Chris Martin of bakernobakery pulled off her largest bake in one day, in a return to her roots in Chicago’s food scene. Supplied photo.
Charlottesville’s own Chris Martin, founder of bakernobakery, took her pan dulce on the road this Labor Day for a takeover at Del Sur Bakery in Chicago—and sold all 730 pastries in just four hours. Invited by Del Sur’s pastry chef and owner Justin Lerias, Martin called it the biggest bake she’s ever done in a day. She’s back in Charlottesville with more fall pop-ups ahead, including the Fruit Market at Visible Records (10/19) and ticketed tea parties at Ethos Wine & Tea (11/2). bakernobakery.com
Rockin’ prizes
Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle hosts its fourth annual Music for Meals fundraiser on October 1 at Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery. Missed C-VILLE Restaurant Week? Don’t miss the Restaurants Rock Package: $4,000-plus in gift cards to some of the area’s favorite dining spots, offered as one giant raffle prize.
The event features a chef-catered reception, silent auction, raffle, and interactive music experiences with dancing, games, and prizes—all in support of homebound neighbors facing food insecurity and isolation. Can’t attend? Still get in on the auction at cvillemeals.org.
Noble fires up
Downtown just got a little smokier. Noble Steakhouse, an Argentinian-inspired spot on Third Street SE, is all about fire-grilled meats, bold flavors, and a wine list heavy with Argentine wine. Think skirt steak, bone-in ribs, ribeye, and even salmon, all finished with rich malbec butter. And vegetarians aren’t left behind—the wood-grilled cauliflower steak with berbere spices, roasted black garlic, walnuts, and cranberries is a showstopper. If you’re wise, you’ll save room for dessert: The post-dinner menu is dripping in dulce de leche. noble-steakhouse.com
Rise and shine for Brekky
Baggby’s Gourmet Sandwich shop owners are waking up early to open Brekky, a new breakfast, coffee, and grab-and-go spot, next door on the DTM. Expect baked goods, a build-your-own salad bar, and rotating daily offerings like burritos, wraps, sliders, and half subs. Owner Jon LaPanta plans to allow patrons to customize their dining experience—with a baked potato bar and breakfast burrito bar on the horizon—so bring your appetite and your feedback because LaPanta is all ears. instagram.com/brekky_by_baggbys
Mai Tea brings pho and more
Tea time meets noodle time at Mai Tea, a new Vietnamese spot on Water Street. Sip your way through fresh brewed teas, bubble teas, and Vietnamese coffee, then settle in for one of 13 steaming bowls of pho. Craving a sandwich? Their banh mi—five styles strong, including a vegetarian option—come tucked into housemade bread. maiteavietnamesecuisine.com
Roll into fun
Dairy Market’s newest hangout, Sun Pins, serves up more than strikes. Enjoy duckpin bowling, darts, and a retro-cool vibe with craft cocktails, draft beers, wine, and zero-proof options. Fuel up with shareables like grilled shishito peppers, a biscuit basket, pizza, sliders, and salads. Want to get competitive? Join the bowling league on Tuesdays or darts on Wednesdays. sunpins.fun
Closings
The ship has sailed for Bonny & Read, the upscale seafood spot on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, which served its last catch on September 15. Named after the infamous 18th-century pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read—the resto opened in late 2023 with a menu anchored in fresh seafood and craft cocktails. Owners cite declining foot traffic on the Mall as the reason for shuttering.
After more than 25 years on Route 29, Bamboo House Restaurant has closed its doors. The unassuming, windowless building sparked equal parts curiosity and devotion, with diners returning for authentic Korean dishes like kimchi jigae, bibimbap, and bulgogi. Run by a husband-and-wife team—she helmed the kitchen, he filled the dining room with his taxidermy—the quirky institution pivoted to take-out only after 2020. Now, the 4.08-acre property, which includes the restaurant and two single-family homes, is for sale.
More to Chew On
Saturday 9/27
Fall Seafood Saturday with South Canal Street. Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch provides oysters from the Northern Neck: raw, steamed, grilled, and grilled with toppings. It also offers steamed shrimp and non-seafood items. Music by South Canal Street. $12–20, noon–6pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Wine Tasting with Guest Ben Jordan. Local winemaker Ben Jordan brings bottles from both Lightwell Survey and Common Wealth Crush Co. to taste. $10, 2–4:30pm. The Wool Factory, 1837 Broadway St. thewoolfactory.com
Sunday 9/28
BBQ Cookout with County Smoak. Enjoy Chef Ken Hess’ BBQ feast, and wine tastings with Heath Porter (Heathen Wines) and Sandy Robertson (Dogwood & Thistle). Live tunes by The Norms at 2pm. $65–75, noon–4pm. Blenheim Vineyards, 31 Blenheim Farm Rd. blenheimvineyards.com
Cider and Chocolate Flights in the Orchard. Local chocolatier Jennifer Mowad of Cocoa & Spice brings her confectionary creations for self-guided sweets-and-ciders pairing flights. Free entry, noon–5pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Loaves & Fishes Benefit with Erin Lunsford. A special afternoon concert celebrating the release of performer Erin Lunsford’s new song “Strawberries,” benefitting Loaves & Fishes food pantry. Free, 2–4pm. Hark Vineyards, 1465 Davis Shop Rd., Earlysville. harkvineyards.com
Perfect Pasta: A Culinary Class and Gourmet Wine Lunch. Master the art of hand-made pasta with Chef Kelvino Barerra of C-ville Bites. Begin the class with a toast and learn how to make tortellini, followed by a three-course meal of your pasta creations, along with wine pairings. Open to all skill levels. Event repeats Sunday 10/12 and Sunday 10/26. $135, 11am–2pm. Mockingbird Restaurant, 421 Monticello Rd. c-villebites.com
Thursday 10/9
Rodale Institute Farm-to-Table Dinner and Fireside Chat. Enjoy a regionally inspired, multi-course meal highlighting regenerative ingredients, curated mead and non-alcoholic pairings, and intimate conversation with national and local leaders shaping the regenerative movement. $150–275, 6pm. Thistlerock Mead Company, 3075 Gables Run Rd. rodaleinstitute.org
Friday 10/17 through Sunday 10/19
Harvest Party Weekend. Featuring a full slate of events celebrating the fall harvest and Virginia Wine Month. Friday evening features a ticketed red wine showcase from 6:30–8:30pm. Live music, food specials, and raffles daily. Prices and times vary. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com
Saturday 10/18
River Bend Wine Festival. The first-ever River Bend Wine Festival—a celebration of community, craft, and Virginia Wine Month. Enjoy tastings from some of Virginia’s most exciting boutique wineries, many pouring alongside their winemakers. $25, 11am–4:30pm. Canal Basin Square, 249 Main St., Scottsville. riverbendwinefest.com
Sunday 10/19
Chocolate & Wine Pairing Event. Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja brings a unique chocolate and wine program where she and DuCard owner Scott Elliff select each pairing and share the reasons why they work. Reservations required. $75, noon–1:30pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
