classic Manhattan. Hamiltons’ keeps it classy with reliable service and the ever-popular Blue Plate Special (or, if you’re really going for it, may we recommend the crab cakes?).
LGBT-FRIENDLY BUSINESS
MarieBette Café & Bakery
Runner-up: Firefly
Honorable mention: Feast!
In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, The Bard writes, “If music be the food of love, play on.” Pardon us, Bill, but we’d wager you’ve never tried a MarieBette baguette. Or an almond croissant. Or any number of things on the Rose Hill Drive patisserie’s menu. If you had, you’d know that baked goods are the food of love. They’re the great equalizer. Who cares who you’re into, as long as you love butter, sugar and flour? At Firefly, all are welcome to knock back a few local brews on draft or try their hand at a game of pinball.
FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESS
Al Carbon
Runner-up: Spring Creek EyeCare
Honorable mention: The Brow House
Opening a restaurant in Charlottesville is no easy feat; there are more than 400 in our area, so making an immediate impression on diners is paramount to success. Luckily for Myriam Hernandez and her husband, Claudio, their order-at-the-counter Mexican street food joint has just what we’ve all been craving. And, with their newest venture, Chew ChewTown, which opened in early 2018 just two doors down, the couple is expanding their reach to a younger set—kids come in, order a burrito and wait for their meal to arrive by train. In second place, Jaime Easton’s Spring Creek optometry practice provides quality care.
It isn’t just that IX Art Park, that whimsical wonderland of weird and provocative work on Second Street, stretches the imagination —though it certainly does. But thefolks at IX also stretch the bounds of what a park should be: a playground with climbables and swing sets? Or a place that puts learning and community at the forefront? IX opts for the latter, with benefits for migrant children and families, nature festivals and even a chance to build a Lego city with a master Lego builder, as per one summer 2018 event. Over at Pen Park, 250 acres gives kids the chance to run and play, with volleyball courts, a baseball field and an outdoor physical fitness course.
Photo: Triple C Camp
SUMMER CAMP
Triple C Camp
Runner-up: Camp Holiday Trails
Honorable mention: YMCA
The two words parents dread the most? “I’m bored.” In fact, that very phrase may be the reason summer camps were invented in the first place. Triple C solves the problem with horseback riding, swimming, a challenge course, woodworking, sculpture, soccer, archery, tennis and more—all toward the camper’s ability to explore and learn more about herself and others. Just outside of town at Camp Holiday Trails, campers with medical needs try their hand at everything from a climbing wall to a zipline.
MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
Charlottesville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Runner-up: Laughing Dragon Kung Fu
Honorable mention: 7 Tigers Taekwondo
Jiu-Jitsu, CBJJ owner Gordon Emery once told us, is like a real-life game of chess. It doesn’t involve punches or kicks, as some martialarts do, but rather joint locks, submission holds and chokes. The Brazilian version utilizes ground fighting, wherein someone smaller and weaker might be able to defeat a person who is bigger and stronger. In the end, it’s all about self-defense, and Emery teaches daily classes to students from 5 years old to folks in their 60s and beyond. At Laughing Dragon, you’ll get a taste of the practice of Chinese boxing.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Emma Rowe (Move Medical Massage & Sports Therapy)
Runner-up: Jennifer Daniel
Honorable mention: Jane Neldon (Commonwealth Massage Therapy)
Not all bodies are created equal —literally. Often, one side weighs more than the other which, in turn,is what can cause pain. Move Medical Massage owner (and athlete) Emma Rowe has spent nearly 20 years developing her own treatment technique, combining various methods—active release, deep tissue massage, assisted stretching, strain counterstrain and more —to combat clients’ acute and chronic discomfort, as well as equip the body for sports and exercise. In the runner-up spot, Jennifer Daniel works out all your kinks from her private practice on East Market Street.
