A happy marriage: Maya perfects Charlottesville’s signature cuisine

Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville’s original gourmand, was famous for the food served at his Monticello home, which statesman Daniel Webster said was “half Virginian, half French…in good taste and abundance.” Fast forward 200 years, and things seem very much the same in Jefferson’s hometown. Half Virginian, half French food, in good taste and abundance, is everywhere. […]

Marriage or bust: Why are Charlottesville weddings so dang expensive?

A fairy-tale ending I find myself perusing wedding blogs and Pinterest more than I should for someone who isn’t even engaged, looking at all the pretty pictures of tablescapes, place settings, flower arrangements, and decorative lighting, and daydreaming about what I would do for my future wedding. And, sometimes when I’m feeling supergiddy and girly […]

Five Finds on Friday: Matt Boisvert of C&O

On Fridays, we and The Charlottesville 29 feature five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Matt Boisvert, who is leaving his acting sous chef position at Tavola to re-unite with chef/owner Dean Maupin at C&O.  Years ago, Boisvert worked under Maupin for four years at Clifton Inn.  Boisvert’s picks: 1)  […]

Veggie delight: Shebeen’s sadza cakes satisfy picky palates

Ah, the plight of the vegetarian. Even in this day and age, scrumptious grub options for those who don’t dig the flesh can still be scant. Everyone else at the table will be tucking into savory, juicy, chunky, flame-licked, and skillet-seared succulence, while the pitiful vegetarian sits there with his microwaved veggie burger getting cold […]

It’s all French to me: Say ‘Oui!’ to these best bets with French origins

Virginia is home to many international transplants—residents, tourists, students, laborers, and…vitis vinifera grapes. Every person and every grape planted here has been rooted elsewhere, and many have found a home amongst our mountains, valleys, and ever-changing climate. Thomas Jefferson planted upwards of 30 European grape varieties at Monticello in the 1770s, which did not yield […]

Five Finds on Friday: Hernan Franco of Beer Run

On Fridays, we and The Charlottesville 29 feature five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  Today’s picks come from Hernan Franco, the chef who has presided over the kitchen at Beer Run ever since it opened.  Franco’s picks: 1)  Chimichanga at El Puerto.  “I really enjoy the freshness of the sides.  The lettuce, tomato, […]