I knew this would happen. I want to move here NOW. And I’m depressed by the fact that I have 4 months of dietetic internship to get through before I get to spend more time in this awesome town and get our business started. So much excitement and planning to do and my mind has to be elsewhere 🙁
Time will fly.
We spent the afternoon exploring. I feel like I have a much better sense of direction after studying the map and driving the main roads.
After driving back to our hopeful location spot, we made our way to the downtown mall to see what was going on.
So much going on!
We are not sure where we will rent yet. We’re torn between a house – like what we’re used to with space and storage – or our last chance to live in some cool lofty condo near downtown, which I think would be totally awesome. We found some lofts right near the mall that look really cool. Decisions!!
Then we explored the north western part of Cville – including a nice 45 minute walk on UVA’s campus.
Soon enough it was 5:00 and we were getting hungry. Errr, thirsty!
Two beer-lovin’ boys were thirsty for something brewed.
I had a few sips of Matt’s DELICOIUS Sierra Nevada Barley Wine!
After another hour of near-continuous Great Harvest talk, we made our way back to the mall for dinner.
We’ve tried Zocalo and Petit Pois, so tonight we gave Blue Light Grill a try.
Swank + modern seafood.
I was in the mood for a juicy red.
But also loved Matt’s Starr Hill Love
I decided to go a little light on dinner, although how can you ever really go "light" in a restaurant!?
I ordered the Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Maple Creme. It was awesome. Not too heavy and very, very flavorful!!
Matt got the smoked trout spread and shared with me. SOOO good!
Zeb also shared a bite of his mac and cheese with us!
Entrees included –
The Arugula, Apple, Butternut and Fennel Salad for me. It was great and the perfect amount, but I wish the butternut had not been raw!
Seared Tuna over a Parsnip Puree with Mushrooms + Spinach for Matt. Of course I tried some bites.
And a really nice grilled steak for Zeb. He shared a bite with us!
I still had room after dinner so we feasted on GELATO!
I sampled many flavors and settled on the hazelnut and chocolate sorbet, which was like fudge. I could have eaten 10 of these!
Back at the hotel because Zeb has an early flight back to Montana. And I have a morning date with some KERF readers for my first taste of Bikram yoga!! I’m nervous!
Sleep tight 🙂
Julie says
beautiful pictures!! .. mm gelato!
Katie says
It must be so exciting knowing you’re going to be the proud owner of your very own Great Harvest Bread Company. I live in Burlington, Vermont and drive past the only one here frequently on my way to Pilates class but never thought to stop by since I can’t eat gluten. Well, due to all your raving about how great the bread was I thought I should at least bring my Husband there to try it even if I couldn’t. Little did I know that they make a gluten-free bread option there and I nearly cried when I saw it on the menu. It’s been a REALLY long time since I ordered a sandwich and it was so amazing. Plus we loved the interior of the store so much! We will be back again for sure. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I am really gratefull!
p.s. Your blog is such a pleaure to read. I just love it!
Kath says
That makes me so happy 🙂 Hope we can make something GF as well.
Can I ask how sensitive you are to gluten? The main problem is that milling our own wheat on site means flour dust is flying around and cross contamination is a big issue. How does the Burlington store do it?
Katie says
Hi Kath! If I had to rate my sensitivity on a scale of 1-10 (10 being “I want to die right now”) I would say I’m a 6. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when I was 16 and the past 9 years have been interesting. I went through a denial phase since sometimes my symptoms would be so minor I didn’t think that I could possibly have it, but then there would be times I’d be bent over in so much pain. My biggest issue is cramping, bloating and feeling lethargic. Some Celiacs will get mouth sores and have much more serious reactions. I avoid gluten as much as possible and would never intentionally eat it, but with that being said I am willing to take more risks than some.
At the Burlington GHBC, they were so nice and made it perfectly clear to me that there is a possibility for cross-contamination, but that they try really hard to be as careful as they can. Knowing that I’m not the most sensitive of Celiacs I was willing to take my chances. And I’m so glad that I did because if my body was going to react at all it would typically be within 30 minutes of eating and I’m happy to report that I felt great all afternoon. It was really exciting! Now I know next time my experience might be different, but those are risks I’m willing to take. . Of course walking into a store whose sole purpose is making bread I know that they can’t guarentee anything. I was just so grateful for the honesty of the Great Harvest employees.
