This post is not about one meal or one experience, but recognition of our favorite neighborhood place. Neighborhood restaurants are such a staple to a community bringing a sense of camaraderie along with the good food and service that goes into being a place that knows your name, or at least recognizes your face.
Bob and I watched the progress anxiously when Mediterraneo was being built at the corner of Winterfield and Robious Roads in Midlothian last year. We were so excited that an Italian place was opening just a few minutes from home. Our first night I told Bob I would be heartbroken if the place sucked. My heart was not broken at all.
Mediterraneo has become one of our go-to spots. When we want a good meal, friendly service, a nice glass of wine, or see who is out and about in Midlothian, we know we can count on Joe Lo Presti, his family and staff. Whether it’s a great pizza to-go with their terrific Mediterranean salad full of feta and house roasted red peppers or a comforting plate of fettuccine Alfredo made with their homemade pasta and Parmesan Regianno, we know we’ll be taken care of. The specials are indeed special with selections such as clams sautéed in wine and tomatoes and served with lump crab. This is a perfect dip for their homemade bread and bread sticks. The veal saltimbocca is tender, warm and comforting and often Bob and I will share that along with a side of gnocchi or pasta. The wine list is extensive and thoughtful with a nice selection by the glass as well as the bottle.
For Bob's birthday last month, our daughter Mckenzie and her fiance Peyton hosted a small party for him at Mediterraneo. I cannot say enough wonderful things about how Joe, Chip and their entire staff made this event extraordinary. It was the perfect place to celebrate with family and close friends.
Joe prides himself on using the highest quality of ingredients and making virtually everything in house. This extra effort definitely pays off whether it’s a simple white pizza or a pasta dish filled with a variety of seafood in a lovely red sauce.
Thanks Joe. And welcome to the neighborhood. We are glad to have you here.
.:: Mediterraneo Fine Cuisine ::.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dinner at Comfort...definitely worth the drive
Comfort is one of those places Bob and I don’t frequent as much as we would like. In our case, distance is usually the factor as it’s a bit of a haul from our home, but when we make the journey, we are glad we did.
Tuesday night, we had a great dinner with the terrific food and service we’ve come to love and expect from Comfort. Upon arrival, our server Alexis seated us promptly and after reviewing the menu and wine list we ordered a bottle of Floriano Verdicchio ($25) and a basket of fried okra with remoulade ($7) to start. The wine was crisp and dry and the okra fried perfectly and the remoulade made for a great dipping sauce. Alexis also brought us bread and cornbread, which is exactly the way I like my cornbread. It’s not sweet at all, a little dense and bordering on crumbly.
I ordered my usual, fried catfish, and side of braised greens and squash casserole ($16). Bob ordered the roasted chicken, with side of mac and cheese and corn ($17). I just love the catfish and collards doused with their hot pepper vinegar and the squash is a nice contrast. This trio is one of my favorite meals in Richmond. Bob was pleased with his chicken and corn and said the mac and cheese was better than ever.
Comfort is one place we always save room for dessert. The banana pudding crème brulee ($6.50) with a moist crust of vanilla wafer crumbs topped with custard and a crispy sugary crust of sliced bananas is a great way to end a southern meal.
We definitely need to make that drive more often. Comfort is located on Broad, just east of Belvidere at 200 W. Broad St. Comfort - Richmond, VA
Tuesday night, we had a great dinner with the terrific food and service we’ve come to love and expect from Comfort. Upon arrival, our server Alexis seated us promptly and after reviewing the menu and wine list we ordered a bottle of Floriano Verdicchio ($25) and a basket of fried okra with remoulade ($7) to start. The wine was crisp and dry and the okra fried perfectly and the remoulade made for a great dipping sauce. Alexis also brought us bread and cornbread, which is exactly the way I like my cornbread. It’s not sweet at all, a little dense and bordering on crumbly.
I ordered my usual, fried catfish, and side of braised greens and squash casserole ($16). Bob ordered the roasted chicken, with side of mac and cheese and corn ($17). I just love the catfish and collards doused with their hot pepper vinegar and the squash is a nice contrast. This trio is one of my favorite meals in Richmond. Bob was pleased with his chicken and corn and said the mac and cheese was better than ever.
Comfort is one place we always save room for dessert. The banana pudding crème brulee ($6.50) with a moist crust of vanilla wafer crumbs topped with custard and a crispy sugary crust of sliced bananas is a great way to end a southern meal.
