Chef Patrick O’Connell brings his new book to Charlottesville You may have heard the name Patrick O’Connell, the self-taught chef who’s received international accolades for The Inn at Little Washington, which he opened in an old garage in 1978. O’Connell has been referred to as “the Pope of American Cuisine,” and he and the inn […]
“Are you a cat person or a dog person?” I’m asked on a regular basis, as if my answer might reveal some medical truth concerning the objective superiority of one species over the other. As it happens, I share my home with one of each, offering sound excuse to shrug my shoulders and dodge the […]
Top of the Hops Beer Festival Saturday, September 26 Enjoy two-ounce samples of more than 150 craft beers from around the world combined with great food, education seminars, music, food and games. $50-80. 21-plus. 3pm. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, 700 E. Main St. betsy@redmountainentertainment.com. For the complete festival guide, click here.
Mike Keenan has a message for all the carnivores out there: Being a vegan doesn’t mean gnawing on carrots all day. In fact, it turns out vegan grub is actually pretty tasty when done right. Keenan introduced The Juice Laundry’s cold-pressed fruit-and-vegetable juices to Charlottesville in 2013. He started out making small batches of nutrient-dense […]
What does it take to be a true local? We think a commenter on Facebook said it best: “The truly quintessential Charlottesville experience isn’t actually available to tourists. It’s having lived here long enough that you can’t go anywhere without running into someone you know, yet still feeling like you live in a decently sized […]
Rockfish Valley Inn owner prepares for new cidery on 151 For those of you determined to hit every boozy spot on Route 151 in one day (one weekend might be more realistic, though still ambitious), that goal is about to be even more challenging. Todd Rath, who may be familiar to anyone who frequents the […]
I grew up in the dinner party era. Among my favorite childhood memories is falling asleep to the mysterious sounds of my parents’ parties—roars of laughter, clanging glasses and high heels across wooden floors. My parents loved them, too. When preparing for their guests’ arrival, they always floated around the house with a gleam of anticipation. […]
“Happy pig, good bacon.” That’s one of Bill Jones’ mantras when it comes to Babes in the Wood, his decade-old pig farm in Buckingham County, also the name of his recently opened farm-to-table restaurant in Charlottesville. You may recognize the names and faces from the City Market—Jones and his wife, Kimberly, figured they’d had so […]
Meals on Wheels brings back its popular foodie fundraiser Charlottesville prides itself on being a food-oriented town, with restaurants, food trucks and breweries popping up left and right. But what doesn’t always get as much attention is the food-and-drink world’s involvement when it comes to giving back to the community. On September 15, more than […]
The world of online food ordering is constantly evolving. OrderUp was just acquired by Groupon; companies like Blue Apron deliver pre-measured ingredients straight to your door to save you the trouble of using things like spoons when you’re prepping dinner; hell, there’s even Stadium Concierge, an app that lets you order your game day pizza […]
The scoop on Splendora’s limited-time, booze-inspired flavors I scream, you scream, we all scream for…pumpkin beer-flavored gelato? Splendora’s Gelato Cafe owner PK Ross never gets tired of experimenting with flavors (anybody remember the ghost pepper-honey-raspberry concoction?) and after weeks of doing diligent research around town she’ll be serving up scoops of beer- and cocktail-inspired gelato. With […]
“What are you looking for?” asks a client as my hands press deep into the sides of his dog’s belly. I’m surprised for a moment. It’s such a simple and reasonable question, but it hardly ever gets asked amidst the routine of a physical examination. I’m not even sure what to make of it at […]
A taste of Costco’s reliably cheap chow There’s a cult following around a new place to eat in Charlottesville, and it’s not a restaurant run by a James Beard nominee. Costco, the long-anticipated membership-only warehouse club located in The Shops at Stonefield, already seems to have found its niche here. At lunchtime, a steady stream […]
In the fall of 1993, in a booth at an unassuming new restaurant on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, I dug into a plate of rabbit quesadillas. I was floored. “Who puts rabbit in quesadillas?” I thought. “And, how could they taste this good?” In an era when fine dining meant white tablecloths and fussy French cuisine, […]
Ramen and donut shop makes debut on Downtown Mall You may have noticed a sign for a new restaurant on the mall, and no, you didn’t read it incorrectly—it does say ramen and donuts. “Because, why not?” says Miso Sweet co-owner and chef Frank Paris. Frank and his wife Heather, who met while they were […]
Just like omnivores, vegetarians—whether lacto-ovo, 100 percent plant-based or flexitarian—want options that inspire and beguile. Vegetarians want to get lost in a delicious meal in a beautiful space just as much as the next foodie. And for those of us who are picky or want to get our money’s worth, aka refuse to spend $15 […]
The loneliest hours It’s 1am, and you’re starving but you got nothin’ in your fridge. It’s 2am and your baby’s spiked a 105 degree temperature. It’s 4am and you hear a scraping sound on your window. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you’re very grateful for the folks who work while the rest of […]
Public Fish & Oyster preps for sister location Oyster season is just around the corner, and the guys at Public Fish & Oyster are gearing up to bring the chewy, briny delicacies beyond West Main Street. Last week, Public owner and general manager Daniel Kaufman announced his plans to open Public West Pub & Oyster […]
Coca-Cola building on Preston welcomes first tenant Timbercreek Market wants to help you put supper on the table. Sara and Zach Miller had a clear goal when they established Timbercreek Organic Farm in 2007: Grow good food for the people of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Walk through the door of the Millers’ new venture, Timbercreek […]
I saw the TV ad for the wing eating contest. I texted to enter. I got a text back: “You are entered into the Battle of the Braveheart Wing Off Challenge! Prepare thy gullet.” I prepared my gullet. As challenge day drew near, I felt like something was up. Wouldn’t they contact me to let me know […]
It’s affordable, actually sustainable and certainly not the modern American lifestyle most have become accustomed to, with multiple cars per family, smart phones for everyone and streaming video on demand. The 5-year-old project called Living Energy Farm is an off-the-grid, zero-fossil-fuel-emission community in the works in Louisa County, described in two words by its creator: […]
As anyone who has ever worked in a professional kitchen—or any aspect of the restaurant industry—will adamantly testify: The life of a chef is by no means for the faint of heart. The hours are long and strange. The work relentlessly demanding, ulcer-inducingly stressful. And yet, we’re assured, profoundly rewarding. Nowhere is this dynamic of […]
New spirits tasting room headlines swath of beverage shake-ups Want to drink acclaimed Virginia Distillery Company whisky without dealing with pesky middle men? You’re in luck—the spirits maker is opening a tasting room to the public this fall. “Guests to the distillery will be able to tour the 15,000 square-foot production facility and barrel warehouse, […]