I don’t know many details on their equipment or cleaning practices, but they did keep the gluten-free loaves on a seperate plate to cut from (not the sampling cutting board). Next time I go I will look into it a bit more, ask some questions and get back to you. For someone like me (a “6”), if the store knows enough to forewarn people and keep the bread seperate I feel comfortable enough that they’re also taking precautions back in the kitchen. Obviously they don’t want their customers to get sick. But hey if it happens then that’s just as much my fault as it is theirs. It’s not a gluten-free bakery after all.
Good luck with your own store! If you do get to make gluten-free bread at your site just know that anyone with a gluten-intolerance who walks through your door will never forget it! It’s really special to have an option and I’m so grateful the GHBC offers it. Making GF bread is not easy and I know many bakers hate it because the dough is challenging and the results are sub-par (compared to the other delicious looking breads you offer), but still for us Celiacs having ANY option means so much.
Wow, sorry for writing so much! It was just such a great experience yesterday. I seriously told my husband that it was one of the best days I’ve ever had!
Kath says
Thanks for your feedback Katie!
rustique says
Hazelnut is my absolutely favorite flavor of gelato! Soo good.
Hangry Pants says
It’s gorgeous! I am so excited and happy for you and Matt. Enjoy those hot & sweaty 26 poses – bring water & a towel.
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
Gelato makes everything good. Glad to hear you liked the place!
Stef says
what a cool town, so happy to hear that you like your future digs. time WILL fly!
Karla says
Wow Charlottesville sounds awesome!!
So many cool things!
You’ll be done in now time and you’ll be the owner of a Great Harvest!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That town is so pretty!! And it sounds perfect for KERF! 😀 If I was you, I’d go with the loft. It sounds so cool and you are still at a time in your life where you could live in one and be ok 🙂
Wow, awesome dinner! I’ve never had raw butternut squash before.. not sure i’d be a fan of that. Matt’s tuna sounds awesome though!! And the gelato.. YUM!! I looooove gelato, more than ice cream, fro yo, you name it.
So excited for you girl!!!
kt says
Ahh sweet sweet Charlottesville! I went to UVA and could not love a town more! I’m so jealous you get to move there! I’ll visit vicariously through your blog 🙂
Kayla says
I am so ready for you to move to Charlottesville because I can’t wait to see it on the blog! Looks like your having a blast. And yay for gelato!
swimsutra says
You are doing such a fantastic job capturing one of my favorite little cities in the world! Making me home sick for alma mater!! 🙂
Jenn (www.j3nn.net) says
What a charming city! I’m sure you will love it; it looks like you. 🙂
Your soup looks so good, love the flavor.
Jenn
Lee says
I think you should go for the trendy loft! What a fun way to start off in a new city.
BTW- the Charlottesville half-marathon is really beautiful. It’s in April.
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self says
The next four months are going to fly by!!!
This whole world of blogging is so crazy. I don’t even know you, and yet I feel GENUINELY excited and happy for you and Matt! 🙂
Kath says
🙂
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I was really nervous about my 1st Bikram class too, but with all your yoga under your belt, you’ll be fine! Just hydrate, hydrate, hydrate =]
Krysta says
I just did Bikram yoga today for my second time … love it!!!!… drink lots of water before hand and DON’T WEAR LOTION!!! Very slippery 🙁
Kath says
Good advice! I wore lotion to my hot vinyasa class once and it was a disaster…
Ida says
A loft sounds fun-esp if you guys could walk to work. So much excitement in KERFland!
Jill says
Go for the Loft! Once the kerflings come along you will be glad ya did! 🙂
Ashley says
so cool seeing charlottesville on the blog! (im a student at uva 🙂 your going to love it here and i’m so excited to get to try great harvest!
Carrie says
4 months is 16 weeks which really isn’t that long. Enjoy the ride, you have so many exciting things in your future!
kjchicago says
Go for the Loft!
Gabriela says
Lovely pics!
