In the fall of 1993, in a booth at an unassuming new restaurant on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, I dug into a plate of rabbit quesadillas. I was floored. “Who puts rabbit in quesadillas?” I thought. “And, how could they taste this good?” In an era when fine dining meant white tablecloths and fussy French cuisine, […]
In the fall of 1993, in a booth at an unassuming new restaurant on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, I dug into a plate of rabbit quesadillas. I was floored. “Who puts rabbit in quesadillas?” I thought. “And, how could they taste this good?” In an era when fine dining meant white tablecloths and fussy French cuisine, […]
Ramen and donut shop makes debut on Downtown Mall You may have noticed a sign for a new restaurant on the mall, and no, you didn’t read it incorrectly—it does say ramen and donuts. “Because, why not?” says Miso Sweet co-owner and chef Frank Paris. Frank and his wife Heather, who met while they were […]
Just like omnivores, vegetarians—whether lacto-ovo, 100 percent plant-based or flexitarian—want options that inspire and beguile. Vegetarians want to get lost in a delicious meal in a beautiful space just as much as the next foodie. And for those of us who are picky or want to get our money’s worth, aka refuse to spend $15 […]
The loneliest hours It’s 1am, and you’re starving but you got nothin’ in your fridge. It’s 2am and your baby’s spiked a 105 degree temperature. It’s 4am and you hear a scraping sound on your window. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you’re very grateful for the folks who work while the rest of […]
Public Fish & Oyster preps for sister location Oyster season is just around the corner, and the guys at Public Fish & Oyster are gearing up to bring the chewy, briny delicacies beyond West Main Street. Last week, Public owner and general manager Daniel Kaufman announced his plans to open Public West Pub & Oyster […]
It all started in a suburban Philadelphia basement, where one of Tom Iezzi’s godfathers—Pop Calvarese, a fresh transplant from Italy—made wine each year. The habit was nothing unusual or particularly fancy; many East Coast Italian immigrants made wine from grapes shipped in from California to South Philadelphia markets. Calvarese ingeniously used the wine as a […]
Coca-Cola building on Preston welcomes first tenant Timbercreek Market wants to help you put supper on the table. Sara and Zach Miller had a clear goal when they established Timbercreek Organic Farm in 2007: Grow good food for the people of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Walk through the door of the Millers’ new venture, Timbercreek […]
I saw the TV ad for the wing eating contest. I texted to enter. I got a text back: “You are entered into the Battle of the Braveheart Wing Off Challenge! Prepare thy gullet.” I prepared my gullet. As challenge day drew near, I felt like something was up. Wouldn’t they contact me to let me know […]
It’s affordable, actually sustainable and certainly not the modern American lifestyle most have become accustomed to, with multiple cars per family, smart phones for everyone and streaming video on demand. The 5-year-old project called Living Energy Farm is an off-the-grid, zero-fossil-fuel-emission community in the works in Louisa County, described in two words by its creator: […]
Ownership scramble cooking at Bluegrass Grill & Bakery Chrissy Benninger’s been part owner of Bluegrass Grill & Bakery for more than five years. Just a couple months ago, she got a bee in her bonnet to make serious changes. Why now? She’s bought out her partners, Jim and Lalah Simcoe, and that’s renewed her enthusiasm. […]