Wisdom from the wells 

By Carrie Meslar Bartenders have long been relied on as secret keepers and unofficial therapists. There in times of joy and times of sorrow, observing real life at one of the last true gathering places in our increasingly tech-driven world. In the current era of sitting down at the bar, more and more conversations are […]

Thirst place

August is Virginia Craft Beer month and, as part of the celebration, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild hosted the annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition. This year, a record 106 breweries submitted 396 beers, and several Charlottesville-area breweries won significant awards (see below).  Noteworthy among local winners is Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s first-place award in […]

Small bites

Newly planted We have a new crush—it’s free of GMOs, pesticides, and hormones, and full of flavor. The Shops at Stonefield welcomed Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery in July to the delight of Charlottesville health nuts (and nut nuts). OK is all in on its mission to make delicious, healthy food available in a fast-casual setting, […]

Second helping

By Matt Dhillon Fans of the Basan food truck may be experiencing an empty feeling in Charlottesville’s parking lots and on its blacktops. One of the city’s most beloved dining experiences, marked by a fire-breathing rooster logo, is no more. But every night resolves into morning, and for Basan proprietors and chefs Kelsey Naylor and […]

Pick: From the Jump

Taste test: Get to know an up-and-coming local brewery at From the Jump, a block party fundraiser for Neon Culture Brewing. Brew leader Corey Hoffman builds inclusion through craft beer, and is looking to be the first Black and minority-owned brewery in Charlottesville. Hoffman will be pouring up three brews, created in partnership with Decipher […]

How do you like it?

Crisp. Refreshing. Bright. Glou-glou. Quaffable. These are the words you want associated with the wines you drink in the summer. It’s no surprise that full-bodied, high alcohol, heavily tannic wines are put aside when the temperature and humidity are on the rise. Here are five kinds of wine to chill out with this summer: Sparkling […]

C-VILLE’s editor walks into a bar…

I’m new in town, so naturally, for my first assignment, I bellied up to six bars and sampled this year’s Best of C-VILLE nominees for Best Craft Cocktail.  It’s like a latte with alcohol—but better Tavola | Cool as a Cucumber Tavola is a chic Italian restaurant with a killer bar. While there, I had—to […]

Iced is hot

With so many coffee roasters trying to deliver the perfect cup, central Virginia joe fans have lots to choose from. The advantages of buying from local roasters goes beyond allegiance to the companies and the love for all things local, though—the  direct benefit to the coffee drinker is a matter of taste. Buying coffee locally […]

Small bites

Regional beers crush it at the CBMA The Craft Beer Marketing Awards, a global event that lets brewers compete for titles like Best Tap Handle and Best Beer Related Podcast, recently announced its 2022 winners, and multiple Virginia brands were on the list. For amateur beer consumers who are overwhelmed by the array of craft […]

Summer Guide

From polo and swimming holes, to sunsets and weed, here’s our guide to the season’s hottest happenings. 1. Flix at IX Remember the good ol’ days of drive-in movies—basking in the warm summer air, holding your portable radio close, munching on snacks? If you’ve never experienced the magic of outdoor cinema in the summer, IX […]