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Order up! A guide to restaurant, food truck, and winery takeout

Here is our list of local establishments that are open and waiting to take your call-in order. (Keep in mind that some information is subject to change, and descriptions may not apply, due to current circumstances.) Email living@c-ville.com to add your restaurant to the list.

Asian Cuisine

Afghan Kabob Palace Authentic Afghan cuisine. 400 Emmet St. N. 245-0095. $$. ORDER
Asian Express Chinese and Japanese with healthy options. 909 W. Main St. 979-1888. $. ORDER
Bamboo House Korean and Chinese options. 4831 Seminole Trail. 973-9211. $$.
Chimm Thai Thai street food. 5th Street Station. 288-1122. $$. ORDER
Doma Korean Kitchen Korean-style barbecue, kimchi, and more. 701 W. Main St. 202-1956. $. ORDER
Kanak Indian Kitchen Offering traditional homemade Indian food, plus cocktails to-go. 385 Merchant Walk Sq. Ste. 400. 328-2775. $. ORDER
Lemongrass Vietnam meets Thailand. Veggie options and delivery, too. 104 14th St. NW. 244-THAI. $$. ORDER
Lime Leaf Thai A tad more upscale than the average Thai place, open for takeout. Rio Hill Shopping Center. 245-8884. $/$$. ORDER
Maru A modern take on traditional Korean food with takeout and patio service. 412 E Main St. 956-4110. $/$$. ORDER

Milan Indian Cuisine Authentic Indian cuisine with all the standards, beer and wine available to go. 1817 Emmet St. 984-2828. $$. ORDER
Mochiko Good Hawaiian eats (and suggested Hawaiian beer pairings, too). The Yard at 5th Street Station. $. ORDER
Monsoon Siam Delicious, unpretentious favorites like pad Thai, tom yum noodle soup, and vegetarian dishes. $$. ORDER
Now & Zen Gourmet Japanese and sushi spot. 202 Second St. NW. 971-1177. $$. ORDER
Pad Thai Homestyle Thai cooking from an experienced chef. They’ll also fill your growler and give you a free hot tea. 156 Carlton Rd. 293-4032. $$. ORDER
Peter Chang China Grill Authentic Sichuan cuisine by a renowned chef. Barracks Road Shopping Center North Wing. 244-9818. $$. ORDER
Red Lantern Chinese cuisine by the pint or the quart. 221 Carlton Rd. 979-9968. $. ORDER
Silk Thai Fresh, authentic Thai, plus specials like marinated wings. 2210 Fontaine Ave. 977-8424. $$. ORDER
Tara Thai Serves up affordable Thai faves, with multiple meat, fish, and veggie options. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-9998. $$. ORDER

Taste of China Chinese favorites on 29N. Albemarle Square Shopping Center. 975-6688. $$. ORDER

Taste of India Delicious Indian fare and a lunch buffet under $9. 310 E. Main St, Downtown Mall. 984-9944. $$. ORDER

Ten Upscale second-floor spot serving modern Japanese and offering its popular cocktails like the Geisha and the Lychee Martini for carry-out. 120B E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 295-6691. $$$. ORDER
Thai ’99 II Thai noodle and rice dishes, curries and stir-frys in an inspired interior. Gardens Shopping Center. 964-1212. $. ORDER
Thai Cuisine & Noodle House Traditional Thai food, noodle dishes, and vegetarian specials. 2005 Commonwealth Dr. 974-1326. $$. ORDER

VuNoodles Fresh, vegetarian Vietnamese noodles, pho, bahn mi, and more. 111 E. Water St. 465-1267.  ORDER

Bakeries

Albemarle Baking Company Get your ABCs of baked goods brought right to your car. 418 W. Main St., in the Main Street Market. 293-6456. $. ORDER
Bowerbird Bakeshop Pastries, breads, and cookies using locally sourced ingredients, delivered right to your doorstep. 120 10th St. NW, bowerbirdbakeshop.com. $ ORDER

Gearharts Fine Chocolates an artisan chocolate shop that specializes in handmade confections, which also includes baked pastries, cakes, cookies, brownies coffee and hot chocolate at the cafe. 243 Ridge McIntire Rd. 972-9100. $$-$$$. ORDER

Great Harvest Bread Company Sandwiches, sweets, and bread baked from scratch every day. McIntire Plaza. 202-7813. $. ORDER
MarieBette Café & Bakery French pastries for breakfast, more pastries for lunch. 700 Rose Hill Dr. 529-6118. $. ORDER
Petite MarieBette MarieBette’s little sister. 105 E. Water St. 284-8903. $. ORDER

Paradox Pastry Fix your daily sugar craving with these baked goods and delectable treats. 313 2nd St SE #103. 245-2453. $$. ORDER
The Pie Chest Homemade breakfast and hand pies, plus by-the-slice options (for those who can’t decide). 119 Fourth St. NE., 977-0443; 1518 E. High St., 984-0555. $. ORDER
Quality Pie In the former Spudnuts spot, ex-Mas tapas chef Tomas Rahal serves inventive dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 309 Avon St. 284-5120. $$. ORDER

Sliced. Cake Bar Mobile cake bar offering whole cakes, cake flights, cake pops, and buttercream shots, for delivery or curbside pickup (they’ll give you the address). ORDER

Bars and Grills

Alamo Drafthouse See a movie and get cold drinks, delicious meals and tasty local beers, brought to your seat by a server. Menu features burgers, pizzas, salads, snacks, and desserts prepared fresh from locally sourced ingredients. 375 Merchant Walk Square. 326-5056. $.

