FOOD + BEVERAGE
Q&A WITH A LOCAL WINE EXPERT

LIFE + CULTURE
CULTIVATE: CREATING
FOOD EQUITY
FOOD + BEVERAGE
RESTAURANTS TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR









FOOD + BEVERAGE
Q&A WITH A LOCAL WINE EXPERT
LIFE + CULTURE
CULTIVATE: CREATING
FOOD EQUITY
FOOD + BEVERAGE
RESTAURANTS TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR
As we settle into the cooler days of fall, there may be few things more comforting than embracing seasonality in the form of food and drinks that warm us from the inside. With that in mind, we bring you our Food & Drink issue, showcasing so much that our area has to offer.
Our feature story this month highlights an organization dedicated to promoting the work of local grain producers. Additionally, we’re sharing how one non-profit is helping to educate children about food while also diligently working to create food equity in Charlottesville. We also touched base with a local wine expert to shed light on Virginia’s ever-growing wine industry. And of course, no food and drink issue would be complete without a roundup of some of our favorite restaurants!
As October begins to usher in sweater weather, you may find yourself cozied up at home on chilly nights. If you’re looking for ways to make your rooms and shared spaces even more stylish, welcoming, and uniquely yours, look no further than our story highlighting interior designer Betsy Kraft’s tips for easily transforming your home with this year’s fall trends.
As always, we appreciate you welcoming our publication into your home. We’re excited to be a part of the community and to work with all of our incredible partners who help make our publication possible. We encourage you to check out all of their outstanding services!
JAMES LISOWSKI,
PUBLISHER
@CITYLIFESTYLECHARLOTTESVILLE
October 2024
PUBLISHER
James Lisowski | james.lisowski@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Waldera | jennifer.waldera@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jennifer Waldera
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lincoln Barbour, Jeff Bloem, Aleen Carey, Will Caggiano, Maxine Clifford, Don Danilek, Cecily de la Pena, Alan Grossman, KG Howard, Betsy Kraft, James Lisowski, Eric Magrum, P. Perugi Marraccini, Robert Pollok, David Sachs, Jamie Via, Common Grain Alliance, Grapewood Farm, IX Art Park
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
1: Volunteers at the City of Promise garden on a community work day organized by Cultivate. 2: Fitness community happy hour at Common House hosted by locally-owned fitness studios, including pūrvelo. 3: Sisters and Brothers concert at The Foundry. 4: Visitors at the 2024 Albemarle Fair. 5: Art Mix at IX. 6: Farmers Market at IX Art Park. 7: Members of Charlottesville Area Mountain Biking Club (CAMBC) doing trail work at O'Hill.
Charlottesville Skin and Laser Center has added Clear & Brilliant and Fraxel Dual to its list of services to treat your face or body. Clear & Brilliant is a light resurfacing treatment that helps improve pigmentation issues, texture, and fine lines with little to no downtime. Need something a little more? Fraxel Dual helps improve deep-set lines and scars and stimulates collagen. Remember your skin is an investment, not an expense.
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Looking for a workout that combines fitness and fun? At pūrvelo, Charlottesville’s premier indoor cycling studio, high-intensity classes are powered by top instructors and feature immersive, live DJ rides that turn every workout into an electrifying event. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or just starting out, pūrvelo creates a welcoming space for all levels. Look out for upcoming live DJ classes or join them for any ride to see why the community keeps coming back!
Angelo is known for offering designer and custom-made jewelry but the store also hosts art shows with work from various artists. In October, the shop will be showcasing artwork by Abbie Chessler, and in November, it will be featuring the work of Patte Ormsby. Visit the jewelry gallery to see the art exhibits as well as Lee Angelo Marraccini’s newest creatively designed rings, earrings, necklaces, and more.
Based in Charlottesville, Betsy Kraft is an interior designer with an eye for trends that will boost the look and style of your home. For fall 2024, Kraft says there are several on-trend ways to elevate your living space.
