Magpie Pictorial

Last week we had dinner at the Magpie. This lovely spot in Carver continues to produce tasty morsels. We particularly like the small plates.

In Fashion Cocktail - an updated Old Fashioned

Wild Boar Hushpuppies with Rosemary Oil, Honey, and Pomegranate

Butternut Squash Gnocchi - tossed with cinnamon and served with a slightly sweet sauce - almost dessert!

A cozy, delicious evening

Farewell Smokey Pig

The Smokey Pig in Ashland serves up BBQ for the last time on August 29. I will miss the NC style minced smokey goodness and the hushpuppies.

That'll do pig.

Pescados China Street

Despite the downpour last night, Pescados China Street was bright. Of course, you can't miss the building.

But the decor is also eye popping. Bright blue walls, red tables, yellow chairs and booths. Folks gathered in shorts and flip-flops drinking PBRs from a can. Colorful and laid back. A welcome scene after a week of hard work.

We arrived during happy hour and while we did not order any of the happy hour drinks, we did order the $4 appetizer specials. Lobster hushpuppies

and Shrimp Nachos.

Both were extraordinarily good. The puppies did have a bit of lobster in them. They were crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and just a tad sweet. A lime cream and a hot pepper cream were zigzagged on the sides for dipping. We liked the hot pepper one the best. The nachos were blue corn chips, melted cheese, shrimp "bits," shredded cabbage, and pico de gallo. The shrimp "bits" were more like very large grilled shrimp chopped into thirds. I could tell it was shrimp and my mouth kept exclaiming Mmmmm!

While I scarfed up nachos, my hubby ordered the special: Swordfish with Queso Fresco/Scallion Potato Mash and Yellow Gazpacho.

He was quite pleased with his order, too. We washed everything down with a pitcher of red sangria - not too sweet but just enough fruitiness.

We are very happy that Pescados is now north of the river.

Temple, Gardens, and BBQ

Last Thursday was a very interesting day (after work, mind you). I visited the Sai Baba Temple in Goochland with a couple of friends. Very fascinating.

I then headed over to Lewis Ginter. They were open until 9 PM with jazz in the gardens. Lots of lovely flowers.

On the way home I stopped by Virginia BBQ on Lakeside.

They were out of ribs (darn!). I took home a 1/2 pint of NC BBQ pork and an order of hush puppies. The BBQ sported a wonderful vinegar sauce, but did not exude an abundance of smokiness. The hush puppies were good, but very tiny. Calling this a side order was a bit of a stretch. I would consider visiting occasionally, and I still want to try the ribs, but this would not be my must-have BBQ.