Beer Run Massive tap and packaged beer offerings, killer nachos, three meals daily. 156 Carlton Rd., 984-2337. $$. Use the orange button to ORDER
Fardowners Restaurant Local ingredients liven up pub fare like sliders and sandwiches. 5773 The Square, Crozet. 823-1300. $/$$. ORDER

Firefly Craft beer, burgers, salads, vegetarian- friendly menu. 1304 E. Market St. 202-1050. $. ORDER

Peloton Station a casual spot that marries an open bike repair shop with a restaurant/bar that specializes in killer pub fare, craft beer, and ride culture. Dine in or order online. 114 10th St. NW. 284-7786. $$. ORDER

Matchbox Restaurant Wood-fired pizzas, salads, salmon & steak dinners, gourmet burgers and a happy hour M-F from 3-6. 2055 Bond St., 284-8874. $$. ORDER

Sedona Taphouse Lots of craft beers (and sangria to-go) and an all-American menu. 1035 Millmont St. 296-2337. $$. ORDER

Selvedge Brewing  Opened in July, The Wool Factory includes Selvedge Brewing, a brewery with delicious, elevated bar fare from Chef Tucker Yoder. 1837 Broadway St. 270-0555. $$. ORDER

TCO to-go Specialty sandwiches like pulled pork and fried fish from The Catering Outfit in a drive-thru.

Texas Roadhouse Steaks, ribs, and from-scratch sides. Albemarle Square. 973-4700. $$.
Timberwood Grill All-American eatery and after-work watering hole. 3311 Worth Crossing, 975-3311. $$.

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery  Locally-sourced, beer-infused dishes including Southern classics and a kids menu.  Curbside & Patio Pickup at 520 2nd St. SE. 956.3141. $$. ORDER

The Whiskey Jar Saloon-style Southern spot with, naturally, more than 90 varieties of whiskey (get some in a cocktail to-go). Right now, musicians eat for free. Order from sister restaurants Revolutionary Soup and The Bebedero and pick up food from all three, at once. 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 202-1549. $$. ORDER
Whistlestop Grill Southern comfort foods in Crozet. 1200 Crozet Ave. 823-9000. $. Call to order

Breakfast Joints

Farm Bell Kitchen New-Southern cuisine with local farm-to-table ingredients. 1209 W. Main St. 205-1538. $$. ORDER
First Watch Breakfast, brunch, and lunch chain with locally grown ingredients. 1114B Emmet St. N. 202-5383. $$. ORDER

Villa Diner. Mainstay with housemade pancakes, biscuits, roast turkey, soups, sides, and salad dressings. 1250 Emmet St. N. 296-9977. $. ORDER.

Murphy’s Coffee & Bagel House Ruckersville breakfast house serves delicious coffee and freshly-baked New York bagels. 26 Buck Dr. 939-6033. $$. ORDER.

Burgers, BBQ, Dogs and Diners

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue Breakfast and lunch spot with BBQ and soul food by the biscuit. 600 Concord Ave. 202-1403. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Blue Moon Diner 600 W. Main St. Beloved local diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner options like pancakes, breakfast burritos, burgers, and BLTs. $/$$ ORDER
Burger Bach New Zealand-inspired gastropub. The Shops at Stonefield. 328-2812. $$. ORDER

Cavalier Diner Breakfast all day, traditional diner fare, and Greek food. 1403 N. Emmet St. 977-1619.
Doodle’s Diner Country cookin’ from breakfast to burgers. 1305 Long St. 295-7550. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Five Guys Two locations for local carnivores. Barracks Road Shopping Center, 975-GUYS; Hollymead Town Center, 963-GUYS. $. ORDER
Fox’s Café Daily specials, burgers, dogs, and dinners. 403 Avon St. 293-2844. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ The Lazy Parrot Grill’s sister restaurant. Pantops Shopping Center. 244-0723. $/$$. ORDER
Luv’n Oven Gizzards, livers, fries, and shakes. 162 Village Sq., Scottsville. 286-3828. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Martin’s Grill Delicious hamburgers, veggie burgers, and fries. Forest Lakes Shopping Center. 974-9955. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Mel’s Café Southern soul-soothing food. A longtime favorite on West Main. 719 W. Main St. 971-8819. $. ORDER
Mission BBQ Pulled turkey, pork, and chicken, plus racks by the bone. The Shops at Stonefield. 260-7740. $. ORDER
Moe’s Original BBQ Alabama-style pulled pork smoked in-house. 2119 Ivy Rd., 244-7427; 200 W. Water St., 202-2288. $. ORDER
Moose’s by the Creek American favorites, plus mounted moose antlers for photo ops. 1710 Monticello Rd. 977-4150. $. ORDER
Riverside Lunch Popular joint known for smashburgers. 1429 Hazel St. 971-3546. $. Takeout only. ORDER

Royalty Eats Soul food goodness including Chicken & Waffles, ribs, and specialties like teriyaki salmon. 820 Cherry Ave. $ ORDER

