Charlottesville weekend - Marco and Luca, Oakhart Social, Splendora's, Guajiros, The Local

Oh, hello. It sure has been a while! This is probably just a one-off. It feels odd to not recount my food adventures in Oregon (2018-2020) or Georgia (2020-2022), let alone the past few years in Maryland. Maybe I'll do some sort of retrospective or summary of my favorite places and plates.

Dates

10/11-12/2025

Locations

- Marco and Luca: Downtown Mall
- Oakhart Social: 511 West Main Street
- Splendora's Gelato: Shops at Stonefield
- Guajiros Miami Eatery: 114 10th Street Northwest
- The Local: 824 Hinton Avenue

What we ate

- Marco and Luca
   - Dumplings!
   - Sweet and sour spicy noodles
- Oakhart
   - Roasted broccoli
   - Smoked mushrooms and polenta
   - Duck fat confit potatoes
   - Fried chicken
- Splendora's

   - Gelato sampler
- Guajiros

   - Lentejas guisadas

   - Breakfast bowl
- The Local

   - Truffled mushroom ragout

   - Bison short ribs

Websites
- Marco and Luca: https://www.marcoandluca.com/
- Oakhart: https://www.oakhartsocial.com/
- Splendora's: check socials
- Guajiros: https://www.guajiroscville.com/
- The Local: https://thelocal-cville.com/

Thoughts

After not being in Charlottesville for almost 8 years, my wife and I went back! Well, I went back; she had never been before. In addition to touring Grounds and other places that were important to me, we ate very, very well. As I write this, it was almost a month ago, so my notes will be less a comprehensive review and more the things that stand out in my memory. As much as anything, it was a reminder that Charlottesville remains a great place to have a meal or four.

We arrived in time to wander the city market and then head straight to Marco and Luca's for lunch. As some readers know, my wife and I are Jewish, and we keep a personal form of kosher. It's basically kosher-style with a few pre-established exceptions. When I first set these rules, there were three exceptions: the Nuke at LJ's, crab legs at the Beach Week buffets, and Marco and Luca dumplings. I was a menace when they opened a location in Blacksburg, knocking on the window the moment a sign went up, even if they wouldn't open until a few weeks after that. Anyway, these were still the same pockets of deliciousness as always. The noodles were also great, just like I remembered. The eating weekend was off to a great start.

We had an early dinner at Oakhart Social because that was the only time available; now we know why. This place wasn't around when I was last in town, but as I reviewed menus, it gave me vibes of PokPok, the awesome Portland Thai restaurant where my wife and I had one of our favorite meals. To be clear, Oakhart isn't a Thai restaurant, but they do some great things with fish sauce. The roasted broccoli (with fish sauce caramel) is a star -- plenty of great bitterness at the ends of the florets, all balanced with the caramel cutting through -- and set the tone. Individual elements were tasty, but having a composed bite of the different ingredients made them better. The smoky mushrooms, the creamy parmesan sauce, and the crispy edges of the polenta were a similar delicate, excellent balance. I don't want to shortchange the potatoes, but it was in the same vein: the romesco brightened it all up, delicious through and through. The texture and taste of the crust on the chicken was almost karaage-like, light and shattery with great seasoning. Here again, the fish sauce cut through it all to integrate the mint and spicy peppers.

I was disappointed that Splendora's was no longer on the mall but pleasantly surprised that their new spot was near our hotel, definitely close enough to facilitate bringing gelato back to watch the baseball game. I don't remember all the flavors we got, but the classics (stracciatella and chocolate, I think) were solid, great versions of the flavor. Apple cider was a seasonal flavor, and it was done perfectly. There wasn't any of the iciness that can sometimes when water-based flavors are the key (or maybe that's my homemade trials and tribulations...). We spent a bit of time marveling over and discussing the kalamansi, mezcal, coconut, and an herb (shiso?) I can't remember and can't find because I never got Instagram to work. The woman responsible for the flavor is the one who served it to us, so we learned about her inspiration, how Filipino immigrants helped support mezcal production (checks out!). The coconut was a great complementary flavor and smoothed out the taste. It was delicious on its own, but getting a little local and historical context made a memorable experience.

We stopped into Guajiros after touring Grounds and some surrounding spots. This is another place that arrived after I departed, and I'm glad they're there. Both dishes were flavorful and filling without being heavy. The coffee was excellent. There's a bunch of other interesting things on the menu, but our choices were a nice bit of warmth on a chilly, drizzly day.

