We have a hamster called Richard that just has to be sneaking anabolic steroids in from somewhere because that fluffy little bastard just will not stop growing. The other evening, I watched him running on his little wheel, and his nose was literally up his own ass so I decided he needed a new crib. I headed off to Pet Forum in Seminole Square (think Marshalls, Big Lots and Office Depot) on a mission to find an overpriced piece of fucking plastic junk, and that’s when I saw it. Big, white and flapping around in the wind (no Shen, not my arse) the sign on 29S said, “GRAND OPENING Asian Fusion Buffet Sushi and Grill”. It was right beside the pet shop. It was lunchtime. It was new. I needed a pee, so the decision was made. As I walked up, several cops came out. My four-year-old shrieked at a decibel rating that has to be illegal, ” OH NO…IT’S THE COPS”. They smiled indulgently at her as she made a crucifix with her index fingers and brandished it at them so thanks baby Daddy for that little parlor trick.

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So Im chillin, post mulching, on the stoop with some of my neighborly Belmontonians the other day, watching Brick and Berries teach his Most Excellent Hound to catch frisbees. Grandfathers ChiHooaHooah, Cocopuff, is too small to get in on the game, but you know, he had to try. All in all a lovely spring afternoon.

Now my man Brick and Berries is a man who loves his food. Fairly soon, he will be in my yard consuming cherries at a rate that is most inhuman. Hell, he has even taught his Most Excellent Hound to enjoy such fruits. He has concocted salsas from the Yo Tomato and Pepper Patch that would make you weep. He may not be a butter obsessed cocoNUT, all well schooled in the Culinary Arts of Goddamnit I Know What Im Talking About, My Parents Had Tall White Hats, nor does he have the Yellow Belt in Free Liquor like señor Francesco, but he is a man among men, and as he is my bud, I trust his buds, tastewise - dig?

So when Brick and Berries starts waxing about “one of the best meals he has ever had in his life”, my lobes were knocked akimbo. Then when his discriptives trend toward “30 different distinct spices and flavors dancing around in his mouth in a distinct yet harmonious manner”, I am like a corn field, baby, all ears. By the time he gets around to the “nicest family and service and presentation and overall happy eating experience” I am waiting for the end of the bible - thats right - revelations! Where is this culinary mecca? And so he told me…

KOREAN HOUSE!

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Buried in Barracks Road, Aromas Cafe serves fresh, healthy Moroccan inspired cuisine for those on a tight budget.  We’re completely skeptical of the restaurant’s Daily Progress “Best New Restaurant” award (didn’t Arby’s win best lunch place?).  This time, we totally agree with the readers; it’s awesome!  Aromas rests right across from Tara Thai and Five Guys.  On to the review…
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A reader writes in and asks “we are looking for the best Easter brunch in CVille. Any suggestions? I see brunches on the site, but not Easter specific?”

Related posts:

Weekend Brunch Guide (needs some updating)

ZoCaLo Brunch Review

Blue Moon: Best Brunch in Charlottesville

What are Charlottesville’s best restaurants and why?  I think it’s been a while since we’ve done a list of best anything in Charlottesville, so we’re going to change that.  Anyone remember your Top 10 Favorite Meals in Charlottesville?  Look for more food-oriented lists in the upcoming weeks and please let us know in the comments what top lists you would like to see.

The following list is in no particular order and considers all factors, including service, food, drinks, price and ambiance.  We obviously have to take a subjective approach to this, but we gaurantee we vetted this amongst the “inside circle” of Thors and food critics on the site.  If you have a problem with our verdicts, you have three options: (1) you can threaten to sue us, (2) you can call us unfair, idiots or whatever adjective you like and (3) you can debate and leave your own list in the comments.

It’s sort of funny to see some of the lists that already exist in Charlottesville.  For instance, Charlottesville-Dining.com, which we know is probably gamed by owners, and if a probably gamed by owners, and if a Top 10 list  includes Java Java and Spudnuts, a non-existant coffee shop and a donut shop, then you know something is wrong. Secondly, you get the random internet lists like “10Best’s International Best” that include Expresso Italian Villa (horrible), Palladio (not close to Charlottesville) and Copacabana (overpriced), you know that there isn’t much to the lists already out there.  Sure we have C-VILLE’s Best of List, but that is always won by Mas and ZoCaLo.   Now it’s our turn. You can trust us, too.

Without further ado, Charlottesville’s True Top 10 Best Restaurants in no particular order.

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Photo Courtesy of Tom Daly

What will strike you first about Devil’s Backbone Brewery is its architectural beauty.  Driving along Route 151 to this Nelson County gem is a scenic experience of farmland and pastures, obstructed by the casual strip mall and lone gas station.  You may even wonder why you are driving 15 minutes past Blue Mountain Brewery, which as we all know, has great beer.

Then, hark!, Devil’s Backbone towers three stories above the road with a modern beam, stone and recycled aluminum design. Its made from recycled parts from an old dairy mill, stones from the area and a few other meaningful parts.  The full story is inside the menu which I failed to steal. In fact, almost every construction part is a local item, except for the giant moose head which comes from Northern Canada.

When you walk inside, look up. It’s an open three stories.  Now, imagine being in a cathedral, only this religion is beer.  »Read More

I was informed earlier this week that the Charlottesville Food and Wine Experience has been moved to the weekend of July 31st.  We didn’t receive any information explaining the rescheduling other than the quote from the festival’s president, Tim O’Brien which read:

The rescheduling of this event will further enhance this world-class gathering for wine connoisseurs and food enthusiasts right here in Charlottesville.

I imagine this has something to do with the ticket prices and the economy.  I understand this is a high-end event, but we had a fair number of complaints about ticket prices from foodies on our site.  30-something downtown hoo explained it best in a comment:

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Sent in by a birdie..

I’d like to see coverage of the rivalry between Milan and Royal Indian. The owner of the latter was a chef of the former until some kind of dispute sent them separate ways. Now there is a fierce competition — and maybe a hatred — between the two, leading to all kinds of shows of animosity, including very obvious “fake” reviews on charlottesville-dining.com for both. Some of them make veiled but clear references to the other. I tried to make a point about this in a review there, saying that you can’t trust all the comments, but of course it was edited out.

More broadly, this is reminiscent of the Mas affair. Lots of big restaurant fish fighting for their rights in this small Charlottesville pond. Funny stuff.

Few comments after the break…

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We have the unofficial menu for Belmont’s newest restaurant, Bel Rio.  Unofficially, soups, salads and small plates are $5 to $10; big plates are $15 to $20.  The menu is not finalized, but it should give you a good idea of what’s in store. Word is the restaurant already has all the licenses and is waiting for the blessing from the health department. Expect it to open in about a week. Menu is after the break…
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If you recall, we reviewed Si Tapas in Richmond a few months ago.  Our conclusion was “if Si Tapas can overcome a difficult location, a very large venue and do a par or better job with service, then Mas should watch out, in fact, everyone in Charlottesville should watch out because small plates with unique tastes are winners in this town.  I’m really looking forward to Si Tapas and I hope you are too.”

So, what’s going on at the Charlottesville Si Tapas?  

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