When you go into a restaurant on a Wednesday evening, and it's so full that people are crowded around the bar and spilling out the door waiting for a table, you know they are doing something right. Fortunately for us, we arrived at Comfort about 10 minutes before the big rush, that appeared to be the second wave of the dinner crowd. The smoking section was full, so we decided to eat at the bar, which I like doing anyway, since I can drag K's chair over next to mine and bite on her ear if I get tired of waiting for the food to get to the table.
We decided to test out the Lemon Drop martinis, and they were deemed "perfect, if the rim had been sugared." There's a truly formidable Whiskey menu as well, but that probably needs an entire evening dedicated to exploring it (not to mention the next day off from work). At any rate, the bar at Comfort is a good one- they meet all our criteria: Good selection of everything, good mixology skills, fast and friendly service. You'd be surprised how many badly made drinks we get, so when we go somewhere and get a really good one, we get excited about it.
For those who have not had the good fortune to eat at Comfort, they do basic Southern food, and they do it very, very well. It does tend to get crowded quickly, and within a few minutes of settling in at the bar, we had a big crowd of sundress sporting, white wine drinking straight girls milling and bumping around behind us. We were just happy to have a seat though, and by the time the Fried Green Tomato appetizer arrived, we really didn't care. The tomatoes were sliced and done in a cornmeal batter. They were perfectly crunchy on the outside, and the remoulade served with them was spicy and complemented the flavors very nicely.
After the martini, we moved to wine, and ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon off the fairly extensive winelist. It was a good deal price-wise, and lived up to the description on the list.
The way the menu works for entrees, is you pick a protein and then choose two or three items off the selection of sides. I have a hard time deciding on sides. The mashed potatoes are always a winner. They have the ideal texture and flavor for mashed potatoes. Never gooey, never dry, never lumpy. Just right. Other sides to be agonized over include the cheese grits, greens, fried okra, mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, corn, or squash casserole.
I selected the Top Sirloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I am a pretty saucy person, and enjoy sauce or gravy of some sort on almost anything., but somehow I just didn't miss it here- the flavors were enough. My sirloin was cooked medium rare, as I had ordered it, and was a very healthy portion. K had a taste and wanted to know why it was so "chewy." I admit, it may have been a tad on the chewy side, but it tasted so good, I really did not mind a slight texture issue. The potatoes were as good as ever, and the asparagus was perfectly al dente.
K ordered the seared Tuna special, and while I have a fish allergy and could not sample it, she declared it "scrumptious." She looked really cute eating it, so I'll have to give the Tuna a high rating. It came with a smoked tomato aioli sauce, that I did taste, and found to be very very smoky tasting- almost too smoky. She said it went with the Tuna really well though. Her sides were the mashed potatoes and corn, both of which disappeared in short order.
We opted for splitting a dessert, and since I had heard good things about the banana pudding, and the bartender recommended it, that's what we went for. Next time I will not split one. Calling this concoction a "banana pudding" is so understated. It should have some grand, impressive name that somehow conveys it's deliciousness. It should be named after a grand dame, or a famous southern general or something, and have those little accent marks over the "e's." What you get here is a good sized ramekin-type dish of banana creme brulee, with thin sliced bananas baked on top of it, and whole affair coated with a crunchy layer of this carmelized sugar. It's sublime, and I must have another one very soon.
As for the service here, we couldn't have been happier. Our server was friendly and efficient, and made good suggestions. We sat for awhile after dinner, and while other places have been known to rush folks off, our bartender actually offered up another glass of wine on him. And that was before he even saw the tip. We felt very welcome and I'm sure we'll be back soon.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Bacchus
By last Friday evening, I had hit my threshold with my job (corporate finance) and was more than ready for a stiff drink and a good meal. I also had a bee in my bonnet to try somewhere new, explore uncharted territory, so K and I did a little research and set out. Our initial target was Six Burner, where we had heard good things about the menu, and were interested to try it.
Keep in mind, that one of our primary core values is that any establishment that merits a review on our blog, must permit smoking somewhere on the premises. It's the principle of the thing. Even if we didn't smoke, we don't like people telling us what to do. But that's beside the point- we do smoke, and on Friday night, after a rough week, a cig with my martini is an absolute necessity.
