Starting January the Right Way with Dutch and Company

On the first day it snowed in 2013 we thanked the goddesses that the month before we experienced balmy spring-like weather and that the roads were clear. Hubby and I had discussed when we could try Dutch and Company. All of RVA had been waiting for it to open. We knew the place would be rocking. On the first day it snowed in 2013 we arrived at 5:15 PM.

Dutch and Company in Church Hill

A couple of tables were already settled in. The decor featured cozy lighting with a number of mirrors along the wall to project warmth. I liked the little "Dutch" touches: a bouquet of tulips in a colorful pitcher, reproductions of stamps from the Netherlands to mark the bathroom entrances, and vintage prints of Holland scenes.

The mirrors are a nice touch

The Gents

A few folks were at the bar. We wanted to sit at the bar and converse and observe/admire Michelle, our all-time favorite bartender. She's thoughtful, quiet, and meticulous; and Michelle can make a myriad of awesome libations. We ended up with a Sunday Paper and Honest to Goodness.

Sunday Paper:  Chartreuse rinse,  Wild Turkey Rye, Hennesey VS Cognac, gomme syrup (simple syrup made from gum arabic),  Fee Brothers old fashioned bitters, lemon twist

Honest to Goodness: Hendricks Gin, cucumber ginger ice cubes, Angostura bitters, tonic water 

As we enjoyed our cocktails and perused the menu, Michelle pointed out the "Jib" board - a blackboard containing the evenings snacks at $5 each. These snacks can change daily. Our board boasted the likes of smoked salmon rillette, chicken liver terrine, and Anderson Neck oysters. The menu features seasonal items and can change frequently. Of course, everything should be delicious since Caleb is in the kitchen. While we are not familiar with Phillip, I'm sure he is top-notch, as well and we probably enjoyed many of his dishes at his former place of employment (Acacia). We discovered the prix-fixe for $28: choose any appetizer, any entree, and any dessert. The prix-fixe is available every evening, all evening. A wonderful value and we took advantage of it.

The wine list is small, but offers a variety with some off-beat selections as well. We chose a Chatter Creek Nebbiolo from Washington State. An unusual grape variety for the region, but smooth and satisfying. The other great thing about the wine was the service. While most restaurants in RVA do not replenish the wine as the evening goes on, Dutch and Company did. I highly value the service (which should be an expectation, not an anomaly). While wine by the bottle may not be the usual order for most tables, if Richmond really wants to be on the national food map, service needs to be stepped up a notch. Kudos to Dutch and Company for its attention to detail.

Chatter Creek Nebbiolo with a glass cap

For dinner we started with the Pork and Squash Rillette and the Malted Barley Porridge.

A divine start to the evening: Pork and Winter Squash Rillette with Honey Roasted Pecans, Pickled Squash, and Pig Skin Cornbread. While pork rillette tends to be extremely rich, the squash toned down the richness while adding to the flavor. 

Malted Barley Porridge with Smoked Maitake Mushrooms, Roasted Pear,  Kale, and Almond Cream.  Probably the only porridge dish in RVA. Lots of textures and flavors that evoke a cozy winter evening.

For the entree we both delighted in the Hangar Steak.

Hangar Steak (medium rare) with Bone Marrow Twice-Baked Potato, Bitter Greens, and Herb Sauce. A wonderful dish. The marrow added an enormous amount of richness to the potato. The Herb Sauce was fresh and packed with garlic.

For dessert hubby opted for the Winter's Honey Pot and I enjoyed the Stroopwafel.

Winter's Honey Pot: Warm Milk and Honey, Pound Cake, Lavender Ice Cream, Citrus, and Candied Nuts. Dutch and Company secured a number of vintage honey pots for presentation. We lucked out with our Winnie the Pooh pot. A creative and delicious concoction.

Stroopwafel with Caramel and Vanilla Ice Cream. Stroopwafel is a Dutch treat.. Two wafer-like cookies with caremel sandwiched in between. A simple, yet satisfying dessert.

We ended with coffee for hubby and Strega for me. It would be difficult not to indulge in one of the numerous Amari that Dutch and Company offers. As I began to sip my digestif we noticed that the dining room was packed and folks were standing at the bar with drinks, waiting for a table. Earlier in the evening Michelle had pointed out the "Champagne Room." A cozy little spot with end table, lamp, a couple of chairs. This spot is the "lounge" outside of the bathrooms. With all of the new patrons coming in, we moved our after dinner beverages to this quiet area to relax and watch diners enjoying their evening.

