This Week in RVA Restaurant Reviews- May 18-25
Richmond.com- Asian Galaxy
Style Weekly- Ettamae’s Cafe
Times Dispatch- Pies, Fries and Franks
RVA Lunch Special- The Empress
RVAFoodie- The Box Afghan kabob House
River City Food and Wine- Huynh’s Restaurant
Op/Ed: Digging in on Boom Boom’s Closing
Brian Bassett is a longtime friend of TheMarinara and moved back to Richmond six months ago, after a six year stint in Boston. Brian blogs about the Jets, tumblogs about Richmond, and lives in Bon Air. He’s passionate about the farm-to-table movement, and The Marinara asked Brian to write up his thoughts about the recent closure of Boom Boom Burgers.
Let He Who Is Without Sin
I wish I could get more incensed at Thursday’s Internet meltdown by Boom Boom Burger’s proprietor Joshua Eftekhari-Asl. Were things written in his first letter with which I disagree? Absolutely. Has he sought to fall on his sword? Yes. But as someone who’s written articles everyday on the Internet for going on seven years, I know better than to throw stones. As a huge fan (and blogger) of all things New York Jets, I’ve tread into territories that I should have never ventured – especially without some time and distance to properly collect my thoughts. Whether I went too far about a player’s latest error in judgment, guilt until proven innocence … I’ve messed up too. At times I was emotionally too raw, and wrote too soon, paying the price in credibility to my audience. It can take time to restore.
I’ve learned that valuable lesson the hard way. READ MORE
This Week in RVA Restaurant Reviews- May 8-14
Richmond.com – Jak’s Bagels and Deli Review
Style Weekly- Almost There (Off the Hookah)
Times Dispatch- Dining Out Review: The Franklin Inn
RVA Lunch Special- Sam’s Burgers and Subs – feel free to lick your screen
Enoteca Sogno is Back to Its Old Ways
The controversy started when Justin French refused to renew Gary York’s lease and York was forced to shut down Entoeca Sogno. Soon after, the incident was overshadowed by the rave reviews given to the location’s new proprietor, The Empress. I make no secret how much I love The Empress, but at the time I was sad to see Enoteca Sogno go away. It was a good food in an even better atmosphere at reasonable prices. That’s why when I heard the Enoteca Sogno recently reopened in the Northside (1223 Bellevue Ave), I made it over there as fast as possible.
First, let me say that the space is beautiful. With no respect to the other location, this space is polished. I felt underdressed in my shorts and button down. I wanted to be wearing dress pants, polished shoes and a brooks brothers non-iron shirt.
The service was fine, but it looked to be suffering from opening weekend miscues. After some confusion, I ended up having York himself serve me. I considered it an advantage because I was able to pepper him with questions as the meal went along.
Most importantly, the food seemed to of the same quality as is it was 17 months earlier. The menu is simple. Very simple. 5 or 6 starters, 4 or 5 salads, and a handful of entrees. I started with an arugula salad with shaved parmesan. The arugula was crispy and flavorful, the drizzled olive oil tempered the spice, and contrasted nicely with the salty parmesan. For my entrée, I had my favorite dish from the old location- Wild Mushroom Pasta. The tagliatelle is from Cavanna Pasta and is topped with gorgeous mushrooms and fragrant truffle oil. Add some grated cheese, and this dish becomes indulgent.
Alas, there was no time for dessert because my 5 month old (who happily smiled for the entire meal) was starting to lose it. It didn’t matter, I was on a food high, and now I have an excuse to go back. I still was able to figure out what I had set out to do. I was able to see that the time off and location change had not hurt Enoteca Sogno but maybe even made it better.
Sunday Supper with Chef Carly at the Empress
The Marinara Enterprises is proud to announce that May’s Sunday Supper has been set for May 22, 2010 at The Empress with Chef Carly Herring and co-owner Melissa Barlow. The Empress has been garnering rave reviews since opening in 2010, and both Carly and Melissa are looking forward to getting know all of you a little more at this dinner.
The meal will still be at least 3 courses and served family style. The chef is unwilling to to tell us what we can expect from the meal other than it will be really good and will be gluten free. This meal will be different from the others in that we will also have RVA writer, food lover, and wine goddess, Genevelyn Steele there to provide wine pairings for the food.
The price of the event will be $37.50 per person and that will include Dinner, Tax, Tip and Wine.
This promises to be a fun evening with some good food.
Space is limited so sign up soon!
Event: Sunday Supper with Chef Carly
When: Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Cost: $37.50 per person
Tickets can be purchased here
Some Hogshead BBQ in the West End?
I heard about a new BBQ joint going into the old Cuisines location in Glen Allen. If you still aren’t sure where that is, think Red Hot and Blue. It’s right next door to their old location.
After a little search, I saw a small article in the Richmond Biz Journal. and here is what they had to say
Although the name HogsHead might suggest just barbeque, Steve there’s more to it.
“We’re not going to compete with a Buzz or Ned’s,” he said. “We’re going to do a little bit of everything.”
Kim said the menu will be classic comfort food with a mix of classic American dishes and her own recipes.
The pair said they are going to source ingredients from local bakeries, butchers and farmers.
The article said that they plan to open on May 1. If you get a chance to try their food, let me know how it is.
UPDATE FROM THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE- “Who knew that opening a new local place for folks to gather meant meeting so many great people & taking our time on finding great products? Check back soon. We hope to open in 2 weeks & we will see you then!”