We were a little disappointed to find Six Burner has no accommodation for smokers. Scratch that one off the list. Next we stopped by Cirrus- I'd also heard good things about that place. Also non smoking, which was a no go. I can almost hear the non smokers rolling their eyes right now, but keep in mind that as consumers, it's our right to determine where our dollars go, and if a restaurant has a policy that conflicts with our core values, we choose not to patronize it. Nothing against that particular place, we'd just rather spend out money somewhere else.
After striking out twice, we contemplated just doing the walk of shame down Main Street, poking out heads in each place and asking if we could smoke there, but at that point I wanted that drink really bad, so we opted for Bacchus- one of our stand-bys that we hadn't been to in awhile.
You can smoke at the bar there, so that's where we ate. K and I ordered lemon drop martinis, and K's comment was "too strong." The rim was nicely sugared, but it tasted like just a giant glass of straight citrus vodka. They really should have had a little lemon syrup in there.
I love Bacchus's appetizer selection, and always have a hard time deciding. The salad with the beets and fried goat cheese is one of my favorites, with the crispy outside, soft inside cheese and fresh greens, but we wanted something more substantial and opted for the clams and mussels instead. We had a choice of white or red sauce and went for the white- a garlicky and aromatic broth. it went perfectly with the fresh rolls that came. The rolls at Bacchus remind me a little of the rolls the chef at Mr. Patrick Henry's used to make- very traditional, slightly yeasty tasting.
Normally we order off the regular menu, the Lobster, Fish, Beef and Veal dishes are always well cooked and well seasoned. I think the sauces in general are done with finesse. Every once in awhile there's a miss, but I enjoy the general attention to detail that goes into the sauces at Bacchus. There's a complexity of flavors that you can't miss- that extra layer of sweetness or pungency. Depending on the sauce, the little touches like the addition of capers, spices or liquor essences complement the proteins in a satisfying way.
Tonight we decided to try something different. Bacchus has a comprehensive pasta list, where you can choose spaghetti, rigatoni or penne in any number of sauce options. After much agonizing, I chose the shrimp and scallop scampi with rigatoni, and K went for the gorgonzola penne with chicken.
The pasta portions at Bacchus are enormous. Between two pasta entrees, we had enough to eat our dinners, then what we took home provided another entire meal for both of us and the two kids. I can't imagine being able to finish it all in one setting.
There's also a good choice of by the glass wines on the winelist, and since the martinis were knocking us on our butts, we opted for one glass each instead of a bottle- K had the Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a good balance of tannins and berry flavor, and I had a dry citrusy glass of Sauvignon Blanc. We felt they were good values. I hate having to eat a good meal with a crappy glass of some house wine, but you have options here if you don't want a whole bottle.
My pasta - the Scampi, came with a brandy infused garlic and tomato sauce. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked. Shrimp can be tricky, but these were right on. My only complaint about the dish was that there were only 2-3 fairly small scallops. K decided she liked mine better than hers. Her gorgonzola pasta suffered the inevitable comparison to Mamma Zu's (the holy grail of gorgonzola pasta) and did not quite measure up. While the chicken was tender and well cooked, the sauce was thin and lacked that gorgonzola cheese tang, and creamy texture. it was also a little light on the peas.
All in all, it was a pleasant meal, and the service was good. We're getting a good feel for what to order there, and what the best options are. And we were very impressed by the ventilation system at Bacchus- even though it's smoker-friendly, I never smell smoke when I go in the door. We did have one service complaint though- our bartender/server committed the ultimate sin, of plopping our check down without asking if we wanted anything else- another drink? Probably not. Dessert? Yes. Coffee? Maybe. Ultimately servers cost their restaurants hundreds of dollars a year, by not just asking "can I get you anything else tonight?" Not to mention it is not polite. As it was, we decided to take ourselves down the street and get dessert and drinks at Verbena (review to come :)
Bacchus
2 N. Meadow St
804-355-9919
Keep in mind, that one of our primary core values is that any establishment that merits a review on our blog, must permit smoking somewhere on the premises. It's the principle of the thing. Even if we didn't smoke, we don't like people telling us what to do. But that's beside the point- we do smoke, and on Friday night, after a rough week, a cig with my martini is an absolute necessity.