We definitely need to make that drive more often. Comfort is located on Broad, just east of Belvidere at 200 W. Broad St. Comfort - Richmond, VA
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Belle Vie...a place with potential, but initially disappointing
Friday night Bob and I decided to check out the newest restaurant in Midlothian, Belle Vie, located on Alverser Drive in the former Bookbinders Grill location.
Always hopeful when a new place opens, we were anxious to try Belle Vie. According to their website “Belle Vie will be the new sophisticated hotspot for Richmond’s fine diners to come and relax. Although the menu will be European, it will specialize in French and Belgian cuisine - all homemade from fresh, local produce.” That sounded good to me.
We arrived and sat at the bar. The made some changes to the Bookbinders décor which softened the feel of the place. We flagged down one of the two bartenders to get a wine by the glass list. We review it and are disappointed. Overpriced and under-selected with very few offerings from France and heavy on the domestics, we opted instead for a bottle of French white, a Graves for $18/bottle. The wines by the bottle were nearly as disappointing as the wines by the glass. And the beer list, which received a lot of pre-opening press, was not impressive either.
The wine arrives and the bartender tells us it needs to be chilled some as it is 59 degrees. We ask him to open it and give us a taste while it rests in the ice. We have to stop him from pouring the wine to the top of the large wine goblets. Throughout the night, for any service from either bartender, we had to flag them down. We also had to remind them we had the bottle in the ice.
We were meeting friends there and when they arrived, we flag down the bartender to take their order and get a menu for an appetizer and eventually order it. Croquettes de Fromage ($7.99) arrive as two nice sized, deep brown croquettes with a small accompaniment of greens. I did not try them, but Bob and our friends deemed them very good.
We review the menu and I ordered a small Caesar salad ($4.99) and Bob ordered a small green salad ($4.99). I decide on a 8 oz Filet Mignon ($22.99) with a side of au gratin potatoes (the deal of the night at $1.95). Bob chose the Carbonnade à la Flamande ($18.95) which is a traditional Belgian beef stew slow cooked in Belgian ale and an order of white rice ($1.95). He asked for a side of creamed spinach as well ($2.95). The menu indicates the filet comes with a choice of sauces, but I failed to notice and the bartender does not mention it either. He also failed to ask how I wanted the steak prepared so I ask for the steak to be rare to medium rare.
Both of the salads are fine, but not memorable. My steak arrives and is a bit overcooked (closer to medium than medium rare) with a small side of salad greens. The potatoes are very good and the star of the meal. Bob’s stew arrives and while the broth is very good, the meat is tough, dry and flavorless. The rice was standard and he mixed it into the stew. The spinach did not arrive and we finally told the staff not to worry about it, just to make sure we were not charged for it.
For dessert we ordered the Sabayon ($6.95). I was unaware this would be served warm and I prefer it cold, but it was nice and light, if not the best choice.
I believe, especially in these times, many businesses do not succeed due to poor execution of product and/or poor management, rather than the often blamed “bad economy.” This holds true for the largest and smallest of businesses. On Friday night, Belle Vie had a nice crowd of Midlothian locals, but there are significant areas of service and food and wine that need to be addressed for them to succeed. I hope they are willing and able to make those adjustments and achieve great success. Belle Vie About Us
Always hopeful when a new place opens, we were anxious to try Belle Vie. According to their website “Belle Vie will be the new sophisticated hotspot for Richmond’s fine diners to come and relax. Although the menu will be European, it will specialize in French and Belgian cuisine - all homemade from fresh, local produce.” That sounded good to me.
We arrived and sat at the bar. The made some changes to the Bookbinders décor which softened the feel of the place. We flagged down one of the two bartenders to get a wine by the glass list. We review it and are disappointed. Overpriced and under-selected with very few offerings from France and heavy on the domestics, we opted instead for a bottle of French white, a Graves for $18/bottle. The wines by the bottle were nearly as disappointing as the wines by the glass. And the beer list, which received a lot of pre-opening press, was not impressive either.
The wine arrives and the bartender tells us it needs to be chilled some as it is 59 degrees. We ask him to open it and give us a taste while it rests in the ice. We have to stop him from pouring the wine to the top of the large wine goblets. Throughout the night, for any service from either bartender, we had to flag them down. We also had to remind them we had the bottle in the ice.