Wayside Takeout & Catering Famous Ole Virginia fried chicken and barbecue sandwiches. 2203 Jefferson Park Ave. 977-5000. $. ORDER
Wild Wing Café Classic wings and beer. 820 W. Main St. 979-WING. $/$$. ORDER

Coffee Places with Kitchens

Baine’s Books & Coffee Wide selection of coffee, tea, pastries, and paninis. 485 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-3577. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Belle Coffee & Wine Breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Free kids meals with adult meals. 996-4919. $$. ORDER
C’ville Coffee & Wine Full menu of coffee, sandwiches, and wines. 1301 Harris St. 817-2633. $. Takeout only. ORDER
Greenberry’s Java and specialty drinks, fresh baked goods. Order using the online advanced order app. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0200. $.
Milli Coffee Roasters Espresso drinks, chai, hot chocolate, light fare, wine. 400 Preston Ave, Suite 150. 270-9706. $. Whole bean delivery available. ORDER

The Workshop A coffee and wine shop featuring Grit Coffee and pastries from Cou Cou Rachou, located in the Wool Factory. 1837 Broadway St. 270-0555. $. ORDER

Family-Friendly

Ann’s Family Restaurant Good old country cooking. 1170 Thomas Nelson Hwy. (Rte. 29, south of Lovingston). 263-8110. $. Takeout only. ORDER
The Light Well Coffee-kitchen-tavern serves healthy ingredients in original recipes. 110 E. Main St., Orange. (540) 661-0004. $. ORDER
Michie Tavern Traditional Southern lunch from an 18th-century tavern. 683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. 977-1234. $$. Takeout only. ORDER

Frozen Treats

Chaps More than 20 years of gourmet homemade ice cream. Diner fare including breakfast and burgers. 223 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 977-4139. $. ORDER
Corner Juice UVA alum-owned juice spot with fresh, cold-pressed options. 1509 University Ave. $. ORDER

Kirt’s Homemade Ice Cream Ice cream made fresh in the store. Albemarle Square Shopping Center. 202-0306. $. Call for pickup

La Flor Michoacana Homemade paletas (popsicles), ice cream, and ice cream cakes, plus other sweet treats. 601A Cherry Ave. 984-1603 $. Call for pickup
Smoothie King Chain features smoothies, supplements, and healthy snacks. Barracks Road Shopping Center, 295-8502; Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center, 975-5464. $.

Gourmet Groceries and Gas Stations

Batesville Market Sandwiches to order, salads, and baked goods plus cheeses, produce, and packaged goods. 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. 823-2001. $. ORDER
Bellair Market Gourmet sandwich spot on Ivy Road. 2401 Ivy Rd. 971-6608. $. ORDER
Blue Ridge Bottle Shop Craft beer store with both bottles and growlers available—plus sample before you buy! 2025 Library Ave, Crozet. 602-2337. $. ORDER
Brownsville Market Breakfast starting at 5am, plus burgers, sides, and famous fried chicken. 5995 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. 823-5251. $. Call for pickup
Feast! Nationally noted cheese, wine, and specialty food shop. 416 W. Main St., in the Main Street Market. 244-7800. $$. ORDER
Foods of All Nations Sandwiches, deli, and salads at this gourmet grocery. 2121 Ivy Rd. 296-6131. $.  ORDER
Greenwood Gourmet Grocery Made-to-order sandwiches, fresh soup and a deli with mac-n-cheese, bread pudding, and other rotating dishes. 6701 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. (540) 456-6431. $. ORDER
Hunt Country Market A rotating menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus wine offerings. 2048 Garth Rd. 296-1648. $. Call to order
Integral Yoga Natural Foods All-natural food, organic produce, supplements, plus a deli and juice/ smoothie bar. 923 Preston Ave. 293-4111. $. Call to order
J.M. Stock Provisions Whole-animal butcher shop with sandwiches to go, great craft beer selection, and nicely curated wine selection. 709 W. Main St. 244-2480. $$. ORDER
Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen Belmont grocery with breakfast and lunch sammies, plus takeaway dinners. 703 Hinton Ave. 989-7648. $. ORDER
Market Street Café Gourmet breakfast, rotisserie chicken, and deli meats. 1111 E. Rio Rd. 964-1185. $.
Market Street Market Deli in the downtown grocery serves sandwiches and prepared foods. 400 E. Market St. 293-3478. $. ORDER
Market Street Wine An expertly curated selection. 305 Rivanna Plaza Dr., Suite 102, 964-9463; 311 E. Market St., 979-9463. $$. ORDER
Mill Creek Market The Southern sister of Bellair Market. Avon Street, across from the Southside Shopping Center. 817-1570. $. ORDER
Trader Joe’s This grocery chain boasts top quality at low cost, including “Two Buck Chuck” wine (which is actually $3.50). The Shops at Stonefield. 974-1466. $$.
Whole Foods Market Fresh, all-natural sandwiches ranging from classic favorites to vegan delights. 1797 Hydraulic Rd. 973-4900. $$.
Wyant’s Store Country-store fare like coffee and donuts, with daily specials and a great (cheap!) cheeseburger. 4696 Garth Rd., Crozet. 823-7299. $.