We were a little disappointed to find Six Burner has no accommodation for smokers. Scratch that one off the list. Next we stopped by Cirrus- I'd also heard good things about that place. Also non smoking, which was a no go. I can almost hear the non smokers rolling their eyes right now, but keep in mind that as consumers, it's our right to determine where our dollars go, and if a restaurant has a policy that conflicts with our core values, we choose not to patronize it. Nothing against that particular place, we'd just rather spend out money somewhere else.
After striking out twice, we contemplated just doing the walk of shame down Main Street, poking out heads in each place and asking if we could smoke there, but at that point I wanted that drink really bad, so we opted for Bacchus- one of our stand-bys that we hadn't been to in awhile.
You can smoke at the bar there, so that's where we ate. K and I ordered lemon drop martinis, and K's comment was "too strong." The rim was nicely sugared, but it tasted like just a giant glass of straight citrus vodka. They really should have had a little lemon syrup in there.
I love Bacchus's appetizer selection, and always have a hard time deciding. The salad with the beets and fried goat cheese is one of my favorites, with the crispy outside, soft inside cheese and fresh greens, but we wanted something more substantial and opted for the clams and mussels instead. We had a choice of white or red sauce and went for the white- a garlicky and aromatic broth. it went perfectly with the fresh rolls that came. The rolls at Bacchus remind me a little of the rolls the chef at Mr. Patrick Henry's used to make- very traditional, slightly yeasty tasting.
Normally we order off the regular menu, the Lobster, Fish, Beef and Veal dishes are always well cooked and well seasoned. I think the sauces in general are done with finesse. Every once in awhile there's a miss, but I enjoy the general attention to detail that goes into the sauces at Bacchus. There's a complexity of flavors that you can't miss- that extra layer of sweetness or pungency. Depending on the sauce, the little touches like the addition of capers, spices or liquor essences complement the proteins in a satisfying way.
Tonight we decided to try something different. Bacchus has a comprehensive pasta list, where you can choose spaghetti, rigatoni or penne in any number of sauce options. After much agonizing, I chose the shrimp and scallop scampi with rigatoni, and K went for the gorgonzola penne with chicken.
The pasta portions at Bacchus are enormous. Between two pasta entrees, we had enough to eat our dinners, then what we took home provided another entire meal for both of us and the two kids. I can't imagine being able to finish it all in one setting.
There's also a good choice of by the glass wines on the winelist, and since the martinis were knocking us on our butts, we opted for one glass each instead of a bottle- K had the Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a good balance of tannins and berry flavor, and I had a dry citrusy glass of Sauvignon Blanc. We felt they were good values. I hate having to eat a good meal with a crappy glass of some house wine, but you have options here if you don't want a whole bottle.
My pasta - the Scampi, came with a brandy infused garlic and tomato sauce. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked. Shrimp can be tricky, but these were right on. My only complaint about the dish was that there were only 2-3 fairly small scallops. K decided she liked mine better than hers. Her gorgonzola pasta suffered the inevitable comparison to Mamma Zu's (the holy grail of gorgonzola pasta) and did not quite measure up. While the chicken was tender and well cooked, the sauce was thin and lacked that gorgonzola cheese tang, and creamy texture. it was also a little light on the peas.
All in all, it was a pleasant meal, and the service was good. We're getting a good feel for what to order there, and what the best options are. And we were very impressed by the ventilation system at Bacchus- even though it's smoker-friendly, I never smell smoke when I go in the door. We did have one service complaint though- our bartender/server committed the ultimate sin, of plopping our check down without asking if we wanted anything else- another drink? Probably not. Dessert? Yes. Coffee? Maybe. Ultimately servers cost their restaurants hundreds of dollars a year, by not just asking "can I get you anything else tonight?" Not to mention it is not polite. As it was, we decided to take ourselves down the street and get dessert and drinks at Verbena (review to come :)
Bacchus
2 N. Meadow St
804-355-9919
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Big Daddy's BBQ and Ribs
In my Galaxy post, K called me out for making us look like total alcoholics, so let me clarify: we are Lightweights. That's "Lightweights" with a big "L."
When we drink beers, we split them because we usually can't drink the whole beer before it gets warm. Splitting three beers is a big night of beer drinking. Likewise, a big drinking night for us, means splitting a bottle of wine with dinner, and an all out bender means we had a cocktail first.
