Against the background of the Higher Grounds' stucco walls, a tall man donned in paint-stained overalls conversed with another man in an expensive black wool parka half his size. At this restaurant, people from different backgrounds interact and enjoy the West Coast atmosphere.
Higher Grounds, located in an obscure corner of York Place at the Downtown Mall, is a restaurant home to the community at large, according to Joe Trager, one of three restaurant owners, who all hail from Seattle.
"We cater to everybody, and that's what's great about it," Trager said.
The influence of West Coast culture is evident from the moment one first walks into Higher Grounds.
The restaurant's food complements the laid-back, free-loving hippie persona of Higher Grounds.
Although the menu often incorporates frequent minor variations, its staples include ham and cheese omelets with potatoes and toast ($5.00), breakfast burritos with potatoes, and waffles ($3.00) for breakfast.
For lunch, various sandwiches (listed as 'panini') are offered, including the delicious, fresh dorsal sandwich, which includes Virginia ham, roasted green peppers and fontina.
|
While the food may be great, patrons need a day planner to remember Higher Grounds' highly unusual hours. Sundays the restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Mondays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours lengthen as the week progresses -- 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Customers seeking dinner need to wait until the spring months. Dinner is then only served on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch is offered the rest of the week.
The dinners, which are offered beginning April 14th, and will feature southern California-style Mexican food, according to Soren Mitchell, one of the owners.
The dinner menu is different from last year and has a Mexican flair. The price for dinner ranges from $7-12.
Breakfast and lunch is typically $5-7. Another unique characteristic of this West Coast oasis is the method of payment. Tax is automatically calculated in the prices, so patrons pay the exact price listed on the menu.
"I think we're the only restaurant on the East Coast that does this," Trager said.
In addition, the restaurant offers over 23 coffee drinks, the best of which rival Starbucks and Espresso Corner in quality and quantity.
"In D.C., all you can get is Starbucks. I love coming [to] Higher Grounds. The coffee is the only decent [coffee] in Charlottesville," Dee said.
Read More
Cooking, my mother’s love language
By Emilie Kim | YesterdayDespite our different temperaments, my mother and I understand each other perfectly through the language of food.
A bite of home at Barbie’s Burrito Barn
By Sophie Guettel | 2 days agoBarbie’s Burrito Barn is more than just a restaurant — it is a testament to the dreams and hard work of its owner.
The fluffiest Swedish coffee bread
By Finn Trainer | 3 days agoWith its semi-sweet flavor and cloud-like texture, this Swedish coffee bread is a calming, delicious treat to enjoy this finals season.
