I could not wait to write this post.....lunch today at Tandoori Tikka and Kebob

I had a few errands to run today, which is always an opportunity to have lunch outside of my office circle. I like to use these opportunities to try new places and indulge in cuisines Bob doesn't care for, such as sushi, Indian and Thai.

Today I tried Tandoori Tikka & Kebab for the first time and was so impressed. Located in the Bellgrade Shopping Center at Huguenot and Robious Roads, it's a hidden gem well worth the hunt.

I arrived to an elegant, if quiet, dining room. It is beautifully decorated and you are welcomed by the scent of the many spices being used in the kitchen.

I am typically not a fan of lunch buffets for a number of reasons and was glad to see there was no buffet here.

I read the menu and decided on the lunch special: a combination of chicken curry, vegetable curry and Chana curry served with Paratha, basmati rice pilaf, Raita and Naan for $7.95. The Paratha was nicely seasoned and had a nice crunch. The Naan was flaky and buttery and the curries provided the right balance of spice and heat while the Raita was a cool contrast to all of the dishes. Each curry had it's own distinct seasoning and each complimented the other very well.

The service was outstanding and the waiter explained everything to me very well. It will definitely be on my regular lunch rotation even if it's a bit of a drive. It's some of the best, if not the best, Indian food in Richmond.

Recognizing gems such as Tandoori reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place. I wish them every success. http://www.tandooritikkakebab.com/

Seems last week was Greek week....lunch at Basilis

It was a sunny day in Richmond and I decided to venture to Carytown for a quick lunch and a bit of shopping. Having heard some good buzz about Basilis, I decided to give it a try.

Basilis is a casual Greek restaurant located in the former Carytown Seafood location and a great addition to the Carytown dining scene.

I arrived shortly before 11:30 and was promptly greeted and told if I had any questions regarding the menu to let them know. It's a nice menu featuring the Greek standards one expects. I decided on the lamb and beef gyro and upgraded to the combination with fries and a drink for a total of $6.95. The gyro arrived full of meat on a grilled pita (some of the best pita I've had)with lettuce, tomato, parsley and red onion and topped with nice cool tzatsiki. The big surprise were the fries. These aren't fancy fries, but simple and classic and done perfectly....the type of fries that are worth every calorie.

I am looking forward to returning and trying many of the other items. Good food, good service, very reasonably priced, it's a great spot for lunch of a casual dinner. www.basilisgr.com

A solid place for weeknight dinner or weekday lunch....Trak's

At my cousin's bridal shower I discovered one of her friends is a waitress at Trak's and several other friends recommended it recently. Last night while talking to Luke and Marc at Flemings, they recommended it also. Bob and I saw that as a sign we needed to try Trak's. We are glad we did.

Located in a strip mall on Quioccassin just west of Starling, Trak's is a true neighborhood place. We quickly determined we were two of the few non-regulars having dinner last night. It is decorated with lots of small lights, and grapes and silk plants.....just what you want and expect from a Greek-Italian place.

As luck would have it our waitress was my cousin's friend Megan. Bob had a Greek beer and I had a glass of Pinot Grigio while reviewing the extensive menu of Greek and Italian favorites.

We decided on the Spanakopita (spinach pie) served with tzakiti for $7.95. Filled with spinach and dill, they were just as expected and the thick tangy tzakiti was some of the best I've ever had (and yes I took what was left home).

For entrees I went to a favorite of mine, Pastichio, for $14.95 and upgraded to a Greek salad for an additional $1.50. Pasta tubes baked and topped with meat sauce, bechamel and marinara this was very good and the portion large enough that I have plenty for lunch today. The Greek salad was as expected and very fresh with lots of feta and a tangy homemade dressing.

Bob chose the Beef & Lamb Gyro Dinner for $14.95. This was served with a basic rice pilaf and Bob upgraded to the Greek salad as well. I tried a couple of bites of the Gyro and it was very, very good and could easily become a lunchtime standard. With dinner we had a bottle of Demestica Red (Greece) for $29.50. Light and dry, it went well with both dishes.

Megan did a wonderful job of making us feel like a regular while answering our numerous questions. I look forward to my next trip there. http://www.traksrichmond.com/

Perfect place for an afternoon bridal shower....Azzurro

When I decided to host a bridal shower for my young cousin Michelle, I wanted a place with the right balance of elegant and casual, with a great patio, great food and service. Azzurro was the first place that came to mind and I knew Wes and his staff would take care of us. They did not disappoint.

I gave Wes carte blanche over the menu. His expertise meant he would come up with something better than I would. I was very impressed with the menu he designed as were the guests and the beautiful bride.

For the first course we had a Antipasti of Mozzarella Wrapped Proscuitto, Calamari and Grilled Portabello. You can never go wrong with cheese and pig and this dish never disappoints. The Calamari were tender and served with a nice garlicky marinara. I had never tried the Grilled Portabello at Azzurro and this was terrific and a nice contrast to the richer Mozzarella and Calamari. Served with a light crisp Antinori Orvieto Classico it definitely got the party started.

For the second course we were able to select one from the following: Insalata Pesce (mixed field greens with fresh tuna), Ravioli Fradiavolo (stuffed with ricotta and spinach in garlic and marinara), Chicken and Proscuitto Sandwich (grilled chicken on homemade bread with mayo, lettuce, tomato, proscuitto and mozzarella), Risotto Azzarino (smoked salmon, cream, topped with caviar), Penne Vodka and Margherita Pizza. After debating over the choices, most of us chose the Ravioli Fradiavolo and were glad we did. The ravioli were light and flavorful and the garlic marinara was good not only with the ravioli but the perfect dipping sauce for their homemade bread.

Then came dessert. This called for bubbly and the Cannella Rose fit the bill. Crisp and dry it was a nice accompaniment to the selection of desserts we had to choose from: lemon sorbet, peach sorbet, pineapple sorbet, Mandarin sorbet, and the crowd favorite, Tartufo (hazelnut ice cream surrounded with chocolate mousse, covered in dark chocolate and toasted hazelnuts). This was a great way to finish off an outstanding meal.

I cannot say enough good things about Wes and all of the staff at Azzurros. They were gracious and patient and we never waited for a thing. Thank you for making my cousin's shower such a lovely event. Azzurro

Happy Hour at Flemings...it's happy and lasts more than an hour

I often find that I unintentionally don't give my regular places....namely Flemings, Azzurro and Mediterraneo, the blog recognition they deserve. It's easy to take the places where everyone knows your name for granted.....but without these three places I'd be a lost and hungry soul.

That leads me to the cheeseburger at Flemings. Before 7:00 it is a steal at $6. They have a number of appetizers, cocktails and wine for $6 until 7:00, including one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. And it comes with two large onion rings. And it has bacon and your choice of cheese, and I can get it rare. And the Challah bun ties it all together in wonderful indulgent perfection.

Go see Luke, Marc and Melissa...sit at the bar and have a cocktail and a burger. You'll be glad you did.