The Holiday season is a time to put aside your everyday distractions and spend time with your loved ones. To help you focus your time and energy on your family and friends or activities that will help you reconnect to yourself, we’ll be sharing 12 ways to do so in our 12 Days of Disconnection.
While the 12 days of Christmas doesn’t technically start until, well, Christmas, these tips can help you live mindfully throughout the year. In that spirit, we’re starting a little early with our very first tip.
Try a New Recipe
Today’s tip is to try a new recipe. While you’re cooking and eating meals with your loved ones, this is a great time to turn off your devices, catch up, and enjoy the great food you’ve prepared.
Jasmine of Sweet Simple Vegan shared a quick but delicious recipe with us that she made during her Getaway. You can make it at home – or even better, over the campfire outside of your tiny cabin (just be sure to bring a cast iron skillet with you). Pro tip: print this recipe ahead of time to go totally screen-free while you’re putting your meal together.
Vegan Campfire Hash Recipe
Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1/2 large onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 3 medium yukon gold potatoes, cut into small cubes 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed 2 heaping cups chopped kale, stems removed 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning Salt and pepper, to taste
Serve with 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish 1 large avocado, sliced Toasted bread
Instructions
In a large cast-iron skillet, add in 2 tablespoons of oil along with the onions, garlic, bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened.
Mix in the potatoes and the old bay, and carefully cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until the potatoes soften, about 15 minutes. Remove the lid and allow the potatoes to cook for 2 minutes more, or until browned.
Stir in the kale and black beans. Allow both to heat through and the kale to turn bright green, about 3 minutes.
Remove the pan from heat and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Serve warm with a garnish of cilantro and avocado plus a side of toast. Enjoy.
Want to try cooking this recipe over a campfire? Book your Getaway today.
When people ask what to pack for their stay at Postcard Cabins, our answer is always more or less the same – not much.
Partially because we believe in the importance of focusing on the people and nature around you; partially because we already have a lot of it waiting for you in your cabin.
You’ll never go cold when you’re relaxing in one of our tiny cabins. Every cabin is heated and stocked with extra blankets to bundle up even more. We’ve stocked each tiny cabin with cold-weather essentials like hot chocolate, a fire starter kit, and plenty of indoor activities like books, cards, and games.
So if you’re the type who just wants to get away to sit back and relax, we’ve got you covered. But if you’re the adventurous type, excited to hit the hiking trails as soon as you make it to your cabins – there are a few extra things you’ll definitely want to bring along.
A good pair of boots
We recommend something waterproof, insulated, and with a high shaft to keep snow out of your socks.
It’s always a good idea to dress for a wide range of activity levels as you’ll likely warm up on your hike and cool off when you stop to rest.
We love a fleece half-zip because you can just unzip to let out some body heat versus having to stop and remove layers during your hike.
One of our favorites is this fleece from L.L. Bean.
A light (but warm!) jacket
The three have-to-haves of a hiking jacket are: insulating, hooded, and waterproof.
A very reliable option is the Down Sweater from Patagonia.
Gloves
Keeping your hands dry and warm during a winter adventure is incredibly important – but your everyday pair of gloves might not cut it!
We recommend waterproof shell mitts or gloves with insulated liners. Check out these by The North Face.
A hat
A good way to stay warm without too many bulky layers is to keep your head covered.
Stick with something fleece or wool – try to avoid cotton altogether for every item on this list as it takes forever to dry! You definitely don’t want to head out on a cold adventure with a wet hat.
We love it when snow turns our cabins into a winter wonderland, but your car doesn’t. Snow can pileup easily and it’s not always safe to drive with that much snow on top of your vehicle, so throwing a snow scraper in with your things can save you a big headache.
Cover these bases and you’ll be more than prepared for any winter weather adventures during your escape to nature. For the full list of year-round essentials, check out The Ultimate Cabin Packing List.
Inspiring entrepreneurial stories may be easy to find, but GroundUp delivers something different with their “raw and unfiltered narratives”. The podcast aims to feature all the “real stories of failure and doubt” that all entrepreneurs experience.
The GroundUp team recently sat down with Jon at our Brooklyn headquarters inside the Babe, an original cabin design that now doubles as a conference room and recording studio.
You can listen to the full episode on iTunes or watch the video here:
GroundUp is hosted by Abbey Titcomb, Jordan Greenfield, Casin Ward, and Sam Swan. Outside of working on GroundUp, Sam is also the Creative Director of Hoo.be, an app which delivers an aggregated playlist of relevant social media into simplified feeds – we’re fans of the simplicity.