“My favorite home trend that we’re seeing going into fall is color-drenching, meaning that we’re seeing a lot of color on walls and monochromatic spaces -- painting the entire room all one color [including the] ceiling, walls, and trim,” Kraft said.
The use of a singular color can create a sophisticated yet cozy look that can be amplified by using the same color furniture in the room. Kraft’s recommendation is to utilize primary colors, and her only caveat is to limit the trend to contained rooms rather than openfloor concepts.
To accent the monochromatic look, Kraft suggests turning to visually interesting decor like vintage pieces from secondhand shops or repurposed items that you already have. She cites her own usage of her husband’s parent’s vintage lantern that’s displayed in the living room as an example.
“Shop your own house -- move things around or take pieces that might seem like they do not fit and use them for a non-intended purpose,” she said.
Finally, Kraft suggests using tiles that will infuse your personality into a space. She recommends opting for fun colors and patterns.
“I think we’re coming out of these times that are grey and soft and neutral -- people are ready to infuse a little personality and joy into their spaces.”
Cultivate Charlottesville’s mission is to build an equitable and healthy food system through its three programs: City Schoolyard Garden, Food Justice Network, and Urban Agriculture Collective. Jordan Johnson, City Schoolyard Garden Program Director, talked with us about the organization's work with schools and the community.
Our goal is continuing to enhance community and student leadership in the food system. We work closely with many neighborhoods in the city to ensure equitable access to healthy foods for all residents. We prioritize neighborhoods, predominantly historically black neighborhoods, that have not been engaged in conversation around city development and planning in the food system.
Cultivate focuses its efforts solely in the city and Charlottesville public schools.
With the much needed redevelopment of lowwealth housing options in Charlottesville, Cultivate has lost some foundational gardens. Through our current Power to Grow campaign, we are advocating, with community interest, in starting an urban farming plot at Booker T Washington Park.
To learn more about how Cultivate Charlottesville works toward creating food equity in Charlottesville, visit cultivatecharlottesville.org
• Cultivate is always seeking volunteers to attend community workdays. Volunteers enhance the gardens and engage students during the Harvest of the Month program. Community members can sign up for Cultivate’s newsletter to get volunteer updates.
• Cultivate is always looking for community donations of any size to keep its programs well-funded.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA PHOTOGRAPHY
BY ALEEN CAREY
Local Non-Profit Works to Achieve Food Equity in Charlottesville
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
JEFF BLOEM, ROBERT POLLOK, GRAPEWOOD FARM
In 2018, a group of 13 individuals, from grain farmers and millers to bakers and more, came together to address the underrepresentation of local grain in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic. With an eye on growing the local grain economy, they formed the Common Grain Alliance
in Charlottesville. Bloem joined CGA just a year after it was founded and is now on the Board of Directors and has taken on the role of Treasurer.
“I got involved with CGA in its infancy,” Bloem said. “I originally found CGA because I was looking for a
(CGA), a non-profit organization with a mission of supporting and connecting local individuals and businesses that are part of the grain industry while also raising consumer awareness and accessibility to local grains.
“The inspiration was to grow the regional grain economy [and] to provide a network and a resource for members to share information with one another to bring back that knowledge that we used to have about growing grain in our region,” said Madelyn Smith, Executive Director of CGA. “It’s common to go to farmers markets and see local vegetables, fruit, beef, and dairy, but it’s rare to see a bag of flour, rice, or beans at your local farmers market.”
The organization has expanded since its inception six years ago to 128 members throughout the mid-Atlantic, from as far north as Pennsylvania to as far south as North Carolina. One member who has been at the forefront of that growth is Jeff Bloem, owner of Murphy & Rude Malting Co.
better [way] to network with farmers.”
While Bloem is enthusiastic about the opportunity that CGA offers for members to network, which ultimately allows members’ businesses to flourish, he’s equally passionate about what that growth means for consumers in the community. Bloem points to the fact that local makers are able to consistently craft grain-based products that are superior to those made by larger producers that may dominate the grocery store shelves.
“It’s a disconnected system between the farmer growing it and us eating it -- it’s been completely devalued and stripped of its identity and value,” Bloem said in reference to mass-produced grain products.
