Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall diner, The Nook, turns 75 this year, and beyond serving your breakfast and lunch homestyle favorites—eggs Benedict with Edwards Virginia Smokehouse country ham and fried green tomatoes, sausage gravy, classic double patty burgers, BLTs, milkshakes, and crinkle-cut fries—the restaurant is collecting stories and memorabilia to commemorate its rich history of bringing the town together.
Did you know The Nook got its name from the phrase “nook and cranny”? The story goes that the space served as a hiding spot for local attorneys to meet outside the courtroom to hash out (get it?) complicated cases over bacon and eggs. Share your memories at thenookcville75@gmail.com.
A night to feed the soul
Five of Charlottesville’s standout chefs are stepping into the spotlight, and taking on friendly competition, for a good cause. Returning September 14 to The Wool Factory, The Night Out benefits Breaking the Chains Foundation, which supports mental wellbeing through the arts and community connection. Sample chef creations from Tucker Yoder (Broadcloth), Walter Slawski (The Catering Outfit), Sober Pierre (Pearl Island Catering), Mike Ledesma (Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove), and Gason Nelson (New Orleans’ Full of Flavor), along with live performances, the Finding Alice photo exhibition, and a silent auction. Good food, meaningful conversation, and a chance to nourish more than your appetite? Our plate runneth over.
Shake things up
Trade your usual happy hour for something a little more hands-on. Birch & Bloom mixes it up on Friday and Saturday afternoons with its interactive Cocktail Masterclass series. This month’s themes travel from the sleek cocktail bars of New York and London to bourbon and rye favorites for Labor Day weekend, finishing with Latin American classics like the Pisco Sour and Caipirinha. Each class includes guided spirit tastings, hands-on cocktail-making, and recipe cards so you can keep the party going at home.
The cat has landed
Dairy Market is getting another option for Asian fusion dining with Lucky Cat, coming soon to the former I Am Thai space from the team behind local favorite Silk Thai Restaurant. Expect comforting classics like pad Thai, drunken noodles, khao soi gai, green and Massaman curries, plus Asian favorites including pho and dolsot bibimbap. Round out your meal with a Thai iced tea or coffee and finish with mango sticky rice or coconut pudding.
A little less roux
Just two years after opening, Roux St. Café served its final bowl of Cajun comfort on July 31. Owners Kellie and Brian Washington announced the difficult decision after “a lot of tears, hard conversations, and trying everything we could think of.” The closure marks another challenging chapter for the couple, whose previous business, Vocelli Pizza, was destroyed by an alleged arsonist in 2024. If you’re craving étouffée, po’boys, or Southern hospitality, try Southern Crescent or Milk & Honey.
Reach for the stars
Groove to Charlotte, North Carolina’s high-energy band Hipshack at Veritas Vineyard & Winery’s Starry Nights on August 22. Gates open at 5:30pm, with live music from 7 to 11pm, plus plenty of ways to elevate the experience. Choose from a three-course VIP dinner, station-style Moon Experience, or walk-up dinner plates. Add a stay along the Nelson 151 trail, and you’ve got the makings of a stellar summer night.
Still stacking ’em up: The Nook celebrates 75 years of breakfast, lunch, and local lore.
Small Bites
Saturday 8/15
Sip, Savor, and Discover Sauvignon Blanc. Discover how terroir shapes this exciting varietal. Taste and compare 2021, 2022, and 2025 vintages alongside selections from France and New Zealand. $40, 2pm. Revalation Vineyards, 2710 Hebron Valley Rd., Madison. revalationvineyards.com
Non-Alcoholic Omakase. A seated dinner to engage your palate and curiosity. All food pairings are gluten free and vegetarian. $30, 3:30pm. Ethos Wine & Tea, 817 W. Main St. ethoswine andtea.com
Sunday 8/16
DuCard Vineyards Farm to Table Harvest Dinner. Enjoy three courses provided by local producers. $120, 6:30pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Wednesday 8/19
A Summer Evening at Keswick Hall with Blenheim Vineyards. A four-course menu, with each dish paired to highlight Blenheim’s renowned wines. $150, 7pm. Keswick Hall & Golf Club, 701 Club Dr., Keswick. blenheimvineyards.com
Friday 8/21
Veritas Supper Series: Mid-Atlantic Blue Crab Dinner. Crack and pick Mid-Atlantic blue crabs, without leaving the mountains. $100, 6:30pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com
Saturday 8/22
Pie Chest Fest at Hark Vineyards. Pie legend Rachel Pennington will have savory pies, sweet pie slices, treats, and more to compliment Hark’s award-winning pours. Noon. Hark Vineyards, 1465 Davis Shop Rd., Earlysville. hark vineyards.com
Sunday 8/23
Sangria Maker’s Market. A pop up featuring Erica Cavanaugh from Honeysuckle Creek Farm and her take on sangria cocktails. With live music by Paxton Henderson. Free entry, noon. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com
Barrel Tasting. Enjoy an hour of learning about and tasting the newest creations from 2025. $25, 1pm. Revalation Vineyards, 2710 Hebron Valley Rd., Madison. revalationvineyards.com
Saturday 8/29
Crab Feast with Salty Bottom Blue. A summer celebration of blue crab by the half dozen and fresh oysters, paired with Eastwood wines. Free entry, noon. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Sizzle & Sip: Hardware Hills Hibachi Dinner. Watch as master chefs grill, flip, and entertain right before your eyes in a vibrant open-air hibachi kitchen. $60, 6:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com
Tomato Dinner at Ethos Wine & Tea. A four course summer dinner—all tomatoes—served by Pie Chest legend Rachel Pennington. Price and time tbd. Ethos Wine & Tea, 817 W. Main St. ethoswineandtea.com
Sunday 8/30
Rosé & Bubbles Showcase. An afternoon tasting with Cataldo Perfezione, Dogwood & Thistle, Eastwood Farm and Winery, Joy Ting Wine, Present Company, and ZC Wine. $44, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Sip & Learn: Viticultural Practices and the Quality of Your Wine. Françoise shares how viticultural practices affect the quality of your wine. Tasting included. $25, 5pm. Revalation Vineyards, 2710 Hebron Valley Rd., Madison. revalationvineyards.com
Saturday 9/5
Ford Haitian Foundation Cook Off. Charlottesville chefs team up for a Caribbean cook-off benefit. Sample and vote for favorite flavors with all proceeds going toward the Institute Marantha of Grison-Garde, Haiti. $60, noon. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Saturday 9/12
Virginia Chili Blues & Brews Festival. Hot chili, cool tunes, and cold brews, plus food trucks, artisan vendors, and interactive fun for all ages. $20, noon. Lumos Plaza, One Lumos Plaza, Waynesboro. virginiachili.com
Mount Ida Farm-Raised Cattle Roast.
Second annual farm-to-table slow roast, featuring a summer-favorites buffet alongside the beef. $30, 11am. Tasting Room & Taphouse
at Mount Ida Reserve, 5931 Blenheim Rd. mount idareserve.com
Tea, Please! Tea Party Lunch. A guided tea tasting featuring three curated teas, a sparkling wine toast, personal tea trays with sweet and savory bites, plus interactive games and
activities. $70, 11am. Café Frank, 317 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. cafefrankcville.com
Norton Network Mini Fest. Taste Norton wines from several different wineries, and learn about America’s oldest wine grape. $10, noon. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
