Weekenders: Albee Pedone

September 01, 2017 by Will Caggiano

Like many C-villians, our P+K crew pines for weekends. When we wisely choose to spend one living life in lieu of life maintenance errands, we open ourselves up to the ridiculously wide range of options this gem of a town and region offer. It’s overwhelming AF. With this embarrassing wealth of opportunity comes a first-world challenge—tread the path you know or branch out to new adventures? To expand our horizons on the latter, we decided to tap the community of dynamic industry pros in Charlottesville for fresh ideas.

Welcome to Weekenders, which will aim to answer the question:

If you had one perfect weekend to spend in Cville, what would you do?

Locals know, and visitors quickly learn, that the radiant soul of Charlottesville is acutely personified by the charming cats that make up its food industry. If you’ve consumed a shred of this blog, you get that we are die hard fans of this community. Somms, mixologists, chefs, servers, baristas, butchers, bakers and many more - they are frontline ambassadors of love, guardians of light, and they have our hearts. Their endless cheer is a guide star that brightens the corners and illuminates the path forward. Lately we’ve needed that more than ever and will take all we can get.

In that spirit, we're thrilled to report that reinforcements of joy have landed, or rather, returned. With cheesy puns intended, what we’re saying is: Albee’s back!

One of the most genuine, lovable badasses in the business, Albee Pedone previously ran the bar at Oakhart Social before paring down life to what he could fit into a backpack and setting out, early spring, for a soulful adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

Albee returns with deep insights and reflections from his journey that you’ll want to hear. While you're being regaled by his stories, sip on a local draught at the new brewpub from Three Notch’d Brewery in the IX Art Park where he is now Assistant GM/Bar Manager. This new joint officially opens the week after Labor Day, and we're all over it.

When you’re diving into a gig like this, the concept of free weekends is a fairy tail. Still, one can pipe dream, so here Albee goes.

Friday

The weekend kicks off in one location with two dimensions. The soft place in my heart is for barbecue and Smoked Kitchen and Tap nails it every time, so I’m feasting here on Friday night. But first I hit The Rooftop (by the same crew in the same building) for happy hour to sip a few beers and take in the majestic views of the Blue Ridge at dusk. This is truly one of the best spots to see the beauty that surrounds Charlottesville. Here I start to visualize the trails I’ll be hiking as the rest of the weekend unfolds. Then it’s downstairs to the main dining room with friends to get busy with a giant dose of beef brisket and cornbread, two of my favorites on the Smoked menu. Also, their fried chicken is just insane!

Saturday

Maybe the biggest single no-brainer any weekend for me is brunch at MarieBette. I’m planning to put some mileage on my hiking boots today, so I’m fueling up here. I start with the Jorgensen (open faced sammie of smoked salmon, crème fraîche, red onion, cucumber, dill), and for dessert I work a stack of lemon ricotta pancakes.

After brunch, it’s time for a long drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is an ideal weekend so the weather is perfect and the Wrangler’s top is down. Eventually I’ll stop and do a hike to St. Mary’s Falls. This is one of the last virgin forests around and some parts of the trail are not super blazed. You’re in the wild out here. The hike to stunning waterfalls, the ideal spot for reflection or just zoning out on a big rock, is only 2 miles in, so it’s a pretty manageable hike.

Post hike I’m thirsty for a locally brewed beer so I will drop in on Stable Craft Brewing to quench it before I head back to town.

As you know, I log a lot of time in a bar socializing, mixing it up with folks since that’s where I spend my working hours, so when I get a free night, I’m at the movies. The Violet Crown downtown on the Mall is my go-to venue.

After the movie, I’m sitting at the bar at Lampo chatting up Andrew, Loren, Shelly and Mitchell while digging into ALL THE VEGETABLES. You’d never guess that the best vegetable dishes in town can be found at a pizza joint, but there they are!

Sunday

Sunday brunch goes down at Rapture where I’m working a country scramble and whatever seasonal pancake special is on the menu. The portions are giant here so it helps to have a partner in crime on this mission. Owners Mike and Cici are veterans of this industry just wonderful people.

