Now on to the menu…

Imagine the Greek festival, all year long. Seriously, can you think of anything better than that? (This writer can’t). From lamb kebabs to gyros, mousaka to spanakopita, everything Greek you crave is on the menu. Fresh and made to order whenever possible, you can taste the quality of the ingredients. In fact, a quick conversation with Basilis reveals just how uncompromising he is about using authentic, fresh, quality ingredients. For example, while others might opt to substitute cheaper ingredients like sour cream to save money when making tzatziki sauce, Basilis insists on using imported Greek yogurt. He knows, from experience, that you can’t make a great Greek meal with inferior ingredients.

You might think the prices would be sky high, given that last statement, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Lunch and dinner are easily accessible in the $5-10 range. For $20, two people can eat like royalty (read: weeknight date night!). I can only imagine the kind of foot traffic Basilis will have as the Spring weather rolls into Richmond and the crowds return to Carytown.

Make sure you don’t miss the dessert case when you visit. It’s easy to miss since it’s just past the register. I highly recommend grabbing a piece of the Akmak Kataifi. The name might hide it’s deliciousness, but trust me when I say that this house special isn’t like any other dessert you’ve eaten. Structurally, it’s a little like a Greek version of tiramisu. Taste wise, it’s a trio of Greek desserts (namely kataifi on the bottom, galaktobouriko in the middle, with sweet whipped cream and walnuts and honey on top).

And if lamb, gyros, and baklava aren’t your thing – just ask for suggestions! There’s plenty of fare here to satisfy a vegetarian palate or a gluten-free diet. When I visited, I had a cup of the fish stew (tons of veggies, pollock, and lemon) and a gyro.

I couldn’t recommend this restaurant more strongly. I hope you’ll consider stopping by for a meal to support our newest Carytown business. They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday…which makes Basilis the perfect place to add into your brunch rotation regardless of whether you plan to eat in or carry out. Just look for the neon blue sign!

While you’re enjoying your next Greek treat there, noodle on this:
Basilis almost set up shop in the West End!

It is difficult to argue against Comfort. It’s a good concept. The prices are reasonable. The food seems to be good.
I will always have a certain respect for Comfort. They were pioneers in bringing the Richmond dining scene back to Broad Street. They brought it back and they did it with style.

For those of you who are new to Comfort, the restaurant plays on the traditional Meat and Three concept. You pick your meat and 3 sides to go along with it. While traditional Meat and Three places are basic comfort foods, Comfort takes those same basic meals and tries to kick it up a notch.

Comfort has two price levels. The higher price is for the given entrée and3 sides. The lower price is for only two sides. Appetizers run under $10. Most entrées fluctuate between $15 and $25. They have a strong bourbon selection. They have some subtly good sweet tea.

Shrimp and Grits Appetizer

Some food is better than others at Comfort. I loved the meatloaf. I’ve loved different steaks. I think the key is to have the waitress describe all the preparations because the menu is very vague. The sides are killer and almost enough reason to go to the restaurant itself. They have mac’n’cheese, cheese grits, braised greens, creamed spinach, and many more (including the richest corn bread stuffing that I have ever eaten.

Veggie Plate

I think the major flaw with this place is that it lends itself to being comfortable as a opposed to explosive. It’s perfect for certain scenarios. That being said I don’t find myself choosing to go there because I don’t have that overwhelming draw. If I do end up making the trip, I am comfortable knowing that I will have a good experience at Comfort.

It was bound to happen. I was going to have to disagree with Ed from Richmond Good Life at some point. It just happens to be at a place I so wanted to like.

I stopped in at Andrade’s International Restaurant in Historic Petersburg as part of my trip down to South Hill. Ed’s Top 50 List had not let me down to this point. In fact, he had opened my eyes to a few wonderful places AND this place had so much potential. It was a Mexican/Peruvian influenced restaurant, and judging from the menu, it looked to have some legitimate Peruvian dishes.

The restaurant was nice. It had the feel of a Fan establishment. I sat down, and things were great. They served me some chips with some salsa made of freshly roasted vegetables. I had a huge hunk of roasted jalapeño and it was divine.

The waiter went to take make food order and that’s when things went array. I tried ordering the Agua de Horchata to drink. Nope. They didn’t have any so a settled for just plain agua. I ordered the house salad and Mariscos Saltado. At least they had those options available.

The house salad was advertised as “Crispy Romain lettuce, avocados, palmitos, red onions, peppers, pepperochini & tomatoes tossed at your table w/ olive oil & vinaigrette.” The food was exactly as it claimed to be and it was a fine salad. What disappointed me was that the description led me to believe that there would be some table side tossing or mixing or something. Nope. Nothing. I received a big bowl of salad and a side of dressing.

