tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50894172780507007812023-11-16T07:50:18.519-05:00Cville To GoOne guy's experiences with taking-out in Charlottesville.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-2296504777286337982010-05-10T10:13:00.001-04:002010-05-11T08:54:35.816-04:00Last Call Dogs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjCrGWXW-fNiK6sDA5j7l3gv4LmvtwOqvMmR2xaYgydz5iLQnwIOeEntPgxb2zIm5sdnIpPNWH5IDBF_3Ux3FeYRbnRlfy1lXoeZnfC3AvExkb993H7m-eFjsuMIYh9cTHjvPzrRbPVnP/s1600/lastcalldog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjCrGWXW-fNiK6sDA5j7l3gv4LmvtwOqvMmR2xaYgydz5iLQnwIOeEntPgxb2zIm5sdnIpPNWH5IDBF_3Ux3FeYRbnRlfy1lXoeZnfC3AvExkb993H7m-eFjsuMIYh9cTHjvPzrRbPVnP/s400/lastcalldog.gif" width="135" /></a><b>subject: Last Call Dogs</b><br />
<b>take-out vehicle: paper sleeve</b><br />
<b>cost: $3</b><br />
<br />
Once a to-go blogger, always a to-go blogger, I suppose. I spotted the bright yellow <a href="http://lastcalldogs.com/index.html">Last Call Dogs</a> truck at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Levon-Helm/99136623527">Levon Helm</a> concert on Saturday and, despite my new appreciation for <a href="http://cvilletogrow.blogspot.com/">local and organic foods</a>, I just couldn't restrain myself. I mean, I can't deny myself <i>all</i> the joys of life just because I'm trying to eat and live a little healthier.<br />
<br />
But, while I stand by a fledgling locavore's right to order a processed hot dog here and there, my actual decision about what to order still confuses me. So, for lack of a better reason, I'll blame <a href="http://pleasurefromthethorns.blogspot.com/">this guy</a>. See, he and I go way back, and prior to his visit several months ago, I scoped out some vegan-friendly fare downtown, lest he be forced to starve. I actually found some good stuff, and ever since I've been bizarrely fascinated with vegan food.<br />
<br />
Until Saturday, that is. It turns out that—unlike some other <a href="http://hamdingerscart.com/contact.html">mobile eateries</a>—Last Call Dogs is not the place to indulge in one's bizarre gastronomic fascinations. I won't say it was the worst thing I ever ate, but that's only because I don't mind the taste of white bread, mustard, relish, and onions. Oh yes, there was a vegan dog in there somewhere, but it was only detectable through its mass. While that's great if you're hungry, it's kinda crappy if you actually like hot dogs.<br />
<br />
In case you're as curious as I was, the friendly Last Call Doggers told me that the vegan dog I paid $3 for was a <a href="http://www.lightlife.com/product_detail.jsp?p=smartdogs">Smart Dog®</a>. Had I ordered a regular, non-vegan Last Call Dog, I would've gotten a <a href="http://www.nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/">Nathan's®</a> brand dog, which are really good. So, despite my best efforts, I guess I really did deny myself one of the joys of life.<br />
<br />
Oh well.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-26769045861574871042010-04-23T15:01:00.001-04:002010-04-23T15:04:27.188-04:00Introducing Cville To Grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj185_iEXfaxEei5u4Hc3u6GoQAnywsC97SnXf5pFOz1gt-gm0hJ7vCf6FpHCtQm-wqvEwLTb3xoeUhDqAVHFtZG4hfCzrf1tLrfN9fl248_5erv3JOOdIJaUpuwV_xx2Fvg6CCaw5DvW6/s1600/FBbanner_sm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj185_iEXfaxEei5u4Hc3u6GoQAnywsC97SnXf5pFOz1gt-gm0hJ7vCf6FpHCtQm-wqvEwLTb3xoeUhDqAVHFtZG4hfCzrf1tLrfN9fl248_5erv3JOOdIJaUpuwV_xx2Fvg6CCaw5DvW6/s320/FBbanner_sm.gif" /></a></div>You may have noticed my post frequency has dropping a bit as of late. Well, I hate to say I'm losing my enthusiasm for take-out food, but...I think I'm losing my enthusiasm for take-out food. I still like blogging, however, so I'd like to introduce my new project: <a href="http://cvilletogrow.blogspot.com/">Cville To Grow</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in following along on my journey through Charlottesville's local and organic food options, or if you'd like to learn new ways and reasons to integrate such foods into your diet, I'd appreciate your continued readership.<br />
<br />
If you're a big fan of take-out food, though, take heart. I don't plan on abandoning this blog completely. I mean, it may not be as healthy, but everybody's got to get some take-out once in a while.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-43208429368676699362010-04-12T09:48:00.015-04:002010-04-12T12:45:47.244-04:00End Zone Pizza<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAEm1-xStQHoZg8k_60iR3Pcb7Vg2pNVvTdUMGIBZeLzzdM1hyyBCRf8kcRWMZoz2H_QpzCsPnh1toE2Lmt46_Fy2rx5zFQYwbXY1Fv-zlOq695Q1jLzD7DIPJ7Gl5SFZUbKmr-21UhbK/s1600/end_zone_pizza.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAEm1-xStQHoZg8k_60iR3Pcb7Vg2pNVvTdUMGIBZeLzzdM1hyyBCRf8kcRWMZoz2H_QpzCsPnh1toE2Lmt46_Fy2rx5zFQYwbXY1Fv-zlOq695Q1jLzD7DIPJ7Gl5SFZUbKmr-21UhbK/s400/end_zone_pizza.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459250636551032306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: End Zone Pizza</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: cardboard pizza box</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">$13.51</span><br /><br />Normally when I'm brainstorming ideas for a new post, I'm inspired by something. Usually it's the food itself, sometimes it's the method of delivery, and other times it's just <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/08/arianas-grill-kabob-house.html">something funny</a> that happened while eating. This time, however, I'm having trouble.<br /><br />I'll say right off the bat that I liked End Zone's pizza and would order it again without much arm-twisting. The outer crust was crisp yet chewy, the slices wide and foldable, the pepperoni sufficiently greasy. The sauce was a tad sweet, but it was balanced out by everything else. I really had no complaints. As I reached for my second slice, however, I remember commenting to my wife, "This kinda reminds me of that <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/11/cobbs-new-york-pizza-grill2.html">Cobb's</a> place." A bite and a considered moment later: "And maybe <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2010/01/annas-pizza-5.html">Anna's</a> too."<br /><br />As I continued to think about it, End Zone's pie reminded me of lots of places, and not just those here in Cville: there's that restaurant in New Jersey where I got pizza when visiting my wife's aunt and uncle, the small pizzeria in Nags Head I frequent while vacationing...and, you know, that other place I went that one time. Perhaps now I know why my mental engine isn't humming. There's just not that much new stuff to say about a place to which, in spirit at least, we've all been many times before.<br /><br />But as I said, End Zone Pizza makes good stuff—standard, maybe (unless you include "The Beast," End Zone's 28-inch pie and self-proclaimed biggest in the region), but good. Of course, I don't think End Zone is trying to be anything other than what it is: a simple, classic, if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it neighborhood pizzeria.<br /><br />And for certain, End Zone Pizza ain't broke.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-32853272611869353452010-03-26T10:32:00.008-04:002010-04-30T16:26:38.115-04:00Marco & Luca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HUBBSYAKdOSREPN766ROnlpXg4UfnEqltwacXMRntp4LdcWwcReVSPJ3oH0__Om13q9zChiRCR_6UT7xVHBBZKRwhfB7v_WySIZ0gUMa63dygzNnu8H9A5TuKeEXaADdx7y4WChi9RyS/s1600/marco&luca.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452951846971849010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HUBBSYAKdOSREPN766ROnlpXg4UfnEqltwacXMRntp4LdcWwcReVSPJ3oH0__Om13q9zChiRCR_6UT7xVHBBZKRwhfB7v_WySIZ0gUMa63dygzNnu8H9A5TuKeEXaADdx7y4WChi9RyS/s400/marco&luca.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 400px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 137px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Marco & Luca</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: styrofoam boxes</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $9</span><br />
<br />
Until this past week, I considered fried Chinese dumplings to be more of a snack item, maybe part of a lunch at best. Sure they're tasty, but I've just never seen them as being dinner food. But there I was on a warm Sunday afternoon, coming up with dinner ideas for the week, trying to pair something with the Asian cucumber salad for which I had a hankering. I needed something savory, maybe a little salty, maybe a little greasy...and then it hit me: <a href="http://www.sfdatwestmain.com/index.html">Seafood @ West Main</a> sells bags of frozen pork dumplings!<br />
<br />
"Ew, gross, no. Why don't you get Marco & Luca's?" replied my wife upon hearing my idea.<br />
<br />
John's brain: 'Cause I get more in the frozen bag. Duh.<br />
John's mouth: "I don't know."<br />
<br />
"I love Marco & Luca's! Can you get those? Please please?"<br />
<br />
John's brain: But they cost more and they're practically the same thing!<br />
John's mouth: "Okay, fine."<br />
<br />
Though afraid that they'd be soggy by the time my wife got home, I was pleasantly surprised when they emerged good as new (if not two shades better) after a few minutes in a 400 degree oven. I will certainly admit that they were better than I remember the frozen dumplings being. In fact, they were downright addicting. I was puzzled, though, as to why.<br />