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Eliza Whiteman (FlyDog Yoga)
Runner-up: Liz Reynolds (Zen Bride Yoga)
Honorable mention: Vanessa Schnable (Purvelo)
A one-stop yoga shop. That was FlyDog co-owner Eliza Whiteman’s goal when she opened the doors in 2015. Readers say she did it: They visit the studio for power or heated vinyasa, yin yoga and even barre. The class sizes are intentionally kept small, so Whiteman is able to work individually with each student, providing pointers to improve his form. Freelance yoga instructor (and runner-up) Liz Reynolds applies her background in dance to her practice, paying special attention to physicality as well as mindfulness. Lately, she’s brought those sensibilities to Zen Bridge Yoga, her traveling yoga business that helps bridal parties unwind pre-wedding.
They’ve got a good thing going at Tru Pilates. Between Ellie Tor’s dance, TRX and Stretch Therapy background, and Robin Truxel’s emphasis on helping expectant mothers and those with complicated injuries exercise safely, there’s something for everyone—including those who’ve never tried Pilates at all—at the Warehouse District studio. The company’s group or individual sessions keep them aligned, readers say.
At Purvelo, owner Kristin Watson is committed to doing things a little differently. She keeps the lights low, forgoes walls of mirrors and, in every class, incorporates hand weights and choreography, so it isn’t totally about your legs. You can go at your own pace, of course, but as Watson says, the red knob (which controls your bike’s resistance) controls your destiny. At Zoom, co-owner Justin Goodman gets your heart racing and your legs Jell-O jiggly with fun themed rides and once-a-month date nights, where you and a guest get two-for-one pricing and complimentary drinks and light appetizers after class.
NICHE FITNESS STUDIO
FlyDog Yoga
Runner-up: Orangetheory Fitness
Honorable mention: Zoom Cycle
Among the 30 or so fitness studios in Charlottesville, readers say FlyDog truly stands out above the rest. In addition to traditional and heated vinyasa classes, as well as barre and cardio exercises, the Millmont Street studio offers aerial yoga, during which students are practicing their Downward Dogs and Sun Salutations in a hammock suspended from the ceiling. It quite literally turns your yoga practice on its head. Nearby Orangetheory’s heart-monitored training helps clients burn up to 1,000 calories per hour-long session.
Photo: Amy Jackson Smith
PERSONAL TRAINER
Vanessa Schnable (Purvelo)
Runner-up: Justin Tooley (The Gym)
Honorable mention: Sabrina Feggans (Beyond Fitness with Sabrina)
Charlottesville native Vanessa Schnable has been part of the local fitness scene since 2012, when she started as a personal trainer at ACAC. Since then, she’s taught the benefits of exercise to clients through her work at Lululemon, FlyDog Yoga and Purvelo, where in 2016 the cycle studio launched Purfit with Vanessa, a one-on-one training program, led by Schnable, to enhance clients’ fitness experience. At The Gym, Justin Tooley lends a strongman’s touch to strength and conditioning training.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER
Katharine DeGeorge
Runner-up: Bruce Campbell
Honorable mention: Alicia Dagli, Annika Abrahamson and Greg Gelburd (tie)
Virginia health care being what it is, summoning the gumption to go to the doctor can sometimes require Herculean effort. Then, once you get there, how to tell your provider what’s been ailing you? If you can do the first part—just get your foot in the door—readers say Katharine DeGeorge does the rest, asking the right questions to get you reasonable solutions. Over in Free Union, secondplace goes to Bruce Campbell, who specializes in family medicine at every step, starting with obstetrics and gynecology.
DENTIST
John Knight Jr. (Spring Creek Family Dentistry & Orthodontics)
“A pleasure.” That’s not exactly the phrase that comes to mind when describing a visit to the dentist’s office, but that’s the kindof review John Knight and his team at Spring Creek keep getting, whether for a simple cleaning or dental implants. In Charlottesville and Zion Crossroads, runner- up Aaron Stump and his team setsyoung patients off on the right foot (tooth?) with friendly service and fun lessons about dental hygiene, including avoiding sugar bugs so smiles stay nice and bright.
