The Tavern

Has anyone else heard the rumor that the Tavern is closing this year? We followed the gossip and spent our Saturday morning leaning over massive chocolate chip pancakes and cinnamon french toast before it was too late! 

Can you say YUM! It was about lunch time by the time we arrived to the Tavern, but we both opted for breakfast meals anyways...breakfast is definitely their specialty over there. From the plate full of bacon to the bacon pancake there are so many options its almost overwhelming!

If you have never been to the Tavern and you are a C'ville local get over there now! It's simple, home spun, and inexpensive.... and has been around forever. Get there soon (Emmet Street), just in case the rumors are true!

Have a Terrific Tuesday...and check back soon!

Blue Moon Diner

This morning my friends and I decided to head to Blue Moon Diner for breakfast/brunch around 10:30... what a great spot, with such a local C'ville feel.

There are various places to sit within the diner, while the old fashioned stools and bar are obviously a fun choice, the diner has expanded beyond just this small space and created a room off to the side where tables and chairs are set up for hungry customers! 

Not only is breakfast offered ALL DAY but Blue Moon has a second menu for lunch and dinner. This morning I had a nice hot cup of coffee and pancakes. Kate chose a personalized omlet and MaryBoyce had the French Toast ( made on Breadwork's cinnamon swirl bread). 

 I was in for quite a surprise... did not know I would be getting the 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' pancake special! 

From the delicious food to the sweet wait staff Blue Moon Diner is the place to be on a Friday morning. We were able to walk right in, get a place to sit, and have menus and water within seconds! 

I just love the old diner feel.  Locals can come in and grab a quick bite to eat while reading the daily newspaper, alone or with a friend or two....

These two men asked me to snap a picture! We ended up chatting and I quickly learned the man on the right is a born and raised C'ville guy and the man seated on the left was originally from Atlanta, but moved to Charlottesville when he was a boy. They told me they would become Three Notched followers... if I could teach them how to use the internet! 

I love the colorful paintings, old records and books, as well as a large collection of children toys and games! What a great way to make a restaurant feel more homey and charming.

Be sure to make a trip to Blue Moon Diner for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's simply cozy and wonderful. A perfect Charlottesville diner!

Have a Fun Friday... and check back soon!

Best of C-Ville 2010!

What we have all been waiting for... well at least I know I have! C'ville online ( a great Charlotteville resource on all the latest art and news) has released the list. This list includes the winner and runner up of many categories around the area. For those living in C'ville or planning a visit the list is a great way to plan your next meal or activity around town. Locals participated in voting for their favorite place to grab a bite, see a movie, or even visit a local doctor.  Votes were counted and the winners were released! 

There are a total of 128 winners so I won't bore you by spitting it all back out onto this page... but I will choose some of my favorites! 

Food and Drink personal favorite picks....

Both Restaurant and Date Spot... Winner: Mas, Runner-up: C&O Restaurant 

Greasy Spoon... Winner: Blue Moon Diner, Runner-up: Riverside Lunch

Breakfast... Winner: Bluegrass Grill and Bakery, Runner-up: Bodos

French... Winner: Fleurie, Runner-up: Petit Pois 

Recreation and Fitness personal favorite picks...

Place to Hike... Winner: Humpback Rocks, Runner-up: Sugar Hallow

Place to Run... Winner: Rivanna Trails, Runner-up: UVa Grounds

Retail personal favorite picks...

Vintage clothing store... Winner: Antics, Runner-up: Bittersweet

Place for a party dress....Winner: Eloise, Runner-up: Jean Theory 

Place to buy running gear... Winner: Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Runner-up: Charlottesville Running Company 

Place for used books... Winner: Daedalus Books, Runner-up: Blue Whale Books

Place for greeting cards.... Winner: Rock Paper Scissors, Runner-up: O'Suzannah

Service personal favorite picks...