Italian and Pizza

Anna’s Pizza No. 5 In the family for 35 years. 115 Maury Ave. 295-7500. $. ORDER
Belmont Pizza and Pub Fresh, stone-baked pizza on hand-tossed pies. Beer, too! 211 Carlton Rd., Suite 10. 977-1970. $. ORDER
College Inn Late-night goodness. Pizza, gyros, subs, and its delivery can’t be beat. Breakfast items, too. 1511 University Ave. 977-2710. $. ORDER
Crozet Pizza Unpretentious, family-owned pizza parlor with nationally recognized pies. 5794 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet, 823-2132; 20 Elliewood Ave., 202-1046. $. ORDER
Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie Pizza joint in the Crossroads mini-mall. 4916 Plank Rd., on 29S at North Garden. 245-0000. $/$$. ORDER
Fabio’s New York Pizza Pizza, subs, salads, and calzones made by natives of Naples. Get your pie the Sicilian way. 1551 E. High St. 872-0070. $. ORDER
Fellini’s #9 A local landmark featuring Italian favorites plus some inventive new takes. 200 W. Market St. 979-4279. $$. ORDER
Lampo Authentic Neapolitan pizzeria in Belmont. 205 Monticello Rd. 282-0607. $. ORDER

Luce Literal hole in the wall serving fresh, handmade pasta to go. 110 2nd St. NW. $$. ORDER
Mellow Mushroom Trippy-themed franchise, with great pizza and even better beer selection. 1321 W. Main St. 972-9366. $. ORDER

Red Pump Kitchen Tuscan-inspired restaurant . 401 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 202-6040. $$. ORDER

Tavola Rustic Italian with housemade pastas, craft cocktails, and a Wine Spectator award-winning list. 826 Hinton Ave. 972-9463. $$. ORDER

Vita Nova Creative ingredients on hearty pizza by the slice. 310 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 977-0162. $. ORDER

Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria This regional chain has pies plus a slew of caloric subs, pastas, and stromboli. Hollymead Town Center. 973-4055. $$. ORDER
Vivace Every kind of pasta imaginable, plus seafood. 2244 Ivy Rd. 979-0994. $$. ORDER
Vocelli Pizza Pizza, pasta, panini, salads, and stromboli for carryout and delivery, plus antipasti. Woodbrook Shopping Center. 977-4992. $. ORDER

Latin American

Al Carbon Chicken prepared in an Indigenous Mexican coal-fire flame-roasted rotisserie manner, plus sides like fried yucca and fried plantains . 1875 Seminole Trail, 964-1052. $. ORDER

Brazos Tacos Austin, Texas-style breakfast, lunch, early dinner, and brunch tacos. 925 Second St. SE, 984-1163. $. ORDER

The Bebedero Upscale authentic Mexican, plus cocktails and made-to-order guac. Order from sister restaurants Revolutionary Soup and The Whiskey Jar and pick up food from all three, at once. 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 234-3763. $$. ORDER
Chipotle Simple menu of made to order burritos and tacos. Barracks Road Shopping Center, 872-0212; 2040 Abbey Rd. Suite 101, 984-1512. $. ORDER

Continental Divide Charlottesville’s favorite hole-in-the-wall spot has delicious tacos and enchiladas. 811 W Main St, 984-0143. $$. ORDER.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Fresh, handmade, Baja-style Mexican food. 435 Merchant Walk Sq., Suite 600. 214-0500. $. ORDER
Guadalajara Family-run Mexican food celebrating 30 years. 805 E. Market St., 977-2676; 395 Greenbrier Dr., 978-4313; 2206 Fontaine Ave., 979-2424; 108 Town Country Ln., 293-3538; 3450 Seminole Trail, 977-2677. $. ORDER

Guajiros Miami Eatery Food inspired by the everyday meals of Miami, with strong Cuban influence as well as Central and Southern American dishes. 1871 Seminole Trail, 465-2108. $ ORDER
Junction Innovative Southwestern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in Belmont. 421 Monticello Rd. 465-6131. $$. ORDER
La Michoacana Mexican deli serves budget- friendly burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. 1138 E. High St., 409-9941; 2291 Seminole Ln., 956-4299. $. ORDER
Little Star Spanish-and Mexican-inspired food expertly prepared in a wood-fired oven. Great craft cocktails, too. 420 W. Main St. 252-2502 $$. ORDER
Mas Authentic Spanish tapas and wines in the heart of Belmont. 904 Monticello Rd. 979-0990. $$. ORDER

Morsel Compass Popular food truck’s brick and mortar spot. 2025 Library Ave., Crozet. 989-1569. $$. ORDER
Qdoba Mexican Grill Spicy burritos, quesadillas, and Mexican salads made before your eyes. 3918 Lenox Ave., 244-5641. $. ORDER

Mediterranean

Basil Mediterranean Bistro Mediterranean fare from grape leaves to tapas, plus wine. 109 14th St., 977-5700; 5th Street Station, 202-7594. $. ORDER
Cava Fast-casual Mediterranean with lots of vegetarian options. 1200 Emmet St. N #110. 227-4800. $. ORDER
Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar Dishes from Spain to Greece and wines of the world, now for curbside pickup. 416 W. Main St., in the Main Street Market. 975-6796. $$. ORDER

Sticks Kebob Shop Fast, fresh, and flavorful food that also comes on a stick. Go to either location for a quick business lunch, a take home dinner, or catered meal while on a budget. 917 Preston Avenue and 1820 Abbey Road. 295-5262 or 295-5212. $. ORDER

Sultan Kebab Authentic Turkish cuisine with plenty of meat and vegetarian options, and notable appetizers, too. 333 2nd St. SE, 981-0090. $ Call for takeout.

Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, The Goatherder platter with pita, hummus, cheese, dried fruits, nuts, dolmas, veggies, and olives has earned the Tea House many loyal followers.  414 E Main St, Downtown Mall. 293-9947. $.  ORDER

Miscellaneous Nationalities

Aromas Café Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Sandwiches, salads, and famous falafel, open for takeout and delivery. 900 Natural Resources Dr. 244-2486. $.  ORDER

Bang! Tapas Asian fusion cuisine served tapas-style, offering frozen cocktails to-go. 213 2nd St. SW. 984-2264 $$. ORDER
Bizou Playful French-American bistro (yes, you can get the meatloaf to go). 119 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 977-1818. $$. ORDER
Mas Authentic Spanish tapas and wines, now available for takeout. 904 Monticello Rd. 979-0990. $$. ORDER
Mahana Fresh Tropical themed, fun flavored ingredients in bowls and sweets. 2142 Barracks Rd. 284-5846 $. ORDER

Pearl Island Caribbean-inspired spot in the Jefferson School City Center, open for curbside pickup. 233 Fourth St. NW. 466-0092. $. ORDER
The Shebeen Pub and Braai Conjures the South African veldt. Vinegar Hill Shopping Center. 296-3185. $$. ORDER
Sticks A fast food alternative: kebobs (veggie options available), sides, salads, desserts. Preston Plaza, 295-5262; Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center, 295-5212. $. ORDER

Soups, Salads, Sandwiches

Baggby’s Gourmet Sandwiches Satisfying sandwiches, salads, soups, and super-friendly service. 512 E Main St. Downtown Mall. 984-1862 $.
Bodo’s Bagels Still the king of bagels in our town. Drive-thru available at 1418 N. Emmet St., 977-9598; 505 Preston Ave., 293-5224; and outside service at 1609 University Ave., 293-6021. $. For more info
Chopt Creative salad chain with ingredients from local purveyors. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 328-8092. $. ORDER
Citizen Bowl Shop Specialty salads with gluten- free, vegetarian, and paleo-friendly options. Also now selling groceries like yeast, flour, and brownie mix, plus gloves and toilet paper. 223 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 234-3662. $. ORDER
Durty Nelly’s Down-home pub and deli now offering 5 subs (except the Dagwood) for $35. 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278. $. ORDER
HotCakes Fancy sandwiches, housemade entrées, and desserts. Delivery available. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 295-6037. $. ORDER
Iron Paffles & Coffee Pastry dough + waffle iron + savory or sweet insides. 214 W. Water St. 806-3800. $. ORDER

Ivy Provisions Local deli and retail food shop offering fresh, housemade breakfast and lunch all day, plus a wide variety of wine and craft beer by the bottle and on draft. 2206 Ivy Rd. 202-1308. $. ORDER

Jack’s Shop Kitchen Farm-to-table brunch, lunch, and supper spot with elevated classics. 14843 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville. 939-9239. $$.
Jersey Mike’s Subs Subs from Jersey. 2040 Abbey Rd. #104, 529-6278; 5th Street Station, 328-8694. $. ORDER
Jimmy John’s Low-cost sandwiches on 29N. “Freaky fast” delivery. 1650 E. Rio Rd., 975-2100. $. ORDER

Panera Bread Co. Ubiquitous chain with casual fare. Barracks Road Shopping Center, 245-6192; Hollymead Town Center, 973-5264; Fifth Street Station, 973-5264. $. ORDER
Revolutionary Soup Choose from a slew of enticing soups made daily; order from sister restaurants The Whiskey Jar and The Bebedero and pick up food from all three at once. 108 Second St. SW, 296-SOUP; 104 14th St. NW, 979-9988. $. ORDER
Roots Natural Kitchen Fast-casual salad and grain bowls. 1329 W. Main St. 529-6229. $. ORDER
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches Create your own sandwiches by marking up the pre- printed brown bags. Hollymead Town Center. 977-9424. $. ORDER

Steaks and Seafood

Bonefish Grill Sister to mega-popular Outback Steakhouse featuring seafood, grilled non-fish specialties. Take-out and delivery. Hollymead Town Center. 975-3474. $$. ORDER
Outback Steakhouse Bloomin’ onions and giant steaks. Takeout or delivery. 1101 Seminole Trail. 975-4329. $$. ORDER
Public Fish & Oyster Simply prepared, responsibly sourced seafood. Take-out and limited delivery, 4-8pm. 513 W. Main St., 995-5542. $/$$. ORDER

Upscale Casual

C&O Serving a 3-course menu for curbside pick-up, two entree selections each night, Weds-Sun. Order by 5pm, pickup between 5 and 7pm. All profits go to employee relief fund. 515 E. Water St. 971-7044. $$$. ORDER

Fig Bistro & Bar Mediterranean and New Orleans-inspired dishes with housemade ingredients. 1331 W. Main St. 995-5047. $. ORDER 

