Culture Small Bites

New bakery piles up Southern comforts

Fresh biscuits are on the rise at Pour Baker, a new bakery from owner Cammy Lu that’s serving scratch-made Southern comfort alongside her signature “shake-and-pour” baking mixes. Stop in for buttermilk biscuits piled high with fried chicken, country ham, or bacon, egg, and cheese, then save room for pie. Choose from a classic apple slice, […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | July 15, 2026

Culture Small Bites

A walk to remember, and SugarBear grows

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 […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | June 10, 2026

Culture

Cheesemaker Gail Hobbs-Page explores a European approach

Caromont Farms’ Gail Hobbs-Page recently attended Cheese: A World Around It, the world’s largest event dedicated to raw milk cheese. The conference is held every two years in Bra, Italy, the hometown of Carlo Petrini, founder of the International Slow Food Movement that champions “grandma cooking,” or traditional foodways utilizing whole foods and local, sustainably […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | January 7, 2026

Culture

Tomato parties, quick Brekky, sushi lines, and specialty chicken gave us much to cluck about in 2025

It was a year of torch-passing and table-setting. Albemarle Baking Co. celebrated 30 years of shaping Charlottesville’s bread culture and changed ownership. The sandwich scene on the Corner saw a change of hands at Take It Away while Littlejohn’s settled into permanent retirement. Virginia wine had a banner year—earning national and international accolades and lowering […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | December 24, 2025

Culture Food & Drink

I made the City Market Cookbook’s banana pudding tiramisu and you should too

Editor Becky Calvert describes the tiramisu banana pudding recipe in City Market Cookbook as “Southern Grandma meets an Italian Nonna.” Fresh chevre from Caromont Farm replaces mascarpone for a tangy take on the classic dessert. The cookbook is full of recipes like this, unexpected versions of familiar foods. Take l’etoile catering’s pumpkin and Virginia peanut […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | November 5, 2025

Culture Food & Drink

The Jervey glows up Belmont and the Peter Chang era ends

If you’ve caught The Jervey’s virtual tour on socials (@thejervey on Instagram), you know this new Belmont steakhouse in the former service station across from Mas is pure mid-century chic—think starburst chandeliers, wall-to-wall windows, and a martini list to match. The menu dazzles beyond steak, with brick-pressed chicken, black truffle pasta, and a spread of […]

Sarah Golibart Gorman | October 29, 2025