<br />
I must confess that I didn't savor them long enough to identify any other flavors than "good," but I suspect it has something to with the sauce. From what I could tell by watching at the restaurant, it's a 50/50 split of some kind of mild chili sauce and hoisin sauce. Whatever it is, it's yummy.<br />
<br />
Together with my cucumber salad, it took an order and half of dumplings to satisfy my man-dinner-sized hunger, but I'm pleased to say they paired splendidly well. I may have just found a new dinner to work into my ever-growing rotation.<br />
<br />
For those interested, here's my recipe for the cucumber salad:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">John's Asian cucumber salad</span><br />
<br />
<div>1/3 cup rice vinegar</div><div>2 large tablespoons sugar</div><div>1/4 cup water</div><div>1/4 teaspoon salt</div><div>1/4 teaspoon course ground black pepper<br />
1-2 teaspoons sriracha sauce</div><div>1 large hothouse cucumber, peeled and sliced very thin</div><div>1/2 red onion, sliced very thin</div><div>1/4 red bell pepper, sliced very thin<br />
1/2 carrot, peeled and sliced very thin</div><div><br />
</div><div>In a small pan, combine sugar and water; cook over medium heat, stirring, until liquid boils and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the rice vinegar, srirachi, pepper, and salt. Place the sliced cucumbers, onions, pepper in a bowl, stir marinade and pour over; stir everything to blend. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.</div>johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-83683769100197317602010-03-12T12:21:00.013-05:002010-04-12T14:00:58.227-04:00Blue Ridge Country Store<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CwNUCexf7-Fe71XOMTy6X_tc0PTd0NNMz5-j1wkOZUBxhHzWwN5FqGvb99k1mk-RHLAPO7MIH0sk0ZsugwDbtSCODLp0QdUSeKxJDhn731UCjwWtYUKoxJ1RBqQnxMt8imWu0z4PiSdI/s1600-h/BRCS.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CwNUCexf7-Fe71XOMTy6X_tc0PTd0NNMz5-j1wkOZUBxhHzWwN5FqGvb99k1mk-RHLAPO7MIH0sk0ZsugwDbtSCODLp0QdUSeKxJDhn731UCjwWtYUKoxJ1RBqQnxMt8imWu0z4PiSdI/s400/BRCS.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447809744593385666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Blue Ridge Country Store</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: aluminum and plastic containers</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $7.33</span><br /><br />Located on the east end of the Downtown Mall, the Blue Ridge Country Store has long been one of my go-to places for a healthy lunch. They have an excellent salad bar, daily-made wraps and sandwiches, and a wide selection of prepared sides and desserts in their wall of refrigerators. It wasn't until today, however, that I tried one of their warm lunches.<br /><br />Of the dozen or so soups, chowders, and stews basking beneath the heat lamps, my eyes settled on a small stack of ready-to-go containers labeled "Roasted tilapia w/ mango chutney and basmati rice." Granted, it was a dreary, soup-eating kind of day, but the tilapia was in my hand before I could argue with myself. From the fridges then came the black bean and corn salad, and before I knew it, I was eating lunch.<br /><br />The tilapia, though pleasing to my eye and visibly seasoned, failed to impress, and unfortunately the mango chutney did little to help. The fish itself was flaky though a tad over done, likely caused by its time spent under the heat lamp; together with chutney, however, I felt it more than tasted it. It just didn't have much flavor of its own.<br /><br />The chutney was thick, warm, softly chunky, and mildly sweet. I picked up on echoes of whispers of spices underneath the fruit, but overall it was a fairly straightforward chutney.<br /><br />The black bean salad, I was not totally surprised to discover, didn't really jibe with the (minimal) flavors of the main dish. In fact, had I not eaten them separately (I finished the fish before starting the salad), I doubt I would have tasted the tilapia at all. I guess my only compliant was that I didn't buy any tortilla chips, because it looked, felt, tasted nothing like a salad and exactly like a good black bean salsa. Lucky for me its plastic container is resealable.<br /><br />It wasn't a bad lunch, but given the weather outside, perhaps it really was a soup-eating day after all.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-4645068570080213982010-03-05T15:51:00.010-05:002010-06-08T10:12:16.352-04:00L's Burrito and Juice Company (now closed)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzk1rm18FEhrKlBZduWgIkBZy4GGnBLhTC46EGTmDBVSffmSWgogKhnb48W-_9IJx_2IDzh06nsz1xkKFCbuWoT-XvkM-4Kx2WvW4iRrTfi4Oqdyyoc65-8CPzWdVs3k_VCAjJ6hYPoEC/s1600-h/L's_burrito&juice.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445214495489965282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzk1rm18FEhrKlBZduWgIkBZy4GGnBLhTC46EGTmDBVSffmSWgogKhnb48W-_9IJx_2IDzh06nsz1xkKFCbuWoT-XvkM-4Kx2WvW4iRrTfi4Oqdyyoc65-8CPzWdVs3k_VCAjJ6hYPoEC/s400/L's_burrito&juice.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 400px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 137px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: L's Burrito and Juice Company</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
take-out vehicle: aluminum foil and a paper bag</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
cost: $8.50</span><br />
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6/8/10 update: L's has closed. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
I'll be honest: I wasn't looking forward to reviewing <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlottesville-VA/Ls-Burrito-and-Juice-Co/131311649630">L's</a>. In fact, I'd been putting it off for months. See, I went there twice last year. I was so excited the first time. I remember ordering two pork tacos...then disappointment punched me <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Yplww55ao">like I was Charlie Murphy in Studio 54</a>.* Everything about them was bland, from the meat to the hot sauce. I was just totally underwhelmed.<br />
<br />
The second time I went hoping the first was just a fluke. Still wary of the pork, however, I ordered a beef taco and a chicken taco. To my continued disappointment, they ended up tasting just like the pork ones. So, I resigned myself to that fact that, whatever I chose, I just didn't like L's food.<br />
<br />
Then, after months of gestating, it hit me. It was so simple—foolproof, even. If this didn't work, then nothing would. When it was finally time to order, L greeted me as I suspected he would: "Hey, friend. What would you like?"<br />
<br />
Then shrewdly, brilliantly, I put my plan into motion. "Yeah, uhh...what would <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> get?"<br />
<br />
"Me?" he said. "Well, the pork burritos are good."<br />
<br />
Success! "I'll have one of those, please."<br />
<br />
Once made and laden with all the optional toppings (except for sour cream...blech), I made it back to my desk. Extracting it from it's bag, I was immediately impressed by one thing: the burrito was so big, so stuffed with pork, pintos, rice, veggies, and guac, that the aluminum foil wrapping was too small to fit around it. At least I was getting my money's worth. But it was time to eat.<br />
<br />
Sadly, while certainly better than the tacos of last year, L's pork burrito didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> do it for me. First though, my compliments. The beans were great. They were rich and well seasoned, and there were just enough to appreciate but not overpower. The chopped green chiles were a nice touch, too. They were mild, to be sure, but I liked them. In combination with the hot sauce, I had a pleasant lingering heat well after my meal.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I found the pork to still be underwhelming. Perhaps it's great by itself (it was too difficult to extricate for a separate tasting), but with all the competing elements, its flavor got lost. I also had an issue with the fresh chopped white onions. It's a personal thing, but I'm not big fan of the bitter tang of raw white onions. The texture was good, but I think a red, yellow, or vidalia onion would have been better.<br />
<br />
My biggest gripe, however, was due to the guacamole. I paid a dollar extra for it, and I got a good amount, but it was completely lumped into one end of the burrito. It made me very upset.<br />
<br />
To combat my upsetedness, I knew of only one solution. I marched back to L's cart, fist clenched.<br />
<br />
"Hey man, what's up?" he said.<br />
<br />
I threw out my upturned fist and opened it, exposing the six quarters inside. "I'd like a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5thpdEEE-DE">cookie</a>, please."<br />
<br />
Little known to me before I ordered my burrito, L also offers homemade chocolate chip <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7hTkzEwFZ0">cookies</a> which he bakes daily. It cost a bit more than I would have liked, but it was closer than <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/08/cappellinos-crazy-cakes.html">Cappellino's</a>, and needed my fix.<br />
<br />
It certainly did the trick, but after finishing it, I couldn't help but feel like I'd just eaten 3 eggs and a stick of butter. Better than nothing, don't get me wrong, but it was heavy, and walking a few more blocks to Cappellino's would have been well worth it.<br />
