Eating Charlottesville (N-Z)

Revolutionary Soup
I was initially skeptical about this local favorite. Soup for how much? And some of them just thin liquids, without chunks of vegetable or meat matter? Which is why some soups, like the tomato basil (which don't get me wrong is one of their best soups) and the miso, are just better if someone else is paying and I'm ordering just to keep them company while eating. Actually, the soups are great, but in fact, I much prefer their salads, especially the Gulf Coast shrimp salad with mixed greens, chopped hardboiled eggs and avocado. On a cold winter's day, I find that the shrimp and grits are immensely satisfying.

Riverside
Easily my favorite burger place. The burgers are smaller, but, hey, I'm a relatively small person. They remind me of a greasier version of In-N-Out--thin patty on a fresh spongy non-sesame seeded hamburger bun without all that leafy "crap."

The Shebeen
When I first arrived in Charlottesville someone told me that she thought this was the best restaurant in town and I'd say that it's pretty close. I've had the opportunity to try nearly every dish and the saddest thing is the chips part of the fish and chips. How can they be so bad when everything else is so good?!

South Street Brewery
A grad student favorite eating and watering hole. I love their dark flavorful brew Satan's Pony. The portions are enormous so come hungry or ready to take at last half of your dish home.

Splendora
I've never been to Italy and so have not ever tasted "real" gelato. Perhaps this is the reason I prefer Splendora over Milano? I just don't like sticky, slimy, and sludgy textures. Splendora's selection is nothing like that. My all-time favorite was honey.

St. Maarten's
I was hugely impressed by the cheese fries and buffalo wings. For the cheese fries, they use waffle fries and fine shreds of cheese, such that cheese fries become gourmet and not just some greasy snack food with a beer.

Take it Away
Strangely unappetizing when served as part of a catering scheme. They're just better freshly made. Unlike most sandwich shops, they slice long loafs of bread on the diagonal to maximize the bready over crusty parts. They offer excellent quality cuts of meat and cheese but the veggie add-ins are admittedly small--just sprouts and watercress when I was last there. I admire the decision to leave out tomatoes since good tomatoes cannot be had year round. Those that prefer something like Dagwoods need not step foot here.

***
I never gave myself a chance to eat at some local Charlottesville favorites like Bluegrass Grill and Bakery, Blue Moon, and Feast!, but then, they're generally acknowledges as favorites (well, there is an unofficial feud between those who prefer Bluegrass over Blue Moon and vice versa), so it doesn't seem necessary to add my voice into the mix.