At this point, we’ve all been eating our fair share of fresh vegetables—salads, sandwiches, grilled kebabs, more salads—and it’s time to think up some new things to do with the end-of-summer produce. Horse and Hound Gastropub‘s herbed zucchini and corn fritters put a savory, buttery finish on the summer flavors, and don’t require too much […]

Local, organic, health-conscious, supremely tasty…what more could you want out of lunch? There’s a lot more revolution at Rev Soup these days, and the good, healthy folks of Charlottesville are thrilled. The little Downtown kitchen is steeped in the virtue of clear communication—the origins and farming methods of almost every ingredient are posted on the […]

Whenever I shoot off the "top three restaurants in Charlottesville" question to friends and acquaintances, the C&O pretty much always gets a spot. The revolving seasonal menu plus French countryside atmosphere make for a hell of a dining experience, and there’s that mysterious feeling of timelessness down in the bistro (where, incidentally, my favorite dates […]

For those of us who thought romance was dead, landscaper Claudia Sacellary’s story offers a glimmer of hope—in the form of reconstruction. In 1981, only a few years after she moved in, her Batesville home burned down due to faulty wiring, leaving only the foundations. In that space today is a vibrant garden terrace brimming […]

Oh, how tasty a nice, chilly martini sounds, right about whenever.  Especially when it’s made with fresh fruit…skip the smoothie and down an “eXpress” at the X Lounge! It’s not exactly vitamin-enriched, but it’s packing a healthy dose of courage (and I’m sure that the pomegranate juice does something good for you). Get some fresh […]

Raw foods—and I’m not talking sushi—are starting to make appearances on gourmet menus across the country, namely owing to a tremendous amount of flavor and a wide variety of health benefits. Integral Yoga is the only spot in Charlottesville with a deli case full of prepared raw delights, including soups, salads and desserts. According to […]

 This is something of a rarity ’round here: German cuisine, all rich and hearty and soaked in alcohol. The Bavarian Chef serves up a number of mood-lifting delights, but since most people can hardly get out of their chairs once they’re done, perhaps this relatively lighter dish is appropriate to start you off at home. […]

Serving up homemade, homestyle chow since 1982, Tubby’s is a Charlottesville classic—it’s outlasted most of the city’s restaurants by at least a decade. Consistent satisfaction and affordable prices hold up its reputation, and down-home flavor is served up with familial generosity. Owner John Fragale’s Italian heritage inspired the addition of spaghetti and meatballs to the […]

The good folks at Vivace can really make things happen with seafood, and that makes for tough decisions…tiger shrimp? Mussels? Clams? So if it’s your first visit, go for all three. The Stuffato matches the flavors of the sea with white wine, garlic and lemon, and some rich, creamy risotto to boot—it’s not exactly dietetic, […]

Bellair Market never lets me down for perfect picnic lunches, and here’s one of the many reasons why: freshly made tomato-avocado salad with hearts of palm, all bright and tantalizing in the cold case. It’s a simple dish, and in my opinion, you can’t find enough of those any more—a good chef magnifies the flavors […]