Chef exits: Ian Redshaw departs Lampo, Prime 109

Renowned local chef Ian Redshaw has left the building—or rather, buildings, plural. Redshaw parted ways earlier this month with his fellow partners of two high-profile restaurants he helped put on the map: Lampo, the Neapolitan pizzeria in Belmont, and Prime 109, the upscale steakhouse on the Downtown Mall. Voted Best Chef in 2018 by C-VILLE […]

Lampo chef in running for top national award

Rising Star Chef of the Year is among the more prestigious accolades at the annual James Beard Awards, and a Charlottesville chef is in the running. Ian Redshaw—a veteran of Tavola and L’etoile, co-owner of Prime 109, and now executive chef at Lampo —has been named a semifinalist in the category recognizing “a chef age […]

High steaks: Dining with Governor Ralph Northam at Prime 109

Where was the best steak of Governor Ralph Northam’s life? Right here in Charlottesville. Northam was in town to speak at the inauguration of James Ryan as president of the University of Virginia, and joined me afterwards for dinner. Given the occasion and guest, I chose Prime 109, which opened last month in the former […]

Lampo team primed for steakhouse opening in former bank space

The owners of Lampo, the cozy Neapolitan pizzeria in Belmont, first started conceptualizing the idea of a local-farm-centered steakhouse after hearing from area producers that they were frustrated with the distribution process. Enter Prime 109, a steakhouse bent on highlighting products from three cornerstone farms, which is slated to open in May in the former […]

When one bank closes, another one opens

Before Bank of America closed the doors of its 1916 building on the Downtown Mall in February, we reported that a steakhouse and at least one other bank would take its place. Loud construction noises coming from the spot last week caused us to check on its status. Citizen & Farmers Bank will occupy an […]

In brief: Dog lives matter, steakhouse speculation and more

Totally cleared Robert Davis, 32, spent 13 years in prison for a Crozet double slaying after making what experts call a textbook false confession. He was released a year ago on a conditional pardon and on December 16, the governor granted an absolute pardon, a rarity in Virginia. Read more. Rumor of the week Is […]

Sultan Kebab offers a feast for all of the senses

When I asked Lampo’s Ian Redshaw to name the best restaurant in Charlottesville, his answer surprised me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Sultan Kebab. Even when it was hidden in a nondescript location off U.S. 29 North, I named it to The Charlottesville 29, my list of Charlottesville’s essential restaurants. Now that it has […]