What would your last meal on earth be?
Okay, graduation isn't nearly so dire a situation, but after four years of wining and dining in Charlottesville, we feel like an era is coming to an end. For this, our final restaurant review, we knew we had to visit Littlejohn's, the first place either of us ate in Charlottesville and a restaurant we've made a weekly tradition over our four years. Sitting in Littlejohn's this week, so near the end, we couldn't help but recount our other favorite tastes of the town. Here's a short list of the ten things we'd have to eat on our last days in the 'ville.
Littlejohn's Nuclear Sub: There's something about the improbable, excessive combination of cool turkey, crisp coleslaw, piquant barbeque and melted cheese that makes the Nuke the best sandwich in town. There's probably no single food item that we've spent so much money on in the past four years. It tastes best at 2 a.m., when you've been jonesing so hard for that Nuke fix you'll wait in line for hours.
Mas' bacon-wrapped dates: Whoever thought sticky, sweet dates would reach perfection when encased in luscious bacon is a genius in our book. Mas' wood-fired oven, where the dates are roasted, imparts an unmistakable smoky tang. Our one complaint: a tapas portion of four of these little gems is never enough.
Five Guys' burger & fries: This newcomer to the Charlottesville restaurant scene already deserves a place in the hall of fame. No other joint reveres the humble burger so well, producing pure greasy goodness out of quality ingredients. Save room for the fries -- even vegetarians should make the pilgrimage to try the spuds that put McDonald's to shame.
Bizou's salad with blue cheese, walnuts, and blueberry vinaigrette: So, the blue cheese is creamy and pungent, the walnuts are appropriately spiced and the frisee lettuce is the perfect bed. But for us, the raison d'etre of this salad is the blueberry vinaigrette: sweet, sour and syrupy all at once, with whole blueberries to nibble on. We'd eat shoe leather if it was covered in this stuff.
Marco & Luca's dumplings: Take it from two people who have actually been to China: these are the real deal. This irreplaceable downtown nook must make thousands of these little pockets of goodness every week, but they never get it wrong. We love that an extra dumpling always manages to sneak in.
Maharaja's Makhni Murgh (Butter Chicken): The melt-in-your mouth tandoori-cooked chicken is delicious on its own, but when slathered in the creamy tomato sauce, it is out of this world. Loaded with pounds of butter, this dish retains its Indian roots, with the exquisitely balanced flavors characteristic of the Subcontinent.
Aberdeen Barn's Delmonico steak: So much more than just beef, this formidable slab of cow is the ultimate meal. You may be tempted by the prime rib or lured by the filet -- and both are excellent -- but the Delmonico, cut from heart of the rib, is where it's at. Quadruple bypass not included.
Vivace's bruschetta: Although completely inauthentic, this dish is still utterly delicious. We love the smooth fresh mozzarella, the crunchy toasted bread and the sharp balsamic vinegar. This is one appetizer definitely not built for sharing -- if you don't get your own, you'll regret it.
OXO's amuse-bouche: Although it changes almost daily, this tiny treat is invariably one of the highlights of our meals, be it a miniature salmon terrine or a teeny cup of soup. We love that it whets our appetites without being filling or dominating the luscious flavors to come.
Miyako's Downtown roll: Okay, maybe they don't really put cream cheese with sushi in Japan, but they should. The Downtown, one of Miyako's specialty sushi rolls, is that good: tuna, crabmeat, avocado and cream cheese fried in a crispy tempura batter. The hot-cold fusion on your tongue is a moment of pure bliss.
If you haven't tried any of the above dishes, make it your mission: They are the greatest hits in a town full of excellent restaurants, and they should not be missed. Though our hearts and palates will move on to other venues, we'll always treasure our culinary adventures here. Even though we're graduating, we'll certainly be back to visit as many old haunts as our stomachs can stand. Until then, stay classy, Charlottesville.
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