Hamiltons’ at First & Main Offering in-person dining inside and outside, as well as takeout options. Hours vary, closed on Mondays. 101 West Main St. 295-6649. $$. ORDER

Ivy Inn Offering curbside pick-up, Weds-Sat. Order by noon. Menus change weekly. 2244 Old Ivy Rd. 977-1222. $$$. ORDER
The Local Belmont neighborhood spot is partnering with Junction to offer a “Ten for Ten” menu of comfort food meals for $10. All proceeds to staff. 4-9pm daily. 824 Hinton Ave. 984-9749. $$. ORDER
Ivy Road House Opened in December, this timeless nod to classic restaurant fare has an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients that celebrates the best of what central Virginia has to offer. Wed-Sun 4:30–9pm. 4300 Three Notched Road. 205-4009. $$.
Maya Upscale Southern cuisine. Curbside and patio pick-up of family-style and regular menus. 12-8 pm. 633 W. Main St. 979-6292. $$. ORDER
The Melting Pot Delivery and carryout of full menu 11:30-8pm, Tues-Sun. 501 E. Water St. 244-3463. $$$. ORDER
The Mill Room Multiple menu options for carryout at The Boar’s Head, 200 Ednam Dr. 972-2230. $$$. ORDER

Oakhart Social Seasonal, creative modern American food for sharing. 511 W. Main St. 995-5449. $$. ORDER
Oakhurst Inn Coffee & Café Southern style breakfast and lunch. Open for takeout Fri-Sun mornings until 1pm. 1616 Jefferson Park Ave. 872-0100. $. ORDER
Restoration At Old Trail Golf Course, now offering takeout at the snack bar window. 5494 Golf Dr., Crozet. 823-1841. $$. ORDER
Southern Crescent Cajun and Creole fare in Belmont. Takeout and curbside pick-up Wed-Sun, 12pm – 8pm. 814 Hinton Ave. 284-5101. $$. ORDER
Wayland’s Crossing Tavern Pub food, vegetarian plates, and kid-friendly fare.  Open for takeout from 4– 8pm, Wed – Sun.  1015 Heathercroft Cir., Crozet. 205-4669. $$. ORDER
Zocalo Flavorful, high-end, Latin-inspired cuisine. Order online anytime for pickup between 4pm-8pm. 201 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 977-4944. $$. ORDER

Winery reopenings

Food trucks

Spice Sea Gourmet (seafood)

spiceseagourmet.com

@spiceseagourmet (Instagram)

TheSpiceSeaGourmet (Facebook)

 

Farmacy Food Truck (Mexican fusion)

@farmacy.cville (Instagram)

farmacy.guru (Facebook)

 

Pye Dog (pizza)

@pyedogpizza (Instagram)

pyedogpizza (Facebook)

 

Sussex Farm (Korean kimchi and prepared foods)

@themamabirdfarm (Instagram)

sussexfarmkimchi (Facebook)

 

Tacos Gomez  (tacos)

@tacogomez  (Instagram)

Or call 953-5408

 

Little Manila (Filipino food) 

@littlemanilacville (Instagram)

LittleManilaCville (Facebook)

 

Ignacio & Maria’s Mexican Tacos (tacos)

@mexicantacoscville (Instagram)

Mexicantacoscville (Facebook) 

 

Angelic’s Kitchen (soul food)

@angelicskitchen, (Instagram)

Angelics-Kitchen-CateringLLC (Facebook)

 

Devil’s Backbone Mobile Carryout (pub fare)

website

 

106 Street Food (gourmet sandwiches)

website

@106streetfoods (Instagram)

106streetfood (Facebook)

 

106 Grilled (pressed sandwiches/panini)

@106grilled (Instagram)

 

106 Eastview (traditional and fusion Japanese fare)

@106eastview (Instagram)

 

Catch the Chef  (burgers, cheesesteaks, chicken, fish, breakfast)

@cvillecatchthechef (Instagram)

cvillecatchthechef (Facebook) 

 

El Tako Nako (tacos)

2405 Hydraulic Rd., 305-8918

 

The Pie Guy (Australian-style savory pies)

website

@thepieguycville (Instagram)

 

Blue Ridge Pizza (wood-fired pizza)

website

@BlueRidgePizza (Instagram)

 

Getting central Virginia wine to your table

Categories
Culture

Small Bites: April 6

Stepping up to serve free meals

In these trying times for the restaurant industry, chef Harrison Keevil of Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen is using his talents to serve others. What originally started as a free lunch (about 20 meals each weekday), has expanded to include breakfast and dinner, and by April 13, Keevil is planning to offer 500 meals a day out of his kitchen. He’s currently funding it himself and taking donations at @keevil-kitchen. He’s also keeping it local by using as many area sources as possible—think Caromont cheese, Albemarle Baking Company pastry, and locally grown vegetables. If you know of someone in need, email keevilkitchen@gmail.com for delivery coordination.

Local bartenders get creative

With no bar to tend to at the moment, Tavola’s cicchetti bar team recently launched a Cocktail Quarantine video series. Episode one featured “quarantinis:” Husband and wife duo Rebecca Edwards and Steve Yang, both recently recognized as top 100 bartenders in the U.S., shook up their favorite variations on the martini. The best part? They’re taking requests. Go to @cocktailcoupleva on Instagram or tavola cicchetti bar on Facebook, and send a direct message or leave a comment with your cocktail of choice. Don’t forget to leave a virtual tip!

