The Black Sheep is one of those places that every time Bob and I go there we tell each other we need to go more often. Not only does it not disappoint, but it constantly surprises us and brings both the expected and the unexpected. Consistent enough to be reliable, but innovative enough to be surprising....a balance many restaurants never achieve. A comfortable setting, eclectically decorated, with friendly service, it is casual but would work for a date as well.
Breakfast last Saturday was terrific. Starting with a couple of cups of their outstanding coffee (arguably one of the best cups of Joe in town), we reviewed the menu. One thing I love about The Black Sheep is while looking over the menu for one meal, you can also review the menus for offerings during the rest of the day.
I knew going in what I wanted....biscuits and gravy. At $4 this is a great deal and price aside is one of the best comfort breakfasts in town. Bob had a more difficult time deciding and chose the Captain frittata ($9) which consisted of shrimp, crab, horseradish, dill, tomato, & green onion. The breakfast sides at $2/each are outstanding. We chose to share the smashed potato and the homemade applesauce (what a nice surprise to see on the menu). The potato is as described a smashed potato crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The homemade applesauce was a wonderful blast from the past and what came to mind were the memories of my grandmother and aunts who would make their own applesauce back in the day. The sauce was nice and chunky, well spiced and neither too sweet or too tart. I later regretted not getting an order to take home.
Whatever the time of day, if you are in the Marshall Street/ VCU area, The Black Sheep should be on the short list of places to go. They are open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. More information can be found on their website www.theblacksheeprva.com.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
So, it's been a year.......
I started this little blog a year ago today and it's been an adventure.
I wondered if anyone would read it. And yes you have.
I wondered if anyone would comment. And yes you have.
I've learned a lot in the past year...about myself, the Richmond foodie community and Richmonders in general.
Thank you all for your support, your comments and for taking the time to make me part of your day.
Janet
I wondered if anyone would read it. And yes you have.
I wondered if anyone would comment. And yes you have.
I've learned a lot in the past year...about myself, the Richmond foodie community and Richmonders in general.
Thank you all for your support, your comments and for taking the time to make me part of your day.
Janet
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A wonderful date night with Bob....dinner at Millie's
Millie's Diner is my favorite "date night" place with Bob. Since we go out often it's easy to get in the routine of having dinner with friends, Mckenzie and her fiance Peyton, or grabbing a quick casual dinner at some of our favorite places and neglect a true "date night."
Saturday we had a date. Started with cocktails at Havana 59 (the weather was perfect for this) and then headed to Millie's. We were early enough that we did not have to wait and was thrilled that the lovely Kathryn was our server for the evening.
We had a couple of glasses of Graham Beck sparkling to start while we reviewed the menu and caught up with the staff on how life was treating them.
Bob started with the salad of wild organic greens with sundried tomato and roasted garlic vinaigrette ($6). I had the Caesar salad with marinated Alici anchovies ($7). I love Millie's Caesar salad and it did not disappoint.
We ordered a bottle of Shaps & Roucher-Sarrazin Mersault '04 from France for $60. Dry and crisp it went very well with our dinner.
Bob ordered the herb roasted New Zealand rack of lamb which was served with fingerling potatoes, ratatouille, saffron-tomato nage and Kalamata vinaigrette ($27). I stepped out of the box and ordered the pan seared softshell crabs with horseradish spiked polenta, pancetta, sunflower shoots and rhubarb jam ($24). I had never ordered softshells before (have tasted them from friend's plates in the past) and thought Millie's would be a good place to try them. I was right.
The three softshell crabs were crisp on the outside and tender on the inside (I now get the softshell hoopla) and the polenta had a nice bite from the horseradish which complimented the sweet crab very well.
Bob was very pleased with his perfectly cooked lamb and flavorful ratatouille as evidenced by lamb bones being the only thing left on the plate.
The food and service were great, the weather was great and I could not have asked for a better date night. Their website is milliesdiner.com. They are opened for lunch Tuesday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday brunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Saturday we had a date. Started with cocktails at Havana 59 (the weather was perfect for this) and then headed to Millie's. We were early enough that we did not have to wait and was thrilled that the lovely Kathryn was our server for the evening.
