Snider Brothers Greenhouse Bus
Alfedo's Honey
Sullivan's Pond Farm featuring goat cheese and eggs
And Pizza Tonight with their mobile brick oven
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A February South-er of the James Market
We returned to the winter version of SOJ yesterday to find several vendors including:
Snider Brothers Greenhouse Bus
Alfedo's Honey
Sullivan's Pond Farm featuring goat cheese and eggs
And Pizza Tonight with their mobile brick oven
Snider Brothers Greenhouse Bus
Alfedo's Honey
Sullivan's Pond Farm featuring goat cheese and eggs
And Pizza Tonight with their mobile brick oven
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Something New
At least for me. A couple of weeks ago we went to Acacia and ate at the bar (our favorite spot is the bar). While hubby indulged in a couple of craft cocktails, I was on the wagon this evening. (Sigh...)
Anyway, as I perused the menu, I decided to try something new. Keep in mind, I am not a fish fan and this was an incredibly bold step for me. I ordered the marinated white anchovies with wilted radicchio and romaine. What I had envisioned was a salad. What I received was art.
But a bit overwhelming with the multitude of little fishes. The bitterness of the radicchio with the vinaigrette and the anchovies paired very well together. Afterwards, however, I could really taste the fish. Anyone who likes fish would have drooled over this dish. And I ate every bit of it. But my flirtation with anchovies is over.
For the next course, I stuck to the small plate listing and ordered something that I knew would make me happy: Duck confit with roasted potatoes and butternut squash topped with an egg.
Oh so, so good. While I don't make this at home, I still consider it comfort food.
On this night we splurged on dessert: salted chocolate torte with chocolate ganache, carmelized banana, and brown butter ice cream.
Dreamy and delicious. The tiny addition of the salt made the sweet concoction even better. Hubby enjoyed it with a glass of tawny port.
Anyway, as I perused the menu, I decided to try something new. Keep in mind, I am not a fish fan and this was an incredibly bold step for me. I ordered the marinated white anchovies with wilted radicchio and romaine. What I had envisioned was a salad. What I received was art.
But a bit overwhelming with the multitude of little fishes. The bitterness of the radicchio with the vinaigrette and the anchovies paired very well together. Afterwards, however, I could really taste the fish. Anyone who likes fish would have drooled over this dish. And I ate every bit of it. But my flirtation with anchovies is over.
For the next course, I stuck to the small plate listing and ordered something that I knew would make me happy: Duck confit with roasted potatoes and butternut squash topped with an egg.
Oh so, so good. While I don't make this at home, I still consider it comfort food.
On this night we splurged on dessert: salted chocolate torte with chocolate ganache, carmelized banana, and brown butter ice cream.
Dreamy and delicious. The tiny addition of the salt made the sweet concoction even better. Hubby enjoyed it with a glass of tawny port.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday Brunch at Lulu's
After wandering down to Great Shiplock Park, we needed sustenance. We tried to visit Aziza's on Main. Alas, no lunch service on Saturday (one day I will eat at this place!). After looking at a few other places, we decided to head for Lulu's and were extremely pleased that they were serving brunch on Saturday.
We perused the menu and both ordered the same thing: Paco's Barnyard Romance - two chicken tamales, fried eggs, salsa verde. The tamales were nestled amid black beans and the over easy eggs covered fried potatoes.
SO GOOD! The egg yolks added decadent richness and the touch of salsa verde added the zing that put the dish over the top.
We perused the menu and both ordered the same thing: Paco's Barnyard Romance - two chicken tamales, fried eggs, salsa verde. The tamales were nestled amid black beans and the over easy eggs covered fried potatoes.
SO GOOD! The egg yolks added decadent richness and the touch of salsa verde added the zing that put the dish over the top.
Korean Garden
On Friday we found ourselves south of the river and I insisted that we try Korean Garden. The last time I was in this building it was a Red Lobster (yes, I know, I'm showing my age). We arrived early to a nearly empty restaurant, but as the evening progressed more diners entered.
The menu offered Korean specialties as well as traditional Japanese dishes and sushi. But we came for the Korean dishes. Since we had a hard time deciding we ordered some steamed dumplings and hot tea to start. The dumpling wrappers were delicate and filled with beef. Our waitress, dressed in a traditional outfit of red and black, realized we still had problems deciding and suggested that we order Bul Gogi, one beef and one spicy pork. We readily agreed. Both dishes featured thinly sliced seasoned meat. With the Korean BBQ dishes a bevy of traditional side dishes accompany the meal as well as rice and lettuce leaves. To eat the meat, one takes a lettuce leaf, spreads a bit of flavorful paste on the leaf, adds a dollop of rice, and then some of the meat. Wrap the leaf around everything and consume. The lettuce was red leaf and of high quality - no bad spots or blemishes. Very delicious.
The side dishes were small but numerous and featured spicy hot, vinegary/sour, sweet, and salty as well as steamed eggs with a bit of green onion. My favorites were the radish in a sweet/sour vinegar, seaweed, noodles, and kimchi. Hubby liked the bean sprouts, the black beans, and the radish. Anchovy slivers were also served and we tried them, but they were not as appealing to us.
We were clumsy in making our wraps, but enjoyed the food and the different flavors immensely. The wait staff brought more lettuce as we continued to devour our meat. The meat portions were big with the side dishes being small and served family style.
