Carter Mountain Orchard and Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

Garden roses & distant view of the city by Carter Mountain Orchard and Vineyard near The Clifton
Exterior view of Carter Mountain Orchard near The Clifton
Close-up on Apples neatly packed in brown paper bags at The Clifton
Close-up on Halloween decorations in Carter Mountain Orchard near The Clifton
Close-up of Pumpkins in Carter Mountain Orchard near The Clifton
Cocktail & wine served at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar near The Clifton
Close-up of Beef ham dish served at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar near The Clifton
Bread with Baba ghanoush served at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar near The Clifton
Close-up of salad served at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar near The Clifton

CARTER MOUNTAIN ORCHARD

Fall is in full swing and visiting Carter Mountain Orchard and Vineyard is about as nostalgic as it gets. Once you arrive at the top of the mountain, you experience breathtaking views of Charlottesville below and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, while sipping a glass of wine or a Bold Rock Cider. Soft serve ice cream, homemade apple cinnamon doughnuts (often just out of the oven), homemade apple pies (take one home to freeze for the holidays) are just a few of the highlights. Pick your own or purchase a satchel of apples and grab some pumpkins before you head out!


ORZO KITCHEN & WINE BAR

If you like Mediterranean food as much as I do, try Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar on West Main Street downtown. It had been a while since I dined there and was pleasantly surprised when visiting with friends last week! The ambiance is always important to me and this place nails it. Plenty of exposed brick, fine art on the walls with a nice, hip warehouse vibe. However, the food is the best part! The hummus with fresh baked pita was some of the best I’ve ever had with so much flavor! The Caesar Salad is always delicious (I get it every time), but I thought I’d go out on a limb and try the Fennel Salad and it was perfection! Light and tasty. Everyone at my table had nothing but rave reviews. Try the Passport Menu which is a special collection of new dishes exploring a different region of the Mediterranean each month. The wine and specialty cocktails are not to be missed! Cheers to the new chef!

Happy Fall!!!