MarieBette Caf� and Bakery,
Charlottesville, Virginia
Europeans cherish breakfast and lunch. Ingredients are usually simple, fresh
from the local farm and cooked with a certain panache and casual elegance.
In a typical European town or village, the caf� or bakery is the center of
activity and bread buying is a daily ritual.
MarieBette Caf� and Bakery in Charlottesville,
Virginia, brings to mind the European dining experience. MarieBette has
become a very popular venue in its first year of operation.
Jason Becton and Patrick Evans, who met at the
International Culinary Center in New York, conceived MarieBette. Jason is
the chef and Patrick is the baker. They developed their culinary skills
through their experiences in Europe and their art backgrounds.
�Baking to me is an art form,� said Patrick, �and color
can be very tasty.� Each dish and pastry item I observed certainly seemed to
take on the characteristic of a work of art, very colorful and easy on the
eyes. Patrick grew up on a farm near Charlottesville, where family meals and
fresh ingredients were an important part of his childhood.
�Our food is ingredient-driven,� added Jason. �It is
simple and the dishes let the ingredients give the expression for the
dishes.�
When dining at a restaurant for the first time, I
usually know what my choice will be within a few seconds of seeing the menu.
At MarieBette, I wanted to try everything. Patrick suggested The Monroe,
which features caramelized onions, bacon and scrambled eggs. The second item
suggested was Stuffed French Toast, with banana cream cheese and Nutella
butter. This was absolutely one of the best breakfast dishes I have ever
tasted! For you egg fans, I would also suggest one of their baked egg
dishes, which is served in its own mini cast-iron skillet. For those who
prefer pastries and coffee, you may select an award-winning pastry with one
of the smoothest-tasting coffee brands I have ever enjoyed, called La
Colombe.
Between the breakfast and lunch menus, there were more
than 40 different items to tempt your palate. Lunch selections include
soups, salads, sandwiches and various plate lunches. Two of the entrees that
caught my attention were crab cakes and an item called Croque Madame. This
dish features ham, Gruy�re cheese, B�chamel sauce and a fried egg on top.
Europeans enjoy desserts and pastries at any time, and
MarieBette patrons can enjoy a great little strawberry tart or a delightful
Brioche Feuillet�e after breakfast or lunch! This unique pastry is flaky and
buttery with a filling-of-the-day such as hazelnut praline or orange vanilla
cream. And, of course, European influence means wine for lunch. There is a
nice selection from which to choose to accompany your entree. Bread is baked
daily, the entrees are fresh, and all offerings are prepared with great
attention to detail.
I have traveled frequently to several European
countries and can attest to the fact that Jason and Patrick have, indeed,
developed an authentic European culinary experience in the rolling hills of
Virginia.
MarieBette Caf� and Bakery
700 Rose Hill Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-529-6118 � www.mariebette.com
Hours:
Monday-Friday