The pressure of holiday season can feel like a lot, especially if you’re looking at long gift lists, and not sure where to start.
Something we could all benefit from this time of year – and year round – is a little extra dose of mindfulness. You know, that mindset that helps keep us present, grounds us in the moment, and ensures that we’re aware and at our best.
To keep you and yours in a mindful mindset – and to inspire some of your holiday gifting – here’s our mindful gift guide.
Mindful Gift: Gift Meditation
Meditation doesn’t have to mean going on a retreat with a group of likeminded people. We love apps like Headspace or Calm or centers like The Den in Los Angeles or MNDFL in New York, that bring the idea right to your home or close to it. Meditations can be just a few minutes, and it’s as simple as loading up an app, taking some deep breaths, actively listening, and clearing your mind. They’ll love this gift that keeps on giving.
Mindful Gift: Try a New Experience Together
Gift an experience that’s totally out of your comfort zone – and of theirs too. Make sure it doesn’t have anything to do with your work; the goal here isn’t to be productive, it’s to enjoy something that keeps you in the moment together or separately. It may be a cooking class, trying your hand at pottery, even axe throwing or a fencing lesson. The goal is to take a moment from optimizing all of your time, and enjoy the act of simply doing.
Mindful Gift: Give a Journal
Journaling can be a deeply mindful exercise, and it’s an affordable and beautiful gift to give a loved one. Sometimes the best way to stay centered in your thoughts is to write them all down on paper, even if they are never shared with another person. The practice of Journaling to relieve stress or gratitude journaling is a great exercise in mindfulness, and one that can continue long after the moment you give this thoughtful gift.
Mindful Gift: Gift Some Time Away
Taking a moment to get out of the city, practice some forest bathing, and enjoy all of those analog activities like building a campfire or reading a book, that feel so far away in our routines, is the ultimate act in staying present. It’s why at Getaway, we have cell phone lockboxes in each cabin, and all of the things you need to just focus on your loved one, your kids, your dog – or just yourself.
From now through November 24th, give them a Getaway gift card and save on your next escape. Gift $100 (or more), get $25 toward your next Getaway. Gift $300 (or more), get $100 toward your next Getaway. Your credit will be added as a promo code in your account.
If you’re simultaneously excited and stressed for the holidays, we’ve got you. Here is our Holiday Survival Guide to spare yourself the seasonal hassles.
From now through November 24th, give a Getaway gift card and save on your next escape. Gift $100 (or more), get $25 toward your next Getaway. Gift $300 (or more), get $100 toward your next Getaway. Your credit will be added as a promo code in your account.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 1: If you’re on a tighter budget, send personalized cards.
The messages inside store-bought cards can seem canned, and with just some markers and nice paper, you have complete control over what you’d like to say to a special someone. Not only will it save you a few bucks, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a recipient who wouldn’t appreciate the extra layer of personal attention and care.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 2: Don’t stop at New Years Eve.
After January 1, the subsequent months tend to be a anticlimax. Instead of crawling towards spring, extend your holiday season and schedule get-togethers well into the new year to keep your spirits up and to revel in the luxury of planning ahead.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 3: Plan your gifts early.
Skip the pre-holiday store crowds and congestion and instead gift an experience instead of something boxed and wrapped. Think about what’s memorable to your recipient, or something you would like to do together, from a weekend away, a walk in the woods, or a special home-cooked meal.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 4: Be mindful when planning your holiday schedule.
From holiday parties, parades, shopping, and traveling, this season is a busy one. Be mindful of quality over quantity and select the events that are meaningful rather than rushing from place to place.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 5: Pencil in some time for yourself.
The holiday rush is spent searching for the perfect presents for friends and family or preparing for meals and events. Amidst it all, make sure to schedule time for self-care: squeeze in a gym visit, sip on tea, or make a cozy fire and read.
Holiday Survival Guide Tip 5: Give yourself a light at the end of the tunnel.
Plan an escape for when the holidays are over. Take some quiet time for yourself when the season dies down. That might just be when you’re most in need of some you time.
The spirit of Small Business Saturday is so important to us here at Getaway—after all, the greatest beauty of our Outposts can be found in the towns in which they’ve been built.
Shopping small allows you to keep things simple, support local artists and craftspeople, and find unique gifts that you can give to your loved ones during the holidays – not to mention helps build special memories for you and your loved ones.
Here are some of our favorite small businesses near each of our Outposts.