Add to this, K's endearing habit of pouring her wine into my glass when she can't finish it, and there you have it. Keep in mind though, that I tend to think everything she does is endearing and adorable, and any restaurant reviews I write are potentially skewed by how cute I think she looks when she's eating something, inversely factored by the proportionate amount of wine she dumps into my glass during the meal.
In honor of non-drunkenness, I'd like to give a shout to a restaurant that (gasp) does not serve any alcohol. They don't even have chairs, and you can't go inside either. But we still eat there at least once a month.
Anyone who lives in Dogtown (Southside) has probably seen the little brick shack on Jahnke Road, on the edge of the strip mall before the Food Lion. Big Daddy's BBQ is strictly a drive-up, walk-up joint. For a tiny little place, an amazing amount of tasty Southern fare passes through their window. If you're hungry for traditional North Carolina style vinegar based BBQ, Texas Beef BBQ or Ribs, this is the spot. They sport a good sized menu, and also serve Catfish, Gumbo and Jambalaya, as well as burgers and such. And best of all, the prices beat the chain BBQ, like Dave's by miles.
As I've said before, we're not big meat eaters, but in the interest of accurate reviewing, I have sampled both the beef ribs and the pork ribs and found them to be saucy, smoky and meaty. I preferred the tender texture and spiciness of the pork ribs to the larger and slightly tougher beef ribs.
We tend to choose from one of two Big Daddy orders. If we want actual pork BBQ, we go for the "Family Pack." You get a big tub of perfect NC pork BBQ, a bag of rolls and a couple sides, all for around $20. (for 4 people). The BBQ is flavorful and almost textbook perfect, as far as this style of BBQ goes. I like to put a big scoop of the crispy coleslaw on top of mine.
If you're not into pork, you can opt for the "Miss Virginia" sandwich. (Most items are available as platters or sandwiches) which is a BBQ chicken breast sandwich. We always request both a little cup of sauce, and a little cup of vinegar to pour on ours. The chicken is reliably tender and smoky and makes for a great alternative to the pork. I do wish they'd do a pulled chicken version though, for variety's sake.
There's a bunch of sides to choose from, and on our last visit, we were very impressed with the french fries, and stole a good portion of the kids' order on the ride home. However, they have one particular side that brings us back to this place over and over: Behold, the Corn Fritter.
We had never heard of a Corn Fritter before, but we now refer to it as "food crack." I am convinced the corner boyz would be hawking little bags of this, if Big Daddy's didn't have the monopoly on it. Corn Fritters are about an inch across, golden brown, crispy outside, creamy corn inside. they come in large or small bags. Get the large bag. A Corn Fritter dipped in vinegar is the best thing ever, and I catch myself daydreaming about them at the oddest times. And once the Corn Fritter craving sets in, it nags at me until I relent and go buy a bag.
K does the same thing. We'll be reading, or watching a movie, or running errands, or enjoying the outdoors, and she'll get this look in her eye, and sigh..."mmmmm... Corn Fritters..." and it starts all over again.
So, alcoholics...no, not by a longshot. Corn Fritteraholics... yes, and proud of it.
Big Daddy's Barbeque and Ribs
6359 Jahnke Road
560-1570
When we drink beers, we split them because we usually can't drink the whole beer before it gets warm. Splitting three beers is a big night of beer drinking. Likewise, a big drinking night for us, means splitting a bottle of wine with dinner, and an all out bender means we had a cocktail first.
Add to this, K's endearing habit of pouring her wine into my glass when she can't finish it, and there you have it. Keep in mind though, that I tend to think everything she does is endearing and adorable, and any restaurant reviews I write are potentially skewed by how cute I think she looks when she's eating something, inversely factored by the proportionate amount of wine she dumps into my glass during the meal.
In honor of non-drunkenness, I'd like to give a shout to a restaurant that (gasp) does not serve any alcohol. They don't even have chairs, and you can't go inside either. But we still eat there at least once a month.
Anyone who lives in Dogtown (Southside) has probably seen the little brick shack on Jahnke Road, on the edge of the strip mall before the Food Lion. Big Daddy's BBQ is strictly a drive-up, walk-up joint. For a tiny little place, an amazing amount of tasty Southern fare passes through their window. If you're hungry for traditional North Carolina style vinegar based BBQ, Texas Beef BBQ or Ribs, this is the spot. They sport a good sized menu, and also serve Catfish, Gumbo and Jambalaya, as well as burgers and such. And best of all, the prices beat the chain BBQ, like Dave's by miles.
