Virginia wine lovers, raise a glass—preferably filled with Barboursville Vineyards’ 2023 vermentino. Luca Paschina has done it again, snagging a sixth Virginia Governor’s Cup for the winery. New this year, the competition introduced Best in Show awards for the most competitive categories. Both Pollak Vineyards’ 2022 merlot reserve and Jefferson Vineyards’ 2023 viognier were honored. […]
Virginia wine lovers, raise a glass—preferably filled with Barboursville Vineyards’ 2023 vermentino. Luca Paschina has done it again, snagging a sixth Virginia Governor’s Cup for the winery. New this year, the competition introduced Best in Show awards for the most competitive categories. Both Pollak Vineyards’ 2022 merlot reserve and Jefferson Vineyards’ 2023 viognier were honored. […]
After a fire closed Silk Thai in the summer of 2022, the beloved Charlottesville restaurant is finally welcoming diners back. The road to reopening was long, but owner Mongkhol Chinsetthagit, known as TK Chin, never lost sight of his vision. The fire, caused by a gas leak in the basement of the old building on […]
Soul food is more than just a meal. It’s kinship and history piled high on a plate. It’s about the people who make it and the community it brings to the table. That’s the philosophy behind Signature Soul, Shaun Jenkins’ new restaurant in the former Umma’s location. As the eclectic sister to Jenkins’ Soul Food […]
Nestled on Elliewood Avenue, Take It Away has been serving up made-to-order sammies for more than three decades, thanks to the resilience and passion of owner Tom Bowe. A true survivor, Bowe was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, faced down the odds, and after two hip replacements and a battle that almost took him, […]
There is something magical about chocolate. I used to spend every Sunday with my Nana, and these visits included a chocolate treat or two from her sweets jar on the gold-speckled white Formica counter. In my youth, my dad was my best Valentine (yes, I’ve been to therapy)—he bought Mom, my sister, and me fancy […]
Vitis vinifera and native apples soak up the praise for the nationally acclaimed pressings that fill Virginia’s cellars. For every drop that makes it to the vintner’s bottle, loads of wine and cider base are blended out or sold in bulk, in order for producers to stay under target case counts. Spoiled bits and trimmings […]
Donuts have been on a certain trajectory for the last two decades: bigger, more toppings, more creativity—an arms race of candy, cookies, and fried pork. After several years working with semi-traditionalists Jason Becton and Patrick Evans at MarieBette Café & Bakery, Melissa Sbrocco went in a different direction when she opened her namesake donut shop […]
Farewells and silver linings The Rooftop in Crozet has shut its doors. The news came in a statement earlier this month from owners Kelley Tripp and Justin Van der Linde, who also own Smoked Kitchen & Tap. They announced that the restaurant—known for its Blue Ridge views, Parmesan fries, and an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch—was closed […]
From bagels to biscuits to burritos, we dig in to the best meal of the day (and where to find it around town). BY: Brielle Entzminger, Ben Hitchcock, Laura Longhine, and Erin O’Hare Best in biscuits Biscuits are a breakfast staple around here-—but which one is the best? We rounded up our favorites (with top […]
We’ll admit it, February isn’t the most exciting month of the year. Cabin fever has set in and the anticipation of spring is running high. Enter MarieBette Café & Bakery, with its fourth annual hot chocolate month. Both locations will offer a special hot chocolate flavor each day from Saturday, February 1, through Saturday, February […]