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Contents Copyright ©2008 The HooK
Contents Copyright ©2008 The HooK
Mockingbird, Staunton’s newest restaurant and music hall, rebounds from an August fire.First it sang, then it burned, and now it has risen again. Mockingbird, Staunton’s new restaurant and music hall, caught fire before it even opened back in August when two trash cans ignited during the renovation of the historic building on Beverley Street.
At the time, stunned owner Wade Luhn was planning on a September opening, but as he stood on the street watching the blaze he was speechless. While the restaurant side of the building suffered little damage, the music hall side took the brunt of the two-hour fire. A day later, though, Luhn was determined.
“We’re uncertain when we will be able to restore the music hall,” said Luhn. “but it will happen as soon as possible, and we will work with renewed determination to complete the project.”
The restaurant, believe it or not, opened (more)
Though exact figures vary, France boasts between 300-400 different cheeses. Did you know that cheeses are made from the milk of cow, goat and sheep? Or that cheese-crafting started in the Middle age as a way to store milk? Or that most French cheeses are still artisanally produced? Would you like to learn more?
Join Anne and Vincent Arlet at the Speak! Language Center to taste and learn about 8-10 French cheeses, including: Roquefort, Reblochon, Crottin de Chavignol, Bucheron, Ementhal, Comté, and Camembert— and the Ambassador of Stinky Cheeses, Epoisse. Trivia quiz and language games, too.
Saturday, November 14, 5-7pm. Call/email 434-245-8255/speaklanguagecenter.com to make reservations. $45 per person. In the back of the Glass Building.
Camino opened recently on Market Street, serving up locally-sourced Mediterranean cuisine.Camino, which took over the Il Cani Pazzo space next to the Vinegar Hill Theater on Market Street, has, to borrow from its Spanish meaning, traversed the “long road” from concept to reality, quietly opening last week. While they are still waiting on their ABC license, co-owner Sean Thomas says the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is now serving locally-sourced dinner cuisine Wednesday through Sunday.
Thomas, an aspiring filmmaker who planned on doing a documentary on the local food movement called Dirt to Dinner, says he decided to bring some of the same ideas for his film to a real live restaurant venture, serving up locally-sourced food inspired by the rustic style of cooking in Southern France, Italy, and Spain. At first, he says, he planned on operating a food cart on the Downtown Mall, but when he tossed the idea around with (more)
There’s a new Mexican place in the old Amigos space in the Willoughby Square Shopping Center on 5th Street SW named La Joya. They opened about three weeks ago, according to Isael Alvarez, son to owner Eva Alvarez. It’s the first restaurant the family has opened.
“It’s something my Mom has always wanted to do,” says Isael, “So when she got the chance, she took it.”
Basically, it’s food Eva has been cooking in her own kitchen for years. The Dish hasn’t checked it out yet, but Isael says they have a $4.40 lunch combo special that has been mighty popular.

Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar in the Main Street Ma...
Changing menu with daily specials, live bands, and coveted porch tables overlooking the Corner.
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