Corner Eats THE SMORGASBORD OF CULINARY CHOICES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE by Jennifer Hunter Although I could use this space to highlight many of O'Hill's redeeming qualities, I understand that sometimes it is necessary, and of course nice, to go out to eat. Because of its proximity to the university and considering first years' relative lack of transportation, the Corner is an excellent destination for food. With around 30 places to go that serve something to eat, the Corner offers a horde of dining opportunities, both new and old, popular and a bit off the track. Although the more well-known places are certainly good, my favorites are the ones that have yet to become tradition. Below is a rundown of both. The Traditional Choices You know that newspaper you got over the summer? The one that tells you all about what's happening at and around U.Va.? Well, the issue that I received proclaimed that a Bodo's would be opening soon on the Corner. That was three years ago. While it's not such a big deal to those living off-grounds with a car and thus access to the other Bodo's in Charlottesville, a Bodo's Bagels on the Corner will be a great thing for you rather immobile first years. Whenever I'm forced to buy a bagel somewhere else, I think fondly of Bodo's with its delicious bagels, cream cheeses, and sandwiches at very reasonable prices. The word is that the Corner location will open soon, probably sometime this semester. photos by Brett Lider I cannot really talk about traditional places to eat on the Corner without mentioning Littlejohn's -- it seems like a Corner staple. The restaurant serves mostly hot and cold sandwiches, but you can get the requisite drinks, sides, and desserts there as well. Its main selling point is that it's open 24 hours, and in fact it seems to be busiest late at night on the weekend. If you're in the mood for something a bit sweet, the chocolate chip muffin is gigantic and pretty darn tasty. Another great late-night stop is the White Spot, the greasy spoon of the Corner. At this small place you can get the basic hamburgers and grilled cheeses, but what they are most notorious for is the Gusburger. A hamburger with an egg on top, the Gusburger is also what I recommend: it's necessary for the full fattening, cholesterol-filled experience -- truly best late at night. It's something everyone should try at least once. Someplace you're certain to go more than once is Arch's. The Corner doesn't have a traditional ice cream shop, but what it does have is just as delicious. Arch's, a frozen yogurt place up 14th street, offers about five daily yogurt flavors and loads of different toppings. My all-time favorite is vanilla with brownies -- gooey, homemade brownie mush over simple vanilla yogurt -- quite heavenly. Or you can go for an Archer -- a serving of yogurt with predetermined sets of ingredients mixed in. With names like Enlightenment, Black Caesar, and The Arch Angel, they sound as good as they taste. But beware, even if you get in there 15 minutes before 11 p.m. (closing time), by the time you get up to the front of the line, they may have turned off the Archer machine, leaving you feeling a bit like Oliver Twist. A nice place to go for good American fare is the Biltmore Grill. They have soups, salads, pastas, chicken and the like -- at prices that aren't very high. The Biltmore is down Elliewood, the road that runs next to Mincer's. I like the California salad -- it comes with pieces of their pizza bread which are warm, fresh, and doughy. My Favorites A wonderful place for sandwiches called Take It Away is also down Elliewood. The best part is their fresh-baked bread, but the sandwich fixings are yummy too. Don't go looking for lettuce and tomato though -- the extra choices are cucumbers and sprouts. Although not as cheap as Bodo's, the sandwiches are good-sized and on Thursdays a student ID will get you a 10 percent discount. Not to be missed here are the bread ends -- a whole bag for just 50 cents -- good with or without the house dressing that's perfect for dipping. Right next to Arch's up 14th is a fairly new restaurant called Liquid. It's an open space with a few tables to sit at and a food menu consisting of several gourmet sandwiches and soups. When you're considering what to drink, however, the options are endless. Liquid specializes in smoothie-type drinks, and customers can choose from many concoctions or make up their own, adding fresh fruit and juices, sorbet, and any number of the many vitamin supplements offered. I went there feeling a bit under the weather one day and ordered a drink with orange juice and a general A-to-whatever vitamin mix -- I could have sworn I felt better that afternoon. Don't get me wrong though, Liquid is not just a place for health nuts -- the drinks are really good, and the fruit flavors literally dance around in your mouth. With all that goes into them, these smoothies are almost a meal, and with their steep prices (upwards of five dollars), they might not be an everyday purchase. But they're definitely worth a try. The last time I ate at Two Moons Kitchen was a warm, almost-summer afternoon this past spring. I dined with two good friends on Two Moons' "patio" right out in front of the restaurant, and it made a great spot for relaxing, talking, and people-watching. We all had different versions of a burrito-wrap type meal -- the menu offers little else -- and enjoyed the grilled meats and veggies that made them flavorful. Two Moons Kitchen seemed a funky place that might still be developing after only one or two years of service. Certainly a place worth checking out, warm summer afternoon or not. Saving the best for last, I must say that Cafe Europa is probably my favorite place to eat on the Corner. The sandwiches are wonderful and the french bread is amazing -- baked fresh everyday with an outside that's not too crusty or tough, an inside that's super soft. The bread is great with a bowl of their excellent tomato-basil soup on a chilly fall or winter afternoon. The various salads and pastas are well made, and Cafe Europa's muffins and other baked goods are worth the trip after an eight o'clock class. Keep an eye out for the unassuming front after you pass under the railroad track -- the food will be worth the lunchtime wait. Keep watching for more on the Corner; restaurants are always changing, exiting, and entering the Charlottesville market. Happy eating!

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