I made a new friend, Meg, today! She’s visiting from Boston and house/kid/dog sitting for her sister here in Cville. We got together for noontime BodyPump, where I headed on foot.
Today’s class wasn’t quite as hard as Tuesdays. I go to the express classes designed for the lunch hour that are only 45 minutes. On Tuesday we did biceps and triceps and swapped out shoulders and lunges. Today we switched. After BodyPump we took our slightly sweaty selves out to lunch!
With Faith meeting us for the fun
We tried out the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, which is known for tea but also has a great menu.
I started my meal with a nice Rooibos. The tea pots are $5 and “to-go” is $3 so I ordered the to-go for a single portion – I didn’t realize I’d be wasting a cup too! The tea was great though.
When we walked into the second floor restaurant, there was an amazing overwhelming smell of Thai curry wafting about. I knew I wanted the soup! It was rather brothy with brown rice floating throughout. Meg and I agreed we wished it were thicker and/or had more bulk to it, but it tasted good.
Especially with the fluffy herb-grilled pita pillows on the side!
I ordered the soup/salad combo, which came with a simple side tossed in a tahini dressing that was out of this world.
For dessert, Meg surprised us with some of her gluten-free Cinnamon Pecan Choco Chip cookies! I had a half – extremely good! [Meg says the recipe will be up soon if you’d like a gluten-free cookie that everyone will eat!]
We walked down the mall and peeped into Sweet Frog so Meg could give it a taste
I spooned out a taste from her bowl too 🙂
And then I walked two miles back home while listening to my audio book.
Dear Charlottesville,
I am so glad we found each other
Love,
KERF
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
You find the cutest restaurants! Charlottesville looks beautiful 🙂
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Sounds like you are having quite an awesome day so far! I love the looks of the inside of that restaurant – so cozy!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That second to last shot is so cool. Kinda of what it looks like here today, with snow.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I really wish I had that for yo place near me just for the brownie batter you always get!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
what a cute cozy restaurant…and a great afternoon with friends!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
what an absolutely perfect afternoon…so jealous!
Liz says
Kath, I was wondering, when you go on your walks and stuff, what do you carry your stuff in? I know cameras can get rather bulky!
Kath says
Usually my camera bag, which is messenger style, but I have a few of these bean bag things – one from Land’s End and one from OpenSky that I’m debuting and I LOVE! It’s perfect for active stuff.
Suzanne says
That’s really cool that your gym does abbreviated Pump classes for lunch breaks! I take it over my lunch break every now and then, but usually leave before the abs and cool-down track. I figure I can get in a good ab workout on my own later, but it’s not good that I don’t stretch afterwards!
If Twisted Branch still has the rose milkshake, definitely try it. It’s delicious. I used to spend hours there in college. The food and atmosphere are great!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I think the Cville tourism bureau should hire you! Your posts make me want to move there — mostly for the walkability/bikeability. That said, it’s also largely the choices you make — sadly most Americans would not consider getting out of their cars and walking for a 2 mile journey (or even a 1 mile journey, for that case)! I’m a huge proponent of active transportation, and I love seeing it on a blog with such a large readership 🙂
Stacey says
It looks like you had a really nice lunch. I love spicy soup with warm, fluffy bread!
p.s. I like the ‘Behind the Scenes’ section in the right hand toolbar. 🙂
[email protected] Sweet Life says
That curry and pita bread look AMAZING. What a gift that you love Charlottesville so much.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
It sounds like you really found your place! I am super jealous. I think I finally know where I want to be…now I just have to figure out how to get there!
jen @ taste life says
Love the letter to Charlottesville 🙂
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
You make Charlottesville seem like such a wonderful place to live! I am quite jealous of your ability to walk everywhere! It’s one of things I miss most about living in Asheville and London. I walked all the time. Now, not at all. You know how Charlotte is for that… 🙁
Allison @ Happy Tales says
I LOVE listening to audiobooks! I download e-books offline from the public library, so it doesn’t even require a stop into the local branch — how easy is that?! My boyfriend listens to ebooks from the library on his drive to and from work, too. I also love running to them, makes the time totally fly by! What book are you currently listening to?
Kath says
Prep, which I do not love
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
What a lovely day! You make me want to move to Cville. It sounds absolutely wonderful. 😀
And there seem to be so many quaint restaurants! I love that. 😀
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
What a wonderful day indeed!!!
Namaste Gurl says
I’ve never tried bodypump, but you make me really want to! *
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
Honestly, I’m glad you found Charlottesville too! All your pictures and visits to unique restaurants and galleries make me really want to move there–any lawyer jobs nearby? 🙂
Lily's Health Pad says
You are always posting cat pics. Subconsciously you want a cat…I know it!!
Kath says
I do but Matt is allergic!
Logan says
My poor husband is allergic too, but he just takes his allergy medications so we can have our cats!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
I love those chairs! Too cute!
JenATX says
Dear KERF,
The feeling is mutual!