We were meeting friends there and when they arrived, we flag down the bartender to take their order and get a menu for an appetizer and eventually order it. Croquettes de Fromage ($7.99) arrive as two nice sized, deep brown croquettes with a small accompaniment of greens. I did not try them, but Bob and our friends deemed them very good.
We review the menu and I ordered a small Caesar salad ($4.99) and Bob ordered a small green salad ($4.99). I decide on a 8 oz Filet Mignon ($22.99) with a side of au gratin potatoes (the deal of the night at $1.95). Bob chose the Carbonnade à la Flamande ($18.95) which is a traditional Belgian beef stew slow cooked in Belgian ale and an order of white rice ($1.95). He asked for a side of creamed spinach as well ($2.95). The menu indicates the filet comes with a choice of sauces, but I failed to notice and the bartender does not mention it either. He also failed to ask how I wanted the steak prepared so I ask for the steak to be rare to medium rare.
Both of the salads are fine, but not memorable. My steak arrives and is a bit overcooked (closer to medium than medium rare) with a small side of salad greens. The potatoes are very good and the star of the meal. Bob’s stew arrives and while the broth is very good, the meat is tough, dry and flavorless. The rice was standard and he mixed it into the stew. The spinach did not arrive and we finally told the staff not to worry about it, just to make sure we were not charged for it.
For dessert we ordered the Sabayon ($6.95). I was unaware this would be served warm and I prefer it cold, but it was nice and light, if not the best choice.
I believe, especially in these times, many businesses do not succeed due to poor execution of product and/or poor management, rather than the often blamed “bad economy.” This holds true for the largest and smallest of businesses. On Friday night, Belle Vie had a nice crowd of Midlothian locals, but there are significant areas of service and food and wine that need to be addressed for them to succeed. I hope they are willing and able to make those adjustments and achieve great success. Belle Vie About Us
Monday, June 15, 2009
You can go home again.....dinner at Italian Kitchen West
Few restaurants have been in business Richmond as long as Vinny’s Italian Kitchen West located at 8115 West Broad St. has, 46 years. For me Italian Kitchen is about much more than great Italian food, it’s about my childhood.
During my first visit to Italian Kitchen, I was seated in their “Tom Thumb” booster chair. I was two or three at the time. Today I am 44.
Thursday was my first visit there in nearly twenty years. Why had it been so long? I could make excuses such as it’s too far from home now or the like, but the reality is part of me was afraid of being disappointed. With my fond memories of Friday night dinners with my parents and brother, later years of take out and Mommy-Daughter dinners, pizza with my friends as a teen and my first dinner home when visiting from college, Italian Kitchen is one place which brings back a flood of wonderful memories from a nearly idyllic childhood I took very much for granted at the time.
This year when my brother Bill chose Italian Kitchen for his 57th birthday, I knew it was about more than getting some great pasta, veal or pizza. It was about returning to a place that meant so much to our family.
We arrived to meet Bill and it seemed like many years since I’d been there but then again it seemed like it was just yesterday as well. Memories of my parents who have been gone many years, friends I’ve lost touch with, and comfort food that set my standard for what Italian food should be, rushed through my mind. I was home.
We arrived and aside from the addition of some booths, things were pretty much as I remembered. We are seated and review the menu and decisions are ready to be made. Bob ordered a bottle of Chianti and we ordered an antipasto for the table. This was the dud dish of the night and was not the one filled with salamis, cheeses, olives, pepperocini and the like we remembered, but a lot of iceberg lettuce with very few accompaniments.
Bill ordered the lasagna and said it was great. Bob ordered a combo dish of lasagna, chicken parmesan and stuffed shells. He said everything was fine but that the lasagna was by far the best. I ordered a combo dish of spaghetti with pepperoni, meatballs and sausage. Each were just as I remembered and all of our dishes were covered with that wonderful red sauce Italian Kitchen does so well.
There was no room for dessert. Instead Bill and I each ordered a pizza to go to snack on over the weekend. I love pepperoni pizza and it’s the pizza I judge a pizza place on. This is arguably the best pizza in Richmond and is definitely in the top three and it amazes me how many people in the near West End have no idea that such fabulous pizza is a short drive away. Very thin crust, amble sauce to the edge, great toppings and some of the best mozzarella around make for a great pie. Reheated in a hot, dry skillet it did not suffer from it’s short time in the refrigerator. And while I may not cross the river just for spaghetti, I definitely would for this pie. Italian Kitchen West
During my first visit to Italian Kitchen, I was seated in their “Tom Thumb” booster chair. I was two or three at the time. Today I am 44.