As I've said before, we're not big meat eaters, but in the interest of accurate reviewing, I have sampled both the beef ribs and the pork ribs and found them to be saucy, smoky and meaty. I preferred the tender texture and spiciness of the pork ribs to the larger and slightly tougher beef ribs.
We tend to choose from one of two Big Daddy orders. If we want actual pork BBQ, we go for the "Family Pack." You get a big tub of perfect NC pork BBQ, a bag of rolls and a couple sides, all for around $20. (for 4 people). The BBQ is flavorful and almost textbook perfect, as far as this style of BBQ goes. I like to put a big scoop of the crispy coleslaw on top of mine.
If you're not into pork, you can opt for the "Miss Virginia" sandwich. (Most items are available as platters or sandwiches) which is a BBQ chicken breast sandwich. We always request both a little cup of sauce, and a little cup of vinegar to pour on ours. The chicken is reliably tender and smoky and makes for a great alternative to the pork. I do wish they'd do a pulled chicken version though, for variety's sake.
There's a bunch of sides to choose from, and on our last visit, we were very impressed with the french fries, and stole a good portion of the kids' order on the ride home. However, they have one particular side that brings us back to this place over and over: Behold, the Corn Fritter.
We had never heard of a Corn Fritter before, but we now refer to it as "food crack." I am convinced the corner boyz would be hawking little bags of this, if Big Daddy's didn't have the monopoly on it. Corn Fritters are about an inch across, golden brown, crispy outside, creamy corn inside. they come in large or small bags. Get the large bag. A Corn Fritter dipped in vinegar is the best thing ever, and I catch myself daydreaming about them at the oddest times. And once the Corn Fritter craving sets in, it nags at me until I relent and go buy a bag.
K does the same thing. We'll be reading, or watching a movie, or running errands, or enjoying the outdoors, and she'll get this look in her eye, and sigh..."mmmmm... Corn Fritters..." and it starts all over again.
So, alcoholics...no, not by a longshot. Corn Fritteraholics... yes, and proud of it.
Big Daddy's Barbeque and Ribs
6359 Jahnke Road
560-1570
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Galaxy Diner
If we had reviewed the Galaxy prior to our most recent visit, it would have been a semi-slavishly glowing review, trumpeting the virtues of diner fare and comfort food in an accessible Carytown location with a hip, spacey astro-decor and a designated smoking area.
As it is, let me say right up front that the Galaxy will always be on our restaurant rotation: the whole gay family likes it. Mom and Mom-Whether-She-Likes-It-Or-Not can drink and smoke and hold hands, while the kids bitch us out about our smoking, over their brownie sundaes and french fries. We can eat breakfast anytime there, and the food never fails to soak up any amount of alcohol left in our systems from the night before.
That said, last week all four of us wandered in, two of us with fairly wicked hangovers. The Galaxy has a decent bar, and makes a good Bloody Mary, so a little hair of the dog was in order. For the record, they also have Martinis and make a hefty and homemade milkshake or Limeade for those who don't want alcohol.
We don't usually go for appetizers there- the entree plates are big enough for us. The apps are tending towards fried- which the Galaxy does extremely well, whether you want your pickles, oreos, twinkies or green tomatoes done that way.
We wanted to get something in our stomachs quickly though, so as K and I were sitting propped up against each other, trying to stay upright, we decided that the Tomato Basil soup special sounded like a good idea. What could be more soothing than soup? Well, what came to the table, was not exactly soup. Two small bowls of what looked like Marinara sauce arrived. I poked suspiciously at mine with my spoon, and always up for adventure, I took a taste. Notice I don't say "sip." It was not of a consistency conducive to sipping.... Definitely marinara sauce soup. I made an unspoken decision, that if I ate that in my current state, it would end up all over the table. I noticed K had quietly pushed her bowl aside as well.
I ordered the Chicken Salad melt. Usually this is a delightfully cheesy sandwich, crispy on the outside with generous chunks of chicken. There was something kind of runny and soggy about it this visit, but I ate more than half anyway. I eyed K's grilled cheese enviously. Hers looked, and evidently tasted, better than mine.
