At Kokoro, sushi lovers are in good hands

Often when I eat out, I ask if the chefs would make whatever they like. While the request can perplex some servers, a little persistence can usually have it delivered to the kitchen. I figure that no one has a more reliable opinion of a restaurant’s food than those who prepare it. The Japanese have […]

Overheard on the restaurant scene: This week’s food and drink news

A popular southern beer is making its debut in Central Virginia. The notoriously hoppy beers produced by the Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company, which was ranked by the Brewer’s Association as one of the nation’s top 25 craft breweries, are now available at several locations around town. The 420 Extra Pale Ale, SweetWater’s flagship beer that […]

State of the vineyard: Local winemakers look forward to what 2014 will bring

Every year around this time, our nation’s president makes a State of the Union address reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the previous year, while also looking ahead at the agenda for the upcoming year. While the president’s address typically includes legislative proposals and government-related issues, this State of the Union address is written […]

Five Finds on Friday: Richard Ridge

On Fridays, we feature five foods selected by local chefs and personalities. Today’s picks come from Richard Ridge, chef of Restoration, at Old Trail Golf Club in Crozet.  Ridge’s picks: 1) Country Ham and Apple Chutney Sandwich at Greenwood Gourmet. “It’s been on the specials board for as long as I can remember and I hope David and Nina […]

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie defies all self control

Some call it Dr. Ho’s Challenge: Try to make it out of Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie without entering a food coma. The menu at the popular North Garden restaurant is so loaded with greatness that it’s almost impossible not to over-order. Even if you get past the best pizza in the area, the wings will […]

A Charlottesville wine lover takes on the grapes of Sicily

We all know the “locavore” movement is in full swing, as evidenced by the evolution of restaurant menus across the country, and countless articles and books written about the local food scene. Charlottesville thrives in the midst of farms and locally grown food, and as Virginia gains credibility as a wine destination, our little town […]

2013 in numbers: A look back at how the year added up

There are 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, and 525,600 minutes in a year. But there was a lot more to 2013 than just the sands in the hourglass, so we’ve compiled what we think are the most noteworthy stories of the last 31,536,000 seconds. Here’s the year by the numbers—from hawks spotted […]