Considering that very few people reading this actually know who I am, I could probably get away with claiming some fancy-pants background in reviewing fine restaurants and upscale cuisine. In the spirit of integrity, however, I’ll admit that I am in no way qualified to critique the winner of a AAA Four Diamond Award. Actually, given my fondness for making inappropriate jokes in inappropriate places, I’m not sure I was qualified to even go there. But go there I did, along with my wife, sister, brother-in-law, aunt, and parents, who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, it was really good. »Read More

I was sitting at Beer Run’s bar about two weeks ago when some friends of mine wondered if I’d decided upon the next restaurant I wanted to review. After I told them, “No,” they said, “Well, have you been to the Thai place next door?”

“Sure,” I said. “A couple of times.”

“Then you’ve got to go back,” one of them said. “You’ve got to try the chicken wings.”

“Chicken wings?”

“Yeah, chicken wings,” the other said. “They’re not on the menu, but they’re awesome. Just tell Santi we sent you.” »Read More

Due to a variety of (mostly good) reasons, it’s been a few weeks since my wife and I have been on proper date. Finally able, and celebrating my recent cVillain appointment, we decided to finally visit Bel Rio, one of Belmont’s newer dining establishments and much younger sibling of the C&O.

After searching the surrounding streets for a place to park, my wife and I were greeted at the door by Dave Simpson, one of the owners. Smiling and clad in a black t-shirt and gray pin-striped suit, Dave, one of the owners, walked us to our table and, not thirty seconds later, returned to pour our water. Needless to say, between Dave’s warm, personal service and the instant notion of being somewhere other than downtown Belmont (the East Village, perhaps?), I was left with a very good first impression…and the feeling that our date was off to a remarkable start. »Read More

So I am officially ending my vacation, breaking the chains of my previous imprisonment, and embracing the food scene in full force. I am skinny, weak and oh so hungry. I was told by my superiors that Cville wasn’t ready for a trigger happy food critic…some of you think otherwise.

Let’s clear up some air over here. First a little background on myself so you don’t think I am completely full of the shizzle. I was born in this country to a family of European parents who absolutely love food. If there was one time in the day where we can break the Guinness Book of World Records record for loudest conversation, it was definitely at the dinner table. Eating is not just a necessity for me, it’s life. It is the conductor to my life’s symphony. My parents have spent the last 30 years in the food business with me at their side, so inevitably, I have a particularly strong connection with food.

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Judging by the popularity of Charlottesville and Belmont’s new little jewel, The Local, many of you have already eaten there and like it. We’ve asked you what you think of The Local and published The Local’s Menu.

We’ve visited The Local several times in recent weeks and now it’s time for a formal review. If you peruse the menu, you will find that The Local has a very reasonably priced menu. It hits that $13 to $16 entre range that has driven a similar success to restaurants like Continental Divide.

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From First Impressions of Hell by S. Adams:

These flocks would stroll down to the corner billiards club, Orbit (if you recall, an orbit is an imaginary circular dance electrons perform around the nucleus of an atom), or further down, a pizza pub called Mellow Mushroom (which has a ’special’ pizza unlisted on the menu you can only order it if you know who to ask). »Read More

Vegetarians, sorry for this. (And there are a LOT of you!)

Who has the best burger?

Ready, set, GO.