Feast!

 Feast! is by far one of my favorite places to eat in C'ville! Located on the way to the downtown mall, it's the perfect stop for lunch or a quick gourmet grocery run. Opened in 2002, Feast has continued to grow in size and food offerings. Today, the store is almost 5,000 square feet and offers gourmet cheeses, olive oils, meats, fruits, and veggies. 

Originally the heart of the store was an open cheese case, filled with a little over 40 different artisan cheeses and 10 hams and salamis. Today, Feast! has expanded and they now offer over 70 cheese types and 60 cured and deli meats!

Feast! is owner-operated and they strongly promote and encourage their mission : " To offer Feast! customers the best in service and quality. To be a vital and responsible business — independently owned and operated — that is a viable alternative to huge, corporate groceries and that develops the unique character and economic advantages that independently owned businesses offer to the community." 

The owners of Feast! work to connect with local farmers and encourage the sale of locally made foods. The store promotes family-owned food businesses and wishes to sustain local farmland around the Charlottesville area. Food offerings are seasonal as well as year-round products such as olives, hard candies, and jams. 

I love the fresh vegetables and fruits. From locally grown Pippin Apples ( my personal favorite) to pears and tomatoes they seem to have it all, right there under your eyes... and it's all fresh and ready to eat!

There is even a Feast! brand. The website states, " When you eat a product that has a feast label you know you are eating something good for your community and, above all, something delicious". From gourmet salts to dried fruits, the Feast! brand was chosen from the best of the best. The Feast! grocery offers a wide selection of specialty items for ones kitchen. The owners have hand selected what is being sold, often taking into account customer recommendations.

My friends and I venture to Feast! to buy a homemade lunch on the weekends. The cafe has become a neighborhood favorite for locals around C'ville as well as a destination for visitors. While the sandwiches are famous, they also sell wonderful salads and soups and have great sides (white bean salad and fruit salad) ! Ingredients are found locally as well as internationally. 

The sandwiches are made on Albemarle Baking Company and are served with a choice of a side. My favorite is the Tuna Melt: Spanish Bonito tuna, sharp cheddar cheese, roasted tomato spread, focaccia, grilled...too bad Feast! is closed on Sunday or I would be there right now. As well as specialty sandwiches there are gourmet salads and soups as well as a small childrens menus.. including grilled cheese and PB&J.  Don't forget to ask about the seasonal specials as well as daily specials! Be sure to check out the drink refrigerator for some Feast! brand lemonaid, limeaid, and sweet tea.

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

Wintergreen Grocery

Since I seem to be on a grocery streak.... why not talk about Wintergreen Grocery and its fun, local, and fresh feel.  If you are staying at the Wintergreen Ski Resort or just are in the mood for a small road trip to a local grocery hop on the road and head to the Wintergreen Grocery. I loved the simplicity of this place, offering all you need without too many extras...why does Harris Teeter offer 500 different kinds of pasta?? It's all the same right....

Wintergreen Grocery offers mainstream items such as Honey Nut Cheerios and Campbells chicken noodle soup as well as locally made foods from around the C'ville area. I loved browsing the homemade treats and locally made granolas and jams.

There are many options for natural foods as well, such as food from Neshaminy Valley Natrual Foods, a group that distributes organic grains, seeds, and nuts... healthy stuff! Loving these homemade labels as well...

I loved the way certain foods were organizes and presented to the customers. By using baskets and old crates the stored feels more warm and welcoming and quickly becomes a relaxing atmosphere for grocery shopping, something that can sometimes be seen as stressful and overwhelming. 

personal framed pictures on the wall!

From local foods to crafts this place is a gem within the world of gorcerys! You can even pick up a gift or two when you visit for friends back home, such as these locally crafted natural bee's wax candles.

Extra bonus.... Blude Ridge Pig is located RIGHT next door. Sadly it was closed when I went to visit but I will definitely be making the road trip for some BBQ this spring ( sure to be a later blog post!). I hear it's simply awesome. 

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

Greenwood Gourmet Grocery

What began as a open air fruit stand in 1999 soon became the Greenwood Gorcery, and was opened only a year later in a small modest white house located right beside the stand. Soon the grocery grew and the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Atwell, decided it was time to upgrade and move their grocery into a larger space. In 2003 the new home was completed right beside the Atwell family home in Greenwood, VA... a short twenty minute drive from C'ville!

Greenwood Gormet Grocery has the best stuff! I love how the outside is filled with ceremic pots, wall fixtures, and old mirrors. You could spend hours at this little store finding treasures beyond treasures ...

 Look at all these fun things....

This grocery sells Virginia wines, local produce, homemade baked goods and even has a sandwich bar with made to order meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. How does the Blue Slate sound... smoked Turkey Breast with havarti cheese, lettuce tomato, and ancho-line mayonnaise on country bread. Perfect to pick up and take out for a hiking day trip! Greenwood Grocery uses bread from Albemarle Baking Company, meats and eggs from the Polyface Farm as well as Thumann meats and free range chicken... tasted pretty great to me! The espresso bar offers fresh brewed coffee and personalized lattes to go.

I love the fun local feel and the open air market space... one can wander around the building and spend time in the Albemarle atmosphere with the mountains right behind the home.

Spend the afternoon in Greenwood, Virginia by making a visit to Greenwood Gourmet Grocery... grab some dinner, a bottle of wine, and hangout on the wrap around porch filled with more than you can imagine. 

Loving these silver starts next to the bright blue ceremic pots...

 and these silly little animal statues...

" A spot of gourmet heaven in an otherwise rural and scantly served run of country, Greenwood Gourmet Grocery is the fruit stand re-imagined".... take exist 107 and enjoy this gourmet grocery!

 Have a Thrilling Thursday... 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!!