You can find us at this local favorite for nearly every meal – from grabbing our coffee in the morning, to a sweet treat in the afternoon. It’s only a 5 minute drive from the Outpost, and there’s always something delicious cooking. Friendly staff greets you as you walk through the door for a caffeine fix, a delicious salad, or a baked good.
About a 5 minute drive from Getaway Big Bear, you’ll find everything you could need in a small town – Jensen’s, a local grocery store for picking up food to cook by the campfire, Golden Oaks Thrift Shop for finding your next favorite antique, Old Country Coffee Shop for a tasty diner meal, even Hilltop Chinese or Neo’s Pizzeria. It’ll take you less than 10 minutes to walk through the whole street, and it’s worth passing through on your way to or from the Outpost.
This farm-to-kettle brewery sits on the same land where a tavern sat long before the American Revolution. To taste local brews in the same spot that has been sharing the spoils of the craft for centuries, make sure to make a stop at their brewery that’s less than five minutes away from Getaway Blake Brook.
Last Chance Cheese is a local tavern and restaurant with antiques and small crafted items—like jam and honey—for sale. This is a great stop for families, as the options are endless, and everyone is sure to leave full and satisfied—despite their name, they even have vegan options.
You can load up on all the fixings you need for your Getaway, or simply drop in for a delicious made-to-order sandwich, salad, or soup, at this local gem, just a short drive from our Outposts. A favorite of Getaway staff and guests, Circle W is family owned and has been open for over a century.
This family-owned and operated orchard opened in 1943, and has become on of the largest in Georgia. It’s tucked away in the Northern Mountains of the state and can occupy its customers all day. Along with options to pick your own apples, the Orchard has its own winery, bakery, market, and cafe.
This farm is a great destination for families—with alpacas, chickens, barn cats, ducks, and more, your kids will love getting to meet and interact with all the different animals. Steelhead Alpaca Farms is only a half hour drive from Getaway Mount Adams, so it’s a great day trip when you’re looking for local places to explore, and new friends to meet.
Backwoods Brewing Company was founded by the Waters family between the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Carson Valley. They use local ingredients, and their brews can be found through the North West. Their Carson location is on your way to Getaway Mount Adams (or on your way back), so if you take your family or some friends, be sure to get their famous pizza.
This brewing company has over fifteen beers on tap, and with an artisan pizza shop, you’re sure to make this stop one you’ll return to on future Getaways. They also have live music every weekend, and a mission to foster community over craft beer, so you can be sure that you’ll have a great time, and you’ll be supporting the community in more ways than one.
This ice cream shop, which is about 45 minutes from our Outpost, is a great place to stop either on your way to your Getaway or on your way home. Moo Thru was founded by Ken Smith who comes from a family of dairy farmers. The dairy farm where they get most of their ingredients is only two miles from their shop, and each ingredient is hand-selected to ensure the best quality.
A favorite among Getaway guests for a wine tasting, or simply grabbing a bottle to bring back to the cabin, Early Mountain Vineyards has gorgeous scenery and amazing varietals year-round. Check out their recommended wine pairings for a campfire cooking out here.
Wishing you happy shopping, dining, or even window shopping on this Small Business Saturday. If you’re looking for a place to head to after you’re done at your favorite indie boutiques and restaurants, you can book your escape today.
At Getaway, the spirit of Small Business Saturday is so important to us. By shopping small, you can fill your space with objects that bring you joy, gift your loved ones unique pieces that speak to who they are, support the work of your neighbors, and be an active participant in your local community.
Shopping small is one of the easiest ways to keep the holidays simple, to support local artists and craftspeople in your community, and to find unique gifts for your loved ones. Whether you’re at home in your city, or escaping to a Getaway Outpost, there are so many amazing small businesses to support. Here are a few of our favorites:
Atlanta
Slutty Vegan ATL: Unbelievably tasty, cheat day vegan food truck. Visit their truck or site to order.
Nubian Bookstore: Located in Southlake/Morrow, Nubian Bookstore is one of the largest Black-owned bookstores in Atlanta.
Coco and Mischa:A boutique offering slow fashion, handmade jewelry and accessories, found objects, and beautiful things from small, sustainable, and socially conscious makers.
Near Getaway Chattahoochee
Grumpy Old Men Brewing: The couple of retired beer enthusiasts who founded Grumpy Old Men Brewing in 2012 began by brewing their stores in an outdoor shower and eventually opened their microbrewery in Blue Ridge. In 2018, the original two migrated to the other side of the 18-tap bar, passing the company onto “another Grumpy Old Man & his Crabby Lady.” There’s lots of space in the tasting room to play games and chat with other brew-loving folk.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards: Tucked at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest with views of the North Georgia mountains, Wolf Mountain has earned over 200 medals for its wines. Its grounds are landscaped beautifully, transforming the vineyard into a lovely place to taste wines and brunch.