All afternoon I’m cruising Skyline Drive and basking in the endless vistas of Shenandoah National Park. Along the way I’ll drop in for a hike to Black Rock Summit for a 360 degree mountain view. The payoff is only about a mile in - one of the shortest around and ideal for a quick fix. The best bang for the buck, as they say.

To finish the weekend, I’m stopping by Al Carbon for a takeout, whole rotisserie chicken and a few sides, and I'm chilling at home with a flick.

Weekenders: Robin Verrier

June 30, 2017 by Will Caggiano

Welcome to Weekenders, which aims to answer the question:
If you had one perfect weekend to spend in Cville, what would you do?

Table setting & design by Verry Robin & Co.

If you’re not following Robin Verrier of Charlottesville-based Verry Robin & Co. on Instagram, you’re doing it wrong. From photos of local hotspots to meticulously styled perspective shots, this gal has an eye for everything and anything creative and beautiful. Her aesthetic choices and standards serve as a daily inspiration for the P+K crew as we point our camera at and try—many times in vain—to do justice to all the incredible dishes and drinks floating around this town.

After years of experience in fashion merchandising, photography, prop styling, and digital strategy, Robin (a Cville native and VCU graduate) in the summer of 2016 launched Verry Robin & Co., a creative consulting and styling company. She now works with artist and businesses nationwide by “weaving elegant stories from everyday inspirations.” When she’s not behind the camera, she and her husband, Jack, and their black labrador, Molly, can be found frolicking all around town—their favorites, in her own words, below:

Friday

At 7:30 p.m., I’m starting my weekend with an early dinner and drinks at Mas. Seriously, these are the BEST tapas in Cville, hands DOWN! I suggest the basil gimlet and Gambas al' parilla—aka Jumbo grilled shrimp with garlic aioli! Pro Tip: order a killer side of their bread at the beginning of the meal to help soak up all of the delicious sauces leftover from your dishes. It also keeps well for a snack the next day...just saying.

Saturday

Saturdays start fairly early in the Verrier household. My husband, Jack, and I like to get up around 8 a.m. and hit the Charlottesville City Market to grab all of our local seasonal veggies. It's also so cool to be able to chat with these local vendors/farmers and get to know them and how they farm/work. Sometimes they may also sneak in an extra cheese sample if you’re extra nice! While we're there, we grab some delicious streetside tacos from one of the vendors for breakfast.

Afterwards, we head to a townie hidden gem—Integral Yoga. Here you can find the best organic and sustainably grown products as well as other favorite local brands. I come here almost every Saturday and grab my favorite cold pressed juice, “The Detoxifier.” Ingredients include Apple, Kale, Celery, Parsley, Spinach. Taco from earlier? Immediately nullified.

The juice sparks a need for a workout. I head to ACAC and do a vigorous yoga sweat sesh with the incredible Lindsay, and then it’s definitely time for a late lunch. I head to a local hot-spot Roots (c reated by McIntire School of Commerce grads!) for an incredible salad full of all the good stuff! I usually go for the Pesto Cesar with BBQ Tofu—yum. After relaxing at home and showering from yoga, I head to my favorite nursery, which I frequent every weekend—Ivy Nursery. New plant and pot purchases in tow, I drive to the Valley and hit up some of the BEST antiquing in Virginia.

It’s dinnertime and we’re at our other favorite spot, Maya. This southern food with a twist is out-of-this-world good. Pro Trip #2: Always get a side of the mac and cheese. It will never disappoint! Finally, don’t think we’ve forgotten about dessert and drinks—we end our night at Alley Light, a literal hidden gem with a little of the best of everything. The Clover Club cocktail is our cocktail go-to, and we don’t leave without ordering the Mr. Rech, a giant macaroon filled with chocolate/hazelnut sauce. Yup, you read that right.

