The804.com–Richmond VA Real Estate Blog

Wow.  I usually like to wait a couple months before trying a new restaurant, so that they can get their feet wet.  But after last week’s call for reader feedback, people have been raving non-stop about the new Carena’s Jamaican Grille.  I couldn’t resist, so I recently made a trek to “Old Midlothian.”  When you have two of Richmond’s restaurant royalty combining forces (Carena Ives of Jamaica House and Jimmy Sneed), expectations are going to be really, really high.  Jimmy Sneed’s Frog and the Redneck was THE IT restaurant for much of the 90’s in Richmond (if not the East coast).  In its heyday, it was the type of mythical restaurant foodies from DC would drive two hours just to try.  Then, poof, one day it just disappears.  I’d love to get the scoop of what really happened with the rise and fall of the F&R (VH1 special or, at least, a Style magazine cover story).  

Anyhow, my first impression of Carena’s is 100% positive.  Everything from the homemade fruit punch (they even have the beloved ‘Ting soda) to the apps to the main dish to the celebrity clientele (I gawked at Happy’s car) was spot on.  The menu itself will seem familiar (a lot of imports from Jamaica House).  However, it looks like Sneed has inserted himself into the menu with items like a magnificent ciabatta hamburger (according to the menu, seared at 900 degrees) and pizza (seems strange for a Kingston-themed restaurant but worth a future try).  Their soup du jour may give Zuppa and Mekong a run for the money for best soup in town (as long as you tolerate dem bones).

Before anointing Carena’s a top 50 restaurant, I’ll need to try it a couple more times, but from this first impression, it’s well on its way there.

The irony here is that this single restaurant could very well have more impact on this beleaguered neighborhood than that crazy Cloverleaf Mall boondoggle happening across the street.  Sorry, couldn’t resist that cheap shot.

As expected, anytime you publish this kind of list, you’ll get feedback.  Added a couple new links to the page including a coupon section and more review sites (totally forgot about the haduken survey).  In addition, there is a new section for reader feedback choices called Veto Override the Good Life’s Top 50.   I think it’s good to get the agora’s collective 2 cents.  If you’d like to scold me for egregiously leaving a restaurant out, shoot me an email, and I’ll add that restaurant to the voting tally.   Remember, this list is designed to help navigate strangers around Richmond dining, so only include restaurants that you are totally passionate about.

Upcoming Questions of the Week:

• Who has the best pizza?
• Who has the best hotdog?
• Who has the best steak?
• Who has the best french fries?
• Who has the best bread basket?
• Who has the best dessert?

Phew, I finally got around to finishing my “Good Life” treatise on the best restaurants in RVA (expanded and based on an old list I published a while back).  Behold, the list in all its glory: Top 50 Best Restaurants in Richmond VA!  For those who think my tastes are a load of crap, I’ve also included links to more reputable sources…I’m going to update this page frequently with mini Top 5 lists.  The inaugural question is “If I had an out-of-town guest, where would I take them?” Feel free to leave your top 5 in the comments box.