Eating Charlottesville (A-C)

When a young professor came to give a job talk in Charlottesville last year I remember telling her that despite the availability of diverse ethnic cuisines to not expect a big city dining scene. I did generally like the food offerings, however, a and most everything is relatively conveniently located. Whereas in LA I would have to drive all over the city, in Charlottesville I could purchase fresh local produce as well as exotic foodstuffs and have a great meal all within one ten mile radius.

If I wasn't a poor graduate student I probably would have dined out more frequently. Still, in two years I was able to visit quite a few establishments. I'm posting my notes below, although they may be obsolete in a short time given the area's high turnover in eateries. One year here and gone the next. This is just a brief list. I was never dedicated enough to take more detailed notes, remember menu prices, take photographs to be a systematic reviewer.

Albemarle Baking Company
I always arrive at this bakery with high hopes, but end up disappointed most of the time. The cakes are great as are their signature breads, the pain de mie, challah, and bagettes. Although in general the other breads have a wonderful crust and crumb, they tasted not quite put together. The pastries are dismal--they are not as refined as they appear and seem commercially made. I also don't like the cake-like texture of their cookies.

Aqui es Mexico
My pick for the best Latin American food in town. Hands down the best pupusas. The Salvadoran food is the kind one might find in a small family style restaurant in the Los Angeles area.

Asian Express
My favorite American Chinese Japanese restaurant because their food doesn't taste too greasy and their portions are generous. The sushi rolls are small and expensive but very satisfying in a town with even fewer acceptable Japanese restaurants (to someone who has dined at Matsuhisa in LA and Morimoto in Philly). I haven't been to Ten on the Downtown Mall, which looks to be a swanky Manhattan style sushi place, but it's much more expensive. I'd also like to add a side rant about American Chinese restaurants in Charlottesville: how is it that chow mein dishes here do not have any noodles in them? To what does the "mein," which indicate noodles, refer?

Bell Air Gas Station
One of a number of gourmet food and gas stations in the area. Sandwiches here feature yummy combinations of about a half-inch layer of meat and thick slices of cheese and doughy rolls of bread.

Bizou
Comfort food in large portions enough to feed two. Great bargains at lunch, when the meatloaf plate is slightly less expensive but just as generous.

Bodos
A local favorite for warm, chewy bagels. Some say they are New York style, but I disagree. Nevertheless they are tasty in their own right, especially warm. Beware the cream cheese spread, which is good but tends to get goopy and horribly messy as it melts between the slices of warm bagel. The fresh meat and/or veggie filled sandwiches make for as cheap or as expensive a lunch as you want on the Corner.

Cafe 88
The eating place I miss the most since moving back to LA. The best yan su ji （盐酥鸡; salty crispy chicken) I've ever had can be found here. This is surprising given that I'm from the LA area. I've ordered the dish several times since I've moved back and none can match. The friendly proprietor also serves some tasty fried tofu in a soy sauce, basil, ginger, and chilli sauce. She thinks this is her best dish and she recommends it every time. I also like the two veggie side dishes that come in the bento boxes. With the exception of the omurice and the pineapple rice, everything on the menu is great.

Cassis
A special occasion restaurant. Lucky me, my parents wanted to eat here when they visited in October 2006. The portions appear small but even my dad, a big eater, found them filling. He had the pan-roasted duck breast with confit, which was the best of the three dishes. I ordered a satisfying rabbit stew with potato gnocchi and peas. My mom ate the disappointing salmon plate--the salmon was clearly farm-raised and the lentils were overcooked.

Chandler's
A bakery up 29 in Albemarle Square. I think this place gets mixed reviews. When people want a great cake, the Albemarle Baking Company comes up instead. I was fortunate to taste a slice of their cake. It was two layers, one yellow and the other chocolate. It was nice and moist. Usually I detest frosting, but found their version to be pleasant and not too thickly spread nor tooth-achingly sweet.

To be continued...