Instead, Bloem recommends that buyers look to local producers for their grains and prepared products, noting that their flavor is better and that the goods retain their nutrients, unlike those made by larger corporations.
“Patronize the places that are members of CGA, or are like-minded
CONTINUED >
producers, like Althea Bread, Albemarle Baking Company, Cou Cou Rachou… Little Hat Creek, Great Harvest. And Smyrna. They buy their flour [for their bread] from Deep Roots Milling -- that’s why it tastes so good,” Bloem said. “These are really purposeful places -- you’re buying from people who are paying attention.”
Bloem also says that it is possible that people with non-Celiac gluten sensitivity may find that they can enjoy bread and other products that are made using local grains that undergo minimal processing. He cites the fact that commodity-produced breads are made from grains that are processed in ways that result in a lack of nutrients in the end product.
“Go to a local bakery using all local products. It’s a powerful thing if you realize that it’s not necessarily the type of food you're eating -- it’s what it’s made with,” he said. “Consciously grown, consciously processed ingredients -- it speaks for itself.”
At CGA’s core is the goal of shining the light on local producers and helping businesses to network but education is a priority, too. The organization hosts multiple events throughout the year that help to fulfill all of those goals from Baker
Meetups for both professional and home bakers to a family-friendly grain fair, webinars, and more.
Additionally, through a partnership with the non-profit FRESHFARM, CGA has created an opportunity for mid-Atlantic producers to feature their grains at Washington, DC farmer’s markets. In Charlottesville, Bloem points to the many farmers markets in the area at locations like IX Art Park and Pen Park, among others, as an ideal place for buyers to find consciously processed and locally grown grains as well as products that are made with them.
“The greatest compliment to a producer like this is appreciation for what they’re doing like buying their products and patronizing their bakery,” Bloem said. “It’s the greatest form of flattery…to appreciate we exist. That keeps us going.”
To learn more about Common Grain Alliance, find events or producers in the area, or donate, visit their website at commongrainalliance.org
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
THE WINE GUILD'S WILL CURLEY SHARES HIS INSIGHT ON VIRGINIA WINE
With experience that spans from time at a James Beard award-winning restaurant in Chicago to heading up Brasserie Saison’s wine program in Charlottesville, Will Curley knows a thing or two about wine. We caught up with him to chat about Virginia’s vino.
I share everyone’s love of Virginia Cab Franc. I think our varied terroir and openness to different styles of production allows for a lot of different, delicious ways to show off the grape, and I think... we'll see more deserved praise for our prestigious grape.
Tell us about your background in regard to wine.
I was a mid-20’s career changer who moved to Chicago to work in restaurants. I met Priscilla and worked for the Boka Group and the Purple Pig. We moved to Charlottesville in 2016 where I was GM and Wine Director of Brasserie Saison until buying the Guild in 2017.
What are some of your favorite grapes/ wines in Virginia?
I share everyone’s love of Virginia Cab Franc. I think our varied terroir and openness to different styles of production allows for a lot of different, delicious ways to show off the grape. And I think as vines get older and as producers are able to continue to increase the aging on stuff before they release it from the winery, we'll see more (continued) deserved praise for our prestigious grape.
What is your opinion on what makes wine from this region special?
Our varied terroir, our innovative winemakers, [and] the fact that we probably, likely, still haven’t found our best vineyard sites -- we’ve only been doing it seriously for 40 years or so.
Are there any trends that you’ve noticed in Virginia wine-making?
Hybrid grapes are coming on strong, more and more every year - vidal, traminette, and chambourcin are becoming more understood from a winemaking perspective, and [winemakers are] making better wine because of it.
Any recommendations for Virginia wines to drink as the weather gets cooler (or to pair with heartier fall foods)?
Yes -- for the first autumn day when you’d reach for a burgundy, Bluestone Vineyards’ The Steep Face [is] my pick for best chambourcin in Virginia.
For more information on sipping and shopping at The Wine Guild, or to become a member, visit their website at wineguildcville.com or stop by their location at 600 Concord Ave Suite 2 in Charlottesville.