In the same spirit, The Local’s beverage director Alec Spidalieri developed a cocktail recipe book, which is available on a pay-what-you-can basis as a downloadable PDF. Visit his website for payment information and to download the content.

It’s five o’clock…on Zoom?

What would we do without Zoom and Facebook Live? In the time of social distancing, these platforms are allowing friends to connect and businesses to creatively reach their customers. The Wine Guild of Charlottesville and King Family Vineyards are hosting happy hours and virtual tastings, which allow people to come together while keeping their distance. Want to join the fun? Follow the Wine Guild and King Family on social media for upcoming virtual events.

Survival by takeout

Quarantine is for pizza lovers, or at least that’s the way it seems. Both Crozet Pizza and North Garden’s Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie have added additional phone lines to keep up with ordering demand. And a recent Instagram post from Lampo showed to-go pizza boxes piled high, and asked followers to guess the number of boxes shown. Those feeling fancy have takeout options too, with restaurants including The Farmhouse at Veritas and C&O now offering multi-course meals for pickup. Bet you never thought you’d enjoy steak chinoise in your pajamas, did you?

 

Categories
Living

Testing the waters: Wilson Craig bets on canned cocktails as the next big thing

Under normal circumstances, having your jaw broken and reset in order to correct an underbite—and then being laid-up in recovery for two months—would be a bummer. But Wilson Craig was happy for the time on the couch. It gave him an opportunity to think. He took his meals through a straw, and wasn’t able to talk, so he spent a lot of time in his own head.

This was about a year ago, and he was living in Manhattan, where he worked in real-estate finance. In this regard, he was following in his father’s rather large footsteps. Hunter E. Craig is one of the biggest landowners and developers in town, a co-founder of Virginia National Bank, and a member of the board at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

But the younger Craig didn’t necessarily want to pick up the paternal mantle. Not long before the operation, he told his dad that he had an idea to create a canned-cocktail brand. He wanted to return from New York, settle down in Charlottesville, and launch the business in the city he knows and loves. His father liked the idea. He liked it so much that he helped his son get started. And now, after a whirlwind startup, Waterbird Spirits is cranking out tens of thousands of 12-ounce canned vodka-and-sodas and Moscow Mules from a sharp-looking shop on the corner of Water and West Second streets. If all goes as planned, four-packs of Waterbird cocktails priced at $13.99 will appear in local supermarkets by the end of September, and the space on Water Street will open for tours in 2020. (Waterbird does not have a license to offer tastings on-site.)

On a blistering-hot day in August, Craig tilts back in a chair in the Waterbird office and crosses his long legs. A woman knocks on the door. Craig uncrosses his legs, bolts upright, and hurries over to greet her.

“Hi,” says the woman.

“Hello,” Craig says, or rather, almost shouts.

“When are you guys opening?” she asks.

“Not for awhile, but we’re in production now,” Craig says.

“Great!” says the woman.

“Thanks so much for your interest,” Craig says. “Really—thank you!”

This is not an act. Craig relishes telling people about Waterbird. “We get a lot of that,” he says, bounding back to his chair. “I love it. People are curious, and we want them to see what’s going on here.”

He also wants you to know that the building, once The Clock Shop of Virginia, actually started as a Sears auto service center. “Sears used to be one of the biggest companies in the United States,” Craig says. “But what happens to a company when they don’t pay attention to their customers? They end up in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.”

His point: Waterbird will succeed by focusing relentlessly on what consumers want. In his opinion—shaped by months of conversations with his father and local winemakers, distillers, and brewers, including his official consultant, Hunter Smith of Champion Brewing Company, and some work with focus groups and taste-testers—consumers want high-quality canned cocktails. “We’re going to use potato vodka because it’s so much better than corn vodka” Craig says. “And we’re going to use cane sugar, because it’s infinitely better than high-fructose corn syrup.”

With many alternative canned beverages entering the market, including the aforementioned hard seltzer and non-alcoholic euphorics, some using CBD, Craig might have reason to temper his enthusiasm for his own product. But, um—not a chance.

“When I was living in New York, all my friends were drinking Bud Light, but not for the taste or any other redeeming factor—it was just convenient,” he says. “Convenience is king. So I thought, why isn’t there a better alternative for portable cocktails?”

As for marketing and branding, Craig sees Charlottesville, Virginia—which is clearly stamped on Waterbird’s label—as an asset.

“Charlottesville has received a lot of bad publicity,” he says. “But I just want to embrace the good. We want to be a product that people see and feel happy and proud that it’s made in Charlottesville. Excited, happy, upbeat, positive—that’s what this brand is.”

Categories
Living

Shining bright: A first look at Little Star, the new darling of Charlottesville’s restaurant scene

A rosy glow shone through windows high on the façade of the former service station. As my dining companion and I approached the building, the oaky smoke aroma grew stronger. We turned the corner onto West Main Street and the source of both the light and the smoke revealed itself through tall walls of glass—big sliding doors that once enclosed car-service bays.