We ended the night at The Local. I could've sworn they were there when I was in school, but their menu had a bit of their history, clearly documenting that my memories were all cemented in the year before vet school, two years after graduating. Like Marco and Lucas, I was a little nervous that my taste buds would feel what my memory said they used to. Also like the dumplings, I had no reason to worry. The pasta was rich and full of great mushroom flavors. The short ribs were tender with just enough bite to them, and the braise amped up the taste. Pair that with the solid drink menu and warm setting, and we had an excellent end to the weekend.

Recap
Pros - All of it? Old favorites didn't disappoint. New (to me) options showed out.
Cons - It's too far? I did go back recently, but I had been gone way too long.
Overall - Charlottesville remains an amazing place to eat.

Ambar

Date
1/28/2018

Location
Clarendon, just up from the Metro stop
2901 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

What I ate
Uhh, everything? Here's the full menu

Who came
Brittany
Mark
Xander
Laura
Tiffany

Website
Ambar Clarendon

Thoughts
By my count, we had at least 35 different dishes and, counting re-orders, well over 50 separate plates. Our waiter took excellent care of us, seizing on our initial hesitation to offer to take us on a tour of the menu. Delicious dish after delicious dish just kept appearing. The portions were just enough to have a taste and leave plenty of room for the next one. I'll do a bit of a general rundown and pick out the highlights.

We had samplers for each of the first three - mezze, kajmak, and spreads. Each cured meat was a little different. One of the prosciuttos had a slight sweetness to it that made it stand out. We were a little worried about kajmak after the waiter's description, but those fears were unfounded. It was light and easily spreadable; the herb one was my favorite. Of the spreads, the slightly sweet bread may have been the real star, though each were tasty. I could probably eat the urnebes (aged cow cheese and red pepper flakes) by the spoonful.

The meat pie was the first time I almost strayed from the sampling menu. It was light and delicious, the kind of thing I could have eaten a half dozen of and not realized anything was happening. I know it wasn't the intent, but they looked like rugelach, which wasn't a bad thing. The flatbread (read: pizza) was good, though a bit of a deviation from the rest of the menu. The stuff:crust ratio was too low. The salads were mostly unremarkable. The best one was the slaw, but more as an accompaniment to the sausages that were to follow. The marinated peppers also would be an OK topping, but weren't much on their own.

The pepper and cheese croquette gave me yet another use for panko. It made for a light, flaky shell around the tasty filling. We kept the vegetables coming, with the sprouts, asparagus, and zucchini latkes being popular up and down the table.

In my quick notes about the slow cooked food section I wrote "star of the meal!" Remembering it, that's totally correct. The cinnamon in the moussaka hinted at sweetness without actually being sweet and made each bite a little journey. Not only did the stuffed cabbage remind me of that time Brittany and I cooked halupki for ScavHunt, but it was tasty, too. The pepper they stuffed was as sweet as the snacking peppers and a great complement for the filling.

Oh yeah, the meats! They kinda ran together. A week or so out, I remember the jokes more than the taste. The salmon was pretty good. We were probably all a bit too stuffed to appreciate the seafood, which seemed to disappoint our waiter. That didn't stop him from bringing us what I can only describe as Balkan churros, even though we didn't order dessert. Despite being full, there was juuust enough room for them and the chocolate sauce and strawberries that accompanied them.

There was a ton (almost literally) of food to write about, but I don't want to forget the other aspects of the meal. Our service was great, with full plates arriving and empty ones leaving quickly. Our waiter was patient with our questions and we were happy to let him guide the whole experience. It's a cozy space and it was sometimes tough to hear all the way across the table. That didn't stop us talking about our favorite dishes and generally having a great time.

Recap
Pros - Delicious food and plenty of it, excellent service
Cons - None. Maybe it's a little loud?
Overall - Well worth it. I'm eager to go back and test repeatability, even if menu doesn't change

Jaleo Crystal City

Date
1/26/2018

Location
Crystal City Shops
2250-A Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA

What I ate (copied from the RW menu)
Endives, goat cheese, oranges and almonds
Salad of red beets, citrus, Valdeón cheese and pistachios with sherry dressing

Traditional Catalán salad of white beans, with sherry dressing

Mushrooms sautéed with garlic, herbs and white wine

Sautéed cauliflower with dates and olives

The very, very famous tapa of shrimp sautéed with garlic

Grilled marinated chicken served with parsley purée and garlic sauce

Seared salmon with potato leek purée

A classic Spanish custard with ‘espuma’ of Catalan cream and oranges

Chocolate ice cream with a traditional Catalan crisp

What I drank
Estrella Dam Lager

Who came
Jess

Website
Jaleo

Thoughts
Catching up with a good friend over delicious food will always make for a fun evening. I even enjoyed the olives (mostly)! I think there's a tendency for some places, especially those that normally work with smaller dishes, to use Restaurant Week as an excuse to give small portions. Bucking that trend, Jaleo offered a nice balance of special dishes and portions big enough that I left full.

