River City Food and Wine

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Fried Chicken Night at Comfort

Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans by pjpink

Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

I think the picture says it all. Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. Available at Comfort.

Haiku Sushi

Haiku Sushi is now open in Shockoe Bottom. We went a few weeks ago and had a delicious time.

The new restaurant inhabits the space that was one Sensei. Vestiges of the old decor now mixes with the new.

The owners of Haiku have (or had - not sure of the details) a connection with Eat Partners and parts of the regular menu resemble offerings from Wild Ginger or Osaka. But Haiku also presents a secondary menu listing 30 different rolls. Wow! What a quandary. So many choices.

We opted to order a bottle of wine - Roza Ridge Cabernet from Washington State

and Steamed Spicy Pork Dumplings while we made decisions on which rolls to try.

I fell in love with the dumplings. The dumpling skin was thin which thrilled me. So many places use a thick, bland skin that fills me up, but does not satisfy. The pork filling was tasty and the soy-based sauce, delicious.

And then it was roll time. We splurged and ordered two rolls each. We were not disappointed and left quite full. One of the things I generally get at a sushi restaurant is yellowtail sashimi; sometimes with rice, sometimes not. Haiku did me one better with the Silk Road Roll - spicy tuna topped with yellowtail and avocado and served with a wasabi mayo. I really got the best of all worlds. I could pull the yellowtail out and eat as is while enjoying the rest of the item as a true roll.

I also had the Shockoe Roll - spicy shrimp topped with avocado and beet. Yummy!

Hubby went with the Sleepy Hollow Roll - tempura shrimp, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, spicy kani as well as the Friday Roll - a tuna, goat cheese, and avocado roll tempura fried. Both were delicious. It's recommended to eat the Friday Roll first to enjoy the warm goat cheese.

I'm glad that Haiku Sushi has opened. They are closer to my abode than either Wild Ginger or Osaka, and I am a fan of the myriad choices in rolls.

Friday, August 09, 2013

The Green Fairy - I Dare You

The Green Fairy a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

Ah Absinthe. That seducing green liqueur. I am fascinated by the myth and tales of over-indulgence unto death, even. I tackled the fairy during a soiree at my humble abode a while ago. We drank Death in the Afternoon, a simple concoction of sparkling wine and absinthe. The next day I called it Death the Next Afternoon. I may have looked a bit green even.

However, for those of you uninitiated Amuse is able to serve the green nectar to you and three friends in the proper setting with a cube of sugar and a slow drip of water via a lovely apparatus designed just for said purpose. Make sure you are either walking home, engaging a designated driver, or employing a taxi.

Cheers!

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

BBQ, Green Beans, and Potato Cake from King's

BBQ Green Beans Potato Cake a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

While I don't get to Petersburg often, I do like stopping into King's Famous Bar-B-Q for sliced pork. The pork plate is served with your choice of sides along with biscuits and hush puppies. The homemade potato cake was very tasty. And the barbecue has that wonderful smoked-pink tint that makes the eating a joyously delicious occasion.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Deep Run Roadhouse Ribs

Deep Run Roadhouse Ribs a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

Ribs from Deep Run Roadhouse were quite satisfying after a long day trip out of town. While they may not be the best ribs in town, they were enjoyable.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Bacon Cheeseburger at Saison

Bacon Cheeseburger a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

I've come across quite a few tasty burgers in this town. Saison is now tops on my list. Ground sirloin with fixins, including pickled onions (a big fave). I recommend adding smoked Cheddar and bacon for an unbelievable experience. The fries are pretty damned good too. To add even more joy, wine is half off on Wednesdays!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Carolina Cheer at Amuse

Amuse a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

What a wonderful summer cocktail at Amuse. The Carolina Cheer features Bulleit Rye Whisky, Cheerwine reduction, Strega, lemon juice, and a splash of soda water. Mighty fine.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Pork Duo at Belmont Food Shop

Pork Duo a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

The Pork Duo at the Belmont Food Shop was heavenly when we dined in May. The quaint, tiny spot is worth the trip. Menu changes on a regular basis.

South of the James Market - Opening Day

I did make it to opening day at the South of the James Market, but was a bit delayed in posting photos. It was great to see the wide variety of vendors be it veteran suppliers or new ones.

Flickr has a group called Richmond Area Farmers Markets. Please add to the photos of your favorite area market.

In the meantime, enjoy some first day photos!

Tea Smoked Duck at Fat Dragon

Tea Smoked Duck a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

At Fat Dragon my experiences have been hit or miss. But the Tea Smoked Duck is the bomb. Go ahead and drool. And for a casual place that mainly focuses on draft brews, the wine service is stellar.

The Original Burger at Burger Bach

The Original Burger a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

Burger Bach cooks up some of the best burgers in town. A very tasty treat! Fries are good too.

Two Manhattans Straight Up

Two Manhattans Straight Up a photo by pjpink on Flickr.

The outdoor setting and these Manhattans were the best thing about Portico. Most of the food was decent, but did not wow. And my NY Strip was less than stellar - Half of it was medium rare (my desired temperature); the other half was well done. Unfortunately, I had tucked into the medium rare side first. To top it off, the wait staff was also a bit off. He did not listen to a specific, yet simple, request and did not ensure the request was honored. Portico is a bit of a drive for us and not necessarily worth it, despite the gorgeous outdoor setting.