Strawberry milk tea and pastries from Camellias Coffee & Tea in the Tenth Street Warehouses is a delish way to start your day. Photo: Tristan Williams.
After debuting Camellias Bar & Roastery last fall on Preston Avenue, restaurateur Kitty Ashi (of Monsoon Siam and other Thai kitchens around town) has opened Camellias Coffee & Tea in the Tenth Street Warehouses. The new café—taking over the former Mudhouse space—pours everything from ceremonial-grade matcha and smoky, nutty hojicha, to fruit teas, milk teas, and coffee drinks. Popular picks include the iced strawberry milk tea and hojicha smoothie, best paired with a croissant, muffin, or sandwich. facebook.com/CamelliasCoffeeandTea
Sammie statement
Feast’s year-long, cross-country tribute tour is nearly complete—52 sandwiches that spotlight state and territory favorites from Maine to Hawaii. August features a hearty lineup: D.C.’s half-smoke piled with Feast chili, Ohio’s messy-good Polish Boy, and West Virginia’s classic pepperoni roll baked in-house with garlic butter and ranch for dipping. Only one sandwich remains—Puerto Rico, coming soon. feastvirginia.com
Belmont steaks
An Instagram post announcing a 2025 opening for The Jervey says its team is transforming a 1931 service station at 500 Monticello Rd. into a sleek new steakhouse. The white stucco landmark—across from Mas—now features a fresh roof, bright windows, and an enclosed dining space where the gas pumps once stood. Named for Jean Jervey Frasier, a relative of one of the owners, the restaurant promises modern style with neighborhood coziness, centered on “delicious food, warm conviviality, and great people.” instagram.com/thejervey
Mountain High and statewide
The THC seltzer we mentioned back in March—Mountain High Seltzer, crafted in Crozet and produced with Blue Mountain Brewery—has officially gone statewide. Distributed by Anheuser-Busch’s Virginia Eagle and Hoffman Beverage, the hemp-derived THC/CBD fizzy is the first of its kind to hit shelves across Virginia. mountainhighseltzer.com
Spirits of success
Devils Backbone Distilling Company is raising a glass after standout wins at the SIP Awards, a consumer-judged spirits competition. Osprey Silver Rum snagged a double gold for its smooth balance of molasses and fruit, while Danzig Bottled-in-Bond Straight Malt Whiskey took home gold with a mash bill inspired by the brewery’s own Baltic Porter. Fox Field Gin, praised for its notes of botanicals, cardamom, and lemongrass, earned a silver medal and the consumer’s choice award. Raptor Dark Rum, aged in American and French oak, also scored silver and the innovation award with rich flavors of toffee, cherry, and vanilla. Sip these and more at the Charlottesville taproom. dbbrewing company.com/spirits
Greens, grits, and good times
Mark your calendar: The annual Greens Cook-Off at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center returns on September 13. Local cooks will face off with their best of three soul-food staples—greens, mac ‘n’ cheese, and dessert—and attendees get to taste and vote for the winners. The event celebrates the rich heritage and food traditions of the Black community, one plate at a time. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org/events/greens-cook-off
Expanding market share
As summer fades, you can still get your greens (and more) at the brand-new Starr Hill Farmers Market, launching August 17 at Jefferson School City Center. Running every second and fourth Sunday through November, the market will feature fresh produce, local goods, and SNAP/EBT with matching dollars. Vendor applications are still open. marketspread.com/market/21532/farmers-market-at-ix
Farm to shelf
Overwhelmed with farmers market goodness? The Charlottesville City Market just released a brand-new cookbook—a year-and-a-half in the making—that turns local ingredients into fresh, seasonal meals. Packed with recipes straight from the growers and makers, plus vendor spotlights and market photos, this spiral-bound collection is a love letter to Saturday mornings downtown. Pick up a copy for $25 at the market (Saturdays through Thanksgiving) or at any Charlottesville recreation center. charlottesville.gov/619/Charlottesville-Farmers-Markets
The Forum’s bourbon affair
On September 4, Kimpton The Forum Hotel will host a one-night-only small-batch bourbon dinner pairing led by Executive Chef Ryan Collins, who trained under culinary legend José Andrés. The evening begins with a welcome cocktail before a three-course dinner guided by a bourbon expert. Highlights include New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp and dumplings with Knob Creek, prime roast beef with maple praline-roasted cabbage paired with Booker’s, and a decadent banana-pecan bread pudding finished with Baker’s Single Barrel. eventbrite.com/e/small-batch-bourbon-dinner-cocktail-three-course-pairing-75-tickets-1568260923639
MORE TO CHEW ON
Wednesday 8/27
Red, White and Brie Charcuterie Design Workshop. Get ready to learn the art of creating the perfect charcuterie board at Hardware Hills Vineyard. All the ingredients and guidance you need to craft a delicious masterpiece will be provided, just in time for your Labor Day gathering. $55, 6:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com
Saturday 8/30
Lobsterpalooza. Oysters and lobsters by Salty Bottom Blue and a glass of sparkling blanc de blancs are the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Free entry, 1–4pm. Virginia Wine Collective, 1585 Avon St. Ext. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Saturday 9/13
Ford Haitian Foundation Cook Off. Local chefs compete for the first-place prize in a Caribbean cook out. Come and enjoy great food with friends, family, and neighbors. The event includes a silent auction, live music from Jon Spear and Brian Franke, and a curated cider flight to pair with the Caribbean dishes. Tastings and voting begin at 1pm. $60, noon–3:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Virginia Chili Blues & Brews Festival. Now in its 15th year, the festival brings together chili lovers, craft beer fans, and blues music enthusiasts for one spectacular weekend in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy a wide selection of craft beers from local and regional breweries, plus food trucks, artisan vendors, hot blues tunes, and interactive fun for all ages. All proceeds benefit the Wayne Theatre and its Studio Wayne Arts Education programs. $20, noon–9pm. 1 Lumos Plaza, Waynesboro. waynetheatre.org
Sunday 9/14
Cville Veg Fest. A vegan community event featuring plant-based foods, live music, entertainment, speakers, children’s activities, yoga, and more. Think farmer’s market but fully vegan with tons of live performances and activities. Visit the website for a complete list of vendors and main events on the stage. Free, 11am–4pm. IX Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. cvillevegfest.com
Saturday 9/20
A Long Expected Party. An immersive farm-to-table experience inspired by the warmth and camaraderie of Middle-earth. Attendees can expect an enchanting evening of Shire-inspired celebration with a hearty hobbit feast, flowing ale and wine, and lively entertainment. Benefiting Field of View, a nonprofit that supports the region’s small farms. $150–215, 5–10pm. Ten Wrens Flower Farm, North Garden. herdventures.org
Sunday 9/21
Mushroom Foraging Trip. Mise En Place offers a culinary excursion with the Blue Ridge Mycological Society. Tickets include a guided foraging walk, a “foraging” cider flight, a muslin foraging bag, and some delicious mushroom snacks to go with the cider. Rain or shine. $100, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. miseenplacerva.com
