Timberlake's Drug Store

Drug Store and Best Milkshakes EVER 

Right on the Downtown Mall sits Timberlake's Drug Store. An old timey locally owned drug store that feels quite authentic. Timberlake's not only has a home run pharmacy, but they are stocked with everything from a new toothbrush to magic markers. 

Head towards the back of the building and you will find a diner, complete with family photos on the wall and a glass case of home-cooked pies and cakes! The best part: their milkshakes. Lansing and I decided to try the chocolate shake and had the best time watching the process from start to finish. 

Be sure to visit Timberlake's Drug Store on East Main Street this summer and cool down with their home-spun milkshakes!

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

Dog Days

This weekend I am dog-sitting for a friend in town! Sammie is a sweet, sweet lab and I am having the best time with her! 

I love this image found online...oh how great dogs are!

I have been feeding Sammie....Sammy Snacks! Sammy Snacks is a food and treat bakery for dogs.

This Sammie sure seems to be enjoying her cheese flavored treats! 

Check out Sammy Snacks on Millmont Road.

Blue Mountain Brewery

The Beauty of Virginia. The Bounty of Nature. The Art of Brewing. 

Blue Mountain Brewery is located on Route 151 in Afton, Virginia. Just a short fifteen to twenty minute drive from Charlottesville.... located in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Brewery and Restaurant are open 7 days a week until 10 pm (9pm on Sundays) perfect for a day of beer tasting or that late night dinner.

 

All of the Blue Mountain Brewery beers and lagers are produced onsite in a 15x30 barell Premier Stainless brewing system. They usually craft 2,500 barrels per year! The water used at the brewery is sourced from a 300-foot well that is from the area. Blue Mountain Brewery is even part of the Virginia Green program, working in collaboration with other Virginians to help the local environment by using water efficiently, conserving energy, and reducing waste. 

Blue Mountain Brewery offers a wide selection of their homemade beers. I would have to say my favorite is the Kolsch 151 (a light German-style ale indigenous to Cologne) or second best the Full Nelson (local hop flavor, the flagship Virginia Pale Ale). The best way to decided what you are in the mood for is to do the beer tasting. Then you can choose after tasting a sampling of each beer in season. My friends and I have fun making one another guess which beer they are tasting after reading through the list and their personalized descriptions. Blue Mountain crafts about 20 seasonal draft-only offerings. Make sure to check their website to figure out what they are currently selling. On draft now: Classic Lager, Kolsch 151, Full Nelson, Afton Amber, Evil 8, and Dark Hollow #13.

Along with their beers, Blue Mountain Brewery offers a wide range of food items on their menu. From soft pretzels to gourmet pizzas, their menu is sure to have something that pleases your taste. One of their most popular dishes is the Bratwurst Pizza with apples and onions: Topped with bratwurst form the Double H Farm ( locally produced in Nelson County) with caramelized onions, apples, mozzarella, and fresh marinara and a balsamic reduction. Yum!

 

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

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!

Rendezvous BBQ!

I just got back from Memphis and had the best two days with my friends Kate and Bessie! Kate took us all around town and showed us her favorite Memphis spots, including Rendezvous... known for their awesome BBQ ribs and lively atmosphere. It was a.w.e.s.o.m.e! 

I was so excited about the idea of a BBQ lunch.... since it is my favorite food! Rendezvous was located downtown off a little side alleyway. The restaurant is behind 52 South Second and is hidden underground! While the entrance may seem tiny, once you walk through the doors the place opens up and is just huge! 

The story goes that Charles Vergo cleaned out the basement under his diner, found a coal chute and ta-dah! Rendezvous was opened in 1958. The coal chute served as a vent for his cooking behind the grill and he suddenly had the opportunity to expand his diner from a simple sandwich shop to a big rib joint! Today Charles Vergo's children run Rendezvous and have kept the business thriving. 

The staff at Rendezvous have been there for decades! Each waiters name is up on their website with a little description about each one. They dress in white suits with a black bow tie and apron..they really complete the atmosphere. 

Kate, Bessie, and I started off with the cheese and sausage plate. I have to admit, I was a little hesitant at first. I was completely surprised. With a selection of pickles, cheese, sausage, and hot sauce the combination was just right! 

Now.... combine all those delicious pieces onto a cracker. Can you say YUM??

For lunch Bessie and I ordered the pork shoulder sandwich, and Kate had the small order of the " World Famous Rendezvous Charcoal- Broiled Pork Ribs". Each meal was served with a side of mustard based cole slaw and baked beans. 

I loved the feel of Rendezvous... the walls were covered top to bottom with old pictures, paintings, news articles, and other Memphis memorabilia. With the loud crowds, heavy decor, and laughing waiters this place was full of energy and fun! 

People travel far and wide to visit and get some Memphis BBQ!

Rendezvous has been featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, The Today Show, Good Morning America and many more cable programs. They also have gathered many awards over the years such as " One of 50 All American Icons" by the Nation's Restaurant News Magazine in 2009.  If you ever have the chance stop by Rendezvous for lunch or dinner... you will just love it and it's not even a long flight from C'ville! 

Have a Super Saturday... 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!

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!

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!