Back in November, Dish reported that renowned Szechuan chef Peter Chang was cooking at Taste of China in Albemarle Square, but the Chang groupies who’ve tracked the chef online for years were way ahead of us. Again, they’ve let us know that noted journalist, humorist, and food writer Calvin Trillin was in town and has penned a piece about the chef and his new restaurant in the latest New Yorker. Unfortunately, the online article is subscription only.

Update: In just the few days since this item appeared online, traffic at Taste of China has spiked, with reports of long waiting lines as Charlottesville clamors for Chang.

Update update:  “To judge by upcoming articles in both The Oxford American and The New Yorker, Chinese émigré Peter Chang may be the most obsessed-over, and mysterious, chef in the United States.” So says a story in the Oxford American about Chang that came out at the same time as the New Yorker piece.

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If you’re planning to open your first restaurant this year, the Dish found out something that might interested you. A Canadian TV production company is producing a show for the Food Network called The Opener, a new reality series in which Iron Chef and star of Restaurant Makeover, chef David Adjey, helps first-timers work toward a smashing debut.

“We’re looking for first-time owners opening between April and December of this year, “ says Janice Shatford, a researcher for the new series. “Our focus is fairly upscale, fine-ish dining with a dinner focus.”

While Frantic Films is conducting a nationwide search, Shatford says they’d welcome entries from the Charlottesville area. “If you know of a place, we’d like to hear about it,” she says.

Well, first-timers? What do you have to lose? You can contact the producers at [email protected] or 416-324-8537 ext. 331 or 324.

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“I think it’s important to keep it simple,” says Marco & Luca’s Dragana Katalina-Sun.
PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR

Looks like UVA students are finally discovering Marco & Luca dumplings now that they’ve opened a new shop on Elliewood Avenue where Sublime All-Natural Food & Juice Bar used to be. Indeed, the student writer of a Cav Daily review earlier this month hadn’t managed to make it down to Marco & Luca’s on the Downtown Mall in three years, but now that it’s right across the street, the popular dumplingery is discovered as if for the very first time. So was the use of cash.

“A small sign quickly caught my attention: “only cash and check orders accepted.” Panic engulfed me,” writes Hunter Terry. “Having trusted my debit card during the entirety of my adult life and hardly remembering what cash looks like, I was rightly flustered.”

Fortunately, you don’t need much of it. Three bucks buys you an order of dumplings, three-fifty an order of noodles. Indeed, the appeal of these doughy, pan-fried Downtown delicacies have been as much about the price as the taste.

Of course, its hard to believe that Marco & Luca owners, husband and wife team Dragana Katalina-Sun and Sun Da, hadn’t already opened a (more)

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Gentleman, it’s that time of year again. This time, don’t wait until the absolute last minute, Dude! And don’t let the snow ruin the occasion. Get your V-Day plans set by checking out these great offerings:

The Blue Moon Diner on West Main is having a special “Neil Diamond themed Sunday Brunch” for Valentines Day, from 9am to 3pm. Look for Forever in Blue berry pancakes, Kentucky Woman French toast, Sweet Caroline Polyface bbq with eggs and hasbrowns, Mountains of Love Hogwaller hash, and Gitchy Goomy beat salad to name a few. Click Here to see the menu.

L’etoile on West Main is running two prix fixe menus this weekend, one 3-course for $55, which includes lobster bisque, scallops, pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes, rock fish, duck breast, strawberry shortcake, and crème brulee. Another 5-course Chef’s menu meal goes for $75 and includes treats such as duck confit with shiitake mushrooms, caesar salad with house cured bacon, BBQ quail and pork belly.

Aroma’s Café is offering a special 3-course Valentine’s Day menu for $35 per person on Sunday, February 14. Choice of roasted tomato, carrot, and ginger soup, grilled jumbo shrimp or falafel, salmon over orzo pasta, Moroccan lamb, mixed baby greens salad, baklava and other tasty treats. Reservations required.

Cassis has a special Valentine’s Day three-course deal on February 12, 13, and 14 for $25. Basically, an extension of Restaurant Week. French onion soup, fried oyster, steak tartare, salmon, roasted chicken breast, beef burgundy//warm apple tart, chocolate cake…yum! Click Here to see the menu.

Maya on West Main has a $45 per person Valentine’s Day deal. Oysters on the half-shell, beef tenderloin, venison loin, halibut, and apple tart tatin to name a few items.Click Here to see the menu. (more)

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Ventana chef Sebastien Jack wowed em’ at Restaurant Week.
FILE PHOTO BY SEAN WATHEN

Well, Restaurant Week has come and gone, and according to some restaurants we spoke to the event was a smashing success, again.

“We had an amazing turnout and response,” says Ventana owner Michael Fitzgerald. “We got lots of new and receptive customers.”

In fact, because the winter weather put the kibosh on some Saturday and Sunday reservations, some restaurants are extending the $26 three-course deal.

“We are going to honor Restaurant Week patrons this Wednesday and Thursday,” says l’étoile owner Mark Gresge. “ We are currently in the process of calling all our guests back who could not make it this past weekend.”

Indeed, Dish learned that most participants had extended Restaurant Week at least through Wednesday, February 3. The list of participating restaurants is at cvilleyum.com, and you can call them directly about rescheduling your reservation or making a new one.

Of course, more winter weather is expected (in fact, it’s coming down as we write), so you might want to hurry!

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