Little Star—the Charlottesville restaurant that people were buzzing about even before it opened nine weeks ago—creates atmosphere even from a distance. And after the frosted-glass front door swung open, a sense of warmth and comfort greeted us like a hug from an old friend.

So it began, my first dining experience in Charlottesville meant to produce a review. Although I relocated to the area less than two years ago, I’m familiar with the city’s restaurant scene, having visited for more than 20 years to spend time with my sister, a UVA professor. I’m also experienced at writing about food, which has been a passion of mine since I was a kid, planting and tending the family vegetable garden in suburban New Jersey. As a teenager and throughout my college years, I worked in restaurants and catering.

When I became a writer, I covered food for daily and weekly newspapers, including the late, great Boston Phoenix, and magazines, including Food & Wine and the industry publication Plate. Now, I edit the Living section here at C-VILLE Weekly, along with magazines like Knife & Fork, and reviews feel like a natural fit. I believe a restaurant critic can and should be an important part of the local food culture. His or her role is to explore, explain, and ultimately elevate the art and craft of cooking and serving food.

That’s exactly what Little Star is doing for Charlottesville. Executive chef Ryan Collins arrived at the restaurant by way of Madison’s Early Mountain Vineyards, where he landed in 2016 and created a menu of small plates and sandwiches made with local ingredients. For Collins, Early Mountain was a waypoint between Charlottesville and Washington, D.C., where for eight years he was protégé of José Andrés, a Spanish-American and one of the more influential and acclaimed chefs in the world. Collins spent three of those eight years in the kitchen at Oyamel, where he learned to love Mexican cuisine. In Charlottesville, Collins teamed up with Oakhart Social’s Ben Clore and Tristan Wraight, whom Collins had met while at Early Mountain, to open Little Star. It is here that Collins expresses chef Andrés’ influences, blending Spanish and Mexican flavors.

After my dining companion and I objected to being seated at a table near the foyer and bar, the host graciously led us through the dining room to the long row of tall tables and a banquette along the east wall. The high perch provided a view, to the right, of the chefs preparing food in front of the blazing wood-fired oven, and to the left, of West Main Street through the big glass doors. On a Tuesday night, the room was packed and humming with conversation; old-school hip-hop provided a faint backdrop.

We started with cocktails. I thought I had heard incorrectly when the bar manager said the margarita ($16) would be served with the glass’ rim dusted with salt, red pepper, and smoked, ground gusano, a grub found in the roots of agave. It sounded gross, but tasted rich and earthy, playing off the brightness of the lime juice and the smokiness of the mescal. A second cocktail, the Star on Main ($14), was a twist on an old fashioned, with bourbon, Calvados, orange bitters, and a sweet touch of Lillet Blanc. Both drinks introduced complex, unexpected flavors, which apparently is Little Star’s mission.

The wait staff circulated throughout the room, stopping to attend to diners when necessary and then moving on. They knew when to be present and when to disappear, creating a relaxing rhythm to the evening. While our server said that most of the menu consisted of small plates, the portions turned out to be right-sized for the prices, from $8-24. (The outliers are a pork short rib and ribeye steak, at $70 and $100, respectively.) The price of a meal can escalate quickly, but two plates per person ended up being plenty of food.

Little Star encourages not only a leisurely pace (we spent two hours over dinner), but also the sharing of dishes. The bitterness of the charred endive ($10) was mellowed by a buttermilk-based dressing, and the dish gained complexity with a topping of poppy seeds, slivered scallions, chili, and bottarga, a salted, air-dried fish roe. Mojo sunchokes ($12) were served as a salad, with shaved apple, caramelized onion, and frisée. This was the only off note of the evening. The sunchokes—a sunflower tuber—were cooked to the point of mushiness, and traces of sand or soil in the dish brought an unwelcome grittiness.

Looking over the wine list, I was disappointed not to see more bottles in the $30-50 range. Out of 40 offerings, 31 were priced between $52 and $520.  We ordered by the glass and, on the general manager’s recommendation, went with a Spanish white, Gramona Gessami ($12 glass)—a blend of sauvignon blanc, muscat, and gewürztraminer that had the body and ample fruit to stand up to our next two dishes, beef tartare ($14) and pork loin ($18).

Little Star pushes the tartare definition, with grilled cactus, tartar sauce, radish, whole-grain mustard, and a heap of freshly grated parmesan on top. Is it a salad or a meat dish? It’s sort of both, and it’s outstanding and inventive. Sourced from Autumn Olive Farms, near Waynesboro, the pork loin was a generous cut, more than an inch thick, presented with crispy sweet potato and mole manchamanteles, a reduction of pork and chicken stock infused with a paste of dried and fresh fruits (raisins, plantains, charred pineapple), toasted nuts, herbs, and chilis. It was a resounding note to finish the meal.

But wait—dessert! A traditional end to a very untraditional meal (at least for Charlottesville) seemed like a good idea, so we went for the apple pie ($8). It was actually more of a strudel or galette, served with little apple spheres poached with cinnamon, apple caramel sauce, and ice cream richly flavored with vanilla bean.

All in all, Little Star is a significant addition to the local restaurant scene and, hopefully, will provide a strong culinary anchor on West Main as it becomes a dense commercial and residential corridor.

Vitals

Monday-Thursday 5-10pm, Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm. 420 W. Main St. 434-252-2502. littlestarrestaurant.com