The Boy ordered the kids' Chicken Tenders. He gets them with the fries and mac and cheese and they look good and are always eaten. Enough said. I will point out that the fries here are usually divine, and only surpassed by the 'frites' at Capitol Ale House. They are ripple cut, perfectly cooked, and generous in portion. The mac and cheese is not quite up to snuff though- it has that artificial cheese and packaged pasta vibe.
The Girl had an Aloha Chicken Sandwich- chicken breast with Swiss and Pineapple. It also disappeared in good order.
Because I feel like I need to say something nice about the Galaxy, I will mention the burgers. I am not a big burger eater, but when I decide I want one, I will usually go to the Galaxy to get it. They have a variety of specialty burgers, with toppings ranging from avocado, to carmelized onions, fried green tomatoes or a variety of cheese choices. The patty is large and juicy, and the buns there are quite good.
While I'm being nice, I'll mention that the Brownie Sundae is sublime. One of the best brownies I've tasted. the kids also like some Chocolate Chip Cookie and ice cream concoction that I've stolen tastes of as well, and is also quite wonderful. I need to kvetch about the Berry Cobbler though. If you don't have it, take it off the menu. If I come in and order something once, and it's not available, I'm a little disappointed. If I order it 3-4 times and it's not available, now I'm irritated.
All in all though, this visit was an exception to the usual. And for the most part, anything 'bad' here is not really horrible. Except that soup, which I don't know if I'll ever get over. Whether for Martinis, or omlets, or any sort of fried fabulousness our hearts desire, we'll be back.
Galaxy Diner
3109 W. Cary St
804-213-0510
As it is, let me say right up front that the Galaxy will always be on our restaurant rotation: the whole gay family likes it. Mom and Mom-Whether-She-Likes-It-Or-Not can drink and smoke and hold hands, while the kids bitch us out about our smoking, over their brownie sundaes and french fries. We can eat breakfast anytime there, and the food never fails to soak up any amount of alcohol left in our systems from the night before.
That said, last week all four of us wandered in, two of us with fairly wicked hangovers. The Galaxy has a decent bar, and makes a good Bloody Mary, so a little hair of the dog was in order. For the record, they also have Martinis and make a hefty and homemade milkshake or Limeade for those who don't want alcohol.
We don't usually go for appetizers there- the entree plates are big enough for us. The apps are tending towards fried- which the Galaxy does extremely well, whether you want your pickles, oreos, twinkies or green tomatoes done that way.
We wanted to get something in our stomachs quickly though, so as K and I were sitting propped up against each other, trying to stay upright, we decided that the Tomato Basil soup special sounded like a good idea. What could be more soothing than soup? Well, what came to the table, was not exactly soup. Two small bowls of what looked like Marinara sauce arrived. I poked suspiciously at mine with my spoon, and always up for adventure, I took a taste. Notice I don't say "sip." It was not of a consistency conducive to sipping.... Definitely marinara sauce soup. I made an unspoken decision, that if I ate that in my current state, it would end up all over the table. I noticed K had quietly pushed her bowl aside as well.
I ordered the Chicken Salad melt. Usually this is a delightfully cheesy sandwich, crispy on the outside with generous chunks of chicken. There was something kind of runny and soggy about it this visit, but I ate more than half anyway. I eyed K's grilled cheese enviously. Hers looked, and evidently tasted, better than mine.
The Boy ordered the kids' Chicken Tenders. He gets them with the fries and mac and cheese and they look good and are always eaten. Enough said. I will point out that the fries here are usually divine, and only surpassed by the 'frites' at Capitol Ale House. They are ripple cut, perfectly cooked, and generous in portion. The mac and cheese is not quite up to snuff though- it has that artificial cheese and packaged pasta vibe.
The Girl had an Aloha Chicken Sandwich- chicken breast with Swiss and Pineapple. It also disappeared in good order.
Because I feel like I need to say something nice about the Galaxy, I will mention the burgers. I am not a big burger eater, but when I decide I want one, I will usually go to the Galaxy to get it. They have a variety of specialty burgers, with toppings ranging from avocado, to carmelized onions, fried green tomatoes or a variety of cheese choices. The patty is large and juicy, and the buns there are quite good.
