Caite Hamilton

Charlottesville may not have a true “lover’s lane,” but there is one spot where generations of paramours have canoodled: UVA’s Pavilion Gardens. Surrounded by Thomas Jefferson’s famous serpentine walls, it’s not immediately obvious that they’re open to the public—oh, but they are. In addition to picnickers and bridal parties, they’re a prime spot for a […]

With Barboursville to the east and Staunton to the sun—er, west, Charlottesville’s practically bookended by the Bard. Four County Players’ offerings set the Swan of Avon’s best work at the Barboursville Ruins, the remains of a Jefferson-designed mansion, while at the American Shakespeare Center you can get a taste of the playwright’s Globe Theater (read: […]

This one’s as old as the hills, but feels so fresh among a sea of brownie skillets and crème brûlées: Künefe, the Middle Eastern dessert invented in the 10th century AD, combines layers of shredded phyllo dough with mozzarella cheese, melted in the oven then drizzled with a lemony sugar syrup. At Sultan Kebab, it’s […]

Horton Vineyards has long been recognized as one of our area’s most innovative wineries, starting in 1991 when the late Dennis Horton planted viognier grapes against the advice of many in the industry. It was one of the Madison County winery’s great successes, owing to Dennis’ wife, Sharon, who meticulously nurtured each vine and this […]

Katie Kishore’s vision—to create a welcoming and inclusive space where adults with cognitive disabilities could flourish—came to life at the height of COVID, when she opened Kindness Café in the lobby of the Brooks Family YMCA. Serving Grit coffee and treats from found., the coffee shop employs eight workers with disabilities and big hearts.

Jennifer Mowad knows from chocolate. The Cocoa & Spice owner handcrafts each of her treats—truffles, toffees, barks, and brownies among them—using chocolate made in-house straight from the cacao bean. In 2019, Mowad took her operation from a small spot on Stewart Street to a shop in York Place. The new space is a far cry […]

Given Charlottesville and Albemarle’s proximity to the mountains, a list of must-haves for a wedding venue often includes a view. Say hello to Eastwood Farm & Winery. Inside Charlottesville city limits, Eastwood includes three photo-worthy spots to say “I do”: The Mountaintop, situated at the top of a forest of ancient trees; The Terrace, framed […]

Anyone in the event industry knows: Even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. It’s a little bit like that in the retail space, too. But Dani Antol and Heather McNulty-Haynie have enough experience at this point—having owned Downtown Mall paper goods store Rock Paper Scissors for 12 years—to make lemonade from lemons. The two have […]

T he return to playing his trumpet in front of a live audience was emotional for John D’earth—and for the crowd that had gathered once again for Thursday Night at Miller’s earlier this year to see him perform.  “The minute we played the first notes, they were yelling and cheering,” D’earth says. “And we were […]