I’m still chipping through a massive owner to-do list. Including payroll, Quickbooks, ordering retail and more.
And my gosh, don’t ever count money when you’re cranky and hungry! Especially when you get a negative number where you shouldn’t. Now that was confusing. Got it all figured out though!
Snick-snacks!
I brought in some watermelon we had at home, and ate a slice of High Five at Five!
We wrapped up around 7 (after a frustratingly long reconciliation) and went out for one last dinner before Jason heads back to ye ole Montana.
Downtown was bumpin’ for a Monday night! Charlottesville’s downtown is always wildly alive. That’s why I love it!
We landed at a new place called Positively Fourth Street, which used to be called Enotecca. It was a wine bar with small plates and now it’s a full-service restaurant after a renovation.
Much to our disappointment, it was CLOSED! But we found this out after walking in and realizing a private party had just ended.
The food was still out…
And the staff invited us to nibble away!
The gorgeous platter of roasted veggies was just what I would have waited 30 minutes for in a restaurant! We were absolutely stoked!
The Black Eyed Pea hummus was some of the best I’ve ever had. It tasted almost…cheesy? Like brie. Loved it!
And the Smoked Mushroom Tarts…oh my! We really hit the jackpot!
The staff was so welcoming (even when we descended upon the food like starved vultures) and we bought a drink at the bar to have with our dinner.
I had a few small plates of veggies, some flatbread and hummus, a few mushrooms tarts and a mini [grass-fed, local!!] beef slider.
Thank you so much to Positively Fourth and our friend the server Sarah for the hospitality! We can’t wait to go back soon.
I biked home while Matt and Jason went out for a Spice-a-Rita.
After such a long day, part of you wants to go home and get in bed. But the other hand wants to party! It’s hard to choose, so tonight I did a little of both.
I’m kind of starting to miss formal workouts. I gotta get to Body Pump soon or my muscles will shrink!! I’m staying the whole 12 hour day again tomorrow, but hoping to back off a wee bit (to 3/4 of the day!) by the end of the week. We’ll see how much Matt needs me!
Nite!
Maria says
Wow, free food! Lucky you!! Check out my blog, Beautiful Busy Bee.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Free food?! Exhilarating! We’ll have to start doing squats and lunges in the back with bread as dumbbells. Bread Pump!!
KathEats says
Haha!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
how nice of the staff to invite you to dig in! C ville sounds so lovely I want to go back!
Hope you can get into a shorter day soon, that is long! Best wishes!
Lauren says
Where do you do Body Pump in Cville? I would love to try it this summer…..:D
KathEats says
At ACAC – which is unfortunately a bit expensive
Lauren says
Oh….I think my grandparents belong there! I am definitely going to try it then. I am lucky to have them living in Charlottesville!
Lauren says
Oh….I think my grandparents belong there! I am definitely going to try it then. I am lucky to have them living in Charlottesville. Thanks Kath!
Lauren says
Wooops….i must have hit submit twice. Sorry!
KathEats says
Oh good!! I bet they can get you in!!
Danielle @ FoodBoogie says
Wow, those are some pretty awesome leftovers to stumble into! Answering your reply to my comment on a post from Saturday haha: yes, Allison and I are both RDs! We met in our internship and both ended up moving to DC afterward. We also did get the black bean and corn relleno at Zocalo and it. was. heaven. Thanks for the rec! Hoping to make a trip down to Cville again this summer to visit more wineries and breweries but we’ll definitely see you at HLS! 🙂
KathEats says
HLS! Yay!! Definitely come back. Maybe I can take off and go wine tasting with y’all!
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing says
Whoa. That is amazing. Go Positively Fourth!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
oh free food ALWAYS tastes better 😉 Esp when you don’t have to do any dishes or cleanup!! And yah, nice, traditional workouts always feel good b/c it is so routine and normal! <—you'll be back before ya know it.
I am usually a sleeper, not a party animal. hah
Angela says
I used to work at a fast food restaurant, and I don’t miss handling a cash drawer at all! It is so frustrating when the numbers don’t reconcile, or when something’s missing, or when you get counterfeit money. Glad it worked out, and you seem to have great employees too!
Allison @ Can't Wait For Breakfast says
Got to love free food! I think it actually tastes better! haha! Got my ticket to my first HLS!! So excited!
Glo says
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year, and I love the story that is unfolding with the bakery! It’s like a reality tv show, but way cooler 😀
Heather says
That looks like amazing free food! What a great find.
I have a week like yours – with 12-15 hour days in 2 weeks – I give myself the week off figuring I am on my feet enough to compensate.