It's a big room with half walls and elevation changes to give it a roomier feel. Despite plenty of ambient noise, conversation was easy. The waiter was attentive and didn't stick around too long. I kinda sorta maybe felt rushed at the beginning of the meal - Friday night of Restaurant Week means plenty of turnover - but they let us hang out, unbothered, after we were finished until we were ready to leave.

On to the food! The appetizers were good, if unremarkable. They're a nice way to start the meal. The endive is reminiscent of something my friend Kelly used to make; they'd be great to open a dinner party. The salad was a good complement, too. The mushrooms are the first dish to stand out. They were delicious, with the mushroom flavor standing up with the garlic. They were the texture mushrooms should be - juicy and meaty. The cauliflower was at the same time confusing and intriguing. In my head, the flavors don't work well together. In my mouth, they're best of friends. The earthy cauliflower set a solid base of flavor and the caramel-y dates gave each bite a little layer of sweetness. I'm not the biggest fan of olives (see above), but the saltiness cut through everything and kept it light.

The "very, very famous" shrimp dish was indeed tasty. I keep kosher(ish) and haven't had shrimp in a while. These were ever so slightly more well done than I remember liking shrimp to be. I liked the sauce more than the shrimp - light, plenty of tomato without much acid, and a quick heat that fades. The chicken was juicy and the sauce bright enough to make me think spring is just around the corner. The salmon was good, the crispy skin being my favorite part. I remember the sauce being tasty, but I can't honestly recall what it tasted like two days later. The desserts brought a strong close to the meal. The ice cream was both rich and airy. The flan had just the right texture and a pretty good taste. The topping was almost candy and the oranges kept the whole thing from being too heavy.

Restaurant Week often takes me places I wouldn't normally go, though as I'm becoming more of an adult - first post over 9 years ago! - I should get to places like this more often. Perhaps I can wrangle a few friends and go back soon. Tapas is always better with a crowd.

Recap
Pros - Delicious food
Cons - Nothing major
Overall - I'm eager to go back with friends. Not a steal, but definitely worth it.

Chow Food and Beverage Co.

Date
6/28/2016

Location
Clinton, next to the Outlets
36 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT

What I ate
Burnt end croute
The Gams pizza (Aged cheddar, smoked chicken, scallions, and raspberry-honey BBQ sauce)

What I drank
Black Hog S.W.A.G.
Two Roads Esspressway

Website
CHOW

Thoughts
I'm out of practice, so please forgive the brevity.

The only negative I can conjure up is that it took a little while for the waitress to notice my glass was empty. That said, I'm sure I would've gotten her attention if I'd tried to get it.

The small outdoor space is nice, too. I hope they do something with it for lazy summer nights.

P.S. To the woman a few tables over - If I can see the pink in your steak from my table, your steak is not well done.

P.P.S. I went back a few days later, just before leaving CT, and had a great meal with friends.

Recap
Pros - Tasty food, good pacing
Cons - Nothing stood out, I'd just be picking nits
Overall - Big fan. I'm moving soon and I'm sad I waited so long to find this place.

Bistro Mediterranean and Tapas Bar

Date
10/4/2014

Location
Shoreline Westbrook
704 Boston Post Road

What I ate
Piquillo peppers stuffed with braised lamb in a port wine and shallot sauce
Steak tartare with quail egg and garlic crostini
Octopus with chili sauce

What I sampled
Codfish croquettes
Fried eggplant with mozzarella over a tomato ragu with basil pesto
Duck empanadas

Who came
Helena, Rempe, Erin, Ethan, Christine, Jolene, Michael, Talina, Lisbeth, Elias, Carla, Lia

Website
Bistro - Westbrook

Thoughts
I started this review over two years ago and never finished. Unfortunately, my memory is a little foggy. Fortunately, I went back a few times and had a bunch of other dishes. I went by myself once or twice - thanks, Old Lyme Town Band! - and with friends for a few other dinners. All told, the food was always delicious, the service and ambiance were nice, and the prices weren't bad. It's one of my favorite places on the shoreline.

Recap
Pros - delicious, varied, and (apparently) authentic tapas
Cons - still working on service, minimal beer selections
Overall - This is a great place for a nice night out, especially with a group.  I'll have to go back and get entrees, but the variety of interesting and tasty tapas will win out almost every time.  Go here.  Bring friends.