<br />
I've yet to taste L's limeade (which is supposed to be great), but I think I've now had enough of his food to make a fair judgment. Letting L choose my meal was an excellent idea, but the burrito just wasn't good enough for me to pass up all the other temptations the Downtown Mall has to offer.<br />
<br />
<br />
* I know it's not the most sound analogy, but I love the video. It's NSFW, btw.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-25777169635518018222010-02-19T22:36:00.005-05:002010-02-19T23:59:13.188-05:00Wayside Takeout (Ol' Virginia Fried Chicken)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXgXaMwygF98s9pGCx_aNZDzm3ADmCKnb1w02eHKEgSmSDTeSr5HJ7p-U2NUddfWFc4_pScVzNMGeq3Mxf4qwAsdeAZwKvE6ELHE5ulAGP5zxFdAgWNFQTPV2INh0mAeBb55wA-vZvqES/s1600-h/wayside.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXgXaMwygF98s9pGCx_aNZDzm3ADmCKnb1w02eHKEgSmSDTeSr5HJ7p-U2NUddfWFc4_pScVzNMGeq3Mxf4qwAsdeAZwKvE6ELHE5ulAGP5zxFdAgWNFQTPV2INh0mAeBb55wA-vZvqES/s400/wayside.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440164961004300674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Wayside Takeout (Ol' Virginia Fried Chicken)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: lots of styrofoam</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $15.64</span><br /><br />When I was growing up, I had a friend who everyone knew was going to be a scientist. His dad was a scientist, his mom was a scientist, he played the cello; we just knew. That was fifteen years ago. Now, to absolutely no one's surprise, he's a scientist. Luckily for me, however, he's not one of those theortical electro-quantum-nuclear-chemical physicists who only hypothesize about things that don't matter to me. No, my friend Stephan studies <a href="http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/12/dirty-little-secret-of-diet-heart.html">important things</a>, like why I can go nuts at <a href="http://waysidechicken.com/">Wayside</a> and not worry about having a heart attack five minutes later.*<br /><br />And it's a good thing, too. In addition to the goodness pictured to the right (which, in case you're curious, includes five pieces of chicken, two orders of hush puppies, and single-person portions of green beans, mac'n'cheese, and cole slaw), my wife and I also ordered baked beans and banana pudding. Wee!<br /><br />I'll be honest, I'm not really sure how to critique Wayside. You either love it or you don't...and frankly I've never met anyone that doesn't. The chicken was crispy, greasy, succulent, meaty...basically everything that fried chicken should be. Both the green beans and the baked beans tasted mightily of pork—ham hock and smoky bacon, respectively. And the hush puppies? <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/60324/saturday-night-live-inside-the-actors-studio">Magical.</a><br /><br />I guess the only real stumbling block for me was the cole slaw. It wasn't really bad, but it was just really ordinary. And kinda soupy. Okay I take it back...it was bad. It didn't really have any flavor other than diluted mayonnaise, and the ingredients were all but unrecognizable. Given everything else on my plate, though, I wasn't really that put out. For the record, I also picked up three completely unnecessary condiments that weren't particularly good (honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce), but really, all these sides were merely hangers-on; it was the chicken that brought me to Wayside, and it's the chicken that'll keep me coming back.<br /><br /><br />* I'm sure this is a criminal over-simplification of the biological science involved, but whatever. It helps me not feel guilty. Yay for scientists!**<br /><br />** Seriously, though: run some laps, people. Eating fatty fried fat is awesome, and maybe it won't solidify <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> your arteries, but have some sense. Fruit's good, too.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-35981276004494178332010-02-12T12:55:00.007-05:002010-02-13T08:53:52.172-05:00Feast!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDjf88rch48AzQDvXFCgKGhC6TpIxdrszLxainz_UBW-XyMvfexII5Jy0mQd8ac-mFSXmBtPEzLX5tNKqWuU_zRbrzbpBh3638qphpdN4Vphunc1arhbxETY6h_udOBg5HUi_jvtnDDo-/s1600-h/feast.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDjf88rch48AzQDvXFCgKGhC6TpIxdrszLxainz_UBW-XyMvfexII5Jy0mQd8ac-mFSXmBtPEzLX5tNKqWuU_zRbrzbpBh3638qphpdN4Vphunc1arhbxETY6h_udOBg5HUi_jvtnDDo-/s400/feast.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437574395679170674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Feast!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: paper bag</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $7.63</span><br /><br />In all honesty, the <a href="http://www.themainstmarket.com/">Main Street Market</a> is one of my favorite places in Charlottesville. I have no idea how many times I've been there, whether it be for fish, flowers, picnic eats, or kitchen supplies, but I had no idea that <a href="http://www.feastvirginia.com/">Feast!</a> was such a happening weekday lunch spot. It was kinda crazy. I was especially surprised by the fact that most of the customers were cute sorority-type girls. (Not that I'm into sorority girls necessarily, but you know, I can appreciate them. Anyway...)<br /><br />Though tempted by the rows of pre-made and handsomely wrapped sandwiches, my patience paid off in the form of a panini-pressed grilled cheese with roasted tomatoes and roasted turkey. As a whole, it was rich and flavorful. As components, the bread was slightly oiled and crispy, and the cheese, turkey, and tomatoes were dense and satisfying. I wouldn't want it during the summer months, but it sure hit the spot today.<br /><br />The white bean salad I chose as a side turned out to be an excellent counterpoint. It offered a light vinaigrette dressing, briny capers, crunchy carrots and celery, and of course plenty of white beans.<br /><br />All in all, I really have no complaints, though if I were in a hurry I'd probably have to opt for the pre-made selections. My wait turned out to be kinda fun, however, since it gave me a chance to browse all the other goodies around the store. There were fancy wines, salts from every sea, sweet meyer lemons, a ridiculously cute blonde, all kinds of artisan cheeses...(sigh).<br /><br />I love that place.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-83422817088028050982010-01-28T13:23:00.013-05:002010-02-04T15:42:17.326-05:00Stoney's Grocery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTxpuK_vCEHI-Lj9lUNuZDC1oj7a5pBRrPuexqkK4PkmWBJmGJR-KBPuqFkEFK_ydA_IVsPlrEgIQemBwTcGnmpa2-LWauq59j0xvgP0vkYXSvO61DqFoTACKQJzJqaknyiys0wcM3FFC/s1600-h/stoneys_grocery.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTxpuK_vCEHI-Lj9lUNuZDC1oj7a5pBRrPuexqkK4PkmWBJmGJR-KBPuqFkEFK_ydA_IVsPlrEgIQemBwTcGnmpa2-LWauq59j0xvgP0vkYXSvO61DqFoTACKQJzJqaknyiys0wcM3FFC/s400/stoneys_grocery.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431859777269390226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Stoney's Grocery</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: varied</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $6.51</span><br /><br />Hiding in plain sight on Avon Street in the Belmont neighborhood, Stoney's Grocery may never be a popular Restaurant Week venue, but in how many "fancy" places in town can see a woman stare longingly at a window of food and say: "...Yeah, I'm gonna needa getta side a' wing dings, too."<br /><br />It was her sweet back country drawl that really made it, though. Looking back, even though I hadn't yet ordered, I think it was then that I began to realize what Stoney's Grocery was all about—but I'll get back to that in a minute.<br /><br />Stoney's, if you've never been, is primarily a small grocery store, but at lunch they have a regular crowd of take-out patrons who visit the small kitchen on the right side of the store. Since I had never ordered food there before, it took me a minute to figure out the system, but finally I found a menu and stood in the correct line.<br /><br />When it was my turn to order, I chose the Stoney Burger with fries. Sure, there was a delicious-looking container of baked mac'n'cheese and piles of fried chicken, and yeah, there were five different crock pots with simmering soups, beans, and chilies, but I decided if this burger was good enough to named after the store, then it had to be something special.<br /><br />Topped with a white cheese sauce (which the cook had me fetch from the microwave) and grilled onions (with optional lettuce), my burger turned out to be not quite so special. It was slightly overcooked, but I enjoyed it, though the thick cheese sauce was a bit <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> thick. Luckily I was at home when I ate it and the spicy brown mustard was only a refrigerator door away.<br /><br />The fries, to my surprise, were actually pretty good. I'm usually not a fan of skinless, pre-cut, frozen fries from a bag, but with the seasoning salt they added, these were as good as they could have been: crisp yet tender inside, and just oily enough to retain the right amount of seasoning.