Newly planted

We have a new crush—it’s free of GMOs, pesticides, and hormones, and full of flavor.

The Shops at Stonefield welcomed Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery in July to the delight of Charlottesville health nuts (and nut nuts). OK is all in on its mission to make delicious, healthy food available in a fast-casual setting, and the small, independent chain is as intent on being good for our community as it is on being good for our health. Through September, Organic Krush will donate $1 from every sale of their Krush Classic Entrées to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, so you will feel extra good when you treat yourself to a helping of gluten-free, dairy-free Spicy Korean BBQ, complete with mushrooms, zucchini, and spicy kimchi.

How ’bout them apples?

Trail rides in Virginia just got juicier. The American Cider Association has launched the Digital Virginia Cider Trail as a way of celebrating the many great orchards and cideries throughout the state, including Charlottesville’s own Potter’s Craft Cider. The program is free, and offers deals for those partaking at any of the 29 participating cideries. With each location visited from now until the end of June 2023, guests can get a digital passport stamp (ciderculture.com), which enters them into the Cider Trail Raffle.

Meanwhile, the eastern area of Central Virginia has developed its own trail of quaffable goodness. Route 231’s wineries, breweries, meaderies, cideries, and distilleries became an official tourist attraction when Governor Glenn Youngkin stopped at Keswick Vineyards in June to snip the ribbon and let the bevvies flow along the 50-mile state highway.

Beyond the pale

Starr Hill Brewery has partnered with UVA to release Wahoo Pale Ale. The fruity, hop-forward ale, available throughout the commonwealth, is an homage to UVA and a rumor that the university’s students are called Wahoos for a type of fish that can drink twice its own body weight. There’s little evidence that this is where the name actually comes from, but hoo needs proof to enjoy a refreshing beverage?

Portion control

Hot woks coming through! The newest addition to 5th Street Station is Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, a fast-casual take on classic Asian street food developed by celebrity chef Jet Tila, who’s known for setting records with large portions. Tila made the world’s largest stir fry (4,010 pounds) and the world’s longest California roll, which measured 440 feet long. However, it’s going to take more than a Food Network star connection to compete with the much-loved, well-established Chimm, serving from-scratch Thai and Southeast Asian street food just a few steps away.

Colonel Mustard, in the lounge

Want to dress up and dine in elegant Southern comfort? Look no further than the newly reopened (under new ownership) Bobboo at the Quirk Charlottesville. This intimate, lavishly decorated bar gives off a mansion drawing room vibe that may cause you to wonder who murdered the butler. Bobboo has a small, seasonal menu that includes some Quirk classics as well as a curated selection of whiskeys from Virginia and beyond.

Living