Random Food notes:
- I was very sad to see Grandpa Eddie’s (probably the best bbq in metro-Richmond) leave Rockville for the bigger, “greener” pastures of Short Pump (see Style: Short Order). Carrie Friedman’s concept is destined for greater things. Well, fortunately, foodie karma works in both directions as I recently noticed while driving through Oilville a new butcher(!) has opened up: Butcher’s Block Market (right next door to the Domino’s) Upon snooping the website, it looks like one of the owners is Paul Cruser of Red Oak fame. That is a damn good sign. I haven’t had a chance to patronize the place, but I’ll have a full scouting report next week.
- I now have a favorite rotisserie chicken in town: Chicken Fiesta (Rotisserie Chicken and Tex-Mex Grill) 7748 Midlothian Turnpike (near Buford Rd). I’ve been searching far and wide for this kind of dish in the 804: Peruvian style chicken cooked over live coals. Cheesy looking on the outside, this place is the God awful truth! For the price, nothing comes close to the charred moist superior goodness of this pollo.   Â
- Pizza notes: I was up in New Haven, CT this week…In my never-ending quest to find the country’s best pizza, I went to the legendary Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. Don’t get me wrong, their pizza rocks and is better than anything in this town…However, to call it the country’s best is laughable. Much like Lombardi’s in Little Italy (see recent NY Post article THE 10 MOST OVERRATED DISHES IN N.Y.C. ), I think Pepe’s must be living off reputation. For my money, the holy trinity of pizza is Grimaldi’s (Brooklyn), Totonno’s (Coney Island), and Bianco’s (Phoenix!?). In Richmond, 81/2 makes the best pizza. On my “to do” list: 2 Amys in DC and Una Pizza Napoletano in the East Village (I’ve tried going twice but they’re always closed).