Quattro's

Date
8/17/2014

Location
Downtown Guilford
14 Water Street, Guilford, CT

What I ate
Cream of mushroom soup
Duck breast finished in an orange, cherry, and Grand Marnier sauce with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes

Who came
Mom and Dad

Website
Quattro's Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar

Thoughts
This has been sitting in "to write" for over two years, but I wanted to get it out for completeness's sake. I remember enjoying the meal and thinking that I needed to spend more time in Guilford's little downtown. Sadly, I didn't, and now I've moved away.

Bluebird Tavern

Date
6/20/2014

Location
Downtown Burlington

86 Saint Paul Street, Burlington, VT

What I ate

Arctic char crudo bite

Cheese plate - smoked windsordale with pickled radishes, candied walnuts, and a maple-sherry gastrique

Octopus terrine with salami vinaigrette and fennel

Five-hour braised flatiron with roasted potatoes and carrots and jalapeno mashed potatoes

Maple Tap - frozen maple custard, poached rhubarb, oatmeal crust

Beer & Chocolate - chocolate mousse with stout curd and almond cake

What I drank

Maine Beer Company - Lunch

Website

Bluebird Tavern

Thoughts

Whoa!  I've been writing this blog for almost six years (!) and that has to be the longest "What I ate" section.  From the outset, the folks at Bluebird Tavern were nice and generous.  The amuse, cheese plate, and second dessert were given without asking, rounding out my meal and then some.  I went there after a long week of work, looking for a delicious, filling meal and was certainly not disappointed.

Though they certainly checked the box for quantity, they didn't neglect quality.  The crudo was light, tasty, and just the right kind of fishy - a nice way to start the meal.  I wouldn't have put those things together on the cheese plate, but each part was great and they worked off of each other.  I've come to the conclusion that I can't have a whole pickle plate to myself since it's just too much of that flavor, but they small handful of radishes were delicious.  The cheese didn't have a strong taste to itself, but it helped smooth the transition between the radishes and walnuts.  The house-made bread was also quite good.

I hadn't had octopus before and listened to a piece on it recently, so it was an obvious choice.  I'm happy to have gotten it, but I'm also glad it was sandwiched between all of the great food.  The octopus didn't taste like much by itself.  That may be a little unfair - the whole bite of octopus, dressing, and fennel was quite good - but I ordered the dish because I wanted to taste octopus.

After my long week, I was hoping for that full, content feeling after this meal.  The braised flatiron was a delicious, fancy way to do just that.  If I picked up my knife, it was only to cut a potato.  The occasional roasted carrot gave that little hit of sweetness that, with the background heat of the jalapeno mashed potatoes, kept the dish from being heavy.  This is probably a good place to mention that the beer was also delicious.  Their website says it has "intense hop flavors" but, either because I haven't had many beers that do that right or because of the context of the meal, I found it refreshing, a good complement to my food.  Thanks for the tip, Suzie!

Of course I still had room for dessert!  I had so much trouble deciding that I asked the waitress if she could talk the kitchen into some sort of small sampler.  I'm sure this annoyed them; sorry, Bluebird kitchen!  If I knew I'd be in town longer and could come back, I would have gone multiple times and tried each one.  I settled on the Vermontiest one of the bunch.  The textures were a little weird - I had trouble taking off small pieces of the crust, but it's entirely possible I was just doing it incorrectly.  The rhubarb was also just a bit too tart by itself.  That said, once I was able to get a bite of all three parts, it was easy to see why they were on the plate together.  I had to take most of the beer & chocolate home, but it was great, too.  The ribbon of almond cake through the mousse was a great touch.

The atmosphere was nice - small place with a nice, slightly rustic edge - and I was able to catch a little bit of World Cup from afar.  More importantly, my waitress was awesome.  She talked candidly about much of the menu and dealt with my curiosities, even when I was dangerously close to being a character on Portlandia.  When I dine alone, I generally want to just focus on the food.  She helped me understand my food and the restaurant, elevating my whole experience.  If my receipt is to be believed, her name is Lindsey.  I won't be back in Burlington any time soon, so someone reading this should go thank her for me.

Recap

Pros - Great food and plenty of it, nice, helpful waitress

Cons - Nothing stands out as negative.

Overall - Go for a special (or not-so-special) occasion.  I certainly spent more than I do on an average dinner, but it was well worth it.  If I lived in Burlington, this would be high on my go-to list for a nice night out.