Hopefully by the end of the week, you will get into more of a routine!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Black Eyed Pea hummus sounds divine and all the food looks amazing! Including the watermelon. Ive been going to town on w-melon lately myself.
And what serendipity that a party was just ending, with all that food, and the staff invited you in to help polish things off…wow….that’s awesome luck!
And it looked like a stellar spread!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
How lucky to have been let in! And even more lucky how hospitable the server was! I’m a server and I know people who come in late realllly annoys my co-workers but how sweet of the server!
Baking 'n' Books says
Wow – that is hospitable – I don’t know if big cities would do that! What a lucky spread too!
hippierunner says
Kath, why did you take a picture of that suspicious looking trio?! Bahaha, I love how they’re looking around like that. And I totally want to eat that plate of roasted veggies, it looks amazing!!
KathEats says
I was just trying to get a photo of downtown and they popped into the photo!! 🙂
Jamie says
If Matt needs you? So, he’ll be staying 12 hours every day no matter what? What if Matt wanted to go do BodyPump? It hardly seems fair that he gets up in the middle of the night to bake bread while you sleep later and get to bike to the bakery.
JenATX says
they’re married- I’m sure they know what is fair between them 🙂
And I’ll have to try Black Eyed Pea hummus… anything cheesy sounds awesome
Christine says
I am sure they have worked out a work schedule that works for both of them . . . remember Kath also runs this blog (which is her business as well).
Sounds like a fabulous dinner!!
Amanda says
Have you ever written a blog? Have you ever written one in which you were paid for? Her blog business also takes time and is the way they were able to support themselves during the process of opening the bakery! From what I have read, this is Matt’s adventure and Kath is a supportive/helpful wife who also has her own career!
Rachel says
Cali.. I love how you left two rude comments on the post and yet might as well be anonymous since you didn’t link yourself. It always takes balls to hide behind a computer.. well done.
jenna k says
kath posted awhile ago that she would be working more at first and then tapering down to working less once things calmed down. they have a full staff, so i’m sure they’re working it out between all of them.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Talk about a sweet deal!! Those veggies look beautiful, I can’t wait for my grill to be all set up so I can grill some veggies and FISH!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
That’s amazing!! So hospitable! It’s nice to know there are people and restaurants like that out there!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Free food tastes even better! 🙂 That was a TON of leftovers.
I bet they did put cheese in the hummus – one of my favorite local restaurants purees artichokes and goat cheese into their hummus and it’s heavenly.
Namaste Gurl says
Mmmm- everything looks yummy and how kind that was to give you that free food! 🙂
Molly @ RDexposed says
I love small plate restaurants! You are able to try more food!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I’d love to live in a town with an actual night life beyond drunk college kids at bars..
kaila @ healthy helper! says
Free dinner!?!?!?! That is so awesome!!! What a great restaurant!! And everything looks so yummy to! Black eye pea humus is delish! I had it at a cafe a few weeks ago!
melissa says
wow, that’s good timing. looks amazing
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
That dinner is like hitting the lotto! How awesome they just let you guys go to town on all that food!
staceyhealthylife says
Wow 12 hr days that’s a super long day. One day you’ll have a normal structured life again.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Hopefully with time you won’t have to be at the bakery all the time — but at the same time I’d probably want to be there all the time — it is the control freak in me!
That is awesome that you got free food!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Free food is the best! The black eye pea hummus sounds especialy yummy 🙂
jaclyn says
Kath,believe it or not, i envy you. Ur doing what you love – opening a bakery! If ever great harvest comes to malaysia,i’d definitely b one of the first to open up one! I just want to do what i love,and stuck behind a desk job is not. I hope i can do what i love one day,and am inspired to achiece that thro your posts!
Angel7 says
Awesome array of veggies!
The Smoked Mushroom Tarts look so yummy!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
That’s a sweet move by the restaurant 🙂 I love hearing great customer service stories!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
scooooore!
Hannah says
I miss downtown C’ville! I never got to eat smoked mushroom tarts there 😛
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Charlottesville looks so beautiful! I would love to live in a city that has such a beautiful downtown area 🙂
Khushboo says
What amazing hospitality..and luck! They also lucked out in that all their fantastic food is featured on your blog :)!
Ashley says
That’s so amazing about the dinner. Way to be in the right place at the right time. The food sounds incredible! Rest those feeT! 🙂
kris (everyday oats) says
Wow, what a great dinner! I’m so impressed by all that cville has to offer…so many amazing restaurants and bars!