A tasty evening. The little side dishes were the surprise of the evening and gave us a peek into the flavors of this cuisine. In the back of the building is a Korean market with a wide variety of items including big jars of kimchi.
Korean Garden
6827 Midlothian Tnpk
Richmond, VA
804.675.0511
The menu offered Korean specialties as well as traditional Japanese dishes and sushi. But we came for the Korean dishes. Since we had a hard time deciding we ordered some steamed dumplings and hot tea to start. The dumpling wrappers were delicate and filled with beef. Our waitress, dressed in a traditional outfit of red and black, realized we still had problems deciding and suggested that we order Bul Gogi, one beef and one spicy pork. We readily agreed. Both dishes featured thinly sliced seasoned meat. With the Korean BBQ dishes a bevy of traditional side dishes accompany the meal as well as rice and lettuce leaves. To eat the meat, one takes a lettuce leaf, spreads a bit of flavorful paste on the leaf, adds a dollop of rice, and then some of the meat. Wrap the leaf around everything and consume. The lettuce was red leaf and of high quality - no bad spots or blemishes. Very delicious.
The side dishes were small but numerous and featured spicy hot, vinegary/sour, sweet, and salty as well as steamed eggs with a bit of green onion. My favorites were the radish in a sweet/sour vinegar, seaweed, noodles, and kimchi. Hubby liked the bean sprouts, the black beans, and the radish. Anchovy slivers were also served and we tried them, but they were not as appealing to us.
We were clumsy in making our wraps, but enjoyed the food and the different flavors immensely. The wait staff brought more lettuce as we continued to devour our meat. The meat portions were big with the side dishes being small and served family style.
A tasty evening. The little side dishes were the surprise of the evening and gave us a peek into the flavors of this cuisine. In the back of the building is a Korean market with a wide variety of items including big jars of kimchi.
Korean Garden
6827 Midlothian Tnpk
Richmond, VA
804.675.0511
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Good Morning!
Still Life (detail) Elizabeth V. O. Paxton (American 20th century), The White Coffee Pot. Oil on canvas, from the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington State, located in the Columbia River Gorge.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Dinner at Chez Foushee
Last Friday we were on the prowl for dinner. We had attended the ArtWorks 4th Friday. It was a bit late. We really wanted to go to Cafe Rustica, but they were packed. We jaunted up a bit further to check out Bistro 27. Closed for a private function (wow! on a Friday). We had recently dined at Tarrant's. As we trudged back to the car, we came across Chez Foushee. I knew this weekday lunch and catering establishment had begun opening for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, but I had no real interest. We had eaten lunch here many years ago and was not enthused. The hype outranked the substance. But tonight, it was cold and we were ready to eat and they had a table available.
First up, a Cava Cocktail: Canton Bamboo - crystallized ginger and cognac ginger liqueur. The ginger added that subtle heat for a cold winter night. So far, so good.
We ordered Pork and Shrimp Pot Stickers with Tonkatsu Sauce to enjoy with our ginger-enhanced cocktail. Great pairing. More pork-like than shrimp-like. I really liked the sauce.
The wine list was short, but reasonable. Nothing over $30 and all of the wine selections were available by the glass. We selected a Ferraton Côtes du Rhône.
For dinner hubby had the Grilled Salmon Steak with potato gnocchi, oregano vinaigrette, and beet root coulis. Pretty grilled presentation and quite tasty. The potato gnocchi was the absolute bomb.
I, of course, had to order Braised Duck Shank with winter fruit compote and potato gnocchi. Fall off the bone duck with a spiced fruit sauce. I love duck and this dish was perfect for a cold winter evening. If I had been at home I would have picked up the bones and scarfed up all of the delightful meaty morsels that still had the tenacity to cling.
On this night Chez Foushee did not disappoint. I like the dining area with the bi-level dining spaces. Being in a older building also lends charm and character to the experience. They also offer a $25 prix fixe on Friday and Saturday nights.
First up, a Cava Cocktail: Canton Bamboo - crystallized ginger and cognac ginger liqueur. The ginger added that subtle heat for a cold winter night. So far, so good.
We ordered Pork and Shrimp Pot Stickers with Tonkatsu Sauce to enjoy with our ginger-enhanced cocktail. Great pairing. More pork-like than shrimp-like. I really liked the sauce.
The wine list was short, but reasonable. Nothing over $30 and all of the wine selections were available by the glass. We selected a Ferraton Côtes du Rhône.
For dinner hubby had the Grilled Salmon Steak with potato gnocchi, oregano vinaigrette, and beet root coulis. Pretty grilled presentation and quite tasty. The potato gnocchi was the absolute bomb.
I, of course, had to order Braised Duck Shank with winter fruit compote and potato gnocchi. Fall off the bone duck with a spiced fruit sauce. I love duck and this dish was perfect for a cold winter evening. If I had been at home I would have picked up the bones and scarfed up all of the delightful meaty morsels that still had the tenacity to cling.
On this night Chez Foushee did not disappoint. I like the dining area with the bi-level dining spaces. Being in a older building also lends charm and character to the experience. They also offer a $25 prix fixe on Friday and Saturday nights.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Pot Rack!
In the forever continuing saga of kitchen renovation: pot rack installation. Williams Sonoma was having a sweet sale on this Eclune model.
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