I love our downtown coffeehouses, but it’s no secret that they just can’t house the volume of “for here” coffee drinkers at peak hours, and I’ve stopped going with plans to stay because I feel self-conscious waiting for a table to open while holding my lap top and hot cup. The trade-off is that the scene is, for lack of a better word, cool. Downtown coffee is a see/be seen scene, like any bar but with a different fix to drink.
So I branched out. The Preston Avenue space is a different kind of cool. I walked the six feet from my parking space to the entrance and was met with a large, open, high-ceiling space with warm colored wells. The smell alone is worth a trip. I have no idea how to describe it, and saying “freshly roasted coffee” would be an understatement.
Half of the space is devoted to the coffee roasting process, with equipment and staff visible to the customers. The other half is set up with tables and furniture I actually wanted to sit in. I stopped in mid-morning on a weekday, and it was busy without being uncomfortable. I can’t believe I’m going to say the following, but it was noticeable: the customers were overwhelmingly cute, with nary a student in sight (except, maybe, behind the register).
I’m not the one to talk about coffee (*cough* Thor *cough*) so I won’t even weigh in– start commenting! But my pumpkin muffin was the best pumpkin muffin I’ve ever had, of the at-least-10 I’ve probably had in my life, and the rest of the pastries looked crazy-good– peanut butter blondies, coconut macaroons, and an assortment of muffins.
This is the real deal, folks. If you disagree, you obviously have not the powers of the bearer of thunder and lightning, nor the gentle powers of a storm demon who brings death and disease to your village. »Read More
The Best Of is some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever read. I also got an awesomely cheap couch from some chick off of there. It taught me the word “asshat”. And I can never resist peeking in Missed Connections to see if anyone saw me and posted their undying love for me. (That’s pathetic, I know.) Anyways, the local craigslist also has the requisite Rants and Raves section but it’s just awful.
The entire last week, the only thread of discussion is angry people posting about whores. C-ville women are “seething whores”, apparently. We all “suck ass”. And all the waitresses in town are whores and “closet drunks”. A total hate-fest. And that’s what you’re not missing right now. Now get off the internets and go to bed.
Charlottesville is one of the most dog-friendly towns in which I’ve lived. I’m completely charmed by all the dogs I see on the mall and love the fact that so many local businesses welcome mine when I’m shopping. Sometimes I wonder if the businesses on the Downtown Mall might benefit from using the dog-friendly stickers that businesses at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond use to show that dogs are welcome to come in with their owners…it might make it easier to know where my pup is welcome and where he isn’t. Until such a thing is in place, I’ll only let my dog into that Dog & Horse Lovers Boutique and assume other stores are off limits.
What are your favorite places to go in town with your dog? Are you a Darden Towe regular or are you more likely to be found at Azalea Park? Are you a Sammy Snacks devotee, a PetSmart fan, or are you going the Animal Connections route and feeding raw while doing Reiki sessions with your dog?
Who are the dogs of the cvillains? Where do they shop, eat, and have fun? Who is giving them the best service in town?
…Thus begins the long hiatus of Charlottesville. Believe it or not, returning family members make the town quite the happening place. Our standard fare of Blue Light, South Street and Mellow Mushroom get the most traffic from now-removed townies.
Enjoy it while it lasts. They come back in 4 weeks.
It’s also getting really quiet on the mall during the day. Our site traffic is dipping a little because of all the holiday distractions. Oh well. We have a kickass 2008 planned!
I don’t think any of these things are shocking or cutting edge or insightful (it’s been noted that I have no literary talent), but I’m tired of reading about OXO and X-Lounge so I figured I’d throw a few things out there. I imagine there won’t be many comments until someone insults or flirts with someone else, but what the heck.
Mel’s- I love Mel’s. I’ve said before that their Meta Burger is my favorite burger in town. Mel and the crew are really nice folks and their food is darn tasty.
The Rivanna Trail- I think this is really under-appreciated by the masses. The thing goes all the way around Cville for about 22 miles or so. It is broken up in a few places, but just ask someone if you get off track and you should be able to find your way. I wish it wasn’t so rocky in some places, but overall I think it is great.
Cheeseballs w/ ranch at Riverside.
Wayside Chicken. Their chicken tenders and combo meals are some of the best values in town.
Carter’s Mountain Orchard- I can’t believe I missed peach/nectarine season. I definitely do not take enough advantage of this place in season.
The City Market- Ok, most of it is overpriced. But, there are a couple vendors that sell sweet peppers for a very reasonable per pound price ($2 i think?), regardless of type. I miss being able to load up on red peppers without paying an arm and a leg.
Crabtree Falls- Some say these falls have the biggest elevation drop of any east of the Mississippi. They aren’t mindblowing, given the twists and turns and pools that prevent you from seeing it in its entirety, but it is still a pretty cool place.
Black Friar Theatre- ok so this is about a half hour away in Staunton, but I like this place. I’m no theatre buff, but the shows are entertaining and funny and I’m a huge fan of the musical interludes.
Blue Hole- Nothing spectacular, but I’ve always had a good time going out there. The water always seems to be freezing, but after walking up to the swimming hole on a hot day it’s just what you want.
$1 games of bowling at Wayne Lanes- I bowl maybe once every two years, but I can appreciate the cost effectiveness of this.
Bruce coming to town.
Virgil Goode representing me in Congress. Just kidding.
If there were a test of legitimacy as a blogger on the Charlottesville social scene, these three questions would definitely be on it. Passing score is a 60, because nobody likes a know-it-all, right?
1. Is IY a cult?
2. Did you stop telling your/your friend’s/your ex’s awesome story about meeting Dave Matthews more than five years ago?
3. Are you on Stevie Jay’s e-mail list?
After passing Prince Michel Winery going to and from northern Virginia for several years, now, it finally happened that I was in no particular hurry to travel north. And so I stopped in. »Read More
It’s hard to say I’m sorry. But I’m sorry. If you have not been to Mas in the past couple of months because of my criticism veiled in sexual metaphor eight months ago, I want you to know that Mas and I are back on, after all that we’ve been through.
Hot and heavy.
I mean that literally this time. My servers warn against handling the plates when they arrive because they are hot, and also heavy. Also, we recently ordered a variation on a rilleno in which two spicy poblano peppers were stuffed with turkey and breading and grilled, then placed over a rich but delicate cream sauce– it was very hot and heavy. The carne asada too. Perfect, no exaggeration.
The service the past few times I’ve gone is the best I’ve ever experienced, too. C, C, L, J, B, and the rest are just salt of the earth. And I’m not saying that figuratively, because it’s accepted that human blood is about 0.9 percent sodium chloride.
So, dear readers, please go to Mas, and send them my love.
My morning Mudhouse visit revealed their decision to make ristretto shots standard for all espresso-based drinks. I applaud the move.
Mudhouse baristas have long advocated for the superior taste of ristretto shots, and I converted about two years ago, taking the suggestion of a FLakes employee. I haven’t looked back since.
For those preferring the traditional espresso shot, just ask for a “long pull.” For the rest, savor the sweetness that is ristretto.
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