Thursday was my first visit there in nearly twenty years. Why had it been so long? I could make excuses such as it’s too far from home now or the like, but the reality is part of me was afraid of being disappointed. With my fond memories of Friday night dinners with my parents and brother, later years of take out and Mommy-Daughter dinners, pizza with my friends as a teen and my first dinner home when visiting from college, Italian Kitchen is one place which brings back a flood of wonderful memories from a nearly idyllic childhood I took very much for granted at the time.
This year when my brother Bill chose Italian Kitchen for his 57th birthday, I knew it was about more than getting some great pasta, veal or pizza. It was about returning to a place that meant so much to our family.
We arrived to meet Bill and it seemed like many years since I’d been there but then again it seemed like it was just yesterday as well. Memories of my parents who have been gone many years, friends I’ve lost touch with, and comfort food that set my standard for what Italian food should be, rushed through my mind. I was home.
We arrived and aside from the addition of some booths, things were pretty much as I remembered. We are seated and review the menu and decisions are ready to be made. Bob ordered a bottle of Chianti and we ordered an antipasto for the table. This was the dud dish of the night and was not the one filled with salamis, cheeses, olives, pepperocini and the like we remembered, but a lot of iceberg lettuce with very few accompaniments.
Bill ordered the lasagna and said it was great. Bob ordered a combo dish of lasagna, chicken parmesan and stuffed shells. He said everything was fine but that the lasagna was by far the best. I ordered a combo dish of spaghetti with pepperoni, meatballs and sausage. Each were just as I remembered and all of our dishes were covered with that wonderful red sauce Italian Kitchen does so well.
There was no room for dessert. Instead Bill and I each ordered a pizza to go to snack on over the weekend. I love pepperoni pizza and it’s the pizza I judge a pizza place on. This is arguably the best pizza in Richmond and is definitely in the top three and it amazes me how many people in the near West End have no idea that such fabulous pizza is a short drive away. Very thin crust, amble sauce to the edge, great toppings and some of the best mozzarella around make for a great pie. Reheated in a hot, dry skillet it did not suffer from it’s short time in the refrigerator. And while I may not cross the river just for spaghetti, I definitely would for this pie. Italian Kitchen West
Thursday, June 4, 2009
There's a new kid in town and they are doing it right....dinner at Coast.
It's always struck me as odd that Richmond does not have a great, reliable seafood place. Of course we have places that do seafood well, but when one is in the mood for seafood, doesn't want it fried, and not sure what they want, I have been at a loss at where to frequent or recommend.
Now I have a place.....Coast. Coast is located "on the avenues" on Grove near Libbie and is brought to us by the owners of Enoteco Sogno, but it's a completely different menu and vibe.
The small restaurant is cozy but not cramped and the decor is cool and inviting.
We arrived last night and were promptly seated in a corner booth (yeah!) and our server, Mickie (not sure if I am spelling her name correctly), brought us menus and a wine list to get us started. We ordered a couple of glasses to Albarino while we reviewed the small, but very thoughtful menu. I love when a place offers many things I would like to try and Coast fits that bill.
We went with Mickey's recommendation to start and shared the roasted red pepper soup with jumbo lump crab ($8). A large bowl (and two spoons) arrived with a deep red creamy goodness and the bottom filled with the promised jumbo lump crab. This was terrific soup. We also ordered a bottle of an Italian rose' to have with the meal.
We also decided to share an appetizer of mussels poached in white wine, garlic, shallot, parsley and roasted tomato puree (12). These were some of the best mussels I've ever had...large and tender, perfectly poached and the broth was scrumptious and Mickey made certain we did not run out of bread for dipping.
Our entrees arrived and the fun continued. Bob ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with basil aioli ($28). These were as promised with lots of well seasoned crab and very little filler and pan fried to give them a nice crust on the outside and stay moist on the inside. These were served with fresh tagiatelle pasta and haricot verts...a nice change from the usual suspects.
I ordered the shrimp and grits with oven roasted tomatoes and garlic sherry cream ($20). Eight large, perfectly cooked shrimp were served over the creamiest of cheese grits and the tomatoes and sherry cream brought the dish together beautifully. And a serving of the haricot verts accompanied my dish as well.