Love,
Cville
haha, or at least I’m sure that’s what it would say if it could
Kath says
Haha 🙂
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Wow, what a wonderful day and so many beautiful pics from it!
[email protected] says
The decor in that restaurant is just too cute! And that kitty looks a tad demonic! 🙂
hippierunner says
Mmmm, pita pillows! They look so good.
Allison @ Happy Tales says
was thinkin’ the saaaame thing!
Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit! says
I am mostly housebound with a two-month old so your pictures of the outside world are greatly appreciated (as are the pictures of delicious food, as always!).
Mom says
Gosh Robyn, And I remember being housebound with Kath! Or at least somewhat housebound.
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
I love cute little eateries like that! Makes me want to own a tea shop 🙂 I’m having dinner with my sisters tonight at a cute little place in NYC – my favorite!
Katherine: Unemployed says
Burr it looks cold! I’m so glad you’ve found the right place to live (I’m hoping for the same for me soon!)
Sarah R says
What a fun day! I’m so glad you found a place to really call home. I hope for that one day….
kerri [email protected] says
All the seasonal shots make me miss some form of winter. No hope of seeing snow on Kwajalein.
Anna @ ciaotochow says
You live in a beautiful area – wow, it looks like around every corner there’s an amazing photo opportunity!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Beautiful day and such a grea time with new friends! I’m suddenly in the mood for Thai now..
Julie (Food & Other Things) says
The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar looks so cute…and I love all the photos at the end of your post, what a beautiful area!
Laura (Starloz) says
oh i heart the chairs in that restaurant, the soup sounds great!
i love where you live, it just feels so vintage & precious
Katelyn says
I love “downtown-ing”! 🙂 It’s always the cutest area of any city. So glad you had a blast with your girls!
Vanessa says
Aw cute post! Great pics of C’Ville. I totally get why you love it so much!! 🙂
Jessi @ Life-Tangent says
Oh dear, I don’t know what I’d do if my hubby was allergic to cats! I’m absolutely Crazy Cat Lady-lite (as in I love them, but I dont have a house full of them!).
Simply Life says
oh what a great looking meal!
Kelli says
MMMMMMMMMM that lunch looks AWESOME
Lauren says
What a great meet up. Work outs and lunch dates are a perfect way to get to know someone. Glad it was a good day!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Mmm looks like you had a fantastic afternoon with yummy food and lovely company! 🙂
Tina says
That pita looks amazing. I could definitely go for a nice warm bowl of soup and some pita right about now!
Meg says
What a great afternoon! Thanks!
stacey-healthylife says
It’s so fun how you meet so many new people from your blog.
Dee says
Aww, love seeing bloggers meetup!
I think I love Charlottesville too. Just from your posts! 😉
Casey @ Insatiably Healthy says
I love a town that looks worn in.
It makes it seem more historic, and Charlottesville certainly is that!
Gorgeous photos
Jenifer says
Havent tried Body Pump yet, but did do a Body Jam class tonight and a Body Combat last week. Is it challenging?
Have you hit the Barracks Road area of C’Ville yet?
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
What a fun afternoon! I love making new friends!
Holly says
That Tea restaurant looks AMAZING! Looks like a great place to gab with friends 🙂
Kaitlin says
Your lunch and that restaurant look divine! What a lovely day for a walk outside. I wish I lived in the south!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
What gorgeous pictures to finish this post. Charlottesville looks stunning! I love roobois (but sometimes I think how can tea be so expensive?!!).
Heidi xo
Lolly says
Charlottesville reminds me of Ann Arbor. Two awesome college towns I would love to visit someday.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
What an amazing meetup and day you girls had!
The thai food, and love the decor in that restaurant! The cookies Meg brought (GF that everyone will eat…score!) and all the great pics…lovely day and post, Kath!
Jess says
Those PIta PIllows look awesome! I’ve never seen anything like that!
Gina says
Your pictures are always amazing! Those herb grilled pita pillows look divine. So does everything else 🙂
Hannah says
Pita pillows! I’d be up for that kind of fun too 😀
Lauren @ itsfoodlove says
These photos make me want to take a trip to Charlotteville! Amazing.
Char says
Love your photography 😀 and that cat’s eyes are amazing!
xoxo
Elizabeth says
I love tamales. Love your version, will try it @ the next family gathering! Have you had the sweet dessert tamales? With pureed fruit, pumpkin, cinammon among other things. Sooo good!
Kath says
Oh my gosh I meant to blog that Faith and I dreamt up all these amazing possibilities – of course banana peanut butter, pumpkin cottage cheese, apple cinnamon, fruit and nut, and more. Didn’t know they existed already!
Alaina says
Looks like such a great town.
I definitely want to move somewhere where it’s so easy to just walk or ride a bike to where you want to go. 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
That cafe has such a cute look to it! I love cozy looking places like that.
Meg says
The cookie recipe is up!
Meg says
http://megsfoodreality.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-there-anything-better-than-great.html
AceRunn says
I love the inside of that restuarant, adorable!!