While I'm being nice, I'll mention that the Brownie Sundae is sublime. One of the best brownies I've tasted. the kids also like some Chocolate Chip Cookie and ice cream concoction that I've stolen tastes of as well, and is also quite wonderful. I need to kvetch about the Berry Cobbler though. If you don't have it, take it off the menu. If I come in and order something once, and it's not available, I'm a little disappointed. If I order it 3-4 times and it's not available, now I'm irritated.
All in all though, this visit was an exception to the usual. And for the most part, anything 'bad' here is not really horrible. Except that soup, which I don't know if I'll ever get over. Whether for Martinis, or omlets, or any sort of fried fabulousness our hearts desire, we'll be back.
Galaxy Diner
3109 W. Cary St
804-213-0510
The Nile
The Nile Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe on Laurel St occupies a special space in our hearts and stomachs, and it's only fitting that it should be the first place we review. The Nile is located in the space that used to be known to all of us old hipsters as the Hole in the Wall. I spent a lot of time enjoying music there, and K and I have now spent many happy hours perched on their tall barstools. We are creatures of habit, and almost always start our meal with a Ginger Martini.
Large, pink, cold and gingery. You can't ask for more. There are other intriguing cocktails on the drink menu, but we haven't been lured away from these yet. A Ginger Martini always goes best with a smoke, and the deal at the Nile, is smoking only at the bar, and only if no one is occupying either of the two small tables on the near side of the wall.
If you've never had the experience of Ethiopian food, go now. Immediately. The food is exotic and delicious- based largely on garlic, ginger, onions, red chili spices. And the best part is, no silverware. That's right, you eat with your hands. The Ethiopians make a spongy, thin, flat sourdough bread called Injera that diners use to scoop up their food. It's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to get just the right mix of flavors in every bite. People eat communally in this style, and it's a unique experience.
As an appetizer K usually orders the Nile Salad- greens and tomatoes, with the Ethiopian farmer's cheese and a tangy, vinagery dressing over Injera. It's always fresh and good, and a refreshing twist on the idea of a salad.
I tend to go for either the Timatim Fitfit or the Ayib Tikl. The Timatim is almost like a pico de gallo- chopped tomatoes, onions and jalapenos, but with a more acid lemony bite, and with injera pieces soaking up the dressing. The Ayib Tikl is a generous plate of small cheese rolls- Injera wrapped around soft, spicy cheese. I've noticed sometimes the cheese has more heat than others, but it's always good, and with all these apps priced at under $7, it's hard to go wrong.
Now for the guilty part of this review. In all fairness, the Nile serves a huge variety of entrees, for both vegetarians and meat eaters. There's a variety of "wat" or thick saucy stews; "tibs" which are shrimp or strips of meat sauteed or pan fried with spices, onions and peppers; and even fantastic variety platters, where you can get tastes of several dishes.
We always order the same thing. Just because it's so good. I've had the chicken and lamb dishes before, and several rounds of the sampler plates. Everything I have gotten is always delicious, but nothing beats our favorite. The object of our affection is the Shiro Wat, a chickpea flour based vegetarian dish. It looks like an orangy yellow pile of paste, and tastes like heaven. I hesitate to even write about it, because I harbor fears that if everyone else discovers it, there will be a run on it, and there won't be enough for us.
As far as desserts, the baklava is pretty good, but we're usually too full to eat it.
The best part about eating at the Nile is the complete experience, the vibe, and the folks who own and run this great little place. We always feel at home. Literally. All sorts of people frequent the restaurant, and the clientele is a cross section of straight and gay, students and professional people. I feel comfortable with my arm around my woman, and comfortable asking for my martini "extra- gingery."
As far as service, the Nile gets a "10." from us. One of my pet peeves is restaurants that bring your food so quickly, that your appetizer is getting cold, and pushed off the table by your entree. I know this might sound fussy, but when I eat out, I like to enjoy my food at my leisure. I like to have a cigarette in between my courses. I don't like to feel like I'm being rushed out the door either. They don't do that here. Our server usually gauges the timing perfectly, and asks if he's not sure.
The Nile warrants at least a monthly visit, and we hope it stays open in Richmond for a very long time.