The Miriscos Saltado was described as “Shrimp and scallops sauteed with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, red, green and yellow bell peppers, onions, scallions, potatoes and our special Peruvian sauce with clam juice.” It was very simple and very good. The fresh veggies were nice, but the sauce made the dish. I heaped some white rice on the place to soak up the juices, and that was the highlight of my meal. There were some black beans on the side. They weren’t the best. They weren’t the worst.

So Ed recommended that I try the Tres Leches for dessert. He said that it rivaled Kuba Kuba. I wouldn’t know because they didn’t have it. I instead tried the flan. I was a nice custard and wasn’t overly eggy, but it wasn’t what I wanted.

In the end I spent $30 on everything and it was hard to really judge the value. It wasn’t that the food was bad. It was actually very good. It was that they failed to meet my expectations that weren’t unreasonable. If you are going to have a fluctuating menu, find a way to accommodate for it.

I might come back here if I find myself in Petersburg sometime, but I think it is safe to say I won’t be making a special trip out there anytime soon.

I dig Grandpa Eddies BBQ. Mind you, I won’t put it on my top 25 list nor advertise it as the best bbq, but given it’s location, it’s a great option. Located in the chain infested waters of the Short Pump area, the place survives and puts out a great product and perhaps a great value.

Let me first start by saying, the old location was so much better. The newer location makes more sense. It just has no atmosphere. It’s too clean and polished on the outside and bleh on the inside.

What they do have is plenty of beer and plenty of tasty food. I have been there several times, but I can only remember ordering the same 3 dishes: 1) IBCA State Championship Chicken 2) Smoked Chicken Wings 3) Verlander Burger.

Their State Championship Chicken is fabulous. The problem is that is one of the most expensive menu items at $16. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, it’s just that I usually only frequent the place at lunch and I am not a fan of the $20 lunch.

The smoked wings are arguably the tastiest wings in the down. The meat is tender, flavorful and colorful. They are a nice change of pace from the tradional Buffalo style wing.

The Verlander Burger is ridiculous. Named after MLB All-Star, Justin Verlander, this puppy is 8 oz of ground beef, 4 oz of smoked brisket, 2 slices of cheddar and BBQ Sauce. i ordered this thing medium rare and it came out perfectly pink. The brisket had a beautiful smoke ring and great flavor. It was supple and juicy and a must eat in Richmond.

Mow comes the question of value. This place is not a bargain by any means. I am usually spending $12 for lunch. The food is very good and I have no complaints. So I will say that the value at Gradnpa Eddie’s is more realized at dinner.

I had heard rumors of their seafood chili being amazing; alas, they didn’t have any. So it was going to be one of their fish boats. I figured I would delve into the Buffalo Style Fish Boat, and man did I hit a home run. It was 2 or 3 huge fillets of “Lake Trout” breaded and fried perfectly and drenched in hot sauce. The “Lake Trout” was light and flakey. The breading provided nice texture and crunch without overwhelming flavor and the sauce blended well into it.

My buddy tried the Eggleston’s Fish Boat with peppers, onions and some “secret sauce” and it looked as good or better then my own dish.

Both dishes came with some buttery, wonderful smashed (definitely no mashed) potatoes. They reminded be more of roasted potatoes squashed together. I didn’t need more but I could have eaten more.
There was so much food on each plate, which we struggled to finish. The cravings I had for their cheddar, ranch grits dissipated with each bite of true satisfaction.

Best part was that each entrée was under $10. While that is super savings at lunch, it is a steal at dinner.
I want/need to remember this place more often. It’s that good, it’s just hard to keep on the radar.

*Their sweet tea is over the top sweet. I had to thin it out with unsweetened tea, but some people like it that way.

It is no secret that I like love Brazilian Churrascarias. So when I read about Dora’s Brazilian Grill, I knew I needed to visit.

Let me start by saying this is a brand new restaurant. I believe it has only been open a little over a week. That being said, the place was clean, the staff was friendly, and the service was professional.

This place is slightly different than Texas de Brazil and Ipanema Grill. Yes, they have the traditional rodizio (all you can eat meat-fest), but they also have other entrees in case someone in your party is not a true carnivore. There is also no salad bar. The meals come with salad, biscuits, rice and beans, potatoes, and plantains. In addition, the meat they serve is not quite as salty as the meats at the other restaurants.

As for the food itself, it was par for the course. Some meats were better than others. The picanha (top sirloin) was outstanding. They had a ribeye that melted in your mouth. The linguica sausage was house made. They finished the meal with what they called Virginia Grillers or little pieces of shoulder tenderloin. Very tasty.

The price was $26.95 for a ton of food (and very reasonable compared to the $44 at Texas de Brazil). Honestly, what appealed to me the most was its location. It’s nice to have an option like this within the city. It’s nice to be able to stroll down to the Bottom after a nice hearty meal. it’s nice not eating at a mall or suburban strip mall.

The trouble with Can Can is that grading it on value can be troublesome. I think in some ways, there is a whole lot of value to be found. Other times, the value is not as great. The difference is not due to inconsistency but instead the diversity of the menu.

