The Commonwealth’s Commonwealth
Come Friday, Charlottesville will have its own skybar! It’s not the original one planned for the now-defunct Landmark Hotel, but Commonwealth Restaurant’s Skybar is a bar under the sky—and open as of September 23. With 16 beers on tap, a menu of upscale bar favorites blessed with Chef Alex George’s Caribbean/Latin American flourishes and space for close to 200 people, the Skybar spells al fresco merriment for 10 months of the year (thanks to heaters and retractable awnings).
The 30-seat, street-level patio and 80-seat dining area offers the Skybar menu during the 3-5:30pm void, and after that it’s dishes like sautéed chick peas, mustard greens, Roma tomatoes, fresh curry leaves over fragrant rice and grilled natural lamb chops with lavender honey sauce and minted mushy peas cooked in a shiny kitchen that’s visible from a giant picture window along Fifth Street. Specialty cocktails and a unique wine program that includes 15 half bottles will make this new addition to the restaurant scene popular with crowds on the Downtown Mall.
Little shop of sweets
Sweethaus, a cupcake and candy shop at 315 W. Main St., has opened to the delight of sweet tooths everywhere. Specializing in small batch, homemade cupcakes and retro candies like Fun Dip and candy cigarettes, Sweethaus (open Thursdays through Sundays) will also offer customized candy buffets for weddings and special occasions. How sweet it is!