Coffee at the bar

As we left we walked by the big storefront window featuring the kitchen to appreciate the art and craftsmanship of providing delicious food. The only thing that could be improved upon is if there were a huge picture window between the dining room and the kitchen for diners to admire the workings of the kitchen. Of course, then we would be torn as to where to sit. At the bar to watch cocktails being crafted or at a table to see meals being prepared.

Kitchen scene

Chef Caleb

We had a lovely experience. I wish Dutch and Company much success. I look forward to enjoying more great food and beverages in the very near future.

Little House Green Grocery

Little House Green Grocery has opened and is packed with all manner of goods. I visited right before Christmas. I am so happy that this adorable storefront is within walking distance! While fresh items will vary depending on the season, dry goods are also offered as well as cheese and other dairy products, meats including pork from Polyface Farm and chicken from Harmony Hills, and natural skin-care items.They even carry food for dogs and cats.

I ended up with pork loin from Polyface Farm for a dinner party I am hosting soon.

Check out Little House Green Grocery soon and often. While there if you have suggestions or a wish list, let them know. They truly want to serve the community.

Best of luck to the new business in the area!

A Well-deserved Elby Nod for Tastebuds American Bistro

Yes, I am biased. Tastebuds American Bistro is still my favorite Richmond Restaurant. I am very, very happy they have garnered an Elby nomination for Best Neighborhood Restaurant by Richmond Magazine.

Here are some reasons why it should be your neighborhood restaurant if you are a Northsider and why it should be your go-to restaurant if you live elsewhere in RVA.

• If you live in or around Bellevue, you can walk!
• And you may want to walk if you enjoying imbibing beer, wine, or cocktails. There are always a few independent draft beers. While the wine list is small, no bottle is over $40 and the selection is very good. Most cocktails are $8 or under and Andrew continually comes up with weekly specials that delight. The latest was Santa's Helper with Belevedere Intense Vodka, Rhuby, muddled blackberries, and a splash of lemon. For dessert, try the Irish Coffee. It comes deconstructed so you can combine according to your preferences.
• Great Salmon! At least my hubby can attest to this. I am not a salmon fan, so I respect his opinion. While the sauce and accompaniments change up with the seasons, there is always salmon on the menu. Since we eat here at least once a month, you might think hubby would tire of the fish, but he always has the dilemma of whether to order the salmon (because it is so good) or something else.
• Duck Spring Rolls with a Pear Dipping Sauce. This is my favorite app. Yummy!
• Specials. Tastebuds features a special starter and a number of entree specials every week. Both of us are fans of the Wiener Schnitzel. Sign up for their email list or follow them on Facebook or Tumblr.
• Everyone who has eaten here with me has enjoyed it. My parents, my boss, friends, etc. Because of the consistency of the food and the variety of the food, it offers something for all tastes (even my friend who wants two desserts instead of an entree!).
• Make reservations via Open Table.
• Brunch. Earlier this year Tastebuds American Bistro began serving brunch. The Roasted Butternut Squash, Apple, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Crepe with Ancho-Maple Syrup is freakin' awesome!
• And finally, the hospitality of Andrew and Valentina really transform this eating establishment into an inviting place to be. They know the neighborhood and greet regulars warmly. For newcomers, the gracious reception and the wonderful food have folks gushing by the end of the evening.

If you haven't given this neighborhood gem a try, start the New Year off right with a trip to the Northside.

As usual I have a variety of photos that I hope you enjoy.

Salmon

Duck Spring Rolls

Prosciutto-wrapped Shrimp - Appetizer Special

Irish Coffee

Butter Almond Cookies and Pear Sorbet

Vesper Martini

Trefethen Merlot

Wiener Schnitzel

Tin Barn Cab

Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad with Pickled Onions

Santa's Helper

Roasted Butternut Squash Crepe

A lovely place to dine.

Congrats to Tastebuds American Bistro!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

Have a wonderful holiday! May you enjoy good friendships and family, good times, good food, and good drink!

Congrats to Deco Ristorante

Deco Ristorante earned an Elby nod for best new restaurant yesterday. (See the entire list here.) We dined at Deco a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the following:

Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar to enjoy with bread

An inexpensive fruity red for dinner

A favorite! Fried Fresh Mozzarella with sauce. We have to order this every time. So yummy!

