Better late than never: Late night options for after-dark diners

This is more about reliability than quality. If you’re looking for something to eat at 1am, how exquisite can you expect the cuisine to be? First thing you need to know is that the place is open. And that alone really narrows the field. And we’re talking mid-week here. We can’t concern ourselves with Friday […]

Good eaters: How to raise an omnivorous child

According to karma, I should have a picky child. (I once threw a fit when my parents stopped at Wendy’s because the hamburgers there are square instead of round.) But not only has Maisie never even eaten a fast food hamburger in her nearly five years of life, but she’s a better, more adventurous eater […]

In a crowded field of grocery options, loyalty goes a long way

From Feast! to Food Lion, Charlottesville is home to dozens of grocery stores, and recent months have brought more to the already crowded field of options for shoppers. The city is packed with small urban markets, specialty shops, and big box stores. Trendy chain Trader Joe’s arrived with great fanfare last month, and two new […]

Drinks, drinks, and more drinks: This week’s restaurant news

One stop shopping (and drinking) Kill two birds with one stone at Early Mountain Vineyards on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 for the third annual Holiday Open House from 11am-5pm. Shop from local artisans selling crafts and specialty food items while enjoying a glass of Virginia wine. Gift baskets stuffed with local fare […]

Five Finds on Friday: Tim Edmond of Potter’s Craft Cider

On Fridays, we and The Charlottesville 29 feature five finds selected by local chefs and personalities.  In honor of the recent Virginia Cider Week, today’s picks come from Tim Edmond, co-owner of Potter’s Craft Cider, which, in its short existence, is already winning praise far and wide. Edmond’s picks: 1)  Soft Pretzel at Early Mountain Vineyards.   “If you haven’t ventured to Madison […]

Wine, cheese, and a Beer Run: This week’s restaurant news

Clifton Inn makes a Beer Run Tucker Yoder of the Clifton Inn teams up with Beer Run on a collaborative “Winter Beer Dinner” on Monday, December 3. Five inventive courses will be paired with unique beers inspired by winter from Bells, La Chouffe, Victory, 21st Amendment, and Liefmans breweries. Festivities and canapés begin at 6pm, […]

A Farmhouse meal and a Champion brew: This week’s restaurant news

New brews It takes a champion to run the sales and marketing for family-owned winery Afton Mountain Vineyards, build-out an empty building in Belmont, brew hand-crafted beer, and raise a family. Somehow, Hunter Smith has managed to accomplish all of these feats, and the doors of Champion Brewing Company should open later this month. The […]

Choosing wines for Thanksgiving is easier than you think

Nothing makes a wine columnist feel the freakishly swift passage of days more than the realization that it’s Thanksgiving wine recommendation time yet again. Every year, I consider taking a different approach—or even skipping it entirely, hoping that no one will notice the omission of what’s become an annual expectation. (Especially tempting after our beer […]