The Hook - The Dish » 2010

A Cultural Workshop on Russian Food and Drink

by Dave McNair 2:12 pm January 29th

February 26, 2010 5:30 pm

From Speak! Language Center:

The stereotypical Russian is most often associated with vodka. Is this accurate? What is the history of drinking in Russia? What is the current attitude in Russia towards alcohol, and towards vodka in particular? Dr. Rachel Stauffer, an expert on Russian language and culture, will explain why, when, and how Russians drink. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste the foods that are most often paired for drinking throughout Russia and Eastern Europe in conjunction with a tasting of premium vodkas from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, and Canada. $25. Reservations recommended as space is limited. 313 Second Street S.E., Suite 109 (Back side of the Glass Building). 245-8255 or

When: Friday, February 26, 5:30-7:30pm

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Clifton Haitian relief benefit

by Dave McNair 10:16 am January 29th

February 4, 2010 5:00 pm

On February 4 the Clifton Inn will host a benefit dinner for the earthquake victims of Haiti. The dinner is $45 per person and all proceeds will go toward the Oxfam America-Haiti Relief Fund. In addition, if you decide to spend the night, all proceeds will go to Haiti, too. All Clifton employees are donating their time, effort, and gratuities to the cause as well. The special “comfort food” menu includes roasted free range chicken with truffle butter, smoked bacon and onion braised greens, jalapeno cornbread, and coconut crème brulee with raspberries, to name a few items. Call 434-971-1800 for reservations.

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Michie discount offered

by Dave McNair 10:11 am January 29th

The Michie Tavern reports that is offering a midday fare discount coupons for local residents weekdays through February 26. The $4.00 discount coupons are available on the Tavern website www.michietavern.com.

“For the first time in the Tavern’s history, a discount is being offered to thank local residents for their patronage throughout the year and to encourage local guests to visit before the busy tourist season,” says Tavern spokesperson Paxton MacDonald.

Michie Tavern, located 1/4- mile from Jefferson’s Monticello, is known for its colonial fried chicken and stewed tomatoes, not to mention their hickory-smoked hand-pulled pork barbecue, vegetable soup, mashed potatoes with gravy, hot green beans, black-eyed peas, and buttermilk biscuits and cornbread. In addition, a complimentary tour through the oldest section of the Tavern is included.

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Kluge Winery racks up awards in Hong Kong

by Lisa Provence 1:27 pm January 26th

Kluge Estate Vineyard and Winery brought home six awards for its sparkling wines from the first Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, an event designed to target Asian preferences in wine consumption.

Two Kluge wines won in the important dim sum category for how they paired with one of China’s favorite foods. Kluge SP Rose Sparkling Brut 2004 won a silver medal and and Kluge SP Blanc de Blanc 2004 was awarded a bronze medal.

Approximately 1,300 wines from around the world were judged by wine professionals from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and India.

“This competition shines a spotlight on an exciting burgeoning market,” says owner Patricia Kluge in a statement. “The combination of Asian judges, Asian food and awards really means something to the consumers of the region and we are thrilled to be noticed.”

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Restaurant Week starts tonight

by Hawes Spencer 5:06 am January 25th

According to the trusty calendar, Restaurant Week begins Monday, January 25. And, already, at least one of the 18 participating restaurants, Fossett’s, indicates that it is sold out. Oh, well, that leaves 17 others for last-minute culinary thrift. For any diner who has ever dreamed about fine dining without breaking the bank, Restaurant Week is that dream… come true. Modeled on similar events in other cities, this is seven days of good food and good fun. Diners get to choose from each participating restaurant’s special prix fixe menu and enjoy three courses— typically an appetizer, an entree, and dessert— for just $26. (Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included.)

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Carving Board Café handed off

by Dave McNair 2:55 pm January 19th

The Carving Board Café in Albemarle Square has changed hands, but not the menu.
FILE PHOTO

Since opening their little Albemarle Square sandwich shop in June 2005, Carving Board Café chef/owners Justin Van der Linde and Candice Liptak have turned it into one of the most popular lunch spots in town. Now they’ve turned it over to fellow Johnson & Wales cooking school grad, Ken Beachley and his wife, Jennifer.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a negative review of the Carving Board anywhere, and it has been consistently ranked among the top five eateries on both Charlottesville-Dining.com and the Hook’s Foodfinder, not to mention a Reader’s Choice Award from the Daily Progress last year. Last August, new Virginia governor Bob McDonnell saw fit to make the Carving Board Café a launching pad for a campaign stop at the University of Virginia.

