Support Local Biz with a Climate-Friendly Meal
We’re lucky to live in a city with so many great locally-owned and operated restaurants. Unfortunately, they are facing a severe economic impact amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
So we wanted to highlight some of our favorite climate-friendly meals and where to find them in the area, so that you can take advantage of their current take-out options or buy a gift card to enjoy once we able to gather once again. Here are C3 team members top picks.
@tilmanscheeseandwine via Instagram
Susan Kruse, Executive Director
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
Just one?! I can’t choose! I love the tomato soup and loaded avocado toasts at Tilman's. I also appreciate the Citizen Bowl with tofu substituted at Citizen Bowl, and Champion Grill has the Impossible Burger with Fries! Oooo, and Hamilton's Blue Plate Special boasts the best tofu recipe in town. Of course, I have to include my favorite pot pie from The Pie Guy: the Tofu Snake Bite Pot Pie!
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
All three are largely plant-based vegetarian meals. There is some dairy (I think) in the tomato soup and the Citizen Bowl and loaded avocado toasts have cheese toppings that you could leave out to make them vegan.
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
As a vegetarian for the past 26 years, I am always looking for filling and nutritious meals around town. These all get high marks from me!
@citizenbowlshop via Instagram
Teri Kent, Director of Programs and Communications
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
I love Citizen Bowl! They have so many healthy plant-based options.
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
They don't serve red meat or pork. It's Paleo focused. And bonus: the container is compostable! Note: since there is currently no downtown composting options, I take it back to our office composter.
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
When we first started C3, I was eating Citizen Bowl 2-3 times a week because it was easy, fast, and healthy!
@monsoon_siam via Instagram
Andrea Bostrom, Residential Program Manager
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
Definitely the Drunken Noodles w/ tofu from Monsoon.
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
I'm a meat eater and find it especially difficult to order vegan when meat and dairy options are available. I do a better job going vegan and vegetarian when I cook from home. But...the drunken noodles from Monsoon are a favorite and have helped me embrace my inner tofu-loving self.
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
The need for water. This is a spicy dish!
@rapture_cville via Instagram
Emma Karnes, Commercial Program Intern
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
My favorite is the Beyond Meat Burger at Rapture.
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
Much like the Impossible Burger, this burger looks, feels, and tastes like real meat, but is actually made out of all plants-based ingredients! Dishes like these allow everyone-- vegan, vegetarians, and omnivores included-- to satisfy meat-cravings without supporting the industrial meat industry that contributes so significantly to carbon emissions.
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
Three of my closest friends and I went out to dinner at Rapture to spend some quality time together. We all ordered burgers and tried each others'-- and we were amazed that my vegetarian patty tasted as good if not better than the meat patties.
@pearlislandcatering via Instagram
Leah Cullen, Policy Intern
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
I love Pearl Island’s Tofu Curry Platter.
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
This restaurant serves a bunch of plant-based meals that are delicious and filling. This dish included a kale salad with mushrooms, a generous portion of rice, tofu curry, and fried plantains. It was a decent amount of food for an affordable price. I have heard that they cater and also have a food truck on Grounds outside of the hospital.
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
I had Pearl Island for the first time just before I left for spring break and since I’m not able to come back due to the pandemic, it was technically my last meal in Charlottesville. My best friend who graduated last semester was visiting for a few days, and she suggested we walk there from my apartment. We got the same dish (she recommended it to me- she is vegan while I consider myself flexitarian), and I was hoping to go back in the future!
@boylanheights via Instagram
Ariana Piacquadio, Communications Intern
What’s your favorite climate-friendly meal in Charlottesville?
One of my favorites on the Corner is Boylan Heights Impossible Burger. It’s so similar to meat (I haven’t eaten meat in over 4 years), so I always have my friends make sure it’s not beef! It’s great because it’s so close to where I live.
What makes this meal climate-friendly?
This is vegan if you get it without cheese! I think Impossible is doing something really interesting and their disruption of the meat industry is evident. I’m excited to see Boylan getting on board and to see more places embracing the plant-based revolution. I can find vegan food at almost any restaurant in Charlottesville, which means I don’t have to stress when picking a place to eat!
Do you associate any memories with this meal?
My friends and I go here often to meet up and chat. I think of all of us sitting outside when it’s warm, drinking pitchers of Bold Rock and our plant-based patties.
If you’re interested in supporting local restaurants and buying takeout, here are two great articles detailing which local restaurants are offering take-out/catering during this time:
NBC29 - a comprehensive list of all area restaurants who have altered operations/moved to take-out
WINA - 7 grab and go spots for downtown restaurant pick ups
Better World Betty - a baker’s dozen of low-waste and local take-out options
And if you have health concerns about take-out, here’s a helpful article we found from the LA Times.