As proprietors at Foxfield Inn, we are often asked about local restaurant recommendations, and if you will be in Charlottesville the week of January 24-31, you are in for a real culinary treat. Charlottesville Restaurant Week will be held during that time, and for those who are unfamiliar with the event, it is an opportunity to sample some of the best that Charlottesville has to offer, while supporting a local charity. This year’s charity partner is the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAF) which will be the recipient of the week’s events.
BRAF
Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in Western and Central Virginia. As an emergency food assistance agency, it serves more than 114,000 people each month. Last year, BRAF distributed 18 million meals to hungry families across the Blue Ridge, and they expect to serve even more this year.
BRAF’s service area covers 25 counties and nine cities on either side of the Blue Ridge through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and Verona. They collaborate with a network of 234 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, churches, and nonprofit groups.
Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week allows you to choose from among three levels of restaurants, based on price, and eat like a king (or queen!). There are $16, $26, and $36 options, all a great value and a wonderful opportunity to not only eat well for a song, but also to try many of the great eateries in Charlottesville.
Best bets for the $16 level include Himalyan Fusion and PastureQ, to name a few. A relative newcomer to the Charlottesville dining scene, opening in 2013, PastureQ is located at the Shops at Stonefield. During Restaurant Week, for only $16, you can enjoy selections that include black bean soup with smoked chilis, cilantro, and sour cream; BBQ rubbed catfish or Thai-spiced chicken sausage with spicy cabbage and peanut salad. You can finish the meal with peanut butter chocolate drops, maraschino cherry white chocolate drops, or lemon bars. This happens to be one of Dan’s favorite restaurants in town so I guess we might be sampling their fare during Restaurant Week.
Among the $26 options are DaLuca Café and Wine Bar west of town in Old Trail Orzo, Bang, Bizou, Public Fish and Oyster, and South Street Brewery, to name a few. There is something for just about everyone among the $26 options.
Finally, for those with a special occasion upcoming, celebrate at some of Charlottesville’s premier restaurants, such as Fossett’s Restaurant at Kewick Hall (named for Thomas Jefferson’s chief cook at Monticello during his retirement, Edith Fossett). Other participating restaurants include Hamilton’s, Maya Restaurant, RockSalt, and C&O Restaurant, a landmark in Charlottesville dining to name a few.
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C&O’s Restaurant Week offerings, too numerous to list here, include a wide array of items, such as fresh spaghetti, roasted sea scallops, New York strip, potato crusted grouper, and frozen grand marnier soufflé, to name a few. For a complete list, click here.
To view all menus, visit the Charlottesville Restaurant Weeksite. And make plans now to participate; you can enjoy a fabulous meal while supporting a great cause.
Bon appétit!
Dan & Kathryn Bundy
Innkeepers at Foxfield Inn