As I write this — my last column before I graduate and head off into the real world — it’s easy to reflect on everything that I’m going to miss about Charlottesville. Although the amazing people, spectacular sites and solid sense of community immediately come to mind, I also am going to miss the cuisine that Charlottesville offers, which has come to define the city for me during my time at the University.
In my experience, there are few things more influential than distinct local flavors in a strong connection with a place like Charlottesville. There is something about the unique restaurants and markets that I love to frequent with friends, or the little gems I stumble upon and return to time and time again because they feel like home. Charlottesville is truly blessed with an abundance of places like these. Whether you’re on the Corner, Downtown, in Belmont or on Emmet — just to name a few of the locations I’ve explored during my time here — you’re bound to find something that suits your tastes. Even though I’m leaving Charlottesville for New York, where unique and wonderful food abounds, I know I’m going to miss the restaurants I’ve come to know and love here, and even the ones I always wanted to try but never got the chance — which form a list that is longer than I’d like it to be ... There’s still time!
Because I’m loath to let a gorgeous day pass unappreciated, I took the opportunity Saturday to visit some of my favorites, starting with the farmers’ market. I know that the hours before noon Saturdays are seldom seen by most college students, but if you’ve never made it to the Charlottesville City Market at the corner of Second and Water Street, I strongly suggest waking up early to explore it, at least once. Last summer I grabbed my cloth grocery bags and strolled down West Main Street every Saturday to buy many of the fresh, local foods I’ve since featured in this column: Swiss chard, cabbage, berries, apples, peaches, zucchini, squash, beans, tomatoes and even cheese. If I could buy it at the farmers’ market instead of the grocery store, I did.
Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, the atmosphere is not to be missed. Given the live music dancing on the warm air, the adorable children and the festive atmosphere of friendly vendors inviting you to try their products, I can’t think of a better way to start your day. It isn’t even necessary to eat breakfast beforehand because there is plenty to eat right at the market. A fresh bagel and cup of coffee are excellent companions while you meander down the aisles.
Carpe Donut in its iconic red trailer was an unexpected and delightful snack in between my farmers’ market breakfast and Timberlake’s lunch. Usually, one can only get these divine donuts Fridays across from the downtown library, so finding the cart Saturday was a wonderful surprise. To me, Carpe Donut was somewhat the stuff of legend after my friend Marie spoke of it with the utmost devotion and reverence. When I finally found it, I was rewarded with the most delicious donut I’d ever eaten. And though I could have felt guilty for consuming all those calories, the fact that the donuts are made with local, organic ingredients and that even the cups for cider are compostable helped my guilt disappear.
Timberlake’s Drug Store, with its authentic soda fountain and deli in back, is definitely a hidden treasure of the town. I stumbled upon Timberlake’s last spring in search of pie with my parents and have gone back many times since then. The combination of the historic architecture — it opened in 1890 and was last renovated in 1960 — the staff and the local regular patrons, including businessmen my grandfather’s age to school kids swinging their legs as they sit on the counter stools, always fill me with an inexplicable sense of contentedness and comfort. It makes one of the best and largest chocolate malts I’ve ever had, and the rest of the menu is just as good. During the past year, I’ve taken several friends to Timberlake’s and I’ve never known anyone to be anything but completely satisfied.
After my lunch during that lovely Saturday afternoon, I eventually made my way back to Carpe Donut for some apple cider, which I sipped as I wandered around the mall and eventually sat on a bench to watch the life of the city bubble on. It was a good day for a shady spot and a little reflection about the last two and a half years.
To conclude, I leave you with a list of my top-five all-time favorite Charlottesville food establishments, in no particular order:
Timberlake’s Drug Store (Downtown)
Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar (Downtown)
Mas Tapas (Belmont)
The Tavern (Emmet)
Carpe Donut (Downtown)
Runnerups include Enoteca, Fellini’s #9, Aromas Cafe, Revolutionary Soup, Splendora’s and Fox Park Coffee Bar. I will miss them all.
Sarah’s column ran biweekly Wednesdays. She can be reached at s.brummett@cavalierdaily.com.
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