Austin
Baby Greens: Healthy fast food restaurant serving delicious, made-to-order food for carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Order here.
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop: This cut-to-order cheese shop sells cheeses that are sustainably and humanely crafted by local artisans. Order here.
Near Getaway Hill Country
The Leaning Pear: For some fresh, seasonal and local cuisine inspired by the Hill Country, The Leaning Pear is a great lunch or dinner spot for American cuisine. The owners, Rachel and Matthew Buchanan, restored The Lowery House, which is one of the oldest buildings in the Wimberley Valley in 2006 to build their own restaurant after years of studying cooking in both Italy and New York. Give some of their dishes a try, and you’ll likely be back for more.
Middleton Brewing: This 10-barrel brewpub has some tasty ales inspired by the Hill Country that are sure to give you a sense of the region. They also have a wide selection of wine and local ciders for you to choose from.
Boston
BRED gourmet: Burger bar serving gourmet patties & toppings, plus smoothies, salads & more. Order here.
The Coast Cafe: Home to the best fried chicken and mac & cheese in New England. Order here.
Near Getaway Blake Brook
Blasty Bough Brewing Company: This farm-to-kettle brewery sits on the same land where a tavern sat long before the American Revolution. To taste local brews in the same spot that has been sharing the spoils of the craft for centuries, make sure to make a stop at their brewery that’s less than five minutes away from Getaway Blake Brook.
Charlotte
Shelves Bookstore: Owned by Abbi Glen, this independent shop is a pop-up mobile bookstore. Shop online here.
Jazzy Cheesecakes:The bakery specializes in cheesecakes but also offers a wide range of sweets including brownies, cakes, pies, cobblers. Explore the menu.
Veltree: A vegan, plant based, soul food experience. Order here.
Raleigh
Oak City Fish & Chips: This food-truck turned restaurant (with 2 locations) is known for their fish and chips as well as other fried seafood like shrimp and lobster. See menu.
Pure Juicery Bar: Raleigh-Durham’s only fully-vegan juicery and eatery. See menu.
Near Getaway Asheboro
Four Saints Brewing Company: Four Saints Brewing’s mission is to provide great beer for great people, and pays homage to the patron saints of beer: Saint Wenceslaus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Luke, and Saint Augustine of Hippo. Through brewing, they hope to grow the local economy, support meaningful organizations and charities, and create a place where hospitality matters and everyone feels welcome.
Copeland Springs Farm and Kitchen: Discover this beautiful, sustainable farm in Pittsboro. Committed to growing nutritious food with environmentally sustainable practices, they also operate a kitchen, serving delicious dishes crafted from their produce. They even encourage you to enjoy your food anywhere on their 16-acre property.
Peace Love & Eatz: Inside Desoto Marketplace for plant-based smoothies, bowls & sandwiches. Order here.
Roots Chicken Shack:Famous for duck-fat fried chicken and owned by Tiffany Derry, Top Chef competitor and All-Star Chef finalist. Order here.
Near Getaway Piney Woods
True Vine Brewing Company: This brewing company has over fifteen beers on tap, and with an artisan pizza shop, you’re sure to make this stop one you’ll return to on future Getaways. They also have live music every weekend, and a mission to foster community over craft beer, so you can be sure that you’ll have a great time, and you’ll be supporting the community in more ways than one.
Railway Café: This popular local spot with delicious American fare is a great place to go for plenty of options. Check out their daily specials for something different as well.
Bar Boheme: This bar and restaurant is filled with items that were collected during the owner’s travels around the world. Stop here for a delicious meal and find some of the stories hidden between the booths.
Near Getaway Brazos Valley
Wildflyer Mead Company: For a new take on something sweet, head to WildFlyer Mead Company to tour a beehive, go on a honey tasting, and try mead made from honey. There’s also a boutique and nice outdoor patio that is pup-friendly.
Lone Pint Brewery: A dedication to renewable energy and distinctive tasting beers is what Lone Pint Brewery is all about. Stop by their beer garden for a bite of Texas BBQ from the Lone Pint & Reveille BBQ Food Truck and pair it with a fresh hoppy ale whose spent grain from production goes to feed local dairy cows.