<br /><br />So what made me finally realize what Stoney's is all about? A few minutes after the woman left happily with her lunch and side of wing dings, I found myself standing almost exactly where she had been, staring into that glass window at all the food I didn't order. It all looked so good, but I knew I didn't need anything else. I mean, I had just ordered a huge burger with microwaved cheese sauce and french fries. It was brief inner struggle, though, and a few seconds later I heard myself say, "Uh, yeah, can I also get a side of rice pudding?"<br /><br />It may not be a four-star lunch spot, but Stoney's is good for an entirely different reason: It's soul food, and it's not trying to pretend to be anything else. The closest thing you'll get to a salad is the lettuce and tomato on your burger, and closest thing you'll get to fruit is the homemade cherry pie. It's meat, cheese, potatoes, and deep fry dredging—and some days, that's exactly you need.<br /><br />Speaking of which: Next time I'm there, I'm definitely trying the wing dings.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-13565551471785295622010-01-22T18:02:00.011-05:002010-01-25T15:11:52.839-05:00Anna's Pizza #5<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw2YJXO-6IHewld2UjvdiiNsWh_i-37eyTJkHmOKHQqS8u0Qo1UYZ7ulrJewgC2DCrSYFFE50XFhH7VpS6S-MKqY6PnweGgSsX5AnbtfpgN_cQ9uSLhC3z_44LcDvQHTNRA3JEKaiFo7v/s1600-h/annas%235.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw2YJXO-6IHewld2UjvdiiNsWh_i-37eyTJkHmOKHQqS8u0Qo1UYZ7ulrJewgC2DCrSYFFE50XFhH7VpS6S-MKqY6PnweGgSsX5AnbtfpgN_cQ9uSLhC3z_44LcDvQHTNRA3JEKaiFo7v/s400/annas%235.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430713681529008866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Anna's Pizza #5</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: flimsy pizza box</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $17.17</span><br /><br />As one of the few (perhaps only) pizza places in Charlottesville older than myself, I had been eager to finally try <a href="http://annaspizza5.com/">Anna's</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> for some time. My only excuse for not having previously done so was inconvenience, but this past Friday I finally made up my mind to take the plunge. I called ahead on my way out of the office, picked up <a href="http://www.marketstreetwine.com/">two bottles of chianti</a> (it was Friday, after all), and made my way across town.<br /><br />Anna's opened in 1976, and at the time it was probably a really cool place for locals and/or students hang out. Unfortunately (though I'd never been in there before and so I can't say for certain), it seemed as though nothing had changed in the 30-odd years since. The furniture, the lights, the lonely old jukebox in the corner—they all seemed ripped from the set of Happy Days. Likewise, the pizza itself seemed dated. It wasn't awful, don't get me wrong, and perhaps I didn't get to experience it at its zenith, but the pizza I picked up just seemed...tired.<br /><br />I ordered a 16-inch traditional pizza with half pepperoni and green pepper (my favorite since childhood) and half broccoli (one of my wife's new favorite toppings). As I tried them separately, however, I found each pizza component to be somehow lacking. The pepperoni was thin and didn't have a great deal of spice, the cheese was stringy and had an odd melted-plastic-like quality, and the sauce was mediocre. The crust was probably my favorite part. It was golden brown yet foldable and chewy, very similar to other "Yankee-style" pizzas I've eaten before. I think my biggest disappointment, however, was the previously frozen broccoli. It was just unappetizing.<br /><br />All that said, the whole turned out to be somehow greater than the sum of its parts. Yes, it was uninspired and I've certainly had much better, but in a way it was also comforting, like an old cozy blanket. My wife, who grew up on Anna's but who hadn't eaten from there in probably 15 years, said it tasted exactly like she remembered. "It's a taste," she said, "that you just can't forget." And despite my never having eaten it before, I understood what she meant.<br /><br />I admit, I was hoping for a better pie, but combined with the two bottles of wine, a few good CDs, and three hours of overdue conversation, our meal turned out to be pretty darned fantastic.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-26964713909744649042010-01-08T12:25:00.012-05:002010-01-25T16:18:14.632-05:00Cinema Taco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh8RUNCRjpGvO_B7BJKmCJZjK5Bx_bTd1cpQbm2O_azaRnQVUNORyqd7PNwkUkpGpYOO4Fa8zqT9PvZEvXJwzk1kkX65OyoE6bdaHHRwEsz7Zty3zxMRheIQx7iQDrmbTHZKLzKAbKn89/s1600-h/the_jefferson.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh8RUNCRjpGvO_B7BJKmCJZjK5Bx_bTd1cpQbm2O_azaRnQVUNORyqd7PNwkUkpGpYOO4Fa8zqT9PvZEvXJwzk1kkX65OyoE6bdaHHRwEsz7Zty3zxMRheIQx7iQDrmbTHZKLzKAbKn89/s400/the_jefferson.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424763051033509730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Cinema Taco</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: paper bag</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $6</span><br /><br />1.20.10 update: Alex George has decided on a name—Cinema Taco.<br /><br />Despite its opening several weeks ago, the little restaurant inside The Jefferson downtown still has no official name. Kinda unusual, yes, but honestly I don't care what it's called, just so long as they keep serving me pork empanadas.<br /><br />Made daily by Alex George, formerly of <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-curry.html">Just Curry</a>, they may not be as filling as some other foods you can buy for $2.50, but I daresay none are as satisfying. The crust was rich, buttery, and flaky, and inside there was perfectly cooked, juicy pulled pork; little al dente cubes of potato; and a wee bit of chili. Seriously, I don't know a better way to spend $2.50.<br /><br />Besides empanadas (of which they have several daily flavors), Cinema Taco also serves handmade soft tacos and burritos. Today I had a fish taco (which I think is a relatively new option) with grilled cod, chipotle salsa, guacamole, red onion, cilantro and lettuce. While not quite as flavorful as the empanada, the taco was very fresh. Cradled in two yellow corn tortillas, the ingredients came together well in each bite, but I could still taste each of them individually. I'm especially thankful that the cod wasn't fried. Not only did it blend with its neighboring ingredients (whereas fried fish would overpower), it tasted really healthy.<br /><br />But healthy shmealthy. Pork and butter make me happy, so as long as those empanadas are available, I'll definitely be a regular.<br /><br />Oh, one more thing: When ordering an empanada, don't be tempted by the complementary papaya habanero hot sauce. It's great with the tacos, but the empanadas are perfect by themselves.<br /><br />(Here's a secret from Alex George: When he first started making the empanada dough, he used lard instead of butter. I didn't find out why he decided to switch to butter, but I've got a hunch: self-preservation. Lard is just too irresitable. I bet he was afraid of something <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUyYhh2jbSU">like this</a>.)johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-19134975345643552292009-12-31T16:33:00.003-05:002009-12-31T16:38:27.595-05:00Top Take-Out Fan FavoriteI've picked my three favorite take-out spots, but of all the places I've been, you've decided that your favorite is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ubhBlAUbSY4yi87vrJjlILcQNderQBSeBDiswHBpguAzA8agcphoqb3RFYDlEZbpRl78uFQJK63iZNuIT4wqReQYyeQH7v32vJU5-BG6d3m0x2TM8KkYcYit5HwZMFHKpFYVuyDtYoC9/s1600-h/award_sm4.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ubhBlAUbSY4yi87vrJjlILcQNderQBSeBDiswHBpguAzA8agcphoqb3RFYDlEZbpRl78uFQJK63iZNuIT4wqReQYyeQH7v32vJU5-BG6d3m0x2TM8KkYcYit5HwZMFHKpFYVuyDtYoC9/s320/award_sm4.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421517256713581586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a tie between Christian's Pizza and Beer Run. Personally, I was hoping we'd end up with a clear winner, but each of these places is deserving, so I guess it's not so bad.<br /><br />Congratulations to all the 2009 winners, and stay tuned for more reviews in 2010.<br /><br />Happy New Year's Eve, everyone.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-35392806352581011142009-12-23T10:01:00.005-05:002009-12-23T10:16:13.306-05:00Top Take-Out Winner #3And my final 2009 Top Take-Out Trophy goes to...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7is7Gn1CSho5jX8JSqQ6W_1ksU4TnwYCUelRrVRgOyfvNYxUcaYXLuKIWcY_h-hSce8kYD1YZ78IdkhaScAzkISwxSkHQ5ZY8WSjdGy3KHEuxYOiAEMBAH1yhfLFkPurcKxXikR7WarlJ/s1600-h/award_sm3.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7is7Gn1CSho5jX8JSqQ6W_1ksU4TnwYCUelRrVRgOyfvNYxUcaYXLuKIWcY_h-hSce8kYD1YZ78IdkhaScAzkISwxSkHQ5ZY8WSjdGy3KHEuxYOiAEMBAH1yhfLFkPurcKxXikR7WarlJ/s320/award_sm3.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418447529152246338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was hands down some of my favorite take-out of the year. Fresh, authentic, and exceptionally flavorful, <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/10/la-michoacana.html">La Michoacana</a> is the real-deal taquería we've all been waiting for, and I hope to see much more of them in 2010.<br /><br />Don't forget to vote for your favorite take-out spot. Someone needs to break the tie between Christian's and Beer Run in the next 6 days so I can award the Fan Favorite Trophy.