Sunday

Let the lazy begin! We like to roll out of bed around 11 am and head to our favorite Brazos Tacos! Pro Trip #3: If you get there before 11:30/12, you’ll miss the church crowd. We are pescatarians, so our tacos of choice are:

The Flora: Sautéed spinach, scrambled eggs, refried black beans, queso fresco, and roasted tomato salsa roja.
This is my Yam: Crisped sweet potatoes, refried black beans, sliced avocado, queso fresco and roasted pepitas
Triple Pickle: Refried black beans, mushroom bruja, roasted pepitas and chopped jalapeños with red onion pickles, jalapeño pickles and pickled watermelon with a lime wedge
The Fish Aficionado: Blackened tilapia, red cabbage slaw, red onion, avoverde, cilantro + Lime

At noon, it’s definitely time for coffee. We mosy over to Grit Coffee. I always order the pour over, and it's some of the best coffee I've ever had!

After a weekend out, it’s high time for an early dinner at home. I love to go to local grocery store Foods Of All Nations and grab lots of amazing local grub to eat at home in my PJs!

Weekenders: Erin Barbour Scala

June 16, 2017 by Will Caggiano

Like many C-villians, our P+K crew pines for weekends. When we wisely choose to spend one living life in lieu of life maintenance chores (and manage to get out of working), we open ourselves up to the ridiculously wide range of options this gem of a town and region offer. It’s overwhelming AF. With this embarrassing wealth of opportunity comes a first-world challenge—tread the path you know or branch out to new adventures? To expand our horizons on the latter, we decided to tap the community of dynamic industry pros in Charlottesville for their picture of the ideal weekend and make a series out of it.

Welcome to Weekenders, which will aim to answer the question:

If you had one perfect weekend to spend in Cville, what would you do?

Erin Barbour Scala manages the wine lists at both Fleurie and Petit Pois restaurants. Fleurie's has received national acclaim and awards for its wine program, while Petit Pois hosts winemaker dinners every couple months that feature unique, otherwise unattainable wines from as far away as the coasts of Australia. Chosen as a “40 under 40” by Wine Enthusiast in 2014, Erin is also a contributor to every wine geek’s favorite podcast, “Levy Dalton’s I’ll Drink To That,” and regularly pens articles for C-Ville Weekly and Knife & Fork. Rumored to be a talented drummer who is now dabbling in pro-am video creation, last but not least, Erin is also currently hard at work trying to get her 18-month-old, Valentina, to eat peas. In full disclosure - in case it's not already clear - we are Erin's biggest fan girls.

So, without further ado, here is Erin’s ideal weekend, in her own words, for how she'd spend time in Cville if she weren’t helping guests pick the perfect bottle to go with their steak frites or scallop gateau.

Friday

The weekend would start early with a long, leisurely lunch at Bizou. I’d be outside ordering from their Champagne list—it’s the best!—and eating their fried chicken lunch. Afterwards, I’d make a quick run to Staples, and not for any reason other than Gearharts is right next door. I’d get an eight-pack of their chocolates (the Maya truffle is my favorite), pop four right away, and then save the other four to slowly eat over the rest of the weekend. After all that, I’d need a pick-me-up so I’d have to go to Milli Coffee Roasters for some coffee.

I’ve always wanted to go up to Carter’s Mountain to take in one of those amazing Charlottesville sunsets. So I’d grab Valentina and head up there to enjoy some cider and blue grass while taking in the view.

I’d head home, get the baby to bed, and watch Netflix. When Joe gets home, we’d enjoy a late-night glass of Savenniéres on the porch watching a meteor shower.

Saturday

Of course—and this is my fantasy—I’d get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and wake up to a family breakfast on Saturday morning. And while we’re talking fantasy, Valentina is magically potty trained, too. I’d make egg-in-the-hole for her and then we’d head to the Charlottesville City Market. First stop would be coffee at the Shenandoah Joe's stand, and then we’d head to the Radical Roots stand for heirloom tomatoes. They have the best tomatoes and I’m always in search of all the ingredients for the most awesome grilled cheese sandwich. If Radical Roots has any of their big black “Carbon” heirloom variety, I’m grabbing those because their stock goes fast! Then it’s some natural bread with pumpkin seeds and some good melting cheese from Caromont Farm's stand. Now all I need is some olive oil, and salt and pepper (and a toaster oven) to make the most incredible grilled cheese and tomato sandwich. In fact, even though this is my ideal/fantasy, in reality I do get to make this more frequently than not. Then Valentina and I would spend some time people and dog-watching on the Downtown Mall. While we’re there, we’d head to Splendora’s for gelato. Valentina would get a bambino cones and I’d get one of their citrus flavors—grapefruit is my favorite. I’d need another pick-me-up, so it’d be time for an Americano at Mudhouse.