We had a couple of glasses of Graham Beck sparkling to start while we reviewed the menu and caught up with the staff on how life was treating them.
Bob started with the salad of wild organic greens with sundried tomato and roasted garlic vinaigrette ($6). I had the Caesar salad with marinated Alici anchovies ($7). I love Millie's Caesar salad and it did not disappoint.
We ordered a bottle of Shaps & Roucher-Sarrazin Mersault '04 from France for $60. Dry and crisp it went very well with our dinner.
Bob ordered the herb roasted New Zealand rack of lamb which was served with fingerling potatoes, ratatouille, saffron-tomato nage and Kalamata vinaigrette ($27). I stepped out of the box and ordered the pan seared softshell crabs with horseradish spiked polenta, pancetta, sunflower shoots and rhubarb jam ($24). I had never ordered softshells before (have tasted them from friend's plates in the past) and thought Millie's would be a good place to try them. I was right.
The three softshell crabs were crisp on the outside and tender on the inside (I now get the softshell hoopla) and the polenta had a nice bite from the horseradish which complimented the sweet crab very well.
Bob was very pleased with his perfectly cooked lamb and flavorful ratatouille as evidenced by lamb bones being the only thing left on the plate.
The food and service were great, the weather was great and I could not have asked for a better date night. Their website is milliesdiner.com. They are opened for lunch Tuesday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday brunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
And suddenly it was the 1970's all over again....lunch at The Dairy Bar
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve grilled cheese and chocolate malts.....at Mayberry's in the Westland Shopping Center. Lunch with Mom was a weekly event and a memory I very much treasure now that I am a 44 year-old orphan.
Even though my beloved Mayberry's is now a Thai restaurant, yesterday's lunch at The Dairy Bar took me back to that special time and place.
The Dairy Bar is located just off Broad on Roseneath Road. It's in an unassuming building, but is a hidden treasure and a part of Richmond history that is often overlooked.
The interior is simply decorated with a counter and wooden booths throughout. The menu is classic diner....traditional breakfast fare, sandwiches, soups, a few entrees and daily specials, and a wide variety of milkshakes.
Feeling reminiscent and thinking of my Mom this Mother's Day week, I had a grilled cheese on rye with fries and a chocolate malt. The sandwich was simple and flat and melty.....love me a nice flat grilled cheese (the way God intended) with a melty center. Fries were fresh and hot and my guess fried to order. The malt......mmmmmmmmmmm...........made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, milk and malt it was perfect.
Service was very good, the place is reasonably priced and while not the most gourmet of lunches, it's simple comfort food done well.
The Dairy Bar is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and brunch on Sundays. The address is 1602 Roseneath Road. The phone number is 804-355-1937. And when you go, be sure to get a shake or malt. You will not regret it.
Even though my beloved Mayberry's is now a Thai restaurant, yesterday's lunch at The Dairy Bar took me back to that special time and place.
The Dairy Bar is located just off Broad on Roseneath Road. It's in an unassuming building, but is a hidden treasure and a part of Richmond history that is often overlooked.
The interior is simply decorated with a counter and wooden booths throughout. The menu is classic diner....traditional breakfast fare, sandwiches, soups, a few entrees and daily specials, and a wide variety of milkshakes.
Feeling reminiscent and thinking of my Mom this Mother's Day week, I had a grilled cheese on rye with fries and a chocolate malt. The sandwich was simple and flat and melty.....love me a nice flat grilled cheese (the way God intended) with a melty center. Fries were fresh and hot and my guess fried to order. The malt......mmmmmmmmmmm...........made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, milk and malt it was perfect.
Service was very good, the place is reasonably priced and while not the most gourmet of lunches, it's simple comfort food done well.
The Dairy Bar is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and brunch on Sundays. The address is 1602 Roseneath Road. The phone number is 804-355-1937. And when you go, be sure to get a shake or malt. You will not regret it.
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