Architect... Winner: Bob Anderson, Runner-up: VMDO Architects

Taxi Service... Winner: Wahooptie, Runner-up: Access Taxi

Entertainment personal favorite picks....

Place to look at art... Winner: McGuffey Art Center, Runner-up: Second Street Gallery

Annual Music Event... Winner: Fridays after 5, Runner-up: Crozet Music Festival  

Movie Theater... Winner: Vinegar Hill Theatre, Runner-up: Regal Downtown Mall 6 

Small Venue... Winner: The Jefferson Theater, Runner-up: The Southern Cafe and Music Hall

Musical Group... Winner: William Walker & Co., Runner-up: Sons of Bill

And these are just a few of the many awesome "best of cville" 2010 winners. Check out Cville online to view all 128 winners. This is a wonderful resource right at our fingertips and we should totally take advantage! You might even see some palces you don't recognize at all... how fun is that! We all have so much to expore around the Charlottesville area. 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday... and check back soon!

Queen of Puddings

After living in London for two years, Lisa Procter decided it was time to head home to the United States with her British husband. They decided to settle in Charlottesville...how LUCKY for us! Lisa Procter wanted to bring the British way of life back to the states. She loved the slow way of life, and the ability of the English to savor small things and appreciate their beautiful surroundings. 

The name was selected ( pudding = dessert in England)  and Lisa Procter was ready to attend local farmers markets and sell her goods in small groceries and stores around Charlottesville. Her motto "Inspired by the traditions of the old country, with a little twist from the new!" motivates her everyday as she continues cooking for our community! 


Queen of Pudding specializes in SCONES! The scones can be bought pre made or in mix form. A variety of flavors are offered such as cranberry chocolate chip, blueberry, and ginger spice. 


The mixes are sold in little cardboard boxes ( 4 inches  x 4 inches x 4 inches) with the logo printed on front... quite a cute gift! 


Scone Mixes

1. Blueberry: made with unbleached flour and whole dried blueberries 
2. Chocolate Chip: made with unbleached flour and Ghirardelli premium chocolate chips
3. Cranberry: made with unbleached flour and tangy, sweet dried cranberries 
4. Cranberry Chocolate Chip: 2+3
5. Ginger Spice: made with unbleached flour, big plump raisins, ginger, and cinnamon
6. Golden Raisin: made with unbleached flour and raisins... the traditional English scone! 
7. Original: made with unbleached flour. Feel free to add your own ingredients and make them personal!

The pre-packaged scone mixes are super easy to make! ALL you have to do is add butter and milk... couldn't get much better than that. 


Scones

1. Blueberry
2. Cranberry
3. Ginger Spice
4. Golden Raisin 
5. Lemon
6. Vanilla


On their website there are a variety of tips and twists to make the scones even more fabulous. Such as recipes for Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract & icing, Lemon icing, and cream cheese icing. 

This past Spring Queen of Pudding Scones were sold at the Market at Pen Park. Until this market opens up again try.... 
1. Feast
2. Greenwood Grocery
3. O' Suzannah
4. Tri-Country Feeds 

Have a Sweet Sunday... and check back soon!

Market Street Market

This fall Market Street Market opened right off the downtown mall on East Market Street. As a full service grocery store, this small historic building offers everyday items as well as specialty foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Just perfect for those who live on the downtown mall and need a box of cereal for themselves in the morning or bottle of wine and crackers for friends. 

I love the feel of this tiny grocery. It's has all you need and makes the shopping experience fun and less stressful than other grocery stores. The staff are friendly and very helpful and can point you in the right direction or even offer cooking tips and advice. 

Market Street Market offers local produce, dairy products, and meats. It's the perfect C'ville place...

You can even order personalized sandwiches with Boars Head meats and cheeses. I really liked the tuna salad wrap. There are freshly baked breads and homemade dishes for all to enjoy.  You can take your lunch to go or eat in the small sitting area in the front of the grocery. 