In an ideal setting, Joe would also be off and we’d have a babysitter. We’d either be able to see some sort of show—something very cultured like ballet or opera—or go have dinner someplace far, far away from anywhere I work. Perhaps we’d spend the night in Marshall and go to Field & Main for dinner. Neal Wavra has a very cool Virginia by-the-glass list and I’d start with a Viognier. For dinner we’d have a bottle of Lapierre Cru Beaujolais.

Sunday

I’d really love to visit the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., if we had time so I could get astronaut ice cream to bring back to Valentina. We’d meander our way back to Charlottesville, stopping at a winery for lunch on our way back. Early Mountain would be on the way, ha!

Of course I’d need to catch another sunset. Anywhere I am, I’m always obsessed with the best place to catch the sunset in that locale. I love sunsets on the Mall—when it’s slightly cloudy and the sun is just right, the Paramount starts to glow and all the bricks reflect the light beautifully. Most nights, I can see the sunset through the windows at Fleurie or Petit Pois and it’s a moment of calm just before dinner service gets into full swing. On this Sunday though, the ideal would be to have time to take a short hike to some high place to really take in the sunset. And—of course!—the ideal would be to find some morels along the way.

That evening, we’d make the best dinner at home: something involving Polyface pork sausages, wild rice and local veggies to go with the morels we foraged. Dinner would be paired with a nice Burgundy or a cab franc from the Loire Valley. Surprisingly, when it comes to drinking, I’m a lightweight. But if I had it in me, we’d either have a pre-dinner cocktail or nightcap. Lately we’ve been experimenting with our takes on the Dark & Stormy. Currently our favorite iteration involves some housemade Orgeat and El Dorado rum.

And then sleep. Glorious sleep.

Weekenders: Anthony Restivo

May 03, 2017 by Will Caggiano

Welcome to Weekenders, which will aim to answer the question:

If you had one perfect weekend to spend in Cville, what would you do?

If you’ve ever descended the charming, rickety staircase to log time at C&O’s bar, you know the setting is not just a place to enjoy legit food and drink -- it’s where you go to be on the lam. This 40-year-old room, framed with antique barn wood, is where you hide out and spend a few hours off the grid, which can be easier said than done sometimes. Then, after a few sips on an Old Pal, the tension begins to run out of your neck and you start buying stock in the concept of being untethered because it seems to suit you just fine. You could get used to this. Next, out of habit, you glance at the palm of your hand, start swiping the thumb, as if trained by Mister Miyagi, and kill the whole vibe because no matter where you seek refuge, you’ll always be digital’s bitch.

Lucky for you, behind the bar stands the analog hero Charlotteville needs, not the one it deserves -- Anthony Restivo.

This old soul, with his wicked smarts and soothing tone, looks out for your mind while you do damage to your body. He’s basically the 16th Century English Romanticism professor you intellectually crushed on in college, the one you wished you could spend hours with drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and waxing on Wordsworth in lieu of so many keg parties. Thanks to his lovely anecdotes on literature, any genre of music or film and everything vintage gear, we always feel a little smarter walking out than we did walking in, dead brain cells and all.

The only digital breadcrumbs we can find about Anthony are snippets of blog posts we’ve written and this Angel Olsen video, which he produced (dig his cameo at 8:25).

We recommend saddling up to Anthony’s bar sometime, keeping your phone holstered and striking up a conversation. Who knew, after all, that one of the most cultured experiences in Cville goes down in a watering hole?

