The secret to the long-term success of any restaurant is consistency. It must be good every time. One bad experience and you go elsewhere. There are simply too many good restaurants to patronize. We have found Carmello’s Restaurant and Wine Bar to provide excellent food and service with every trip. This past weekend, we asked our friend’s, Tony and Barbara Kinn, to join us for an evening out. … [Read more...]

They opened in Charlottesville in 1974. We visited soon after and have been returning for nearly 50 years. But in a few weeks, Anna’s Pizza will shutter their shingles and say goodbye. “It was time,” said the two sisters who have baked tens of thousands of great pies. Maria Buzzetta, 65, and her sister Marta Grado, 69, will soon retire and a great Charlottesville institution will be no … [Read more...]

  I wrote last week about getting a great Chicken Sandwich from Bojangles at Zion Crossroads, but there is no Bojangles near Spring Creek. It was Popeyes. Popeyes, of course, is an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants that was formed during 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami. They have nearly 3,000 restaurants across the United … [Read more...]

  I rarely eat at fast food establishments. I gain a half pound when I drive by a Burger King, so unless I’m on the road or starving, I keep my distance. Last Tuesday, my golf buddy and I were both on the road and starving. We had just played a round at Tanyard in Louisa, it was 1 PM, and we were hungry. We pulled into a Hardees for an apres golf  hot dog (they have really good dogs), … [Read more...]

Some of the best eating establishments are often found in out-of-the-way and unexpected places – like The Filling Station in Amherst. Art Stiphel and I had played a round of golf at Winton, just outside Amherst. The hot dogs at their grill are really good, but for some reason the grill was not open that day. Art said he knew of a great spot in Amherst and off we went. The Filling Station is … [Read more...]

  Sometimes you just want a good sandwich. Maybe one you don’t often eat at home. That’s when you head out to eat at a good sandwich joint. Years ago, it used to be Sloan’s. Boy did they ever had good Sammies. Today, it’s Timberwood Grill. When you’re talking sandwiches – burgers don’t count, and ordinary stuff like Chicken and Tuna Salad and Turkey Clubs you can easily make at … [Read more...]

  We had a family reunion last weekend in Clemmons, NC, near Winston Salem. Lexington BBQ catered. We ordered a meal for 60 and had enough to feed 100. All I can say is wow! Lexington is small to medium size town tucked away in North Carolina’s piedmont section. It’s not close to anything but it’s not terribly far from High Point, Greensboro, and Winston. Not a single soul in that … [Read more...]

  Years ago, when Outback was still in Albemarle Square, it was our go-to restaurant. Frequently, at the last minute, we went to Outback, pulled up two stools at the bar and enjoyed a meal out. When Outback moved to Seminole Square and expanded, it was never as good – still good, mind you, but not the same. Now, our last minute go-to place is the Texas Roadhouse. It is consistently … [Read more...]

  Rhett’s Bar & Grill was one of our go-to restaurants for a Friday night out. It was certainly convenient, about a mile from our house and the food was always spot on. Then Rhett Craddock loaded up his cloth napkins, pots, pans, and cookbooks and moved to Louisa, at Zion Crossroads. Lots of friends – some who live in Spring Creek – have since been often and rave about it. Last … [Read more...]

  I did a big pork shoulder last week. It was 98c a pound and I had the hungries for BBQ. I cooked the beast at 290 in the oven all day and it was falling off the bone tender. Everybody this side of Lexington, NC knows that coleslaw is vital in a good BBQ sandwich. Nancy makes good coleslaw, and I can hold my own, but the very best coleslaw comes from the Colonel. I pulled into the KFC … [Read more...]