‘I Hate Charlottesville’

By James Keith Ford “Before social media, finding other spooky folks wasn’t easy,” recalls Bill Hunt. Then he discovered the goth scene at Charlottesville sushi spot Tokyo Rose. “Descending into that dark basement, I was amazed to see dozens of strangers clad all in black. It was the first time in my life that I […]

Gettin’ full

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Charlottesville has lost more than 20 restaurants. And while we mourn the losses, there’s plenty to be excited about, too. The year has seen 30 new restaurants and a bustling food court open. As we tally things up at the end of another tumultuous year, all signs point to […]

Shiny and new

The change of season may inspire you toward big, bold reds, but there are many white wines worthy of attention during the colder months. These options include sparkling wines, wines made from grape varieties that produce heavier styles, white wines with more textural complexity, and sweet and luscious dessert wines. The Virginia Wine Board marketing […]

Keeping it seasonal

By Chris Martin As they hurry to set up their stalls on a frosty November morning, breathy clouds billow from the mouths of market vendors while they exchange coffee and hand warmers, and gab about the items they’ve brought to the market to sell. Excitement typically revolves around what’s new from the gardens and kitchens, […]

Pick: Crozet Winter Brews Festival

Holiday hops: Craft brews and mountain views await at the Crozet Winter Brews Festival, a celebration of dark beers and winter sips from Virginia breweries and cideries. Enjoy toasty stouts, chocolatey browns, crisp ciders, and never-before-seen beers as you relax in a heated lounge. Lord Nelson and Matthew O’Donnell bring the tunes, and a variety […]

A toast to the front line

Blenheim Vineyards is encouraging everyone to raise a glass to our first responders…literally. In a collaboration between the vineyard and renowned chef José Andrés’ international nonprofit World Central Kitchen, Blenheim’s On the Line wines are helping raise money to provide healthy meals for those still fighting the pandemic. Dave Matthews, musician, philanthropist, and owner of […]

Take your pick

By Chris Martin With serious supply shortages and shipping delays slowing everything down, holiday cooking staples from bacon to flour to peppercorns and more have suddenly become hard to come by. But fear not—the humble squash is here to save the day. More than just funky fall porch decor, the squash is an often-overlooked veggie […]

Core focus

It’s well known that our founding fathers brewed beer, distilled whiskey, and, in the case of Thomas Jefferson, worked diligently to make wine in Virginia. But cider, too has been in production since the Colonial era—both Washington and Jefferson also grew apples and brewed cider. The industrial revolution saw a decline in the cider industry, […]

Sweet cycle

By Carrie Meslar A jar of honey seems like a simple thing. One ingredient, most often drizzled or spooned out in those hazy first hours of the day. Yet, to bring that honey to the table is an involved year-long process that offers little rest for those who decide to take up the challenge. For […]

Easy as local, fresh-baked pie

By Chris Martin With the holidays fast approaching, bakeries are sifting through 50-pound bags of flour faster than you can open a can of cranberry sauce, and pie is cooling around every corner. Local pie maker and young entrepreneur Megan Adams is facing down another holiday baking season. Adams sells sumptuous apple hand pies, mini […]