Like any good renovation—even of your smile—it’s gonna cost you. But David Hamer, in addition to fun or helpful extras like theme weeks where staff members dress up, and a shuttle service to the Crozet office, offers complimentary consultations, payment plansand discounts for things like scheduling your appointments between 9am and 3pm. In other words, he really gives you something to smile about. Charlottesville Orthodontics’ Bart Weis has been aligning the pearly whites of kids, teens and adults in our area for more than 20 years, and takes the No. 2 prize this year.
DERMATOLOGIST
Bridget Bryer (Family Dermatology of Albemarle)
Runner-up: Anna Magee (Charlottesville Dermatology)
Fact: Your skin is home to more than 1,000 species of bacteria. It’s no wonder, then, that every once in a while it acts up—either by developing a weird, random freckle or by going dry in unexpected spots. Whatever the ailment, readers say Bridget Bryer is their go-to doc when it comes to putting their best face (or hair or nails or…) forward. Runner-up Anna Magee and her team take care to rejuvenate, correct and resurface your body’s largest organ.
Hormones, homework, social media—it’s hard to be a kid. And it’s made even harder when you realize that after being a kid comes being an adult. Readers say they trust Paige Perriello to help their teens ease the transition. The Charlottesville native has been practicing at Pediatric Associates’ downtown office for a decade, treating children of all ages for everything from common colds to sports injuries. At Piedmont Pediatrics, Robert Michel monitors your child’s growth and development.
CHIROPRACTOR
Scott Wagner (Scott Wagner Chiropractic & Sports Medicine)
Runner-up: Sam Spillman (Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy)
Honorable mention: Michelle Heppner (Heppner Family Chiropractic & Wellness)
Certainly if you’re having major pains—no, we don’t mean your kids—it makes sense to see a chiropractor. But a little-known fact is that a chiro can also help with something as simple as a headache (according to the American Chiropractic Association, nine out of 10 people suffer from them). This year, readers agree that a visit to Scott Wagner—who also serves as UVA Athletics’ chiropractor—keeps them in check (and not just because he uses a cool anti-gravity treadmill in treatment). Off Preston Avenue, Sam Spillman applies the discipline learned through martial arts practice to repair what ails you.
OPTOMETRIST
Jaime Easton (Spring Creek Eye Care)
Runner-up: Stephen Record (Drs Record & Record Optometrists)
Honorable mention: Joe DiGirolamo (Primary Eyecare)
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. They’re also a window into other health issues you might be experiencing, like diabetes, STIs or even cancer, which is why a regular checkup isn’t only good for getting a new kickin’ pair of frames, but also getting a look at threats to your wellbeing. When you look good, you feel good, and since opening in mid-2016, Jaime Easton and her team at Spring Creek have kept you looking the best you can. Off Hydraulic Road, Stephen Record has a keen eye for improving your vision.
It says it right there in the name: Move better. That’s the goal of each of the Hydraulic Road practice’s orthopedic specialists and, in particular, Heather Walton, who focuses on tension headaches, neck pain, fall prevention, spine rehab, post-surgical shoulder, hip and knee care, as well as TMJ dysfunction. In other words, she helps develop a plan to get you back in fighting shape. At ACAC, physical therapy executive director Kim Starr specializes in treating injured athletes.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
Katharine Knapp
Runner-up: William Fox and Chapin Faulconer (tie)
Honorable mention: Dan Elash
Using expressive arts therapies—think drama, dance, creative writing or sandplay—to enhance counseling and restore balance to one’s mental health, Katharine Knapp practices treating those with complex trauma. In second place, a tie between William Fox, who works with those experiencing anxiety and mood disorders and approaching difficult life transitions, and Chapin Faulconer, who provides therapy in the areas of anger management, grief and loss, addiction and recovery and more.