LA
Bludso’s Bar and Que: Texas style BBQ joint offering classic meats & sides, plus creative cocktails. Order here.
ABeautifulLife:California inspired traditional Jamaican cuisine located in DTLA. Order here.
Near Getaway Big Bear
LuluBelle’s Coffee House and Bakery: This is a café and bakery using local organic foods with some of the best pastries in Running Springs. If you’re heading to Getaway to celebrate a special occasion, this is a great place to stop to grab some treats to bring into nature with you.
LouEddie’s Pizza:LouEddie’s offers gourmet pizzas or create-your-owns inside a 100+ year-old building. The beer served at its quaint bar is home-brewed, and seating spills onto outside patios where you can eat a pie and enjoy live music.
Cafe con Libros. Brooklyn’s only Feminist indie bookstore & coffee shop. Shop their website here.
Peaches: Restaurant and bar serving Southern Cuisine and craft cocktails. Explore their menu here.
Near Eastern Catskills
Circle W Market: You can load up on all the fixings you need for your Getaway, or simply drop in for a delicious made-to-order sandwich, salad, or soup, at this local gem, just a short drive from our Outposts. A favorite of Getaway staff and guests, Circle W is family owned and has been open for over a century.
Last Chance Cheese: Last Chance Cheese is a local tavern and restaurant with antiques and small crafted items—like jam and honey—for sale. This is a great stop for families, as the options are endless, and everyone is sure to leave full and satisfied—despite their name, they even have vegan options.
Near Western Catskills
Roscoe Beer Company: Stop by Roscoe Beer Co. to try some local brews, relax with family or friends, and even grab a bite to eat.
Roscoe Farmer’s Market: The Roscoe Farmer’s Market is the perfect early morning activity to head to before or after your Getaway. Stock up on local, fresh veggies to cook some of your favorite meals during your stay, or buy yourself a little souvenir crafted by a local.
Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe: Known for serving “food from the heart,” Aunt Cheryl’s owned by Cheryl Johnson offers an all-day breakfast menu. Check out their site here.
Cleveland
Elizabeth’s Bookstore: Based in Akron, Elizabeth’s Bookshop + Writing Centre, created by academic and activist Rachel Cargle amplifies and celebrates marginalized voices. Shop here.
Browns Corner Restaurant:A comfort-food breakfast spot that’s been in Cleveland for more than 35 years.
Near Getaway Beaver Creek
Two Smart Cookies: You can find us at this local favorite for nearly every meal – from grabbing our coffee in the morning, to a sweet treat in the afternoon. It’s only a 5 minute drive from the Outpost, and there’s always something delicious cooking. Friendly staff greets you as you walk through the door for a caffeine fix, a delicious salad, or a baked good.
The Vineyards at Pine Lake: Stop by this local family-owned vineyard and enjoy their lakefront tasting room.
White House Fruit Farm: Come by this family-owned farm and buy your freshly picked berries, fruits, and vegetables, or sample some of their delicious baked goods- we’re craving the blueberry donut. The farm, established in 1815, also offers year-round events, including summer crop picking and flower festivals.
Portland
Stephanie Griffin: Artist who crafts “modern embroidery art from a unique point of view” by hand. Shop her Etsy.
Queen of Sheba: Operating for more than 20 years, this is a city staple for family-style Ethiopian dishes.
Near Getaway Mount Adams
Steelhead Alpaca Farms: This farm is a great destination for families—with alpacas, chickens, barn cats, ducks, and more, your kids will love getting to meet and interact with all the different animals. Steelhead Alpaca Farms is only a half hour drive from Getaway Mount Adams, so it’s a great day trip when you’re looking for local places to explore, and new friends to meet.
Backwoods Brewing Company: Backwoods Brewing Company was founded by the Waters family between the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Carson Valley. They use local ingredients, and their brews can be found through the North West. Their Carson location is on your way to Getaway Mount Adams (or on your way back), so if you take your family or some friends, be sure to get their famous pizza.
Washington, DC
AllVeryGoods: Ama Schulman’s bandanas feature joyful patterns inspired by West Africa and DC. Shop her Etsy and site.
Mahogany Books: Mahogany Books promotes reading, writing, and cultural awareness as tools to improve communities. Shop their site here.
Ben’s Chili Bowl: With 61 years in business, they’re known for favorites like burgers, chili, and hot dogs. Order at their location or on their site here.
