About Basics
Since 1997.
“Basic Necessities is an off-beat café, wine and cheese shop nestled in the Rockfish Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Nellysford, Virginia. Since 1997 we've been offering what many call ‘a taste of Europe in the Blue Ridge Mountains.’”
The name?
Why “Basic Necessities.”
“We're often asked about the cumbersome name. When Kay returned to Virginia after over ten years in Paris, she first settled in the tiny town of Nellysford, which then (as now) had no traffic light. A far cry from Paris. Finding no good bread, wine, cheese or chocolate (the basic necessities of life) and used to the abundance of Paris, she decided to do something about it. A little magic was created and the rest is history. We're proud to say, more than two decades later, we're still going strong.”
The philosophy
Slow food, on purpose.
“We, at Basics, adhere very much to the Slow Food Movement. We believe in meals made from scratch. Our dinners take a bit longer, but sit back, relax, and breath deeply a few times. You’ll feel yourself slowing down and be grateful. Have some wine and bread, and we’ll present you with beautifully prepared food. We don’t turn tables so we won’t kick you out. Unless it’s past our bedtimes, and in that case, we might hand you the keys.”
“We strive to use local, seasonal and pesticide-free farm products, sourcing seasonal produce from local farms such as Blue Heron Farm, Little Hat Creek Farm, Whisper Hill Farm and Edible Landscaping. Basic Necessities is also committed to serving free-range, humanely-treated meat, sourced from careful farmers at places such as River Oak Farm and Double H Farm.”
The People of Basics
Around the table.
Owner and Founder
Kay Pfaltz
Owner
Sallie Justice
Owner
Rosie Gantt
Manager and Chef
Mae Collins Tyree
Manager and Chef
Angela Faris
Sous Chef and Baker
Vera Miller
Basic's Wine Maven
Kay Pfaltz.
Kay took her first wine course at twenty, in Paris — and by her own telling it began “a life-long love affair with France and with wine.” She lived off and on in Paris for fourteen years, completed her doctorate from King’s College in London, and for eight years taught an elementary wine tasting course in Paris.
“Ever Wednesday (full) and every other Tuesday (open) at 4 pm, Kay holds an informal wine tasting on the enclosed back porch of Basic Necessities. Locals and tourists alike gather around one of the six tables covered by Provençal tablecloths and learn the intricacies of wine. Call for a reservation, space is limited.”
Kay is also known locally as a writer — her books include Flash's Song and Lauren's Story, and her novel The Things We Do was published in 2017.
Close to home, close to the earth
The vendors behind the food.
“Basic Necessities has sourced its offerings close to home, close to the earth, for over 20 years. Meals focus on seasonal, local, and organic foodstuffs.” The local vendors they depend on:
- Caromont Farms cheese
- Gearhart's Chocolates chocolates
- Peg's Salt
- Albemarle Baking Company artisan breads, pastries, desserts
- Hudson Henry Baking granola
- Edible Landscaping fruit and more
- Peak Mountain Vanilla organic, fair trade, double strength
- River Oak Farm chicken, pigs
- Trager Brothers Coffee Roasters local organic coffee
- Virginia Vinegar Works
- Virginia Chutney Company
- Whisper Hill Farm
“And, not as local, but oh so good...” — Ethereal Confections, Raaka Chocolate, and Undone Chocolate.
How to find us
Down the hill, behind the car wash.
“The building is not easily seen from the highway. Look for the car wash, then down the hill behind it with the hardware store to the left.”
“There is plenty of parking available, in front as well as around back.”
2226 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford, VA 22958 · 434-361-1766
Reservations