Friday

Friday evening, Anthony will catch some live music at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. There is usually a weird act that appeals to the clientele which is made up mostly of lovable, spacey tea nerds and degenerate, sincere cats. You grab a pot of tea, order something light from the no-frills vegetarian menu and ride it all out on a couch. The sound quality is often shit but there’s something so real about the whole experience. Plus it’s like the last bastion of opposition to the Coran Capshaw empire so feels good to support them.

After the show, he’ll stroll over to Lampo for a late dinner. He has history with those guys from the Tavola days and respects the hell out of their bottomless passion and thoughtful execution. Their pizza is some of the best he's had, and as far as he's concerned, they’re in their own league when it comes to the meat program. He’ll order whatever vegetarian special is being offered (digs the escarole dish), olives, roasted cauliflower, all the meats and cheeses and a Margherita pizza.

Saturday

Saturday morning it’s grab and go home. Anthony will fetch pastries from Marie Bette (where else?) and a bag of Old World Espresso from Shenandoah Joe’s. He brews on the Bialetti and slow rolls into the day.

Eventually he’ll roam into town and visit his favorite used bookstores: Daedalus, New Dominion and Blue Whale. He lives for getting lost in these places. Lately he is tracing and poring over the evolution of Brazilian poet and novelist Hilda Hist. He could light the way for us down that twisted rabbit hole but advises it would take more than a weekend.

At some point he’ll catch a late lunch at La Michoacana Taqueria and get José to feign yelling at him or at least throw a stern look or two. Usual suspects on his order of tacos: tongue, cabrito (goat) and maybe a mulita. If you want the legitimate Mexican-style here, he suggests asking for ‘total Mexicano’ when you order.

Later he might hit an early show at the Magnolia House. It’s this large home over at 10th and Preston comically referred to as a DIY music venue. These bizarre acts ranging from experimental jazz to metal to just noise will play in the cramped living room of the house. The extent of publicity for these is generally handbills. It’s so perfect and weird.

Post show he’ll stop at Riverside Lunch to get busy with a double smash burger, fried pickles and a fries/onion rings basket. It feels so great to feel so terrible.

Sunday

A long leisurely breakfast at Tip Top is in order. Diner style service - snippy and gritty - is a lost art that you get back in touch with upon walking through this time warp. There was a server named Miss Piggy who rocked the tallest bun on her head and liked to say, “The higher the hair, the closer to God.” The patrons span so many decades here, so needless to say the people-watching is prime. The menu is loaded with throwback greasy spoon fare.

He loves to cook Sunday nights, and most nights for that matter. A regular at his table is Ful - an old Egyptian fava bean dish that you find in Syria, Jerusalem, and port towns along the African Coast. He takes it with lots of garlic. Afghan Grand Market on the sleepy stretch of West Main is where he stocks up for this staple dish and other supplies. The selection of authentic Middle Eastern pantry items is expansive, and you’d be surprised at how much time you want to spend roaming the aisles. And many don’t know this but in back is one of the best butchers around. Rahim, the owner, is all heart and always quick to offer you a cup of tea to sip on while you shop.

Editor's Note: Anthony's weekend agenda was written by P+K after a sit down with him. The content is a mashup of quotes and paraphrase pulled from chicken scratched notes.

Weekenders: Loren Mendosa

April 13, 2017 by Will Caggiano

Welcome to Weekenders, which will aim to answer the question:

If you had one perfect weekend to spend in Cville, what would you do?

The played-out adage about ‘never forgetting your first’ swirls in our minds as we flank Loren Mendosa at the bar of Mas Tapas. It’s 6ish on a Saturday and the joint’s signature swagger is already in high gear. Good-looking servers sporting good-looking dishes glide by. Cocktail mavens sling booze and nod their heads to vintage Arcade Fire that plays through piped speakers. A small crowd gathers by the front door. We cast them a side eye of pity while sipping our drinks.

