Scoutology Content Manager, Maggie Comeau, and Richmond Editor, Matt Friedman, selected their top picks for craft beers, dishes and cocktail spots in their respective cities. Let’s see how they measure up.
Craft Beers
Charlottesville
1. Chocolate & Coffee Dark Hollow; Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzers Shop Rd, Afton, Virginia 22920
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This high-gravity Imperial Stout is aged in American oak bourbon barrels. It has a rich flavor with notes of chocolate, vanilla and coffee.
2. The Love, Starr Hill Brewing Company
5391 Three Notch’D Rd, Crozet, Virginia
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The Love is a German-style wheat beer with a mixture of fruity and spicy notes. It’s light, crisp and perfect for a hot day!
3. Killer Kolsch; Champion Brewing Company
324 6th St SE, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
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Killer Kolsch is a light and smooth hybrid brew with notes of citrus and a hint of sweetness.
Richmond
1. Gingerbread Stout; Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
2408 Ownby Ln Richmond, Virginia
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Hardywood’s Gingerbread Stout is like Christmas in your mouth. It is light and crisp and has some sweetness without being overly sweet. Try to find it on tap at the brewery or a local watering hole — otherwise, you’ll have to wait until November for this holiday treat.
2. Pocahoptas; Center of the Universe Brewing
11293 Air Park Rd Ashland, Virginia
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Ashland’s COTU brewery makes this hoppy and delicious IPA. It is a year-round brew and definitely one of my favorite IPAs in Richmond.
3. Albino Monkey; Strangeways Brewing
2277A Dabney Rd Richmond, Virginia
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Strangeways makes a lot of interesting beers. Albino Monkey is a year-round beer with some subtle spice and citrus notes and it is now available in 6-packs.
Check out the rest of Matt Friedman’s favorites!
Dishes
Charlottesville
1. Shepherd’s Pie; Tin Whistle Irish Pub
609 East Market St., Charlottesville, Virginia
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Tin Whistle Irish Pub has an authentic shepherd’s pie with ground lamb, onion and potato. It pairs perfectly with a pint of Guinness on a cold day.
2. La Crepe Monsieur; Basil
109 14TH ST NW, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903
Facebook | Website | Photo: Basil FB
Sadly, this crepe is only available for brunch, but fortunately, Basil has a Saturday and Sunday brunch! La Crepe Monsieur has banana, pancetta, Gruyere, peanut butter and caramel sauce.
3. Fried Chicken; The Whiskey Jar
227 W Main St, Charlottesville, Virginia
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The Whiskey Jar’s fried chicken has delicious, herbed breading and comes on a bed of sweet collards!
Richmond
1. Pimento Croquettes; Heritage (The Fan)
1627 W Main St, Richmond, Virginia
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For an overall dining experience, it doesn’t get much better than Heritage. The delicious pimento croquettes are served with a smoked tomato aioli and are a great way to start the meal. Everything from cocktails to dessert is first-class at Heritage, and the croquettes are quite memorable.
2. Perfect Egg; Dutch & Co. (Church Hill)
400 North 27th St, Richmond, Virginia
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Church Hill’s Dutch & Co. is a great spot for dinner and cocktails. The perfect egg is a rye-crusted egg served with cured salmon, sprouted quinoa, herbs, braised cabbage and cumin yogurt. The layers of flavor and texture create a truly perfect dish (no pun intended).
3. Pastichio; Stella’s (Near West End)
1012 Lafayette St, Richmond, Virginia
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I’ve tried almost everything on the menu at Stella’s, and I’ve yet to eat anything that wasn’t absolutely delicious. But if I had to choose one dish, it would be the pastichio. Spiced ground beef with noodles, cheese and an amazing bechamel sauce combine to make what looks like a Greek lasagna. It’s rich, creamy and even better the next day — if you have the self-control to not eat the entire portion in one sitting.
Check out the rest of Matt Friedman’s favorites!
Cocktail Spots
Charlottesville
1. Fellini’s #9
200 W. Market St., Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Photo: CVille Photo & Video
Fellini’s #9 is a fun, Italian restaurant and bar that is always buzzing with CVille locals on a Friday night. Their cocktail menu features a dirty martini with a Gorgonzola-stuffed olive and a section of bubbly Prosecco cocktails.
2. The Alley Light
108 2nd St SW, Charlottesville, Virginia
Facebook | Website | Photo: Alley Light FB
The Alley Light has a laid back atmosphere with a vintage flair. This speakeasy offers craft cocktails and unique French small plates.
3. commonwealthSKYBAR
422 E. Main St, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Photo: CVille Photo & Video
commonwealthSKYBAR is a modern rooftop bar with a separate Library Bar, located downstairs. They have a wide selection of cocktails for any mood.
Richmond
1. Pasture (Downtown)
416 E Grace St, Richmond, Virginia
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Photo: Pasture FB
Pasture posts a photo of a new and exciting cocktail to its Facebook page nearly every day. The Southern hospitality and the delicious cocktail options at Pasture make for a very enjoyable experience.
2. Saison (Jackson Ward)
23 W Marshall St, Richmond, Virginia
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Photo: Saison FB
Saison’s cocktail menu reads like a book, which is fitting because the menu is literally taped into vintage books. The list is extensive, but the servers are very willing to help you find one that fits your tastes.
3. Rappahannock (Downtown)
320 E Grace St, Richmond, Virginia
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Photo: Rappahannock FB
Rappahannock has an inviting feel that makes you want to saddle up to the bar, order some delicious oysters and wash them down with one of their signature cocktails.
Check out the rest of Matt Friedman’s favorites!
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