Photo: Spring Creek Golf Club
GOLF COURSE
Spring Creek Golf Club
Runner-up: Birdwood Golf Course
Honorable mention: Farmington Country Club
Scuttlebutt around the green (and among internet threads on the topic) is that Spring Creek might not stay a public course for long, so it may behoove readers who voted it No. 1 again this year to head to the fairways while they still can. The bentgrass course consistently earns praise for its bunkers, conditioning and value. At Birdwood, the par-72 course is undergoing a change as well: In 2017, UVA announced plans to rebuild the site, which was constructed in 1984, and create a world-class facility for the public as well as boost recruitment for the college’s golf program.
Runner-up: Story House Real Estate and Montague Miller & Co. (tie)
Honorable mention: Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
If the name Jim Duncan sounds familiar, it’s because the realtor—and Nest founder—has been an agent in our area for nearly 20 years, penning the Real Central VA blog and educating clients about home-buying in Charlottesville, Crozet and beyond. He started Nest in 2009 to usher in a new generation of realtors, and has grown the company from three to 200 agents in 11 markets. In the No. 2 spot, Sasha Farmer and her six-person team make buying and selling—whether it’s your first or 10th time—a breeze, while Montague Miller earns yourvote with 70 years in the business.
Photo: Amy Jackson Smith
REAL ESTATE AGENT
Sasha Farmer
Runner-up: Jamie White
Honorable mention: Candice Van Der Linde
Don’t call it a comeback. Though three years have passed since Sasha Farmer last took the best realtor prize, she hasn’t just been twiddling her thumbs. Quite the opposite: She’s been working on starting her own brokerage, Story House Real Estate, which she officially launched in spring of 2018, while serving as Montague Miller & Co.’s vice president of innovation. In the runner-up spot, another former Montague Miller & Co. realtor, Jamie White, whose own brokerage firm has earned a favorable reputation in the six years since it opened.
HOMEBUILDER
Southern Development Homes
Runner-up: Craig Builders
Honorable mention: Alexander Nicholson
Just six months from now, you could have a brand new house. If it sounds like one of those things that’s too good to be true, it isn’t. That’s how long it takes the folks at Southern Development to buildyour custom home—from researching floor plans to choosing light fixtures—in 10 communities throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle, including Crozet’s uber-desirable Old Trail Village. In the No. 2 spot, Craig Builders has been crafting stylish homes in the Charlottesville area since 1957.
LANDSCAPING COMPANY
Town & Country Services
Runner-up: Snow’s Garden Center
Honorable mention: Ivy Nursery
If you’re lucky enough to own some acreage in our area, you’ve probably hired Town & Country, the longest-licensed landscape contractor in Charlottesville and Albemarle (in business since 1973!). The city company handles everything from mowing and maintenance to installing pools and garden fountains. At Snow’s, find the lush elements you need to complete your backyard oasis, then hire the pros to do the work for you.
ARCHITECTURE FIRM
VMDO Architects
Runner-up: Wolf Ackerman
Honorable mention: Bushman Dreyfus Architects
In 2012, VMDO decided that, as the firm grew to include 50 or 60 architects under one roof, it no longer made sense to have everyone work as a generalist. It split into three studios—athletics and community, K-12 and higher education—and designated teams to specialize in each. The move paid off: The downtown studio has since done some of its best (and best-recognized) work, including a record-setting design for Arlington’s Discovery Elementary School, the largest zero-energy school in the country. Meanwhile, runner-up Wolf Ackerman takes a modern approach to designing spaces both public and private.
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Interior Concepts
Runner-up: Gibson Design Group
Honorable mention: Faulconer Design
Tamara Lacy displayed an interest in design from an early age: She can remember how her grandfather, a farmer and oysterman, would collect pieces of furniture he loved and line them up on thewall. He appreciated each piece, but Lacy knew they could be arranged to better display their relationship to one another and to the space. These days, the Interior Concepts owner does the same for clients, either by dreaming up a brand new space or refreshing an existing one. Readers turn to her to turn their house into a home. In second place, Andrea Gibson brings a refined, thoughtful approach to residential, commercial and new construction projects.