Looks like you´re having a blast with Matt…
🙂
It´s great that you can´t wait to move!
I bet Matt´s excited, too 😉
Have a great Sunday, girl!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
CVille looks like a very cool town! I’m in the minority here, but I’d say rent a house. You’ve got all the stuff to fill one, so why not?? It would kill me to have cool stuff just sitting in storage…
Kath says
That’s the problem. And houses seem to be the same price as the cool lofts. And there are tons of cute bungalows!
M. says
I think you may find Moksha Yoga(hot) or even Baron Baptiste style(hot) more enjoyable than Bikram…but that’s my opinion!!!
Kath says
Pretty sure what I normally do is Baptiste, and I might agree with you, but we’ll see after the class.
Mae @ OhhMay says
I used to love savoring gelato. I’m so happy you like your new town! 😉
M. says
PS You should get Matt to try hot yoga with ya….I know a lot have men who have become addicted!!
Kath says
I asked. He said he’ll be running 🙁
Eileen says
Even one kid in a condo is a lot of fun. We SORELY missed our city apartment once we moved into a house in the burbs. I vote condo!
These are great posts. Charlottesville looks wonderful!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
What great photos of our beautiful town! I’m so happy you love it as much as I do 🙂
Kayte says
What a beautiful place to move too.
Tried the flovered nut butters,all I can say is YUM!!!!!!!!!!
You are an inspiration young lady!
Paige (Running Around Normal) says
Such exciting plans!! Time will fly, that’s for sure. At least the wheels are in motion. Four months will pass by before you know it.
Dinner looks amazing. Looove gelato.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
can we move to charlottesville too? 🙂 looks like a great day!
by the way, i love your videos…your accent is SO cute, and it totally made me want to move to the south again 🙂
Kath says
Haha, thanks!
[email protected] lady says
It’s so beautiful there!! The four months will fly by for sure, it might even go too fast 🙂
Ameena says
What a beautiful city! Four months will go by in a flash!
Sarah says
Your post made me miss living in C’Ville so much. I have no doubt that you and Matt will truly enjoy making it your home! Enjoy Bikram tomorrow – that is my favorite studio!
Fei Fei says
Gorgeous gorgeous photos! Charlottesville looks like such a fantastic place to live – definitely my idea of a foodie’s heaven by the looks of it 😀
Ashley says
It looks like that town is FULL of awesome places to EAT! 🙂 I had an arugula + fennel salad tonight too…kind of weird! Mine was light on the fennel but still delicious. Excited for you guys!!! 4 months will FLY BY!
caronae says
Beautiful place, beautiful food! So happy that you’re gonna get to live there 🙂
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
raw butternut?! for reals?!
Run Sarah says
What a wonderful looking town! I tried a bnut + apple soup sample for the first time last week and I am dying to make it on my own…great combo.
Penny (Blonde Bibliophile) says
I LOVE exploring new towns and cities. Looks like you had a fun day. 🙂
Your soup looks stinkin’ good!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
What a beautiful town, I can only imagine how excited you must be!!!
Especially at the prospect of being near the restaurant that does an Butternut, Apple and Maple soup…wow!!!
Hannah says
Wow, that trout spread looks divine. And I didn’t even know you could eat pumpkin raw! Craziness! 😛
The Paris Food Blague says
how exciting for you!
i’m talking about the gelato, not the town. no just kidding.
although seriously. that is some beautiful gelato.
ciao
the paris food blague
Kath says
ha!
www.integrativehappiness.com says
definetly go for the loft!!! Since you are renting you can always do the house thing down the road… the loft sounds perfect and fun. Plus you guys are going to be super busy so there will be less maintenance with a loft don’t you think?
cannot WAIT to hear your thoughts on bikram! I was an addict for awhile, but got kind of bored with it as it is the exact same thing every single time. I love vinyasa flows much better. I love the moving with the breath and breaking a sweat thru sun salutes. I like it getting switched up and having different themes.
Simply Life says
WOW! Another great meal out – so glad you’re enjoying your time there and I’m sure either decision will be great! (You can always ask about basement/other storage space in a loft/apt)!
