Food Finds

Bazaar Salad at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

Nov 16

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 1 Comment

My recent Food Finds have not been a study in dietary restraint: biscuits and gravy, ice cream, chorizo burrito, cookies, you get the clogged artery picture. The only salad that’s earned Food Find status included fried food, cheese, and buttermilk. So I’m grateful that the Tea Bazaar has provided a find that’s good for overall health in addition to taste buds.

The Tea Bazaar’s signature salad is full of delicious and unexpected surprises. It starts with an overflowing plate of fresh produce with mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Golden raisins and candied walnuts add a touch of sweetness, and the entire thing is topped off with paper-thin pear slices and creamy feta cheese… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Good for Vegetarians, Neighborhood: Downtown, Outdoor Seating, Restaurant: Tea Bazaar

Biscuits and Gravy at l’etoile

Nov 12

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 2 Comments

We recently asked for Facebook opinions on the best biscuits in town and were shocked by the responses. Bluegrass Grill & Bakery was the leader, although there was a strong anti-whole wheat contingent that disputed this pick. And the runner-up? Hardee’s. Seriously. I took it as a sign that we need better biscuits in this town, but after a Sunday brunch at l’etoile I think we’re doing just fine.

There are two options to enjoy the delicious biscuits with sausage gravy at l’etoile: a stand-alone starter biscuit ($6) or a mini pair of biscuits that’s part of the Star Breakfast ($10), where you can enjoy them with eggs any… Read More

Tags: Brunch, Charlottesville, Cuisine: American, Neighborhood: Main Street, Restaurant: l'etoile

Relay Foods

Oct 28

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 3 Comments

For those of you who aren’t yet singing the praises of Relay Foods, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. The delivery and pick-up grocery service offers online shopping from local food favorites. You can pick it up at locations at various times and places throughout the week for no extra charge, or even have it delivered to your house for a small extra fee.

Online shopping and delivery is nothing new, but the local slant makes Relay amazing. Did you ever think you could get Gearheart’s chocolates delivered to your doorstep?

Here are a few of the reasons I love Relay Foods:

Agnes’ Very Very All Natural Bagel Spread Honey

Tags: Charlottesville, Delivery, Restaurant: Carpe Donut, Restaurant: Mona Lisa, Restaurant: Revolutionary Soup

Maharaja Treat

Oct 18

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 7 Comments

A tip for those, like me, who believe that Indian food is best enjoyed in large quantities: Maharaja has a brilliant menu option that will help you reach max stomach capacity in a budget-friendly way. I’ve always had a difficult time deciding between my favorite Indian dishes. That is, until we discovered the Maharaja Treat. This menu option allows you to select two “half” entrees for the price of one ($13.90 for Vegetarian, $14.90 for Chicken, $15.90 for Lamb) although we’ve always found the servings are much closer to a full size than a half. You can easily split one Maharaja Treat between two if you want a lighter experience, or… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Indian, Good for Vegetarians, Neighborhood: 29/Emmet St, Restaurant: Maharaja

The Double Bratoberfest at The Nook

Oct 15

Posted by Jed in Food Finds | 3 Comments

It’s almost impossible for me to pass up brats when I see them on a menu or in a cart, especially at sporting events or anytime in the month of October. But I wasn’t sure I had ordered wisely (sorry, Snooki) when I saw these two meat-pops land under my nose.

How mistaken I was. Not only was it a wise decision but it was real smart too. Beer-soaked sausage with sweet braised onions atop a couple of stripes of mustard on a potato roll, with kettle chips on the side? Huzzah! Great texture, strong beer flavor, extra soft roll, everything just right.

For all you sausage-eating types… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: American, Cuisine: German, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: The Nook

Get Your Pho Fix at Lemongrass

Oct 13

Posted by Jed in Food Finds, News | 5 Comments

If you haven’t had pho (pronounced “fuh”) – a Vietnamese noodle soup featuring beef or chicken or other more adventurous meats, with all kinds of fixins to jazz it up – put it on your calendar for lunch this weekend. Lemongrass, the Thai-Vietnamese restaurant on the Corner that is often though not always excellent, is serving up pho on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 5pm.

What’s so great about it? We haven’t tried this particular pho yet, but there’s a certain addictive magic to most of them that’s hard to describe. Something about the way the lime-cilantro cuts into the rich, complex broth, and the comforting textures of the thinly sliced meat… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Vietnamese, Neighborhood: The Corner, Restaurant: Lemongrass

Sweet Frog

Aug 9

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 8 Comments

There have been signs that I’m rapidly developing a problem. It started out innocently enough when I heard that Sweet Frog, the new self-serve yogurt place on the downtown mall, was about to open. I began thinking about it an awful lot, thanks to a pre-existing addiction to Pinkberry, the original California-based yogurt trend. After its opening last week, I grew slightly concerned when I visited Sweet Frog three times in 38 hours. And I was downright embarrassed when I ate it so quickly last night that I developed the hiccups. So I may have a problem – but it’s a delicious one.

Sweet Frog (next door to Escafé) has ten yogurt… Read More

Tags: Cuisine: American, Dessert, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Sweet Frog

Super Tacos at La Michoacana

Jul 21

Posted by Jed in Food Finds | 15 Comments

If you ask someone in this town to direct you to the best tacos, you’ll hear one of the following:

• Cinema Taco

• The tacos at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning

• Aqui es Mexico

• La Michoacana

In all fairness, I haven’t tried the Farmer’s Market samplings – I hear they’re the best – but among the others, my money goes to La Michoacana. They’ve been inconsistent over the years, and I don’t much enjoy their burritos or other offerings, but the tacos are tops.

Of the possible taco tortilla options – crunchy corn, soft corn, or soft flour – La… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Mexican, Neighborhood: High Street Extended, Restaurant: La Michoacana

Adam’s Apple Sandwich at Rev Soup

Jun 24

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 2 Comments

It took me awhile to venture beyond Rev Soup’s forte – quite obviously, its soups – to try its non-liquid offerings. Which means I wasted valuable time in finding one of the most delicious sandwiches in town.

There’s a lot to love about Rev Soup. The fact that they offer sustainably raised local food (their latest project is a recently purchased Rev Soup Farm). The eclectic, delicious wine selection that tempts you in the order line, especially because all bottles are under $10. And come on, Rev Soup could stay in business just serving the Spicy Senegalese Tofu Peanut Soup. There’s… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Local, Cuisine: Sandwiches, Neighborhood: Downtown, Neighborhood: The Corner, Restaurant: Revolutionary Soup

German Chocolate Ice Cream at Chaps

Jun 19

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 2 Comments

It’s currently 92 degrees out with the usual June humidity adding an extra level of discomfort. And yet I’m choosing to sit outside on the downtown mall, withering more in the sun with every passing moment. Why subject myself to this Virginia heat? Because soon it will make a cone of Chaps ice cream even more delicious and appreciated.

Chaps isn’t about espresso chile sorbet or ginger passionfruit gelato or mini mochi toppings or anything else fancy. It’s about ice cream, pure and simple. The ice cream is handmade, the flavors are classic, and the setting looks like the Peach Pit grew up and went through some rough times. Chaps is… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Ice Cream, Dessert, Good for Families, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Chaps Ice Cream