The Hook - The Dish

Mondavi died; friend o’ Kluge

hawes — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:51:31 +0000

Legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi has мебелиdied. Lisa Provence covered his May 2002 visit to Charlottesville and mentorship of fellow vintner Patricia Klugeмебелимебели.

Hook gets wrong hours, F-bomb

hawes — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:55:33 +0000

Someone claiming to be associated with Maya, the restaurant reviewed in this issue, pointed out that we botched the restaurant’s hours (totally this editor’s and not the reviewer’s fault), insisted that his restaurant used fresh whipped cream, dropped an F-bomb, and left. We do apologize about the whipped cream disbelief but particularly for the wrong hours. From maya-restaurant.com, here are the right ones: Maya’s bar is open 4:30pm to 2am daily. Maya’s kitchen is open from 5 to 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Blue Moon bout

dave — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:46:58 +0000

For those who missed the female arm wrasslin’ at Blue Moon Diner on Tuesday, here’s a pretty entertaining video of the mayhem, which pits “Pitt Bull” ((Tara Hodges) against “Sparkles” (Lara Fisher):

Foie gras ban lifted after two years

hawes — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:27:38 +0000

Chicago aldermen, in a vote harshly denounced by Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have reversed their two-year-long ban on restaurants’ serving pâté and other forms of foie gras, the goose live delicacy that typically requires force-feeding, in a practice known as gavage, the animals with a steel tube shoved down their throats. (One of the more powerful voices opposing such practices is a book called Eternal Treblinka, which compares some of the more extreme abuses in the factory farm system to the Holocaust.)

Hook debuts restaurant review column

dave — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:24:23 +0000

This week we have a special treat for all you foodophiles–real restaurant reviews! That’s right. If you pick up the Hook you’ll find our new The Eater column, which is in the capable hands of veteran teacher, writer, rock and roller, and foodie Ned Oldham. As far as we can tell, its been a long time since any media outlet offered restaurant reviews in this town; remarkable, considering the fact that we’ve apparently become a foodie paradise. Well, all thats gonna change, folks. First up, Maya on West Main. Next? Well, we haven’t decided yet. Any ideas?

Rita’s to open on Corner

dave — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:42:18 +0000

If all goes according to plan, you’ll be able to buy some “ice, custard and happiness” on the Corner this weekend. Owners Kate and Rob Matikonis tell us that they’re planning to open their Rita’s franchise adjacent to the College Inn on Saturday and are “crazy busy trying to make it happen.” Rita’s has a chain of stores up and down the east coast, and they offer a bevy of frozen treats including Italian ice, frozen custard, cream ice, gelato, and Blizzard-esque blended desserts.

Female arm wrasslin’ at Blue Moon tonight

dave — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:05:17 +0000

Tonight, the Blue Moon Diner should be buzzing with, well, let’s call it estrogensterone. The Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLAW) plan to hold yet another match at the venue to raise money for the Derby Dames, a budding women’s roller derby team. The match starts at 8pm and goes to 10pm. Admission is free.

Blue Moon Diner Classic old diner on West Main with an artsy twist. Burgers, breakfast, brunch, dinner. 512 W. Main St. 980-6666.

Specials at Henry’s…and a reminder

dave — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:51:06 +0000

While taking note of Henry’s specials this week, we’d also like other restaurants to take note: send us your weekly events and specials and we’ll post them on the blog! While still in its infancy, the food blog here is getting over 2,800 page views a month….that’s alot of eyeballs…and alot of hungry mouths!

Henry’s specials this week:

Monday ~ Sloppy Joe
Tuesday ~ Ranch Chicken Wrap
Wednesday ~ Baked Spaghetti
Thursday ~ Country Fried Steak w/white gravy
Friday ~ Meatloaf

Hours: Monday ~ Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday ~ 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday ~ 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Henry’s Restaurant
Downtown Mall
310 E. Main St.
434-295-7550

We will, we will….FEED YOU!

dave — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:35:53 +0000

May 9, 2008 5:31 pm to 8:31 pm - $30

Rock out and dine out at the Music Resource Center tonight, courtesy of the Junior League of Charlottesville. There will be food and a line up of local bands, a tour of the space, and all proceeds will benefit the center. Starts at 5:30pm and goes to 8:30pm. Afterwards, head over to Escafe, Orzo, or X-Lounge, as they’ll be donating a portion of their proceeds to the center.
Tickets are $30. Buy two or more, only $25. Includes food, non-alcoholic, and the music. There will also be a cash bar for beer and wine. You can buy the tickets online.

Uncovering The Bean

dave — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:31:43 +0000

If you work for SNL Financial, you probably don’t need us to tell you about The Bean, the small coffee shop tucked in the corner of the company’s building at the end of Market Street. It’s been a private coffee shop of sorts for SNL employees and folks in nearby office buildings. But this is for the rest of you Downtown coffee fools.

In January, 20-year old Tamra Fisher quietly took over the coffee shop from the previous owner, and she’s been serving up Shenandoah Joe’s coffee, sandwiches, bagels, fresh fruit, and mini pizzas ever since.

“My Dad saw in the paper that it was for sale,” she says. “And so we just jumped right in.”

So far, Fisher says things have been going well. “Haven’t had any complaints yet,” she laughs. Of course, she admits that most of her business comes from SNL, but says that folks from the nearby area have begun to drift over, including a few coffee-loving cops from the station across the street.

Fisher, too, loves a good cup of coffee.

“At first, I was afraid of being around all this coffee,” she says, “but I’m containing myself.”