Laura (Starloz) says
oh boy, the free food look splendid.
Amanda Jewell says
Well, someone was obviously “winning” tonight! 🙂 Free, delicious, healthy food? JACKPOT!
I feel, as a concerned citizen, that every restaurant should do this 😉
Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East says
Looks like it was definately your lucky night! Great food and for free! Cant beat that!
Wish we had a great downtown like yours! Definately jealous!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I really admire you for opening your own business.. there is so much that goes on behind the scenes.. that we don’t really see on the outside. Lots of hardwork.. but looks like it is defintely worth it!
skinny latte says
Positively 4th Street is one of my favourite Bob Dylan songs 🙂
Sounds like the name suits the place perfectly, what a friendly and warm welcome – just what you’re creating for people in the bakery I’m sure.
KathEats says
I didn’t realize it was a song!!! Makes more sense now 🙂
Mary Frances says
Great musician, artist and poet… some people might say they don’t like his music or don’t even know it; but if you listen, look at the lyrics and learn the timeline of his life and music, you will have a new appreciation for the history of music and what it is today.
Lauren says
Wow, that is truly a sign of a great restaurant. And I have a feeling you guys will definitely be back, so it was totally worth it for them to be so hospitable.
Hillary says
I totally hear you on missing formal workouts. Mine have suffered since my grad school summer semester started up again; it’s so hard to find time in the day to do everything you want to do!
anna says
I got good at counting money/doing math on a tired, malnourished brain by working at a bread shop! (well, I wouldn’t say I’m good at it… maybe used to it) I hear you on the frustration when you come up short!
And wow, what an amazing encounter with the free deliciousness. What nice people 🙂
Christine @ Burning It Off says
What is wrong with the people at that party leaving all that delicious food behind?? Oh well, score for you guys lol…
Sarah says
How awesome is that?! Some of the food looked like it wasn’t even touched! Hard to believe, since the food looked absolutely delicious.
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Those roasted veggies look amazing!
Hooray for free food and awesome hospitality!
C’ville looks like Asheville to me. 🙂
(is that a fair comparison? I’ve never been to C’ville, but love Asheville and used to live there. They seems to have very similar vibes…).
~
Julie says
enjoyed the use of the term snick-snack in this post. thought I was the only one that used it!
Meg says
A belated congrats for opening the bakery- I can’t wait to come down sometime soon 🙂
Erica says
I must say that I love being able to “watch”, err read, your adventures in business! From the site selection to the grand opening and beyond, it’s been a pleasure to follow along. Keep up all the great, and HARD, work you two! I see great things in your future:-)
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That’s a story book ending: Free party food after a long day! How awesome is THAT? Very. 🙂 It looked delish.
So glad you’re enjoying one of the greatest times in your life!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
What timing! That all looks delicious.
P4St chef says
Nope, no cheese in the hummus
Lara @ Treslala says
Any chance you’d share a bit of the recipe? 🙂
Becky says
My husband and ate here last Sunday! We got the Black Eyed Pea hummus also and loved it! We came in from Columbus OH to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and reading your blog inspired us to stay in Charlottesville for a night. What a great town! I can see why you love it so much!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
What great timing! I can’t believe you guys got all that for free!
Marjie says
Silly question:
The roasted veggies, were they served cold.
The reason for this silly question; i LOVE cold roasted veggies and thought of serving them along side other un-roasted veggies at my daughters wedding reception but did not know if it was ok to serve them cold/room temp. I want to serve them just like shown in your picture also with hummus, cheeses, fruit etc.
KathEats says
Yes, they were cold and still good!
Lara @ Treslala says
Aaaaah! I simply cannot stand for you going to all these amazing restaurants, in my favorite town, that I don’t even know exist! WHY don’t I live in C’ville anymore?!?! Definitely need to plan a trip to visit — sad that I missed my 10 yr reunion this weekend… (PS – How was Reunions weekend for the bakery? Any drunken UVA Alum looking for bread?!? Ha!)
KathEats says
No drunks that I saw 🙂
Meredith says
I’ve only eaten at P4St once but it is definitely a new fave! I’m so glad you had Sarah – <3 her! She always had the best wine recommendations when it was Enoteca! (most of the staff is the same)
I also didn't realize the name is a song! I guess that's not too surprising since it's owned by the town "music mogul" 🙂 You should check it out on some Thursdays when Sam Wilson is playing acoustic guitar (if you like live music), it definitely adds to the atmosphere!
KathEats says
I love live music 🙂
jenna k says
those pictures remind me of downtown knoxville!