Market Street Market is open Monday thru Sunday and is the perfect little place to pick up your groceries, if you live off the downtown mall, or grab a bite to eat. Take time to visit the store any day of the week!

Have a Fun Friday and a Happy New Years Eve... and check back soon!! 

La Taza Coffee House

Craving a hot chocolate or latte on this cold winter day? La Taza, located in Belmont, is the perfect place to spend the afternoon with a friend or bring a computer or book and spend time alone. With wireless internet and comfy chairs this coffee house is perfect! 

In the warm weather there is a perfect outdoor seating space... I can't wait to go back this spring with my friends! 

I LOVE the indoor space, recently renovated, La Taza has a southwestern vibe with exposed brick and tree truck columns.  The tables are even made of old tree stumps... what fun! 

Look at the flooring....

There is lots of space to spread out within the coffee house on leather chairs. There are stacks of extra pillows ( made out of old burlap bags) if you wish to sit up higher or get a little comfy and relaxed. 

Their menu looks amazing too. From sandwiches to salads, La Taza uses local ingredients and freshly baked bread! How does this sound: A fried green tomato BLT with a roasted tomato and garlic aioli served on grilled sourdough bread?! Or a classic chicken salad sandwich on a croissant. Even the fruit cup sounds delicious... served with a honey lime dressing! 

Visit La Taza, on Monticello Road,  next time you want a fun and fresh coffee house experience. 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday... and check back soon! 

Holiday Market on the Downtown Mall

This winter season the holiday market is happening right off the downtown mall in Charlottesville! The parking lot right across from the South Street Brewery is filled with home crafted goods and food items that are perfect for holidays gift giving. I had the best time this morning wandering from vendor to vendor and seeing what all was offered for sale. 

The local craftsman are eager to chat and tell you all about their homemade goodies. I stopped and talked with a woman who makes Christmas wreaths and she was telling me all about how she goes out behind her home and cuts down leaves and branches... she said she was up the night before and even had to go outside and pick red berries at 2am! 

I just loved all the little felt ornaments that were being sold by many different vendors! Each one is home crafted from sheep's wool and dyed to make the ornaments colorful and unique. I bought a little angel with a gold star. The woman who was selling them grew up in London and moved to Charlottesville after meeting her husband who was overseas in the Air Force! It is so wonderful chatting and getting to know such amazing and creative C'ville locals who gather at the holiday winter market every Saturday! 

I want one of these blankets! 

These fun pieces are made by an 11 year old girl! 

Cute for the tree... or any time of the year

Take time to head to the downtown mall this winter season and check out all the amazing home created gifts! Just walking around, smelling the evergreen, and homemade scented candles really put me in that holiday mood. There were so many options I had a hard time choosing what to get my friends and family. 

Local food and wine are also available! From in season apples to pickled preserves to honey and jam, you can find lots of fun and delicious foods for the holidays... 

Have a Super Saturday... and check back soon! 

Farmington Brunch

If you are looking for somewhere to entertain family friends or just spend some quality time with people you love over brunch Farmington is the perfect option! Located right off Ivy Road, Farmington Country Club, a private traditional and family oriented club, is beautiful, welcoming, and very cozy during the Christmas season. 

Sunday morning my friends and I threw a little surprise birthday brunch for Bessie. We headed to the grocery and craft store to pick up some fun decoration and made the table up for the occasion. The staff at Farmington was so helpful and excited for us to spiffy things up for the party! 

The table was ready, the cake was set in the back, and the food was calling our name... now all we needed was the birthday girl! She soon arrived and was very surprised and excited for her mini birthday bash. Farmington offers a wide range of brunch favorites in their buffet style set-up. From homemade waffles to personalized omelets you are sure to find everything you could wish for in a brunch. We sure did... maybe a little too much

We just had the best time! Find a friend, a family member, or a group of people and head to Farmington to fall into the holiday spirit this year with festive decorations and wonderful feel good food! I think our birthday girl was satisfied. 

Have a Merry Monday... and check back soon!