A stretch of West Main now carries a little more history. On May 30, the city unveiled Mel’s Walk, an honorary street designation recognizing the life and legacy of Melvin Eugene Walker, the longtime owner of Mel’s Cafe. Between Seventh and Eighth streets NW, beside the restaurant’s longtime home, the newly named block honors the Charlottesville native who spent 39 years feeding the community homestyle Southern comfort food. For generations of locals, it’s a fitting tribute to a man whose impact reached far beyond his famous fried fish sandwiches.
Wine about
Clear your calendar and grab your wine glass: Monticello Wine Week returns June 22 to 28 with a full week of vineyard parties, winemaker dinners, the Rosé Festival, sparkling brunches, golf, and immersive food-and-wine experiences across Charlottesville and the Monticello AVA. The festivities culminate in the Gold Medal Celebration, where the coveted Monticello Cup winner will be announced live. This year, judges awarded 41 Gold Medals to wines from across the region, showcasing everything from sparkling rosés and crisp whites to bold reds. If you needed an excuse to spend a week sipping your way through Virginia wine country, consider it poured. Find more info at monticellowinetrail.com.
Market season has sprung
Farmers markets are bursting back to life with tender lettuces, spring onions, and the promise of tomatoes, peaches, and sweet corn just around the corner. Saturday shoppers can fill their baskets at the Albemarle Farmers Market, Charlottesville City Market, Scottsville Farmers Market, and The Farmers Market at IX Art Park, while Sunday brings the Starr Hill Market.
Can’t make a weekend market? Midweek options abound. Shop Farmers in the Park on Wednesdays from 3-6pm, where June kicks off Wind Down Wednesdays with live music and beverages from local Charlottesville Ale Trail breweries. Or swing by the Little Market at Lampo on Tuesdays beginning at 3pm for a smaller-but-mighty dose of local food and community.
Stack the cones
Good news for ice cream lovers: SugarBear Ice Cream is expanding with a second location, just off Ivy Road near The Market at Bellair and Selvedge Brewing. The new shop will offer indoor seating and the same scratch-made ice cream crafted with local ingredients that earned the original East High Street location a devoted following.
On the menu? Standouts include Anaji, a dairy-free collaboration with Pearl Island Catering. The spicy virgin piña colada flavor features coconut, lime, ginger, maple syrup, and a touch of scotch bonnet. Or try Blue Ridge Breakfast, a cinnamon-cardamom oatmeal ice cream swirled with Jam According to Daniel’s strawberry jam, or Birthday Cake, packed with housemade yellow cake and rainbow sprinkles. Meanwhile, the original location is now scooping seven days a week for the season. Summer just got a little sweeter.
A new stop at Foods of All Nations
Need a quick Mediterranean fix? Safran Moroccan Mediterranean has opened a new outpost inside Foods of All Nations, tucked just beyond the meat and seafood counter. Stop by Monday through Friday for fresh Moroccan and Mediterranean fare, or grab something from the stocked grab-and-go case if you’re swinging through outside lunch hours. Consider it one more reason to leave the grocery store with a little more than you planned.
More of Mas
MAS Tapas is showing off a refreshed new look. After a winter renovation, the beloved small plates spot reopened in March with a more modern, moody vibe: sleek dark woods, exposed brick, soft lighting, and candles flickering at every table.
Even better news? Lunch is on. MAS is now open Fridays and Saturdays starting at 11:45am, with a streamlined ordering system that ditches the old paper checklists (except for daily specials). A refreshed cocktail menu rounds out the glow-up, making midday feel more like golden hour.
Shake it on
The wait is over! Shake Shack is officially opening its doors on June 16 at 10am in The Shops at Stonefield. The much-anticipated Charlottesville Shack will mark launch day with a feel-good kickoff: $1 from every burger and chicken sandwich sold will benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, helping provide more than three meals per dollar donated.
Early birds, take note: The first guests in line will snag special Shack gifts, because nothing says grand opening like a side of swag with your ShackBurger.
The city honored the late Melvin Eugene Walker with the designation of Mel’s Way near the location of the beloved restaurateur’s cafe.
More to chew on
Thursday 6/11
Meritage Blending Workshop. A hands-on workshop where you get to be the winemaker. $50, 6pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com
Friday 6/12
Taste of North Garden Dinner. An intimate evening featuring food from local chef Ian Rubenoff, elegant wines from Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery, and traditional, and dry ciders from Albemarle CiderWorks. $100, 6pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Saturday 6/13
Wine Cocktail Class. Discover how to elevate your favorite wines into refreshing, creative cocktails perfect for any season. $30, 11am. Revalation Vineyards, 2710 Hebron Valley Rd., Madison. revalation vineyards.com
Sunday 6/14
Armchair Expedition for Chardonnay. Wine educator Ann Czaja leads an exploration of Old and New World chardonnay styles. Small bites accompany the wines. $49, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Thursday 6/18
Between The Wines. Bringing together literature, conversation, and Virginia wine, Charlottesville author Samantha Jones and her novel Yesteryear, paired with sauvignon blanc from Septenary Winery. Free, 5:30pm. Commerce Street Books, 499 W. Main St. commercestreetbooks.com
Saturday 6/20 & Sunday 6/21
A Berry Fun Weekend. Celebrate the flavors of summer with live music, family-friendly activities, delicious seasonal treats, and peachy competition with a pie- and cobbler-eating contest, bobbing for peach cider donuts, and a pie walk. Free entry, 9am. Chiles Peach Orchard, 1351 Greenwood Rd., Crozet. chilesfamily orchards.com
Saturday 6/20
Mount Ida Farm-Raised Beef Dinner. A three-course dinner that highlights a creatively prepared beef element paired with fresh seasonal produce from neighboring Bellair Farm. With guest chef Michael Berry of The Bradbury. $84–96, 5:30pm. Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, 5931 Blenheim Rd. mountidareserve.com