<br /><br />Happy Holidays everyone!johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-84642788536657306542009-12-17T09:29:00.002-05:002009-12-17T09:44:35.307-05:00Top Take-Out Winner #2And the second winner of a 2009 Top Take-Out Trophy is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEaQAGqnjo4d_ExB3AqOXC98GKrdfVmwPxTEfiXyb8RXDILrJtAiujMM_LujU9rMxtMJGjyoJZrt46mBzP-QToRiDtpf4eANMSxaGw-1CoNSt4Ul1bzX8qUkVhkPn0VfnFzkbpXgAAAeM/s1600-h/award_sm2.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEaQAGqnjo4d_ExB3AqOXC98GKrdfVmwPxTEfiXyb8RXDILrJtAiujMM_LujU9rMxtMJGjyoJZrt46mBzP-QToRiDtpf4eANMSxaGw-1CoNSt4Ul1bzX8qUkVhkPn0VfnFzkbpXgAAAeM/s320/award_sm2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416212366338102466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I didn't review the take-out from A Taste of China (Peter Chang's current project), so I can't compare it to <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/11/cafe-88.html">Café 88's</a>, but I can say that Ms. NLaC88 makes some wonderful food of her own and is more than deserving of an accolade or two. I don't go there as often as I should, but whenever I've want authentic Chinese take-out, Café 88 has never disappointed.<br /><br />Come back next week for the third Top Take-Out Award! And don't forget to vote for your favorite take-out spot of the year!johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-57236492730184777812009-12-11T09:09:00.005-05:002009-12-11T09:19:35.411-05:00Top Take-Out Winner #1And the first Top Take-Out Trophy of 2009 goes to...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mXHcjPPisTGLvWYkXaLmYmIiDOm-yUV-HoJ9H0ZBiEbUl7Pdx9V4sIS7xMvZxCd9rBqHIgD7mAugyC6eZdVC2xhBi6ro0NlEgphdcS2QIWO206Hb9H37F9mDz8g5FccxRp9tal_jVAZ/s1600-h/award_sm1.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mXHcjPPisTGLvWYkXaLmYmIiDOm-yUV-HoJ9H0ZBiEbUl7Pdx9V4sIS7xMvZxCd9rBqHIgD7mAugyC6eZdVC2xhBi6ro0NlEgphdcS2QIWO206Hb9H37F9mDz8g5FccxRp9tal_jVAZ/s320/award_sm1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413981070853555970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not bad for place that didn't exist four months ago. Since <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/09/market-street-market.html">my initial review</a> back in September, I've been a pretty regular customer of the Market, and I have yet to eat anything bad there. Kudos especially for their corn-on-the-cob...it's still the best I've ever had.<br /><br />Come back next week to see who wins the second Top Take-Out Trophy, and don't forget to vote for the Top Take-Out Fan Favorite!johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-90040945296886497612009-12-09T15:20:00.006-05:002009-12-10T08:46:13.359-05:00cville to go's 2009 Top Take-Out Awards<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6Tv0jiPyGG_OfnxLCrK96JR2BbnGQYi7vI9Bfojggw2Z6J1cGcKfEw7r9ZVuo-439cXdRT6MnIuSOQNW8qZveWxasx9pFOKkmRuKxPw7zQkqDEOyGWXrsJ_Wjhx9WyPiCdbijkcVfByS/s1600-h/award_banner.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6Tv0jiPyGG_OfnxLCrK96JR2BbnGQYi7vI9Bfojggw2Z6J1cGcKfEw7r9ZVuo-439cXdRT6MnIuSOQNW8qZveWxasx9pFOKkmRuKxPw7zQkqDEOyGWXrsJ_Wjhx9WyPiCdbijkcVfByS/s200/award_banner.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413338588247418322" border="0" /></a>Besides bringing colder weather, the holidays, and the end of the college football season, December is also the month of "Best Of" lists, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and add my own.<br /><br />Since I've only visited about 25 different places this year, I'll be awarding three Top Take-Out Trophies over the next few weeks to my favorite take-out spots so far, and then one more for Fan Favorite. The poll for Fan Favorite is just to the right, so please vote! The poll will close at midnight on December 30 (one minute after 11:59pm December 29).<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for following this blog. I really do appreciate it. Stay tuned for the first Top Take-Out Trophy!johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-64793575219976978172009-11-30T15:38:00.003-05:002009-11-30T15:59:38.155-05:00Cobb's New York Pizza & Grill...again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZqklMrzs7pZBr8WrCIBJUBfDKqv9PBMqFo5e-dfG-DXoPmu-Y2GnrB8sXRPrGMLemFuik-ChrZ2zcAcsodXozM-b2geNQNFgsi5Nwr3zq7yNRVBn8CU27a4GLzOirhXLH89AqBbmnXWx/s1600-h/cobbs_2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZqklMrzs7pZBr8WrCIBJUBfDKqv9PBMqFo5e-dfG-DXoPmu-Y2GnrB8sXRPrGMLemFuik-ChrZ2zcAcsodXozM-b2geNQNFgsi5Nwr3zq7yNRVBn8CU27a4GLzOirhXLH89AqBbmnXWx/s400/cobbs_2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402611073552462482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Cobb's New York Pizza & Grill</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: pizza box</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $2.73</span><br /><br />So I made it back for a slice of pepperoni pizza. I have to say it wasn't quite worth the drive across town, but was certainly good enough to eat if I were in the neighborhood and needed a pizza fix. Though I try not to drink much of it if I can help it, I could also see this pizza pairing well with a light beer.<br /><br />The crust of very droopy and the cheesy was stringy and dense. The pepperoni could've been a little more plentiful, but its flavor came through. As I'm used to the prices downtown, I thought the price I paid for the slice I received (1/6th of an 16" pie) was fair, but it turned out my pie was cut incorrectly and normally the pies are cut into eighths. Lucky me, I guess, but I'd be hesitant to pay $2.50 for such a slice in the future. If I eat pizza here again, I'm getting a whole and more reasonably-priced pie...and a pitcher.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-82836821862838473202009-11-20T12:57:00.014-05:002009-11-25T21:12:18.436-05:00Vita Nova<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3pX_GdtZLbB4jlFMNlugi4k-_uDi9dhK8W7jsAGXHVI3DhZPgcBA2f3Xw-utSlnMqaoRvu1Y5s29z1dJBnCuvGaPtTec_Ab-ORcPZurEUaK1_3IiDlPynBpypo9GdGJ1qWoA8ug9HOvX/s1600/vita_nova2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3pX_GdtZLbB4jlFMNlugi4k-_uDi9dhK8W7jsAGXHVI3DhZPgcBA2f3Xw-utSlnMqaoRvu1Y5s29z1dJBnCuvGaPtTec_Ab-ORcPZurEUaK1_3IiDlPynBpypo9GdGJ1qWoA8ug9HOvX/s400/vita_nova2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408229379737490850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Vita Nova</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: pizza box</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $7.25</span><br /><br />I've noticed that a lot of people are pretty polarized when it comes to liking either Christian's or Vita Nova. I'll admit that I've been no exception (I'm on team <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/08/christians.html">Christian's</a>), so today I decided to make a good-faith effort to become one.<br /><br />I haven't been to Vita Nova in a long time, so I was surprised by how similar the two places were, at least in person. Vita Nova's pizza menu, according to their website, is much more extensive. Notable pizzas offered only at Vita Nova included the Thai chicken pizza and several seafood pizzas (I did not see any of these during my visit, however).<br /><br />Though tempted by a slice of Thai chicken, I opted instead for a slice of grilled vegetable and a slice of pepperoni. The grilled vegetable slice was flavorful and piled high with chopped fresh spinach, grilled zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, carrots, and olive oil. Though hard to eat at times (the vegetables frequently slid off the crust, even with the cheese I requested), I enjoyed it very much. The grilled flavor didn't really come through at all, and the olive oil may have been a touch overused, but the flavor of each vegetable was fairly distinct and they blended well.<br /><br />The pepperoni slice was also pretty good, but not my favorite. The crust was thicker than it needed to be and made the overall slice much more filling than I would have liked. Granted, they're big slices, but I felt like the heft of the crust distracted from the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. The pepperoni was spicy, which I appreciated, but I wish it had been a little more cooked. Some may disagree, but I think pepperoni grease is one of pizza's great pleasures, and it was sorely lacking here.<br /><br />Overall, I don't think I tasted anything that will pull me away from Christian's permanently, but I remain intrigued by their greater selection. I'll have to return to try the Thai chicken slice, and if I ever get the craving, the pasta as well.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-50907419559126217212009-11-16T15:49:00.014-05:002009-11-17T16:01:13.889-05:00Cazon Tropical<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrpsqQ4Hhh-xb_wh279RrpXRWEavScG3H6LbZXoEf-cGVvc74a0lh7zu_112r3P4TfUrM56XRUTbWLzR-p3I2J3AXEPE6UJf55r-NHVORt-z2pDNac5LCUgfZEn2fQvoPqwnRuQbgoUQq/s1600/cazon_tropical.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrpsqQ4Hhh-xb_wh279RrpXRWEavScG3H6LbZXoEf-cGVvc74a0lh7zu_112r3P4TfUrM56XRUTbWLzR-p3I2J3AXEPE6UJf55r-NHVORt-z2pDNac5LCUgfZEn2fQvoPqwnRuQbgoUQq/s400/cazon_tropical.