The special of the evening: Penne a la Vodka with Grilled Chicken Breast. The chicken was a bit dry, but the pasta was divine. Enough to take home for leftovers and add a bit of Sausage Craft sausage to the mix. 

Kudos to Deco! Thanks for providing us with a taste of Sicily.

Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Duck at Heritage

Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Duck a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

Lots have been written about Heritage with all kinds of deserving praise. Dana Craig at RTD awarded the place a very rare 4 stars.

I want to focus on one dish that wowed me: Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Duck Confit, Pear, Scallion, and Pumpkin Seed Oil. A most awesome fall-into-winter dish. A bit spicy, a slight sweetness, and a whole heap of flavor. While the soup is a small portion, the complex flavors completely satisfy.

Heritage has other dishes that are lovely, too, along with an enticing cocktail list; but this soup is the dish for me.

Another Proper Pie Fan

I actually visited Proper Pie Co. within two weeks of their opening. It's been a while since I jumped on the newest trend. And I chose wisely. Cute place, a line out the door a tad after noon on a Sunday, and a growing dilemma on what to order as I approached the counter.

I decided to try a variety of items, staring with the Sausage Roll made with Sausage Craft goods. Loved the dough. Nice, light, flaky -  dare I say, dreamy. The sausage filling seemed a bit dense and  slightly dry. Both hubby and I craved some kind of sauce. We finally hit upon a bit of Dijon mustard.

We also tried the Chicken and Kumara pie. This pie was unbelievably wonderful. The crust had the right amount of stiffness and flakiness. The chicken and gravy reminded us of a perfect pot pie. The kumara is akin to a sweet potato, but does not have a sweet potato taste, more like a regular potato which added substance and intrigue to this most proper of savory pies. Yummy!

We rounded out our experience with a slice of Lemon Meringue pie. The pie was exceedingly tall with stiff meringue that sported a crunchy top. Not like my Mom's version that was more like spongy foam. I liked the crunchy stuff much better. The filling was interesting. If consumed with the meringue, there was no citrus tartness that I really enjoy in a pie. Very mild. If consumed without the topping, the tartness was just right for me. I liked that I could eat each section together or alone and have differing taste sensations.

All in all. Well done. I'm a fan.

I snapped a number of photos.

While you are out and about, stop by and experience a Proper Pie for yourself.

The Last Regular SOJ Market for 2012

Even though it was the 1st of December plenty of vendors still showed up for the South of the James Market. Produce was plentiful as well as unique and colorful. And two new food trucks appeared: The Dog Wagon and Monique's Crepes. Hubby headed straight for a couple of dogs with the usual fixin's and I tried the Sasquatch savory crepe with acorn squash and sausage, drizzled with maple syrup. Yummy.

Once again my sincere appreciation goes out to all of the vendors. Hubby and I love going to the market every week.

Enjoy the photos. If you have photos of any of the local markets, post them here.

And never fear, the winter market has already started.

Shameless Plug

The December 2012 edition of Richmond Magazine is now available. Check out page 166. I have a brief take on soups from Brunswick Stew to Gumbo!

Check it out!

Virginia Bloggers at Flames 231

Back in October I participated in a Virginia Bloggers gathering at newly opened Flames 231. I met some lovely fellow-bloggers who are just as enthusiastic about photographing food as I am. Yeah! And I also enjoyed some very yummy food from the restaurant.

Flames 231 is located in Shockoe Bottom north of Broad Street in the revitalized Richmond Cold Storage buuilding. They serve a variety of Mediterranean-influenced items, including wood-fired pizzas. For this outing I had the Jabri Hummus accompanied by wood-fired flatbread. Lots of flavor and something I would definitely order again. I also had the Pugliese Pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, oregano, and onions. A stellar pizza. Flames 231 also serves paninis, pastas, and salads. I briefly saw the wine list and there were bottles I would order. The place has a full bar as well.

I want to thank Danny Taormina (executive chef) and The Firestarter Group for hosting us!

Below are a few photos of the event.

Flames 231 and the wood for the pizza oven

Interior of Flames 231

Danny Taormina

Our lovely waitress

Virginia Boggers

Fabulous Hummus

Flatbread for Hummus

Pugliese Pizza - Yummy!

I had a great time meeting folks and eating delicious food. And I will return in the near-future with hubby.

Note: The Firestarter Group provided the hummus for the table, but all other items were purchased by individual Virginia bloggers.