Charlottesville’s annual Vegetarian Festival invites everyone to eat more veggies with more than 100 exhibitors including restaurants, free food samples, a dog and cat Adopt-A-Thon, nonprofits, silent auction, live music, and more. Activities for children include magicians, jugglers, vegetable-print painting, a beanbag toss, face painting, and a children’s literature table with information about animals and the environment. Downtown at Lee Park on Market St. 979-1200.
Drumheller’s Orchard in Lovingston celebrates autumn with an Apple Harvest and Apple Butter Festival. Corn Maze, hayrides to the orchard and pumpkin patch, an apple sling shot, apples, fresh cider, honey, hams, food, country music, and crafts are all part of the fun. Route 741 off Rt. 29, south of Lovingston. 263-5036.
Archangel Arts Center hosts the heavenly 5th annual Chocolate and Fine Arts Festival. It’s a delicious day filled with live music, fine art, crafts, games, prizes, food, and fun. Rt. 29 north/6173 S. Seminole Trail, Rochelle, VA. 540-948-5628.
www.archangelarts.com
To celebrate Oktoberfest, Josh Hunt over at Beer Run says they’ve put Starr Hill Festie, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest and an old Favorite of the Ludwig’s crowd, Allgäuer Cambonator Doppelbock, on draft.
“We’re also tasting Oktoberfest beers this Wednesday and next, starting at 6pm,” says Hunt. “Oh, and on Tuesdays now, from 4 to 7pm, it’s one dollar off pint night.”
Wir trinken zu dem!
This Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30pm Wild Greens is having a wine dinner feature wines from Pollak Vineyard, which just opened recently on a 98-acre piece of land in Greenwood. The winery corked its first bottles in 2005, a Bordeaux-style Meritage blend that recently won a slew of medals in the Monticello Wine Competition. Owners Margo and David Pollak, who was a partner in a Napa Valley winery, has said it’s been their “dream” to open a vineyard, and that their goal is “to make French-style wines from estate-grown grapes.”
As for the wine dinner, Margo Pollak says there is still time for folks in Charlottesville to call for a reservation (295-8466). It’s $45 per person and that includes: (more)
In light of the recent kerfuffle over Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) remark that “You can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig,” and whether it was a jab at newly anointed GOP vice presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the owners of Pee-Wee’s Pit Bar B Que in Scottsville decided to have a little fun with their own pig mascot. Anticipating a visit by former Gov. Mark Warner (D), they got their plaster porker all gussied up for the occasion. Says day manager Nicola Roberts, “We saw that on the news and figured, ‘We’ve got a pig.’”
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Sandy Archer serves her first customer at the new Arch’s on Emmet Street.The new Arch’s Frozen Yogurt on Emmet Street opened today, an occasion both frozen yogurt fans and architecture enthusiasts can celebrate. In addition to serving up that tasty cold goodness, with all your favorite toppings, the modern two-story building with two outdoor eating balconies, ivy-covered walls (eventually), lots of glass, and a host of energy-efficient features is unlike anything else you’re likely to see on that stretch of Emmet.
Designed by BRW Architects, known for renovations of Congregation Beth Israel, the Downtown Rec Center, and the Mall side of the Water Street parking garage, the building is a model of sustainable construction and striking design, complete with environmentally friendly and energy efficient SIPS roof and wall panels that were cut to order. The two outdoor decks are on a glassy light-filled second floor, along with a couple of comfy chairs and a small battalion of toddler tables and chairs.
Unfortunately, owners Sandy and Rob Archer were too preoccupied to have a word with us, Sandy serving the first customers, Rob in the back slicing turkey, no doubt anxious and excited about their opening day. Indeed, just 15 minutes after we snapped a shot of their first customer a line had already formed at the counter.
Mountfair Vineyards is extending its Fall season tasting room hours, Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 5 pm.
From their press release: Located in the White Hall area of Albemarle County, Mountfair Vineyards crafts small-batch and low production volumes of Bordeaux style blended red wines. Mountfair provides a unique and personal tasting experience. Complimentary tastings are available on Saturday & Sundays from 12-5pm or by appointment. The tasting room is located four miles north of White Hall on Fox Mountain Rd, just off Brown’s Gap Turnpike. Directions can be found on their website or by calling 823-7605.
Mountfair Vineyards
Phone 434 825 4943
4875 Fox Mountain Road
Crozet, VA
Stomach grumbling yet? Here are a few suggestions:
Downtown: Chaps…they actually make a pretty fine burger, and their onion rings…yum! 250 West: Pesto Mediterranean Grill..new place. Tell us what you think under its listing! The Corner: Just Curry…goat-a-licious!
Aqui es Mexico’s new bright, bigger space!Aqui es Mexico’s owner, Jose Patino, says he finally opened his new space next door to his Carlton Road location yesterday. Since opening two years ago, the little Mexican place has warmed the hearts and palates of local foodies, and the result of that success is a new Aqui es Mexico with more than twice the space. “It’s a completely different look,” says Patino. “There’s more space, the tables are bigger, so we can make better presentations and improve our service.” Now there’s also a nice bar where hombres can hang out.
So what’s the reaction been from his customers?
“Happy,” says Patino.
Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar in the Main Street Ma...
Chef Angelo Vangelopoulos munches on his ̶...
Home-made soups, salads, and sandwiches. Has become one of Route 29 North's most popular lunch spots.
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