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405073290379196626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Cazon Tropical</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: styrofoam boxes</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $10.33</span><br /><br />I've known about <a href="http://www.cazontropical.com/index.html">Cazon Tropical</a> for a long time, but it had been almost impossible to remember to go there...until yesterday afternoon. Finally reminded, I was soon faced with another challenge: deciding what to get.<br /><br />After staring at the menu for much longer than I should have, unable to choose one main dish, I decided to order three items from the appetizer list: the pupusas (one pork and cheese, one zucchini and cheese, and one bean and cheese), a pastelitos de carne, and the empanada de plantano.<br /><br />(It's worth mentioning that it took an incredible amount of willpower to not eat this food on my way home from the restaurant. Its aroma was absolutely incredible. It's probably fortunate that all food doesn't smell that good...if it did, we'd have all died from obesity long, long ago.)<br /><br />Through a happy stroke of luck, I ate the pupusas in order from least tasty to most. The bean pupusa, which I ate first, seemed to lack any bean flavor, and the combination of the mushy beans and cheese made the pupusa heavier than I would have preferred. The zucchini pupusa, while having no zucchini that I discern, seemed lighter and somehow fresher. Perhaps the zucchini was peeled and grated? If so, its color would have almost matched the cheese's and would explain why I didn't notice it. The last pupusa I ate was the pork pupusa, and it was very good. The pork provided a nice bit of texture against the cheese and the slight doughy-ness of the pupusa, and its meaty flavor came through well.<br /><br />The pupusas were served with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtido">curtido</a> and the house red sauce. The curtido was pretty mild but interesting, and though vastly dissimilar to the Mexican variety at <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/10/la-michoacana.html">La Michoacana</a>, it definitely provided some much needed contrast to the grease of the pupusas. The red sauce didn't do a whole lot for me, however. It was pretty thin and consisted (I think) of tomatoes, a touch of vinegar, onion, salt, and some other spices, but overall its flavor was pretty weak. I appreciated it the most with the bean pupusa and the pastelitos de carne.<br /><br />Unlike with the bean pupusa, where it simply added flavor, the red sauce was a nice complement to the pastelito, which was very meaty. Filled with beef and peppers and ever-so-slightly crisp on the outside, it resembled a cross between a beef taco and a donut. I was a fan.<br /><br />Lastly, I came to the empanada. It was a lot softer than I expected, but it tasted better than I had hoped. Imagine a warm Twinkie made from a deep-fried plantain instead of chemically-tasting cake. The exterior coated with course sugar, and the center filled with a thick milk-based cream, I suspect it was the origin of the wonderful aroma that filled my car on the way home, and it tasted every bit as good.<br /><br />So how come I kept forgetting about this place? Well, probably because it's buried in Woodbrook Shopping Center, has no illuminated sign, doesn't advertise itself very well (if at all), and no one I know has ever gone there. I'm sure I would have continued to forget if not for one of my favorite local <a href="http://www.charlottesville-dining.com/">food-finding sites</a>, so I have to say thanks to it.<br /><br />According to its rating there, Cazon Tropical<a href="http://www.cazontropical.com/index.html"></a> is one of the top-rated places in Charlottesville. I don't think can agree with that just yet, but considering I only ordered appetizers, it certainly deserves another visit or two. The cazuela cazon looks like an adventure, and I am compelled to try the tacos. Either way, I'll be getting another order of the empanadas de plantanos. Dems sum reel good eatin'.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-20405457745206466892009-11-13T12:50:00.024-05:002010-03-04T16:49:31.874-05:00The Southern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRqT8Jpwo29RMX_mvNiJEUfukD6unZKWtIjq27nOXyH1dxzl3Wlh58-gRfhubb-EoX9XkOgAKGnFMArpFkH0fZiDf7bVHv1EOeO7hvLc6k1QSawPSDYxbaRd1gMESZdtlmJYGbxJEdB7c/s1600-h/the_southern.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRqT8Jpwo29RMX_mvNiJEUfukD6unZKWtIjq27nOXyH1dxzl3Wlh58-gRfhubb-EoX9XkOgAKGnFMArpFkH0fZiDf7bVHv1EOeO7hvLc6k1QSawPSDYxbaRd1gMESZdtlmJYGbxJEdB7c/s400/the_southern.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403711101497798818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: The Southern</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: plastic boxes</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $5*</span><br /><br />The café at <a href="http://www.thesoutherncville.com/">The Southern</a> hasn't even been open a week, so I know a critical review wouldn't be fair to give. I mean, they haven't even decorated the walls yet. But today I saw an open door and a person behind the bar, so my curiosity got the better of me.<br /><br />The brunch/lunch menu was kinda different than what I was expecting. I still don't actually know what I <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> expecting, but I never thought I'd find black-eyed pea cakes, fried chicken biscuits, or open-faced meatloaf sandwiches there. Not that I'm complaining. Black-eyed peas, fried chicken biscuits, and meatloaf are a wonderful, often underappreciated Southern delights, so I was thrilled to see them get some love at The Southern. I was torn, though, between the meatloaf and the (not quite as) Southern Chicken Salad—oven-fried chicken, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaK9bjLy3v4">bacon</a>, avocado, cucumber, tomato, sliced brie, chopped romaine, and creamy pesto dressing—so I asked the girl behind the bar for her favorite of the two.<br /><br />I ended up with the salad, and my body no doubt appreciated it. My diet this past week has been rather lacking in fresh vegetables, and this salad provided a good amount. I won't lie, though; given the weather outside, the meatloaf sandwich (served warm with caramelized onions and a mushroom gravy) would have been nice. There's always next time, I guess.<br /><br />As for my salad, the oven-fried chicken was chunky and tender but not quite as crispy as it could've been. The real texture came from the fresh veggies, and they balanced well with the saltiness of the bacon. The brie was also a nice touch. It was creamy and rich but sliced thinly enough to be manageable with just a fork.<br /><br />I was confused by the dressing, however. The menu advertised a creamy pesto dressing, but the dressing I got was purple and tasted...not like pesto (buttermilk and blueberries, maybe?). It wasn't bad, and I suspect I was just given the wrong thing by accident, but it still made me kinda regret not getting the meatloaf.<br /><br />If I could make one suggestion, it would be to serve the salad with a biscuit or some of the "<a href="http://www.albemarlebakingco.com/">ABC</a>" bread that accompanies some of the appetizer dishes. The chips were fine, but some real bread would have been much more appreciated.<br /><br />Chips aside, it was definitely a healthy lunch, and all together a pretty satisfying one. I look forward to watching The Southern grow and flesh itself out over the coming weeks, and I'm curious to see if the menu will continue to be refined as well. From what I saw, they're definitely putting a big effort into the café side of The Southern, so I hope it prospers.<br /><br />If anyone is interested in going in the next few days, the kitchen is fully up and running from 11:00am to 3:00pm, and they do offer a full bar, wine, and a decent selection of bottled beers at all shows, including the entire line of commercially available Starr Hills. Soon a late night menu will be available, so I'm especially interested to experience that scene once (if?) it gets established. Maybe I'll have to don my <a href="http://cvillain.com/">cVillain</a> reviewer hat and wander over there some evening.<br /><br />A point of interest: the bar and tables in the café were hand-crafted specifically for The Southern by the 74-year-old father of one of the owners (and they're very handsome).<br /><br />ps—If anyone has the meatloaf before I get back there, let me know how it is.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* My salad normally would have costed $8.50, but the bartendress thought I was super sexy**...and they didn't have enough lettuce to make a whole salad, so she discounted it for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">** At least, I assume she did.</span>johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-1823734171455863112009-11-10T11:35:00.019-05:002009-11-30T15:59:06.744-05:00Cobb's New York Pizza & Grill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9PbHObWpFuxhfDQRtxoISG1D2NEAW0bD3IdXbKnv1cnWu8A73ZOTdZMLjBcjg4RAFd_WwuSlITXvjHJqCvb2ooPUvQRiKhbI5FXdmXFgzWuK4_cru84C9Ods2fseaQunipE0pQFGb4nZ/s1600-h/cobbs.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9PbHObWpFuxhfDQRtxoISG1D2NEAW0bD3IdXbKnv1cnWu8A73ZOTdZMLjBcjg4RAFd_WwuSlITXvjHJqCvb2ooPUvQRiKhbI5FXdmXFgzWuK4_cru84C9Ods2fseaQunipE0pQFGb4nZ/s400/cobbs.