James Lisowski dishes out his personal picks for local restaurants
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES
LISOWSKI AND CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
This speakeasy-style hidden spot off the Downtown Mall is the perfect place for sipping and snacking. Grab a loungy seat in the leather chairs and watch passersby or settle in at a table or the bar. Not to miss: Bone Marrow, Beef Tartare, Dealer’s Choice cocktail, and wine from their extensive list.
Nestled in Rose Hill, Birdhouse offers a chicken-centric menu in a comfy atmosphere. Reservations are recommended. Not to miss: Chicken Confit, Green Pozole with Chicken, Braised Collard Greens, and any size chicken.
With several seating areas, this cozy restaurant on Water Street is an ideal destination for anything from a date-night dinner to casual drinks or a celebratory meal with a group. Knowledgeable and friendly bartenders shake and stir craft cocktails, and table service is consistently impeccable. Not to miss: Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, Beef Sirloin Carpaccio, Sweetbreads, and Pan Roasted Wild Halibut.
This comfy Neapolitan-style spot focuses on pizza but its menu also features salads, antipasti, and sandwiches. Dine in at the Monticello Road location or grab takeout from Lampo2Go at IX Art Park. Don’t sleep on sipping a cocktail at the Belmont location’s adjacent Bar Baleno, which also occasionally plays host to live bands. Not to miss: Polpettine al Forno, Cavoletti di Bruxelles, Verdure Arrostito Panuozzi, and any pizza.
Expect to find authentic Oaxacan dishes and brightly colored decor at this Belmont eatery. Many dishes have vegetarian options and there is seating indoors or outside. Not to miss: Coliflor, Pulpo, Halibut, and Mole dishes with meat or vegetables.
Mediterranean-Aegean cuisine graces the table at this sophisticated restaurant on Main Street. Chef Tarik Sengul focuses on using local and sustainable ingredients to craft his authentic dishes. Not to miss: Sour Cherry Gazpacho, Raki-Balik, Burger with Urfa Pepper Aioli, and Meyer Lemon Granita.
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This hearty chicken noodle soup is the perfect comfort food that is packed with nutritious goodness. This pairs perfectly with homemade beer bread or a sourdough loaf.
INGREDIENTS:
• 8 cups chicken broth (add more if desired)
• Whole fryer chicken, cut in chunks or shredded
• 5 celery stalks, sliced
• 8 carrots, sliced
• ½ onion diced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• ¼ cup half and half (optional)
• 1 package egg noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a large stock pot, add 8 cups of chicken broth. Dice carrots, celery and onion and add to the broth. Bring to a boil, and reduce to medium heat until the vegetables are soft. In the meantime, skin and cube 1 whole fryer chicken and add to the stock pot. Next, add egg noodles (frozen Reames homemade egg noodles are my favorite) and let boil until noodles are cooked. Add butter, half and half, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer on low until ready to serve.
Fall’s most notable comfort meal
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
After a sizzling summer, when the last thing we wanted to do was turn on our ovens or stovetops, autumn has finally arrived. Shorter days and cooler temperatures draw us back into our kitchens to create our favorite comfort foods, but we often find ourselves stuck when it comes to new ideas. Whether you’re the family chef, an entertainer who loves to feed a crowd or a solo cook, you’re likely looking for some seasonal cooking and baking inspiration.
Filled with perfectly curated recipes, mouth-watering photos, cooking tips, and personal insights, the following four new releases are here to help. They offer solutions to your daily dinner dilemmas, celebrate our nation’s vast culinary history, teach you how to bake the best biscuits and satisfy your sweet tooth. Add these amazing cookbooks to your personal collection and you will add hundreds of new recipes to your repertoire, creating an endless array of delicious dinners and desserts. Spend a chilly night expanding your cooking talents or learning a few new baking tricks and watch how a quiet evening at home can quickly transform into something truly special. It’s time to celebrate the season, so put down that delivery app and pick up these tasty new cookbook releases, filled with recipes to keep you happy and cozy all season long.
