Biking is very fun!! What a great idea of Matt’s to bring the bikes.
We would not be having fun if we were touring neighborhoods in a car. We zoomed about 8.5 miles (thanks, Garmin!) all around the neighborhood of Belmont – right on the skirts of downtown. SO charming!!
This town is HILLY! We are super hot and sweaty and this hill was killer. I had to walk my bike up!
We toured a house and a condo downtown – neither were a good fit for us. Hoping these next ones coming up are (and they appear to be!)
We had an early (well, 11:45) lunch downtown at Bizou
Ate at a table right on the mall. LOVE all the outdoor dining!!
Le menu
To drink
(I had a few sips but slurped down water most of the lunch)
To start – Chilled Apple Soup! It was more savory than I’d expected but very fun with goat cheese and croutons.
Nourishment:
I got the Portabello Mushroom Salad for lunch with a red pepper dressing that was out of this world like pimento cheese!
Matt got Salmon + Crawfish Fritters. Shared one with me 
Lunch tasted great, but I’m not feeling that full! Might have to have some ice cream for a snack later on….if there’s time! 
See ya!
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Dining outside in the sun reminds me of holidays – such good memories! This post just made me well happy
oh goodness, i am DROOLING over that soup! you had me at goat cheese & croutons
I can’t quite wrap my head around chilled soup
Chilled apple soup sounds so delicious!
Fun! I hope the house hunting is going well!
Chilled apple soup sounds DIVINE! Very fall-like, but still sounds amazing for lunch in summer
I love the idea of biking too – you get the feel of the town, literally, without windows! Woo!
Meg
Biking around a new town is so much fun! Love me some portabello.
Try Archie’s for frozen custard. There is one on “the Corner”.
You mean Arch’s? I would go to Splendora’s for gelato. That place is so good.
That soup sounds so amazing and that restaurant looks so cute! I LOVE you bike helmet!
good luck house hunting! i loooove looking at real estate, but only when its for my “dream house” so i don’t have to be realistic haha
That soup sounds fantastic and very different!
That soup sound incredible! As does your salad!
I love that you two are biking everywhere! Best of luck with the house hunt
Outdoor dining is the best, but no one I eat with ever wants to eat outside. Boo.
That restaurant looks like it has a great variety of delicious choices. Definitely not your average cafe menu! Your lunch looks yummy.
Jenn
I didn’t know you were in C’ville! I’m a reader who got behind b/c I was out of town on vacation. Are you doing a meet-up?
I second the Splendora’s suggestion. The BEST cold treat in town.
I totally agree with you about bikes. They’re the best way to see any city. Okay, maybe not NY.
Brad and I recently took a trip to Savannah and rented bikes. Perfect. Not too fast, not too slow and you can really take it all in. Good luck house hunting! Hope you find the perfect little KERF bungalow!
Yum, those entrees look so good! There’s something about a fritter that just makes me happy.
I would’ve definitely chosed the portabello salad too!! Love em!
Great job on the hilly bike ride while looking at houses!! Multitasking at it’s finest
Apple soup sounds interesting… and I’ve always liked apples with cheese and a good piece of baguette. Mm!
LOVE love love your new sunglasses – so flattering.
I love exploring new places!! I also love outdoor seating at restaurants/cafes!
you guys are just too cute!
All that biking must’ve worked up your appetite!! matt’s meal looks soo good!
The apple soup sounds so interesting!! I think ice cream is a definite must for today
Ooh I’ve never seen apple soup anywhere before. I bet it tasted awesome with the goat cheese!
Bizou looks awesome! Those salmon and crawfish fritters- YUM!
You can’t beat dining outside in the summertime! Good luck with the next houses you are going to see, hopefully one of them will be right for you.
My sister went to UVA so I spent a lot of time in Charlottesville. Bizou is delish and I have a recommendation for ice cream: head to Arch’s. There is a location downtown near mellow mushroom. You won’t regret it–especially if you get the brownie batter topping. That alone is worth the trip!
the portobello salad looks delicious – and ice cream sounds like a perfect balanced lunch!
Hope the other two homes are more promising for you:) Looks like a ton of fun to bike around that cute little town!
Hey Kath! I hope 1 of the other 2 houses works out for you and Matt! I have a question about your new phone: Did you move your itunes music/movies to the android system? if so, was it difficult? I’m holding out for the iPhone 4 (not released in Canada yet) but I’m starting to look at other phones too.
Oh my – I was sold at ‘goats cheese’ croutons!!!
I’m in Charlottesville now working at Heritage Theatre (on campus). I’m actually really loving this area, it’s pretty. I don’t have much time to do much of anything (including reading this blog and finding out that you were back for a visit) but it is great for what I’ve seen
chilled apple soup – interesting!
That meal sounds delicious! Lovin’ the looks of those fritters!
Wow! I am obsessed with that portabello mushroom salad! Looks like a good pick, that’s for sure!
Biking is a great way to do two things at once.
Great idea to bring bikes – definitely a fun way to explore!
Best of luck finding a place that you all love.
Matt looks super adorable in the first picture of him smiling at lunch!
That salad looks amazing – I wouldn’t be full either if I rode that many miles on the bike!
I like that you are able to bike to the resturant, fun.
I’m quite curious about that soup! There seems to be a lot of soups that I’ve never encountered before…
Wei-Wei
Cold apple soup…interesting!
The goats cheese is a nice accompaniment I’m sure.
what a good idea to bike instead of drive!
Biking is SUCH a great way to observe a new town! Love it!
Oh, and I had a meal with portobello’s in it not too long ago and loved it as well. But it wasn’t filling for me either, and I was forced to pull out my emergency granola bar.
Eep!! At the end of my exchange year I sold my books to the bookstore behind you in these photos! Eeep!!
As someone else mentioned, I see The Blue Whale lurking in the background of the pictures at Bizou–which is essentially my favorite place in the whole world! Cville bookstores are so much fun
wow, you always have such nice meals out! Looks delicious!
The chilled apple soup looks delicious!
So nice that you got to cycle around the neighbourhood! Perfect way of getting to see a place and make the most of the weather at the same time
I’m a Brit but I grew up in Holland, and cycling is pretty much the main way of getting around here – it’s so safe, because there are bike routes alongside almost every road. I love it!
I adore apples but i’ve never had apple soup before! It sounds delicious …but you’re right, i wouldn’t expect it to be overly savoury! xx
Love the downtown mall!! the dumpling place there is crucial!!!