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402610209583582210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Cobb's New York Pizza & Grill</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: paper bag</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $8.67</span><br /><br />It's been a long while since I've wandered up Hydraulic in search of food, and as I waited inside <a href="http://www.cobbspizza.com/">Cobb's</a> for my New York steak and cheese sandwich and fries, I started to wonder why. Previously Mario's, and before that Vinny's (I think), Cobb's kinda reminded me of the pizza parlor on "Everybody Loves Raymond": a friendly, unpretentious, neighborhood place for pizza, burgers, and maybe a beer. Who doesn't like a place like that?<br /><br />Well, considering its near-complete lack of customers, apparently everybody. Curious as to why, I started looking around. The menu was filled with comforting dishes with mass appeal (pizzas, calzones, burgers, hot sandwiches, etc.), and, from my limited view from the small lobby, the dining room seemed cozy enough. The staff I spoke with seemed nice and eager to please. The sliced pizzas in the front display case looked a couple of hours old, but wasn't necessarily indicative of everything else.<br /><br />So what's the problem? Whatever it is, I don't think it's the New York steak and cheese.<br /><br />Had I ordered my steak and cheese sandwich straight from the menu, it would have come with chopped steak, mozzerella, peppers and onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, but I didn't; I got everything but the mayo. I can't stand mayonnaise. Luckily for me, the sandwich was just fine without it. The steak was juicy enough to not require the extra moisture, and the cheese gave the sandwich just the right amount of fat to hold everything together.<br /><br />My favorite part, however, may have been the bread. According to the guy I spoke with behind the counter (Cobb?), the bread comes in thrice weekly from a place called Carter's Bread Company, which is apparently local (though I've never heard of it before). Wherever it is, Carter's sandwich roll had a super soft white interior and an ever-so-flaky exterior that lent itself very well to its steak-cradling task, and it had a really nice, light, bready flavor to boot.<br /><br />The fries, on the other hand, were disappointing. They obviously came from the freezer and were not that high in quality. More disappointing was the fact that they were underseasoned. Skimping on cheap frozen fries is one thing, but not ponying up the extra $.002 it would take to properly salt an order of said fries is totally another. I guess it's a good thing that the sandwiches normally come with chips instead (the fries were $1 extra).<br /><br />I was also disappointed by the fact that I had to wait almost 30 minutes for my food after walking in and placing my order. Had the dining room been full, I would have understood, but the only other people I saw were the four or five staff and the grumpy-looking older guy who was in the same boat as me. I'll just have to remember to call in next time. (To be fair, I was given several apologies when I was finally given my order, so I assumed the delay was abnormal.)<br /><br />All in all, I'm not going to say that Cobb's has the best food around, or the most efficient staff, but it was certainly good enough to warrant a few more patrons than I saw, and the problems weren't anything a few beers couldn't fix.<br /><br />Now I just have to try the <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/11/cobbs-new-york-pizza-grill2.html">pizza</a>.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-30531257934768701802009-11-04T15:37:00.010-05:002009-11-04T23:15:14.728-05:00Chaps Ice Cream<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3bIdTRohTiOMPzadHZVozm5XHZEbXd8bCipC_z2Ria3GRpK-GvKal8j-HZFiMxWcZzyfe6CdaQUasW-KtYp3HGhVOkuskXw2hPEZqKfJTSG8jCmIHOyo4wkgRDHZ1ij3hMHWgZ2tH8At/s1600-h/chaps.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3bIdTRohTiOMPzadHZVozm5XHZEbXd8bCipC_z2Ria3GRpK-GvKal8j-HZFiMxWcZzyfe6CdaQUasW-KtYp3HGhVOkuskXw2hPEZqKfJTSG8jCmIHOyo4wkgRDHZ1ij3hMHWgZ2tH8At/s400/chaps.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400465040570901458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Chaps Ice Cream</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: paper bag</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />cost: $3</span><br /><br />It turns out my tour of local donuts wasn't as done as I thought it was. After running into Tony, the owner of <a href="http://www.chapsicecream.com/">Chaps</a>, at a Halloween party this past weekend, it occurred to me that a) he's been making his own donuts for quite some time now, and b) he didn't really dress up for the party, he just threw on his old black and white prison outfit.*<br /><br />Anyway, for breakfast this morning I had three donuts: one chocolate, one banana, and one pumpkin. Each had the same cakey, moist, and slightly oily texture, but as can be seen in the picture, the pumpkin was by far the biggest. The exterior of the pumpkin donut also had the most bite to it; it may have been fried before the others or in another batch of slightly hotter oil.<br /><br />Of the three, my favorite flavors were the pumpkin and chocolate. The pumpkin was sweet and seasonal, and the chocolate was rich and also sweet, but pleasingly less so than the pumpkin. I could see it going very well with a cup of coffee from The Java Hut, which sits right outside his door. (Come to think of it, that could be why he started making donuts in the first place.) The banana flavor, on the other hand, wasn't very apparent in the banana donut. It tasted more like a regular cake donut with just an itsy bitsy bit of something banana-esque.<br /><br />While certainly good for those of us on the mall in the mornings, these donuts probably won't lure many who aren't in the vicinity, but then again, Tony isn't really in the donut business. Tony is an ice cream/diner man, and he's a darn good one. I'll have to go back soon for scoop or two, and maybe a cheeseburger beforehand.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">* Of course I'm joking. I know Tony and it was just a costume...at least I'm pretty sure.<br /></span>johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-59876309475850799532009-11-03T09:12:00.015-05:002009-11-03T15:50:10.549-05:00Café 88<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkrq5P5ieWg819jplYQXUpX5phTPQ8Of9QTcgxyHMxTaHyIUgUe1me5KThuuvR9Qjip-hbsFIY0qjvKQtz0ugOEzN-8bGiLsDL6KZIzhfazNl9IFQSCVJijSFOdS4S2ShaiBpjXZrMN3e/s1600-h/cafe_88.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkrq5P5ieWg819jplYQXUpX5phTPQ8Of9QTcgxyHMxTaHyIUgUe1me5KThuuvR9Qjip-hbsFIY0qjvKQtz0ugOEzN-8bGiLsDL6KZIzhfazNl9IFQSCVJijSFOdS4S2ShaiBpjXZrMN3e/s400/cafe_88.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399880728173053746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Café 88</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: bento box</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $8.58</span><br /><br />I love places like <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&view=text&gl=us&q=923+Preston+Ave%2C+Charlottesville%2C+VA+&btnG=Search+Maps">Café 88</a>. Quiet, kinda off the beaten path, and really good. For those who haven't been, Café 88 is the newest restaurant of the former owner of <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/09/ming-dynasty.html">Ming Dynasty</a>. As many times as I've seen her, both at Ming and Café 88, I'm ashamed to say I don't know her name, but she's probably one of the nicest people in town. And now, freed from her standard Americanized-Chinese food shackles (and the pressures of a larger restaurant—Café 88 has only 24 seats), she's also one of the better Chinese food cooks in town.<br /><br />By "standard Americanized-Chinese," I'm referring to all the types of dishes that most Americans think of when Chinese food is mentioned: Kung Pao this, Hunan that, and of course General Tso's whatever. There's none of that at Café 88. Instead, Ms. Nice Lady at Café 88 (NLaC88) prepares just two kinds of food: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sum">dim sum</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento_box">bento</a>.<br /><br />I can't comment on the dim sum because I haven't yet tried any yet. Why not? Because the bento rocks.<br /><br />Despite being a Japanese idea, Ms. NLaC88 fills her bento boxes with very traditional Chinese fare, most of which revolves around chicken, pork, or tofu. On this visit, I opted for the Amazing Chicken (yes, that's what it's actually called). While "amazing" might be a tad strong, the Amazing Chicken certainly didn't disappoint. Ms. NLaC88 described it to me as marinated, pan-seared dark meat chicken with a slightly spicy sauce (she compared it to the Wonderful Chicken, which was deep fried white meat chicken and not spicy at all).<br /><br />Perhaps due to the marinade, or perhaps the nature of dark meat chicken, the two pieces of Amazing Chicken I received were very tender. The sauce had only a hint of chili but good flavor nonetheless, but most of it soaked into the bottom of the sticky rice next to the chicken (though that gave me a good excuse to eat more of the rice, which also boasted a bright yellow slice of mildly-pickled daikon).