On the low end, Can Can has remarkable value. Their $2 pastries rock. I am a fan of the plain croissant and the pecan roll. Their $9 cheeseburger is arguably the best in town. Their fries are addictive. Their steak frites are comparable to Outback prices and much better. Their French Onion soup is $7 but it is a meal unto itself. The raw bar is reasonable during happy hour. The $4 gruyere and cheese is awesome. Frankly, I have loved every sandwich that I have ever eaten there.

On the high end, the value can be questioned. Don’t get me wrong, the food is good. If money wasn’t an option, I would gladly buy their dinner entrees more often. That being said, at $10 for an appetizer and $27 for an entrée, I could be eating over at Acacia midtown. I almost think the brasserie atmosphere is a hindrance for them on the high end stuff. It’s fun and lively and just not a place you would expect to walk home with a $100+ bill.

The one way I would recommend experiencing Can Can’s high end side in a reasonable manner would be to try out one of their beer or wine dinners that usually only cost $50 a person.
So yes, there definitely is value at Can Can, you just have to choose to find it.

When I do make it out to the office, I am heading out to the nowhere land between Chester and Hopewell. This place was a no-brainer for me to try since it was this or your typical chain (Chili’s, Uno’s, Friday’s, Fill in the Blank).

The place is a dive. It’s reminiscent of every sketchy, strip-mall Asian joint. That’s ok. That’s not the purpose of this experiment. It’s value.

And value is what Hibachi Ichiban delivers. While they have a diverse menu, you generally order one of 3 things: steak, chicken or shrimp. I chose steak being the carnivore that I am. For roughly $8, I received a 6X12 container stuffed with fried rice, some sort of noodles, and sauteed veggies. That concoction looked to have 8-10 oz of diced sirloin on top of that. Throw in a couple cups of that addictive, creamy sauce and there you have it folks, a good meal. Ed isn’t joking about this place. the taste is as good as the fancy ones without the showmanship and the price tag. This is takeout, so you don’t even need to tip, right RVAFoodie?

BTW, don’t expect an unbiased review here. I’m a huge fan of Russell Cook and so I have a hard time being objective.

I was so desperate to eat there, that I took lil’marinara. I figured it would be a good test on how friendly and gracious their staff could be. I requested to sit in the back because it seemed a bit more low-key.

The Genius- Russell Cook

The staff was very engaging. Russell came by and I ordered “something low carb” and “something for kids.” I also ordered a bowl of their golden gazpacho, which was light, fresh and seasoned with a nice cayenne kick. The “something low carb” showed up and it was crispy pork belly on top of a cabbage salad and served with grilled veggies and au-jus. The “something for kids” was a heritage cheeseburger made with a Flour Garden roll, artisan cheese and local, grass-fed beef and fries.

Both dishes were great. Lil’ marinara tore up the fries and the burger, not before I was able to take a few bites. I dug into the pork belly, which Tony Bourdain refers to as the 5 layers of heaven. It was crispy and tasty on the outside. The inside was rich and tender. The au-jus was only really necessary for the inside pieces. The pieces with skin were perfect.

What I appreciated about the restaurant was that the prices were not outrageous. The pork was $16 and the burger was $10. With reasonable prices, it was amazing how well they were able to stay local, organic, and/or sustainable with the ingredients and wine.

I can’t wait to go back but I think I’ll leave the 2 year old at home and take the wife for a nice night out.

It’s not perfect, but I still love the place. I have been a fan of Karen’s, now known as City Diner, for years now. Located near the corner of Strawberry and Broad, this cozy diner has become the regular spot for me and little marinara on our weekly morning out.

The people are what make it comfortable. When we visit, we recognize half the people in the restaurant as regulars. Our waitress, Suzie, already knows to make the chocolate milk for the little one. As she brings it over to the table, I often will discuss with her the finer points of NASCAR. The other waitress Yvonne is helping me culture the little one with the Irish vocabulary. Mike, the owner for almost 3 years, gives everyone a warm hello. Don’t be surprised to see Richmond celebrities like former NBA star Johnny Newman or Governor Tim Kaine come by for a quick bite to eat.

As for the food, it’s your standard breakfast fare. The hash brown potatoes are fresh, the sausage gravy is awesome, the link sausage is better than the patty sausage, and the scrapple is deep fried crispy. Mon-Fri , they have a breakfast special that gives you 2 eggs, 1 meat, side, and bread for $3.79. I’m a fan of the bologna, egg and cheese on toast or the breakfast club. It’s really hard to go wrong.

NOTE- The place only takes local checks and cash, but they do have an ATM in the building.

I won’t attempt to put this into the class or Millie’s or Black Sheep, but I will tell you that I am at City Diner many more times than those two combined. If you have your regular spot, stick with it. If you need a regular spot, City Diner may just well be that place.