LAW FIRM
Tucker Griffin Barnes
Runner-up: Legal Aid Justice Center
Honorable mention: McGuireWoods LLP
When William Tucker founded TGB in 1990, he had a few goals in mind: to create a firm large enough to handle a range of client issues but small enough that they’d feel welcome; to staff the firm with smart, talented and passionate attorneys who live and work in their community as well as give back to it; to vigorously fight for clients’ justice, but offer compassion when the outcome isn’t as planned. Twenty-eight years later, readers say he’s achieved his goal. The Charlottesville-, Palmyra- and Harrisonburg-based firm handles cases ranging from accident and liability to traffic and real estate (and more), by a staff of mostly female attorneys. In second place, nonprofit firm Legal Aid gives free legal assistance to those with low incomes on issues related to housing, domestic violence, economic stability, discrimination and beyond.
LAWYER
William Tucker
Runner-up: Scott Goodman
Honorable mention: Chip Royer
A founding partner of Tucker Griffin Barnes, William Tucker has been practicing real estate law since 1972. Readers turn to him for property disputes, short sales and general residential contracts. In second place, Scott Goodman has represented clients in criminal and traffic cases—including DUIs—for more than 30 years, with experience as both a defense lawyer and prosecutor.
BANK
UVA Community Credit Union
Runner-up: Bank of America
Honorable mention: Wells Fargo
Talk about a snowball effect. Beginning in the 1950s, as more corporations and institutions were creating credit unions to meet the financial needs of their employees, UVA Hospital did the same. In the ’70s, it grew to include other employee groups and absorbed smaller credit unions. In the 1990s, it expanded its offerings to serve anyone who lived and worked in the area. Today, UVACC has branches in eight counties and Charlottesville, providing checking, savings and loans to residents for more than 50 years. In second place, national institution Bank of America offers all the usual money management services from eight locations in our area.
MORTGAGE LENDER
UVA Community Credit Union
Runner-up:Waterstone Mortgage
Honorable mention: Atlantic Coast Mortgage
Second verse, same as the first. UVA Community Credit Union gets your vote for mortgage lending, too. You turn to them for a range of product offerings—from FHA to jumbo loans—as well as homebuyer seminars to help you get better acquainted with the process. At runner-up Waterstone Mortgage, readers get funding fast, through innovative mortgage solutions and great customer service.
INSURANCE AGENT
Hunter Wyant
Runner-up: Gary Albert
Honorable mention: Beth Towe Heck
Former Florida Marlin Hunter Wyant may have ended his baseball career in 2003, but he’s been hitting it out of the park as a State Farm agent ever since. Specializing in everything from auto and health to home and life insurance, the UVA alum also offers training and consulting to insurance and finance pros through his business, Trophy Consulting. In second place, fellow State Farm agent Gary Albert guides you through the process with nearly 15 years of experience.
NONPROFIT
Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA
Runner-up: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Honorable mention: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia
The Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA took in 2,844 animals in 2017, and all but 300 were adopted. Of course, adoption isn’t the only service of the SPCA: The shelter is also a resource for dog training, spaying and neutering, pet therapy and cremation. In other words,it’s a one-stop pet shop (it also has a retail arm, the SPCA Rummage Store, and a small shop at the shelter with pet food and accessories for sale), so your donation goes a long way. In second place, Blue Ridge Area Food Bankhas been providing the food-insecure with assistance through a network of more than 200 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, churches and other nonprofit groups.