We’re here to get the goods on Loren’s blueprint for a dope Cville weekend, but first a brief throwback to a broiling night in July 2015. We’d just flown in from Maine to close on our home and do recon on the town. The Mas tractor beam drew us to the bar where we watched some cat next to us slay the menu in a visceral way that tipped his hand—dude had to be in the industry, more than likely a chef. It was an impressive display that would have made Caligula proud. Drinks flowed, conversation sparked, and so began a bond with our very first Cville food personality.

In time we would become Lampo disciples, and when we got around to launching P+K, the best (steakhouse) pizza place in the league would be the subject of our inaugural blog post. So, being suckers for synchronicity, it seems poetic for Loren to be the first in this series.

Friday

The weekend starts right here at Mas. I’m sitting at the bar drinking a ‘slightly dirty’ or ‘dusty’ Kangaroo (Tito’s vodka martini) and catching up with Mike Ketola while he slaves away at the grill. I always hit the patatas bravas and typically leave the rest of my order to the crew. They know my taste pretty well by now. The vibe here energizes me and sets the tone for the rest of the night.

After happy hour, I rendezvous with some friends at my apartment on the Mall. Andrew mixes a few rounds of negronis and we ‘get ready’ for the next phase of the night.

Any time there’s a hip-hop show at the Jefferson and I’m off work, you’ll catch me in the crowd, and if it’s a Friday date, even better. I love kicking off a weekend with live music.

After the show we do late night at Mono Loco. Shots are usually the jam at that point. Michael Lewis and everyone who works there - all solid people.

Saturday

It’s 10 am or later, I’m probably waking up on the couch wondering how I’m going to manage this hangover. Do I say ‘fuck it’ and hit Riverside Lunch for a burger or go a healthier route and salvage the day? (The truth is I’m pescatarian these days, so my options are more clear.) I’m digging on The Juice Place lately and their Rich Green Smoothie - avocado, spinach - with a shot of royal jelly. I’m a big fan of bees.

Now I’m walking the Mall, feeling good and inspired, and planning a hike in Nelson County. I’ll either pack a lunch and hit the road or grab something on the fly from Bodo's or Blue Ridge Pig.

My go-to hike is Crabtree Falls - good range of terrain and fantastic views. My head clears and I get into a zen zone out there. At some point I’ll stop at a vista and have a late lunch.

On my way back toward Cville, it’s early evening and I’m in the mood to round out the afternoon with a local wine buzz, so I drop in at Pollak Vineyards and reflect on the day with a glass of wine.

Saturday evening is chill. I’m starving and always thinking about pasta, so I have a few friends over for dinner. Most likely I’ll make pasta al norma - a strozzapreti with really, really charred eggplant, tomatoes, Calabrian chillis, basil and ricotta salata. We’re drinking a 2010 Crivelli Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato. It’s super floral, light and easy to drink and goes so well with spicy pasta. You can drink it all night.

Sunday

After a lazy Sunday morning we’re brunching. I’m hitting one of the pop-up brunches in town like Mas, Mono Loco or (ahem) Lampo. We call it the ‘traveling gangsta brunch’ because you look around the patio and lots of restaurant crews have a table - Mono Loco, Mas, Fitzroy, etc. - and we all mingle. I’ll order two entrees and one sweet dish like French toast ‘for the table’. And I’m working three beverages: coffee, bloody mary and ‘mix your own’ mimosa - a bottle of champagne and a small OJ so I can control the proportions. Bartenders probably bristle about this. Inevitably shots of Espolon go down, followed by an epic nap.

The Sunday night plan depends on my post slumber mood. We’re talking about an ideal weekend here, so let’s say I wake up late evening refreshed and game for one last jam to round out the weekend. It’s a no brainer - I’m at the downstairs bar at C&O catching up with Anthony. I’m all about that coffee and chili infused Campari in his Jota Jota, or can easily go dealer’s choice with him behind the bar. And you really can’t make a wrong turn on the C&O late night menu.

Editor's Note: Loren's weekend agenda was written by P+K after a sit down with him. The content is a mashup of quotes and paraphrase pulled from chicken scratched notes. It's in the first person because the narrative voice feels right, but we're not attributing any specific quotes here, in the event that he has political aspirations.