It’s no secret that Foxfield Inn guests enjoy great food. Fortunately, Charlottesville has many fantastic dining establishments to choose from. In fact, Charlottesville was recently named one of America’s five new foodie cities by Wine Enthusiast! Perfect timing, because one of our most popular bi-annual traditions, Charlottesville Restaurant Week is upon us once again – July 19-26.
Here’s how it works: Dozens of local restaurants create a three-course, fixed price menu at $16, $26, or $36 per person (tip and beverages not included). Preview the menus online here, then make a reservation at the restaurant(s) that meet your tastes and price point. $1 of each meal is donated to a local charity or organization; this July it’s the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
We like to peruse the menus for ideas in our own kitchen. But if we were dining out, here are our top picks for Restaurant Week 2014.
For $16: The Southern
As the name suggests, The Southern offers simple, Southern food with a fun, nostalgic twist. Great place to catch a bite to eat before a show in their music hall or before wandering the Downtown Mall. We feel cooled off just thinking about their watermelon-cucumber salad with mint and feta! For a main course, this summer they’re offering a variety of sandwiches and paninis, and we’d pick The Walter: turkey, bacon, apple, and onion jam on wheat bread. The Fancy Grahams dessert would be a fun way to end the meal: baked dark chocolate and marshmallow with graham crackers for dipping.
For $26: Threepenny Cafe
We always try to support new restaurants in Charlottesville, and Threepenny Cafe is one of our newest, so we’re glad to see them as a Restaurant Week participant this summer. For an appetizer, we’re torn between the Yucca Fries and the Tempura Asparagus, both lightly fried and served with garlic fritessaus. Several seafood options are on tap for the main course, and we’re intrigued by the tuna, served with a sesame seed crust, spicy cabbage slaw, cucumber, guacamole, and blood orange cream. For dessert, we’d bet on the seasonal sorbet, a light, refreshing way to cleanse your palate with a little something sweet.
For $36: Fleurie
Preparing beautiful dishes in the classic-modern French style, dining at Fleurie during Restaurant Week is a steal. We sincerely want to try everything on the menu! But if we had to narrow it down, we’d opt for an appetizer of Gnocchi with bleu d’auvergne fondue, sweet pecans, and cherry tomatoes. Next, Le Surf and Turf for the best of both worlds: roasted lobster with sweet garlic and potato puree and beef with red wine sauce. And we simply must save room for a dessert of Fleurie’s apple tart with vanilla ice cream. This might be a good spot to dine with friends, assuming everyone’s willing to share!
So there you have it. Whose menus have your mouths watering? We’d love to know. Will we see you for Charlottesville Restaurant Week this summer? Book your stay at Foxfield Inn now to take advantage of this great dining deal and enjoy all that our fair foodie city has to offer.
Your Innkeepers,
Dan & Kathryn Bundy
Foxfield Inn | A Charlottesville, VA Bed & Breakfast