CAR REPAIR SHOP
Airport Road Auto Center
Runner-up: Bob’s Wheel Alignment
Honorable mention: Peacock Auto Services
A visit to the mechanic, to us, has always seemed like a visit to a foreign country: You don’t speak the language and you get the feeling that whatever you buy, you’ve overpaid. Not so at Airport Road Auto Center, where you can get upfront quotes and bring in your own parts (translation: You’re not tied to their vendors; you can shop around). In second place, Bob’s Wheel Alignment on Market Street specializes in tires—fitting, selling, rotating—but handles other repairs like alignments, inspections and heating and cooling services, too.
DOGGIE DAYCARE
All Things Pawssible
Runner-up: The Dogg House
Honorable mention: Pet Paradise and Tail Wags (tie)
As a young girl, Karen Quillen was often getting in trouble for stealing meat out of the fridge to give to hungry neighborhood dogs. It’s no wonder, then, that she grew up to provide the same kind of care and hospitality to her clients. A stay at All Things Pawssible’s Bed & Biscuit—a 4,000-square-foot facility with open, sunny spaces and artificial turf for exercising—offers your furry friend a cozy spotto lay her head, with a raw beef marrow bone and calming music in the background. Plus, readers say, Quillen is a master during obedience classes, helping you speak Lucy’s language and understand her idiosyncrasies. At The Dogg House, both canines and felines are welcome, and get five-star treatment with playtime, rest time and grooming options.
“Honest,” “ethical,” “caring,” “gentle”—there’s no end to the number of positive accolades given to Drs. Fietz, Handley, Peppard and Stone at Georgetown Vet. The family-run practice opened in 1959 and has provided quality care for puppers and kittens—including pet boarding and grooming—every year since.Over on Fifth Street, Monticello Animal Hospital earns praise for its compassionate care and friendly staff.
PRIVATE SCHOOL
St. Anne’s-Belfield School
Runner-up: Tandem Friends School
Honorable mention: The Covenant School
Broadly speaking, if the goal of academia is to prepare students to be curious, responsible, honorable citizens of the world, St. Anne’s-Belfield has been setting the standard in our area since its founding in 1856, when it opened as an all-girls academy promoting the type of learning afforded to men at the University of Virginia. When the school re-opened in 1910 as a coed, pre-K to grade 12 institution, it re-committed to its mission. Today, by the time they graduate, students log 60 hours of community service, travel abroad and participate in an internship. At Quaker day school Tandem Friends, students in grades five through 12 experience rigorous academics and participate in the stewardship of their environment, through community gardening and sorting recyclables.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Albemarle High School
Runner-up: Western Albemarle High School
Honorable mention: Monticello High School
With programs like MESA (Math, Engineering & Science Academy), TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) and Arts and Letters, it’s clear that academics at the largest comprehensive high school in the area is of utmost importance. And it shows: By December 2017, 91 graduating seniors had been accepted to colleges during on-site admissions, with initial scholarship offers totaling $1.64 million. Atrunner-up Western Albemarle, students are encouraged to participate in cool projects like designing and building a tiny house or donating their hair to help cancer patients (talk about school spirit!).
Preschool
Bright Beginnings Preschool
Runner-up: The International School of Charlottesville
Honorable mention: St. Mark Lutheran Preschool
Bright Beginnings? Try Humble Beginnings. When BBP owner Kathe Petchel opened the school in 1984, it was out of her Earlysville home and had just nine students. But like any true success story, the school continued to grow, becoming what it is today, with three locations for infants, waddlers, toddlers and beyond to learn everything from motor skills and responsibility to literacy and nutrition. At The International School, students participate in Spanish and French immersion programs from preschool through kindergarten.
HAIR SALON
Moxie Hair & Body Lounge
Runner-up: The Honeycomb
Honorable mention: Bristles Hair Design & Day Spa
The difference between a good haircut and a bad one, as they say, is seven days. But whether you’re looking for a spiky pixie cut, a balayage dye job or want to experiment with bangs, at Moxie, none of those silly old adages are needed. Readers say the hip Preston Avenue salon gets it right every time. At The Honeycomb downtown, try out the latest trends —or just get an expert cut for your hard-to-handle tresses—with impunity.
