One of the most common questions we get as we’re wrapping up the post flight toast is “Where should we go for some good eats?!” so we thought we’d give some direction!
Charlottesville, Virginia is not only an awesome place to go for a balloon ride, see historical sites, visit wineries, and enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, it’s also foodie heaven. There’s literally something for everyone. Over the next few months, we’re going to give you a rundown of some of our favorites, starting with breakfast.
**Disclaimer** When you fly with Blue Ridge Ballooning, you’ll find that we’re essentially simple folks, and our dining recommendations will reflect that! We love bagels, burgers, wings and beer with the occasional salad thrown in for good measure. We typically eat out on a budget, so we might not be able to give the best input on the fancy schmancy places, but just for you we’ll do our very best! :)
Okay, disclaimer aside, time to get down to business. Joining us for a sunrise flight means getting out of bed at zero-dark-thirty, rolling on up to the meeting place either mostly bleary-eyed or with a steaming Starbucks in hand, and wondering where the on-board bathroom is. Since sunrise is truly the very best time to fly in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s nothing we can do to change the early-ness of the meeting time. But we can help when, 3 hours later, you’ve worked up a monster appetite and you can’t decide whether you want breakfast for lunch because even though it’s only 0900 you have already had a full day’s worth of fun!! That’s when we’ll tell you what all the locals would say… GO TO TIP TOP!!
Tip Top?! Seriously?! Yep. Trust us. Tip Top restaurant is the place to go for great food, great service, and a great view! We have spent many mornings at Tip Top laughing and talking with pilots, crew, and passengers after flights, and we wouldn’t want you to miss the fun! Locally owned and operated, Tip Top is your typical diner style restaurant that serves up fluffy pancakes, hot coffee, and the some of the best French Toast we’ve ever had. For a sampling of their menu and information on hours and location, visit their website at www.tiptoprestaurant.com
The only caveat about Tip Top… if you’re going on a weekend morning, be prepared to wait a few minutes, it’s that popular. But don’t worry, they’re good about quick turnover, and since they expanded their dining room, the wait isn’t usually too bad. And it’s worth it, we promise. :)