Becky says
I’m up and getting ready to head to my first hot power yoga class this morning (Baron Baptiste)….and I’m super scared! It’ll motivate me to know that someone else out there is trying something for the first time too 🙂 Have fun!
christie @ honoring health says
Aw, I love C’ville. Hopefully, the dear husband and I will be able to make it out for a visit in the spring. I love the downtown mall so much! I’m not sure what side of town it is on but there is a place to at called hot cakes that serves awesome fresh food that you should try out, too.
Good luck at Bikram. I am really interested in how you like it. I’m not a fan but one of my best friends adores it.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
It’s a great thing that you are so excited to move there!!! 🙂
Andrea says
You’re really making me want to visit C’ville. It sounds like such a cool, fun place to live! So happy that you’re plans are all coming together and that you’re feeling good about it all! Have a wonderful Sunday! Hope yoga treated you well
Rachel says
I am so happy for you! It is very exciting to have such amazing plans in the works and I would feel the same way as you do – “let’s get on with it! The time will go by so, so fast though. Try to stay in the moment and enjoy your internship because that is also an amazing experience. Good luck with the yoga this morning. Hope you enjoy!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Well at least now you have something exciting to look forward to which can definitely come in handy on days when the internship is a little rough 😉
claire says
Thanks for the great post on c-ville. My husband and I are headed up for the half and full marathon in april Now I’ve got great ideas on where to dine!
ps. my unsolicited advice is to rent for a year or so before you buy a house. you’ll know so much more about the town and really where you want to live.
sassy molassy says
HOly yum, that all looks delicious. And your soon to be new town looks awesome!
Beth @ fatbustermack says
Who knew Cville was so cute! I lived so close but never went. Glad you are enjoying it!
Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place says
I love charlottesville!! so much cooler than chicago where I live. I’d love to try out a new city, but it’s pretty much not on the radar for us right now. too bad! I’ll live vicariously through your blog for now! 🙂
Kelly says
Charlottesville looks like a fabulous place to live and explore! I absolutely love that (navy blue?) blazer/jacket you have on in one of the photos! Reading this post is giving me the itch to go travelling and want to visit somewhere as nice!
Jen says
I live in northern VA and my husband and I love to spend long weekends in Charlottesville. Starr Hill is an awesome brewery – love The Love:) We keep it stocked in our fridge year-round! We’ve also been to Blue Light – great seafood, and love the gelato place! So many great things in that town. Next time we’re in the area we’ll have to pop into Great Harvest – good luck!
[email protected] says
That’s so true that it’s hard to eat light in a restaurant. I went out to eat last night and wasn’t super hungry so I just got soup but I still left STUFFED!
klm says
DEPRESSED ABOUT FOUR MORE MONTHS IN CHARLOTTE!!!!! offended.
Kath says
Well I just need you to move with me!!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
Kath – they are some AWESOME photos 🙂 It looks like such a wonderful town 🙂
ered says
holy smokes how exciting for you guys! I vote for the loft now (as if I get a vote in the matter 😉 ) because, speaking as a lady with a husband and a new baby, living in an apartment kind of sucks at this stage of our lives.
In other news, can you please tell me where you got that wonderful blue jacket with the buttons? You can email me privately if you want–I live in freaking San Diego (the land of no weather) (just a little bitter) so the chance of us having an awkward moment wearing the same jacket is pretty slim 😉
Enjoy the rest of your visit!
Kath says
Speaking of lofts, the jacket is from LOFT!
ered says
nice!
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Good luck in your moving preparations. That’s a big move, house job, life.
Bizzle says
Loft, Loft, Loft!!
Whitney says
great pictures! What does star Hill taste like?
rebekah says
isn’t charlottesville GORGEOUS??
i was at UVA for my little brother’s swim meet last weekend and it took .0005 seconds for me to remember that is was one of the most gorgeous places i’ve ever been.
ENJOY!
– Rebekah
Callie says
I just wanted to let you know that I tried the Starr Hill Love last night based on your recommendation. It was delicious!!!
Lauren says
“turd” tea day, huh? LAWL
…Okay, okay. Maybe it’s my inner elementary kid, but am I really going to be the only one to comment on that? x)
P.s. Your blog is awesome. BRING ON THE BREAD.