In an ongoing effort to support local dining establishments during the pandemic, our writers have been enjoying a variety of takeout meals from some of their favorite restaurants. Contribute to this ongoing series by sending your own delicious experiences to living@c-ville.com.
Ivy Inn Restaurant
The essence of fine dining lies just as much in the experience and the presentation as it does in the cooking methodology—which is why I’d been wary of opting for takeout when it comes to elevated cuisine. But after an anxiety-ridden week, I decided that a bit of indulgence was in order. I turned to Ivy Inn for a celebratory meal, picking items from the menu that would conjure a taste of home. The shrimp ’n grits appetizer provided a quintessential Southern flare, while the grilled lamb chops entrée was a subtle nod to my Lebanese heritage. The shrimp ’n grits were served up with a nice twist—crispy onion rings on top—and, while it wasn’t noted on the menu, hints of what I believe to be pimento cheese rounded out the dish nicely. The grilled lamb chops were cooked to perfection, tender with just the right amount of pink per my request for medium rare. What struck me about this dish was the attention to detail when it came to seasoning. The meat was accented with just the right amount of spice, so that its flavor was enhanced—not overpowered. Plus, it was served alongside an airy cut of rosemary focaccia and a seasonally flavored bed of couscous, butternut squash, almonds, and tomato-garlic jus. While there’s no substitute for the ambiance of dining out, Ivy Inn was diligent in its to-go packaging, keeping the food warm, and making it an intuitive process to replicate the plating on your own.—Desiré Moses
MarieBette Café & Bakery
I never joined the sourdough starter obsession or got on the bread-making bandwagon of quarantine. Luckily, MarieBette Café & Bakery has me covered. The shop’s baked goods are so remarkable that my dad asks me to bring him bread in northern Virginia. (He freezes loaves so that every day he is able to have a slice for his morning toast.) The rest of Charlottesville seems to be equally obsessed—the line is frequently out the door at the Rose Hill Drive location. (If you want to save time, the bakery offers takeout with an online order option.)
I went on a Friday morning, expecting an extensive wait, but there was only one person ahead of me. I ordered an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a baguette, as well as a croissant and prezzant, a combination pretzel/croissant, to split with a friend. The prezzant is just about the most delectable pastry I have ever had, and I cannot go to MarieBette without ordering one. It has the buttery, flaky, internal consistency of a croissant, but the distinguishable, salty taste of a pretzel with a crisp exterior. The bakery’s staff is pleasant, and we often joke about my obvious love for sandwiches when I stockpile their multigrain bread.—Madison McNamee
Asado Wing & Taco Company
Wings and tacos seem to make absolutely zero sense together. But Asado makes this odd combination crazy delicious, and it’s been doing takeout since early spring, when quarantine began. I ordered online, and chose the traditional buffalo, which fully embraces the wings and taco combination. It contains a choice of fried cauliflower, grilled or fried chicken or shrimp, bleu cheese crumbles, pico de gallo, peppercorn ranch, and cheddar jack cheese for $5.58. The fusion of cuisines in this one meal pleases my indecisiveness when stuck between menu items. My friend ordered the cauliflower wings, and fries with ranch. As if wings and tacos weren’t already a weird mix, Asado also manages to excel at fries. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the veggie wings, as the restaurant messed up and gave her chicken wings instead. Fortunately, she is not a vegetarian, and we devoured them. Asado is typically a lively spot to meet friends on the UVA Corner, and I can’t say takeout was as enjoyable as dining in, but it still was a delicious experience.—Madison McNamee
Silk Thai Restaurant
Quarantine has made me a Thai food connoisseur. It has become my comfort food of choice, and I find myself craving it just about every other week. Silk Thai is my favorite, thanks to its reasonable prices, hefty portions, and authentic taste. I alternate between the pad Thai, drunken noodles, and pad see ew, but I always make sure to add an order of summer rolls with shrimp. They contain shrimp, cucumber, carrots, lettuce, and are served with a side of sweet peanut dipping sauce. They add a fresh element to my typically savory-heavy meal.
I recently opted for the pad Thai and it did not disappoint. The portion was enough for three days, and the sauce on the noodles was not too sweet or too bland, like at other places I have tried. I ordered takeout off the website, and picked it up myself. I’ve learned picking up is better than outside food delivery, because they often up-charge customers and may gip restaurants of their profits. Silk Thai’s parking lot was a bit chaotic, but I was also impatient because I was hungry.—Madison McNamee