The Nile Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe
309 Laurel St.
(804) 225-5544
Large, pink, cold and gingery. You can't ask for more. There are other intriguing cocktails on the drink menu, but we haven't been lured away from these yet. A Ginger Martini always goes best with a smoke, and the deal at the Nile, is smoking only at the bar, and only if no one is occupying either of the two small tables on the near side of the wall.
If you've never had the experience of Ethiopian food, go now. Immediately. The food is exotic and delicious- based largely on garlic, ginger, onions, red chili spices. And the best part is, no silverware. That's right, you eat with your hands. The Ethiopians make a spongy, thin, flat sourdough bread called Injera that diners use to scoop up their food. It's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to get just the right mix of flavors in every bite. People eat communally in this style, and it's a unique experience.
As an appetizer K usually orders the Nile Salad- greens and tomatoes, with the Ethiopian farmer's cheese and a tangy, vinagery dressing over Injera. It's always fresh and good, and a refreshing twist on the idea of a salad.
I tend to go for either the Timatim Fitfit or the Ayib Tikl. The Timatim is almost like a pico de gallo- chopped tomatoes, onions and jalapenos, but with a more acid lemony bite, and with injera pieces soaking up the dressing. The Ayib Tikl is a generous plate of small cheese rolls- Injera wrapped around soft, spicy cheese. I've noticed sometimes the cheese has more heat than others, but it's always good, and with all these apps priced at under $7, it's hard to go wrong.
Now for the guilty part of this review. In all fairness, the Nile serves a huge variety of entrees, for both vegetarians and meat eaters. There's a variety of "wat" or thick saucy stews; "tibs" which are shrimp or strips of meat sauteed or pan fried with spices, onions and peppers; and even fantastic variety platters, where you can get tastes of several dishes.
We always order the same thing. Just because it's so good. I've had the chicken and lamb dishes before, and several rounds of the sampler plates. Everything I have gotten is always delicious, but nothing beats our favorite. The object of our affection is the Shiro Wat, a chickpea flour based vegetarian dish. It looks like an orangy yellow pile of paste, and tastes like heaven. I hesitate to even write about it, because I harbor fears that if everyone else discovers it, there will be a run on it, and there won't be enough for us.
As far as desserts, the baklava is pretty good, but we're usually too full to eat it.
The best part about eating at the Nile is the complete experience, the vibe, and the folks who own and run this great little place. We always feel at home. Literally. All sorts of people frequent the restaurant, and the clientele is a cross section of straight and gay, students and professional people. I feel comfortable with my arm around my woman, and comfortable asking for my martini "extra- gingery."
As far as service, the Nile gets a "10." from us. One of my pet peeves is restaurants that bring your food so quickly, that your appetizer is getting cold, and pushed off the table by your entree. I know this might sound fussy, but when I eat out, I like to enjoy my food at my leisure. I like to have a cigarette in between my courses. I don't like to feel like I'm being rushed out the door either. They don't do that here. Our server usually gauges the timing perfectly, and asks if he's not sure.
The Nile warrants at least a monthly visit, and we hope it stays open in Richmond for a very long time.
The Nile Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe
309 Laurel St.
(804) 225-5544
breaking the champagne bottle on the hull
There has to be an awkward first post... like a first kiss... a first date... a first day on the job. Tentative, but determined. This blog is probably teetering its first steps towards offending a good part of the restaurant-going population, but then again, there's nothing wrong with niche markets.
My girlfriend K, and I like to eat out. Don't most all lesbians? We also like to smoke and drink when we eat, and I don't want anyone looking shite at me if I want to lick the sugar off her lip after she takes a sip of her Lemon drop martini. Richmond has a good variety of restaurants and hangouts, and we've always wished we had some way of cutting the good ones out of the herd- the ones where the smoking nazis are kept at bay, where the bartender knows how to mix a drink, and the food is above and beyond what we can whip up in our own kitchen. We got tired of waiting for someone else to do it.
My girlfriend K, and I like to eat out. Don't most all lesbians? We also like to smoke and drink when we eat, and I don't want anyone looking shite at me if I want to lick the sugar off her lip after she takes a sip of her Lemon drop martini. Richmond has a good variety of restaurants and hangouts, and we've always wished we had some way of cutting the good ones out of the herd- the ones where the smoking nazis are kept at bay, where the bartender knows how to mix a drink, and the food is above and beyond what we can whip up in our own kitchen. We got tired of waiting for someone else to do it.
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