ARTICLE BY RHIANNON JOHNSON
Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes
BY ERIKA COUNCIL
Bomb Biscuit Company’s founder and head baker Erika Council pairs her heritage (she’s the granddaughter of legendary soul food chef Mildred Council aka “Mama Dip”) and immense skill set to deliver a heartfelt and tasty tribute to the Southern biscuit. Featuring classics and new favorites, this recipe collection is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Sweet Little Cakes from Mrs. Zabar’s Bakeshop: Perfect Desserts for Sharing
BY TRACEY ZABAR
Smaller size, same big flavor! Tracey Zabar has edited her famous recipes to allow home bakers the opportunity to create their own smaller versions of her famous cakes in the comfort of their own kitchens. Each seasonally organized recipe serves two to six people—perfect for creating a tiny treat to share or to satisfy your own sweet tooth.
The Great American Recipe Cookbook Season 2 Edition:
100 Memorable Recipes to Celebrate the Diversity and Flavors of American Food
There’s something for everyone in this companion cookbook to the second season of The Great American Recipe . The fun, feel-good cooking competition highlights some of our country’s most talented home cooks and captures the rich culinary history of America. From generational family treasures to regional cuisines, this recipe collection exemplifies how food represents and unifies our communities and cultures.
Skinnytaste
BY GINA HOMOLKA, HEATHER K. JONES, R.D.
Streamline your dinnertime routine with these easy, delicious, and healthy recipes, each requiring seven ingredients or fewer. Featuring 105 original recipes plus 15 beloved fan-favorites from the website, Skinnytaste Simple focuses on using minimum ingredients while delivering maximum flavor and nutrition.
A Delicious Mocktail to Savor Without the Alcohol.
ARTICLE
INGREDIENTS
ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
• 5 tablespoon pear juice
• 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
• sparkling water to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
Combine sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off heat and toss in rosemary sprigs. Cool Completely.
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
Pour pear juice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Add ice and garnish if desired.
OCTOBER 6TH
Foxfield Races
2215 Foxfield Track, Charlottesville VA, 22901 | 9:30 AM
Visit this fall event for the horse races as well as parades of beagles and hounds. Vendors range from purveyors of coffee and art to apparel, jewelry, and home goods. Children can partake in face painting, crafts, nature exploration, pony rides, and more. FoxfieldRaces.com
OCTOBER 12TH AND 13TH
Crozet Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
1075 Claudius Crozet Pk, Crozet, VA 22932
This juried arts and crafts festival in Crozet features well over 100 makers as well as local food, drinks, music, and activities for children. The bi-annual event benefits Claudius Crozet Park and has been held for well over four decades. CrozetFestival.com
OCTOBER 16TH
Paramount Theater | 10:30 AM
As part of the 2024-2025 Arts Education programming, this event features Malevo, an all-male group marrying the art of traditional Argentinian dance with urban percussion. Semi-finalists on "America's Got Talent," Malevo incorporates various styles of dance like flamenco, Irish dance step, and tango for a unique performance. TheParamount.Net
OCTOBER 26TH
Fantasy Festival
IX Art Park | 3:00 PM
This Halloween weekend festival invites everyone to don a costume and enjoy an afternoon and evening of cosplay and performances. After a day of entertainment, a costume contest at 7:30 pm is followed by a ticketed Looking Glass after-party at 9 pm. IXArtPark.org
OCTOBER 30TH - NOVEMBER 3RD
Virginia Film Festival
Multiple locations in Charlottesville
This annual five-day festival throughout Charlottesville showcases over 100 films and hosts numerous well-known filmmakers. Discussion, films, and talks from filmmakers are at the heart of this festival that remains one of the most renowned in the region. VirginiaFilmFestival.com
NOVEMBER 9TH
Martha's Market
946 Grady Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903 | 10:00 AM
For the 31st year, Martha's Market will take place to raise funds to help support the fight against breast cancer. Organized by The Women's Committee of Martha Jefferson Hospital, the market that spans from Dairy Market through the downtown area encourages buyers to patronize local retailers and other purveyors that will donate 15% of proceeds to the charity. MJHFoundation.org
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