The atmosphere, the service and the food were spot on. A great menu, nice wine selection, friendly but not overbearing staff make going to Coast a great way to spend the evening and we now have a new place in our regular rotation. Good job guys. I am looking forward to trying Coast for lunch as well. Coast
Now I have a place.....Coast. Coast is located "on the avenues" on Grove near Libbie and is brought to us by the owners of Enoteco Sogno, but it's a completely different menu and vibe.
The small restaurant is cozy but not cramped and the decor is cool and inviting.
We arrived last night and were promptly seated in a corner booth (yeah!) and our server, Mickie (not sure if I am spelling her name correctly), brought us menus and a wine list to get us started. We ordered a couple of glasses to Albarino while we reviewed the small, but very thoughtful menu. I love when a place offers many things I would like to try and Coast fits that bill.
We went with Mickey's recommendation to start and shared the roasted red pepper soup with jumbo lump crab ($8). A large bowl (and two spoons) arrived with a deep red creamy goodness and the bottom filled with the promised jumbo lump crab. This was terrific soup. We also ordered a bottle of an Italian rose' to have with the meal.
We also decided to share an appetizer of mussels poached in white wine, garlic, shallot, parsley and roasted tomato puree (12). These were some of the best mussels I've ever had...large and tender, perfectly poached and the broth was scrumptious and Mickey made certain we did not run out of bread for dipping.
Our entrees arrived and the fun continued. Bob ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with basil aioli ($28). These were as promised with lots of well seasoned crab and very little filler and pan fried to give them a nice crust on the outside and stay moist on the inside. These were served with fresh tagiatelle pasta and haricot verts...a nice change from the usual suspects.
I ordered the shrimp and grits with oven roasted tomatoes and garlic sherry cream ($20). Eight large, perfectly cooked shrimp were served over the creamiest of cheese grits and the tomatoes and sherry cream brought the dish together beautifully. And a serving of the haricot verts accompanied my dish as well.
The atmosphere, the service and the food were spot on. A great menu, nice wine selection, friendly but not overbearing staff make going to Coast a great way to spend the evening and we now have a new place in our regular rotation. Good job guys. I am looking forward to trying Coast for lunch as well. Coast
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thanks Brandon for the friendly reminder....great tacos at La Milpa
As usual, I arrived at work this morning thinking about what to have for lunch. As luck would have it, Brandon Fox's review in this week's Style Weekly, reminded me how much I love the tacos at La Milpa.
La Milpa is a combination Mexican restaurant, market, bakery and convenient store. Located at 6925 Hull Street Road, just west of Chippenham Parkway, this is real deal Mexican, not the Americanized version so prevalent in Richmond.
I decided on my usual, three soft tacos al pastor. Tender corn tortillas are filled with marinated and grilled pork and topped with cilantro, onion and a small amount of pineapple. Don't be scared off by the pineapple as it makes the taco. I garnished with a small amount of two of the red salsas offered at the salsa bar and life was good....very good.
I am anxious to try many of La Milpa's other offerings, but it's hard to get away from those tacos.
La Milpa is a combination Mexican restaurant, market, bakery and convenient store. Located at 6925 Hull Street Road, just west of Chippenham Parkway, this is real deal Mexican, not the Americanized version so prevalent in Richmond.
I decided on my usual, three soft tacos al pastor. Tender corn tortillas are filled with marinated and grilled pork and topped with cilantro, onion and a small amount of pineapple. Don't be scared off by the pineapple as it makes the taco. I garnished with a small amount of two of the red salsas offered at the salsa bar and life was good....very good.
I am anxious to try many of La Milpa's other offerings, but it's hard to get away from those tacos.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Just for clarification......
-I have never been associated with any media in any market. I have never sold advertising nor have I ever worked on commission.
-I work full time managing a business that has nothing to do with the restaurant or food industries.
-I did not start this blog to go after any business or with any other agenda of ill intent.
-My opinions are my own. I do not claim to be an expert and I have no issue with differing opinions. People can decide for themselves how credible my opinions are.
-However, I do take issue with false accusations in regard to me or my character.
-I work full time managing a business that has nothing to do with the restaurant or food industries.
-I did not start this blog to go after any business or with any other agenda of ill intent.
-My opinions are my own. I do not claim to be an expert and I have no issue with differing opinions. People can decide for themselves how credible my opinions are.
-However, I do take issue with false accusations in regard to me or my character.
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