<br /><br />With the chicken came two vegetable sides: one serving of stir-fried bok choy, carrots, and mushrooms, and one serving of fried Asian eggplant (it had a thin, light purple skin, but even after a little <a href="http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/main/exotic-vegetable-glossary6.asp">research</a>, I couldn't tell if it was a Chinese, Japanese, or Taiwanese varietal).<br /><br />The stir-fry was simply prepared. The cabbage was by far the dominant flavor, but it was light, crunchy, and a pleasing contrast to its aubergine neighbor. The eggplant was soft and sweet except for the occasional bite of its crisp skin. It was sauced with a soy-based brown sauce and accented with chopped red bell peppers. I couldn't decide whether I liked it more than the chicken...but as I write, I'm leaning towards "it was better."<br /><br />As I left with my dinner, I asked Ms. NLaC88 why she named her restaurant "Café 88." She explained that 8 was a lucky number in Chinese culture and wanted to be "double lucky," and smiling, she motioned to the menu behind her: just about everything was priced $x.88.<br /><br />I guess it never hurts to have some luck, but with Chinese food like hers, I doubt she'll need it anytime soon.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-65046932673222981052009-10-27T09:15:00.011-04:002010-02-04T13:25:06.665-05:00El Pollo Loco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRrpKhkVc9CbbNXE0a4kMW5hzkaZNjc3F3fnek39Vibc_KpmflW48tdqCZqXf8pI6V-UvI4UuVYCLANtWGMGIdMGgN5FEs3Phlh1yonQHOv4Af7uthKAItISd0SnGT1U1ihQ8jD_megjq/s1600-h/el_pollo_loco.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRrpKhkVc9CbbNXE0a4kMW5hzkaZNjc3F3fnek39Vibc_KpmflW48tdqCZqXf8pI6V-UvI4UuVYCLANtWGMGIdMGgN5FEs3Phlh1yonQHOv4Af7uthKAItISd0SnGT1U1ihQ8jD_megjq/s400/el_pollo_loco.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397268866935742818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: El Pollo Loco</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />take-out vehicle: lots of styrofoam</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $10.02</span><br /><br />Josè: "So are you going?"<br />John: "Yeah, I'm going there right now."<br />Josè: "Awesome. What are you going to get?"<br />John: "Isn't the rotisserie chicken supposed to be really good?"<br />Josè: "That's what I hear, I mean it's in their name, right?"<br />John: "So you haven't had it?"<br />Josè: "Haha, no. Everything I go in there, I end up ordering something else."<br />John: "Then I'll definitely get the rotisserie chicken."<br />Josè: "Great. You'll have to let me know how it is."<br /><br />Well, Josè...the tacos were pretty good.<br /><br />I'll be honest, I didn't see a rotisserie. I did see some chicken quarters in the display behind the counter, but when I asked the guy who took my order what his favorite thing on the menu was, his answer was tacos.<br /><br />So I listened to the guy who took my order.<br /><br />Unlike my trip to <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/10/la-michoacana.html">La Michoacana</a> earlier this month, here I ordered three different tacos: one carne asada, one pollo, and one al pastor. My three tacos also came with a serving of Mexican rice, pinto beans, and two salsas. Feeling gluttonous, I also ordered a serving of fried plantains.<br /><br />I was puzzled when I first opened the styrofoam take-out box. There were my three tacos, but I also saw three balls of aluminum foil. However, after opening the first to find sections of lime, I knew the contents of the other two: chopped onion and cilantro, all the toppings of a traditional taco.<br /><br />I don't know how exactly its meat was cooked, but of the three, I found the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_pastor">taco al pastor</a> to be the best in terms of flavor and texture. The pork was juicy, tender, and mildly spicy, and the lime, cilantro, onion, and tomato salsa complimented it well.<br /><br />The taco carne asada was my second favorite. The beef paired well with the salsa verde and had a nice meaty flavor of its own, and it too was fairly tender. The chicken in the taco pollo, on the other hand, was a little bland and over-cooked. I tasted it, but I tasted the salsa verde and the tortillas a whole lot more.<br /><br />The tortillas themselves were good, though a bit thinner than I was expecting, and I suspect it was for that reason two tortillas were used for each taco. The extra tortillas turned out to be a good thing, though, since one of the two from each taco ripped during my meal.<br /><br />I found the rice to be decent but unremarkable, though the beans were very good. The guy who took my order told me they were slow cooked with sausage, bacon, and onions, whereas the also-offered black beans were cooked with jalapenos. I didn't try the black beans, but I have a feeling a chose correctly. The pintos were savory and satisfying, and the bacon gave it a subtle smokey flavor.<br /><br />The plantains were also very tasty. As far as I could tell, they weren't spiced or seasoned after being fried, but they were every bit as good, if not better, than the ones I ate at <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-curry.html">Just Curry</a>.<br /><br />La Michoacana is closer to my home and office, so I doubt that I'll travel across town just to get these tacos, but I'll certainly keep this place in mind when I'm looking for lunch on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1417%20N%20Emmet%20St%20%23B%20Charlottesville%20VA&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl">Emmet St</a>. After all, there's still the matter of the rotisserie chicken (somebody's got to try it). And where else in town can you watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6vPlq91Ufo&feature=related">music videos like this</a>?<br /><br />Note: If you're thinking of stopping by in the next few days, you may want to wait a week or so: I was told that new management is taking over soon, and though the existing menu is being retained, expect to see new items from El Salvador and Central America, including pupusas. The guy who took my order seemed pretty excited about it.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089417278050700781.post-50188759094677648432009-10-21T08:41:00.012-04:002009-10-22T11:19:33.793-04:00Carpe Donut<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhxaUwOUHY3tF3Dc8y-zBghqki1_dEC1twZUvW-SobsmCrZFrQ_l3ZxQf3DxxIcd96vU7kxfEWlF_SjzJ4j-GaDWW2L8atmIQeDVF6XgYqD524ApC1OACXm-C_3e6OwsDDeOzE4uBVEb/s1600-h/carpe_donut.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhxaUwOUHY3tF3Dc8y-zBghqki1_dEC1twZUvW-SobsmCrZFrQ_l3ZxQf3DxxIcd96vU7kxfEWlF_SjzJ4j-GaDWW2L8atmIQeDVF6XgYqD524ApC1OACXm-C_3e6OwsDDeOzE4uBVEb/s400/carpe_donut.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395170873968177426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">subject: Carpe Donut</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">take-out vehicle: paper bag</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cost: $4</span><br /><br />This was the last stop (I think) on my tour of local donuts, and it's tough to say whether or not I saved the best for last. On the one hand, <a href="http://carpedonut.argon.org/">Carpe Donuts</a> is one of only two places I know of (the other being <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/09/bakers-paletteagain.html">The Baker's Palette's</a> mobile donut machine) where you can get donuts cooked to order. On the other hand, a Carpe Donut is not your typical donut.<br /><br />Though coated in cinnamon and sugar and initially sweet, I found these donuts to be almost savory by the end of each bite. I tasted a few different flavors, most of which are commonly used with sugar, but that here stood out by themselves: cinnamon, cloves, maybe some nutmeg, and naturally some apple (they are apple cider donuts, after all). Come to think of it, they tasted very much like apple cider in cake form—which, I imagine, was the entire point.<br /><br />My only other local experience with apple cider donuts came from <a href="http://cvilletogo.blogspot.com/2009/09/carters-mountain-orchard.html">Carter's Mountain Orchard</a>, and from what I can recall of their product, Carpe Donut's donuts have a larger, softer interior, more cinnamon-sugar coating, and a greater depth of flavor. Granted, my memory may be hazy since it's been two years since I've had a <span style="font-style: italic;">fresh</span> donut from Carter's Mountain (I'm looking at you, person-who-didn't-put-up-a-sign-telling-me-that-the-fresh-donuts-had-moved!), but I'm pretty sure I'm right.<br /><br />Though I did not get any, Carpe Donut also offers hot apple cider and freshly brewed Greenberry's coffee. Matt, one of the owners, told me that Carpe Donut offers its own special blend: a 50/50 mix of Greenberry's Sumatra and Costa Rican. Naturally enough, he calls it the Carpe Donut blend.<br /><br />While waiting for my donuts to cook (he was just finishing the dough when I arrived), Matt also told me about his hot chocolate: "There's so much cocoa in it...it's to hot chocolate like espresso is to coffee." I'll have to make a point to return for that.<br /><br />So, were these the best of the local donuts? Honestly, I still don't know. There's still something wonderful about a light, sugary, cavity-threatening ring of dough, but I will say this: If you're looking for tasty donut, Carpe Donut won't disappoint.johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08286579949858022863noreply@blogger.com2