So why give it up? Liptak says Van der Linde (who happens to be recycler Peter Van der Linde’s nephew) decided he wanted to be a massage therapist, and that the couple wants to start a family. But they are taking the time to guide the Beachley’s, who also own the Italian Villa, through the transition.

The secret to their success? Pay attention all you present and future restaurateurs…

As Liptak told the Hook just a month after opening, “We enjoy providing excellent service, and we care more about our customers being satisfied than making a buck.”

Today, Liptak stands by that statement. “That’s the reason (more)

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Have a helping at the Java Depot

by Dave McNair 1:32 pm January 19th

January 26, 2010 5:00 pm

On Tuesday, January 26 the Java Depot and Café in Nellysford will be serving up a Haitian Relief Fundraising dinner from 5pm to 8pm. And unlike some of these events, where maybe 10 or 20 percent of the bill goes to the chosen, 100 percent of all the proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Effort.

“I’m sure it will be a great dinner, so a delicious way to help folks,” says owner Nancy Kern.

Indeed, you’ll get Haitian salad, rice and beans, griots (pork stew), llabouyi bannann (plantation puree), pain patate (sweet potato bread), and tropical fruit salad for just $8, and $4 for kids under eight.

“One of my employees went to UVa and one of her peers from Haiti died while going back to visit family,” says Kern. “Haiti had to be one of the worst places to live before this happened…I just can’t imagine living there then , much less now. The world has to help.”

RSVP’s are preferred for the event, says Kern, but not required. Visit the Java Depot website at www.thejavadepot.com for more information.

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Historical feast at Michie Tavern

by Dave McNair 11:47 am January 19th

February 25, 2010 12:00 pm

Picket’s Charge from the point of view of the Confederates.
PAINTING BY EDWIN FORBES

In February, feasting meets history at the Michie Tavern when award-winning author, writer and lecturer, Rick Britton offers a dramatic re-telling of the July 3, 1863 attack on Cemetery Ridge (commonly known as Picket’s charge), which is “arguably the most famous attack in American history,” Britton says.

Albemarle County was featured prominently in this celebrated, but terribly failed assault. Over 440 Confederates, the vast majority from Charlottesville and Albemarle (including the great grandson of Innkeeper, William Michie) “marched in lockstep across that valley of death as the 19th Virginia Infantry.” Half of them would be killed.

The lecture, “Albemarle Boys in Pickett’s Charge,” will be held at Noon on Thursday, February 25, and a mere $15 gets you the full Michie Tavern buffet, drinks, dessert, and an education in local Civil War history. Now that’s truly a feast for the stomach and the mind! Make your reservations by calling 434-977-1234.

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Fry’s Spring Service Station to get tasty tune-up

by Dave McNair 10:30 pm January 18th

The historic Fry’s Spring Service Station is set to become a gourmet pizza restaurant in March.
PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR

After a 70-year run servicing cars, the historic Fry’s Spring Service Station is gearing up to begin a new era servicing area foodies. Instead of lube jobs, tire rotations, and tune-ups, the new service menu will include gourmet pizzas, Panini, Italian wines, and al fresco dining on the corner of Jefferson Park and Maury Avenues.

Last April, investors Terry Hinderman and PK Kamath bought the old station from the Houchens family, who ran the place for more that 40 years, for $800,000. They had plans to restore the circa-1931 building and develop the property, which involved getting design plans approved for one of the city’s most historic properties. In 2008, the Fry’s Spring Service Station was one of only eight Charlottesville buildings added to the Individually Protected Properties list, and its Jeffersonesque Spanish/colonial exterior and Art Deco bathrooms had already landed it on the state and national historic registers.

“We’ve spent two years navigating through the City historic review board, rezoning, and City site plan approval sign off,” says Hinderman. “No easy task.”

And that doesn’t include the actual work itself. (more)

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Hump Day gelato delights

by Dave McNair 12:38 pm January 14th

Splendora’s Gelato Café on the Downtown Mall will be offering its third annual “all-you-can-eat Wednesdays” through January and February. For $6.50 you can have as much gelato as your heart desires—and your stomach can take—in a single visit to the shop from 7:30am to 10pm on Hump Day. Splendora’s offers handmade, authentic Italian gelato and fine coffee and espresso drinks in a European café setting every day of the week.