Enoteca is made for girls nights out and men in need of a first date destination. The wine bar’s sleek communal tables and slim servings on small plates definitely draw in more of the ladies than the men. My favorite menu item, however, should appeal to all types and genders – or at least provide an added lure for the men.
The Fig, Ricotta, and Honey Bruschette perfects a sweet and salty flavor combo. Enoteca starts with a crunchy bread base covered with the creamiest ricotta cheese you can imagine. Next they pile on sweetly soaked sliced figs that are drizzled with honey. But the best touch is the spicy sprinkle of black pepper on top. It’s creamy decadent goodness with an unexpected bite. It’s a perfect after work snack with a glass of cool white wine and a lovely dessert at the end of evening with a bottle of red. Or go ahead and order 3 at $2 a pop and make it a dinner.
While Ten is undeniably one of the tastier restaurants in town, it doesn’t scream “bargain dining.” You can eat sushi flown in from the Pacific while sitting at a swank bar that feels more New York than Charlottesville, but you’re going to pay a premium to do so. Or so I thought, until a recent visit to Ten when we discovered their tasting menu. 
If it’s Tuesday and the weather is brisk, there are few better lunch options than Eppie’s fabulous turkey chili. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Eppie’s, the downtown lunch staple offers up consistently good comfort food: the portions are large, the prices are low, and the menu appeals to kids and office workers alike. There’s a different lunch special every day, but for my lunch Tuesdays are king. The made-from-scratch turkey chili is tomato tangy but still has a good kick. It comes with a delicious cornbread wedge (filled with real corn pieces) and a healthy serving of cheese or sour cream on the side. This is no puny soup cup but an enormous bowl that will… 