NAIL SALON
Red Handed Nails Salon & Spa
Runner-up: Serenity Nails & Spa
Honorable mention: Neroli Spa & Beauty Lounge
You look like you could use a break. Pick one of the salon’s hundreds of colors—from acrylic to gel to organic—then head to the bar (the nail bar, that is, where the technicians perform the sacred relaxation ritual) for a profesh polish. Don’t forget about the pedicures, though: Forty-five minutes in the Stonefield salon’s uber-comfy chairs, readers say, is an unparalleled way to feel pampered. At Serenity Nails on Preston Avenue, friendly service amps up the relaxation factor.
SPA
Halo Salt Spa
Runner-up: The Brow House
Honorable mention: Signature Medical Spa
Why so salty? Because Himalayansalt is known to reduce inflammation and aid breathing, thin outmucus and eliminate allergens. So, a visit to the downtown spot is practically like taking an antibiotic. It’s medical. What’s more, the crystals are known to increase your seratonin levels—if that’s not the true function of a spa, we don’t know what is. Runner-up Brow House offers you waxing from top to bottom, plus facials and eyelash lifts and tints.
ESTHETICIAN
Brooke Fossett (The Brow House)
Runner-up: Lyn Chang (Signature Medical Spa)
Honorable mention: Leigh Walsh (Signature Medical Spa) and Ruby Liesen (The Brow House) (tie)
Last year, aka the year of the eyebrow, freed faces from plucking, threading, microblading and generally torturing its forehead fringein favor of lush, prominent brows. Of course, not too lush, which is where readers say Brooke Fossett comes in. TBH’s owner waxes andshapes your caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. And while the Preston Avenue shop waxes other parts of your body, too—its Brazilian execution is expert—it’s named The Brow House for a reason. Runner-up Lyn Chang offers a range of high-end services for the face, eyes, body and hair, from microdermabrasion to SilkPeel.
HOTEL
Graduate Charlottesville and Omni Charlottesville Hotel (tie)
Runner-up: Keswick Hall
Honorable mention: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Charlottesville
Don’t get it twisted: A tie for first here doesn’t mean the winners are interchangeable. In fact, just the opposite. On the Corner, the Graduate offers overnighters whimsical details (think a mix of patterns and textures, quirky artwork and bikes to rent) and a rooftop bar. For those with more traditional design sense, the upscale Omni impresses with Blue Ridge views, a glass elevator (don’t look down!) and just a few steps to the Downtown Mall. Keswick Hall, which closed for a makeover in 2018, is poised to come back better than ever—with renovations to the guest rooms and suites, public areas and restaurants (in other words, the whole hotel).
INN OR B&B
Oakhurst Inn
Runner-up: The Clifton
Honorable mention: 200 South Street Inn
Certainly a staycation (the term people use when they forego travel expenses and, instead, indulge locally) isn’t the only reason Oakhurst has captured our hearts —its proximity to UVA and downtown make it attractive to out-of-towners, too—but a random Tuesday at the Jefferson Park Avenue inn, followed by a Wednesday morning brunch at its in-house café, is the best way to recharge. Runner-up The Clifton revamped its look in 2018, with new interior design that features a bolder color palette and richly textured fabrics, giving it a new grown-up, urban feel. Perhaps it’s making a play for next year’s No. 1 spot?
Photo: Skyclad Aerial
APARTMENT COMPLEX
City Walk
Runner-up: Stone Creek Village
Honorable mention: Lakeside Apartments
There are at least three reasons residents like living in City Walk, that 300-unit monolith at the end of Water Street: location, location, location. With its proximity to Beer Run to the east and the Downtown Mall to the west, it’s in a prime position for regular entertainment—and brews, whichrenters can work off in the 24-hour fitness center or by taking a few laps around the saltwater pool. At Stone Creek, Albemarle renters get a taste of Europe, with a cobbled façade and amenities within walking distance.
