Small Bites: This week’s restaurant news

Mangia l’etoile L’etoile might be Virginia cuisine with a French influence, but on Tuesday, September 25, gourmet fineries from Foods of All Nations and wine from The Country Vintner will help it go Italian at its 6pm Italian Wine Dinner. For $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity) expect six family-style courses and eight wines […]

Fruit of the vine: Wine events for the week of September 17

Afton Mountain Afton Mountain After Hours Saturday, September 22: Dallas Wesley and Band (6-9pm) (540) 456-8667 www.aftonmountainvineyards.com Barboursville Vineyard Italian Harvest Feast Saturday, September 22 at 1pm: Enjoy a traditional five course feast paired with Barboursville wines, prepared by Guest Chefs Cesare Lanfranconi, formerly of Washington’s Café Milano, Tosca, and Spezie, and Shannon Overmiller of The Majestic […]

The object of my affection: a cultural relic

“The object that is my most prized possession in my home is a handmade Afghan woman’s shepherd cloak that is about 80 years old, from the northeast province of Badakhshan. The cloak is made from felt and embroidered with beautiful silk thread designs of flowers. All of the dyes are made from things native to […]

Green happenings: Charlottesville environmental news and events

Rock show: On Saturday, September 15, join geologist and author Dr. Robert Badger to learn about the rock formations along the ridgetops of Shenandoah National Park. The program starts at 1pm in the Byrd Visitor Center at milepost 51 on the Skyline Drive. Get a bucket: Learn how to harvest rainwater in your own backyard […]

Small Bites: This week’s restaurant news

Party like it’s harvest time Monticello, the home of our own “first foodie,” serves as the pastoral background for the sixth annual Heritage Harvest Festival on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15. You and your family will learn—with all your senses—about the gifts of our local soils and the hardworking people who grow them. […]

The best of the fests: 21 events to kick off your fall fantastic

The Festy Experience Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7 Devils Backbone Brewery (200 Mosby’s Run, Roseland) Every music festival has an identity of its own. Names like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot, and Coachella may have been head scratchers at first, but now they’re branded destination festivals where dozens of acts spread out across multiple stages […]

Fruit of the vine: Wine events for the week of September 10

Afton Mountain Afton Mountain After Hours Saturday, September 22: Dallas Wesley and Band (6-9pm) (540) 456-8667 www.aftonmountainvineyards.com Barboursville Vineyard Italian Harvest Feast Saturday, September 22 at 1pm: Enjoy a traditional five course feast paired with Barboursville wines, prepared by Guest Chefs Cesare Lanfranconi, formerly of Washington’s Café Milano, Tosca, and Spezie, and Shannon Overmiller of […]

Free Will Astrology: September 4-10

Virgo (August 23-September 22): I’ll bet that a-ha! experiences will arrive at a faster rate than you’ve seen in a long time. Breakthroughs and brainstorms will be your specialty. Surprises and serendipitous adventures should be your delight. The only factor that might possibly obstruct the flow would be if you clung too tightly to your […]

Small Bites: This week’s restaurant news

Moving haus The transformation of the Random Row and Sweethaus building into a Marriott is in the offing, but fear not, cupcake-lovers. Tara Koenig’s moving her halcyon days-inspired sweets shop to the old Charlottesville Tire space at 843 W. Main St. It’s bigger (3,000 square feet to be exact!) and better (a new HVAC system […]