Near Getaway Shenandoah
Moo Thru Ice Cream Shop: This ice cream shop, which is about 45 minutes from our Outpost, is a great place to stop either on your way to your Getaway or on your way home. Moo Thru was founded by Ken Smith who comes from a family of dairy farmers. The dairy farm where they get most of their ingredients is only two miles from their shop, and each ingredient is hand-selected to ensure the best quality.
Early Mountain Vineyards: A favorite among Getaway guests for a wine tasting, or simply grabbing a bottle to bring back to the cabin, Early Mountain Vineyards has gorgeous scenery and amazing varietals year-round. Check out their recommended wine pairings for a campfire cooking out here.
Ready to explore the small businesses near our Outposts? Book your Getaway today.
Owner Laura Levine named her Catskills antique staple after the famous Collyer brothers, who were crushed under their joint accumulation of collectables, and her store is packed to the rafters with truly everything. Her “shrine to clutter” is full of quirky and enigmatic objects, from vinyls and fashion pieces to old cameras, dinnerware, radios, and photographs.
Rive Gauche Bistro feels like a little piece of France just off the Hudson River. Chef Joe Landa worked in NY fine dining before opening his restaurants in charming Athens with partner Brooke Lynski, who designed the restaurant. This little French bistro serves wonderful plates, from apps to dessert from brunch ‘til dinner and beyond. Weekend brunches fill up quickly for the coffee and baked goods and, later in the evening, a great wine menu. The French onion soup is, of course, one of the highlights.
Sitting on a hill overlooking a creek and the Catskills, Gracie’s Luncheonette serves hot comfort food for not only lunch, but well into dinner and beyond. Culinary Institute of America graduates Allyson Merritt and Andrew Speilberg opened the space in 2015 as a commissary kitchen for their food truck, and it quickly became well-known for its American signatures. Meals are leisurely and delicious, and the plates that standout are the fresh donuts, homemade Italian sodas and ketchup, waffles and fried chicken with maple syrup, and their assortment of pies.
Scottish immigrant and land owner John Henry Price began building the Manor House and Stone Kitchen that would become Bald Top Brewing Co. in 1805. He didn’t live to see its completion in 1814, and the 53-acre farming property changed hands five times before it was acquired by Dave Fulton and Julie Haines in 2012. The couple transformed the farm into a family brewery. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bald Top Brewing Co. serves a diverse assemblage of ales and beers and live music on the weekends.
Bizou, 119 West Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Chefs and co-owners Vincent Derquenne and Timothy Burgess opened Bizou in 1996 with a commitment to local and sustainable food sourcing to cook up their classic VA creations prepared with French culinary techniques. Visitors can dine outside on the patio and people watch or inside in the restaurant’s vintage dining room that, complete with jukeboxes, old film posters, and classic booths, oozes an old-timey character and ambiance in this lively college town.
This brunch-obsessed restaurant opened its doors in 2001 and rolled out its American, Southern-style breakfast and brunch plates. All bread, biscuits, and pastries are homemade and the menu is vegetarian friendly, even though the owners admit to their obsession with bacon on everything. UVA students cite Bluegrass as a “before you graduate” staple, and the banana and red velvet pancakes will make you wish you lived closer to Charlottesville so you could eat here every weekend. Heads up: they are cash only, so come prepared.
This adorable cafe opened in 2016 to serve breakfasts and lunches of sweet and savory crepes and waffles. Owners Melina Ambargis and Cristina Hoppe began The Little Crêperietogether when they struggled to find good places to grab lunch while working office jobs. Their restaurant offers unique yet familiar tastes to Concord, such as the classic Nutella-banana crepe or a macaroni-and-cheese waffle. Alongside lemonade, cold brew, mimosas, coffee, and tea, fresh ingredients fill each pastry with plenty of vegan options. You can even create a custom crepe to try something different with every visit.
The Farmer’s Kitchen is the definition of a mom-and-pop eatery. Owner Duane White began cooking at age 4, and he returned to New Hampshire after restauranteering in the Midwest to open a cozy eatery, complete with a 1910 cook stove. It’s a must-stop for breakfast and lunch, serving up great food and big portions at a good price. Everything down to the coffee is delicious, and the gluten-free and vegetarian options are no exception. Approaching 10 years in operation, this restaurant treats everyone like family and is loved by locals and visitors alike.
Lewis and Stacey Eaton began making wine in 2008 as a hobby, and it quickly grew into a family business. Growing up in New Hampshire instilled in them a love of fresh produce from the local orchards and farms, and the family decided to incorporate these tastes into their wines. Their 8-acre location in Hampstead hosts year-round tastings of their award-winning bouquets, reds, whites, and fruit wines.
