Posts Tagged Neighborhood: Downtown

The Downtown Hotdog Company

Aug 15

Ah, the hot dog. Baseball and barbecue staple, street minute-meal for the suddenly starved. Proud poster child of American no-nonsense-ness, butt of mystery meat and wiener jokes.

Or so it was. The arrival of The Downtown Hotdog Company, along with such international crazes as Japadog, heralds a new era of thinking about and eating hot dogs. No longer content to be monopolized by Oscar Meyer or confined to white buns, Heinz ketchup, French’s mustard, and maybe some diced onions or pickle relish, the noble wiener is going gourmet.

At the Downtown Hotdog Company, you can pick from a dozen arrangements – including such stand-outs as “The Dragon” with… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: American, Neighborhood: Downtown, Rating: 3 stars, Restaurant: The Downtown Hotdog Co.

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

Cantaloupe Smoothie at Java Java

Jul 26

Posted by Erin in Drinks | 1 Comment

The recent string of a million degree humid weather has made my mid-afternoon coffee outings from the office rather unappealing. Loading up on ice cream seems much better yet a bit too decadent for every afternoon. So what’s a downtown worker to do in this heat? Lately I’ve been hitting Java Java Downtown to try their fruit smoothies for a different kind of afternoon pick-me-up. While there are more traditional smoothie flavors, my favorite is the delicious and unique Cantaloupe smoothie.

Java Java’s Cantaloupe Smoothie is a little less sweet than other fruit blends. It’s icy and creamy with a hint of honey and spice to it, with a beautiful pastel color that screams summer. It’s a… Read More

Tags: Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Java Java

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

Camino

Jun 16

Posted by Jed in Reviews | 2 Comments

I remember when Erin and I discovered Il Cane Pazzo. It was a cold autumn night, and we had decided to see a movie at Vinegar Hill. In the ticket line, Erin craned her neck to take in the warm glow of the restaurant next door. “Why have we never noticed this place?” she said. I shrugged and went over to look at the menu. Just a few items, classic Italian with a twist here and there, not cheap. As it turns out, it was also fantastically delicious. Some of the best Italian either of us had ever had. When it went away and Camino took… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Italian, Cuisine: Mediterranean, Neighborhood: Downtown, Rating: 3 stars, Restaurant: Camino

Cinema Taco

Jun 9

Posted by Erin in Reviews | 5 Comments

Shortly after I fell in love with Jed, he moved to Argentina. From that point on he had to share my love with empanadas, as it was during my visits there that I discovered this semi-circle of pastry perfection, a handful of happiness with various meat, veggie, and dessert fillings. They’re cheap, delicious, and a balanced late night meal, so I was giddy when Cinema Taco opened up adjacent to the Jefferson with a giant empanada display case front and center.

Cinema Taco has a fool proof concept: cheap Mexican and South American classics served up as lunch for downtown workers and late night food for hungry Jefferson concertgoers. The setting is… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: Mexican, Lunch, Neighborhood: Downtown, Outdoor Seating, Rating: 2 stars, Restaurant: Cinema Taco

Food Find: Popcorn Favorites

May 11

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 1 Comment

My friend and fellow popcorn addict Ike was once forced to take a popcorn hiatus after a doctor had to remove a lodged kernel from his esophagus. While I’ve never had a near death popcorn experience, it’s not from lack of overeating. So in celebration of popcorn gluttony, here’s a special food find on some favorites in Charlottesville.

Even devoted popcorn lovers have mixed opinions on kettle korn, the sweet and salty combo. Traditionalists may not like it, but I love it and Blue Ridge Kettle Korn makes the best I’ve had. I think it’s the best popcorn in town. Blue Ridge Kettle Korn is sold at various

Tags: Cuisine: Popcorn, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Blue Ridge Kettle Korn, Restaurant: Great Scott's Gourmet Popcor

Food Find: Miller’s Fried Green Tomato Salad

Apr 7

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | 2 Comments

Miller’s has stepped it up for the warmer months with some new menu items, including a twist on my favorite Southern summer staple. While a Fried Green Tomato Salad may sound like a healthy makeover of this classic, please remember this is Miller’s we’re talking about: healthy need not apply.

This salad consists of five deliciously fried tomato slabs covering a miniscule sprinkling of salad greens. The genius of the dish comes in the goat cheese and cucumber salsa that is layered over the tomatoes, adding a cool creamy balance to the hot fried deliciousness. Buttermilk dressing generously tops it all for a decadent dish best experienced with a midday beer on the patio… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Cuisine: American, Good for Vegetarians, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Miller's

Food Find: Enoteca’s Fig, Ricotta, and Honey Bruschette

Mar 1

Posted by Erin in Food Finds | No Comments

enoteca 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… Read More

Tags: Charlottesville, Neighborhood: Downtown, Restaurant: Enoteca