The804.com–Richmond VA Real Estate Blog

I need to keep up with my lists, or I will lose any street cred as a hack food “reviewer.”  I had to update a couple this past week.

• Hamburger list: First off, Carena’s got rid of their fantastic hamburger, which I understand.  They shouldn’t be so food schizo and focus on what they do best, which is, of course, Jamaican.  On the other hand, does this also mean, Jimmy Sneed’s “part of the menu” is getting downplayed?…  Also, I got rid of my #1 hamburger, totally off the list (I won’t name the place out of respect…but I ain’t referring to them anymore).  I was so, so disappointed.  Same high price, but they totally downgraded this burger (even the bread wasn’t fresh….CARDINAL SIN NUMERO UNO).  Cheaper, punier, funny-tasting bacon.  Presentation was even off (generic plate…no meat board and condiment presentation).  They don’t even cook the burgers anymore on their open kitchen grill. I have gotten better burgers at the chains.  Shame on this place.  I had to profusely apologize to my guest as I was raving about them beforehand.  Goddamit, did I mention, the bread wasn’t even fresh?  Only redeeming thing, the fries were still awesome.  If I construct a best french fry list, theirs would be at the top….  BTW, Anthony and George’s, that lil underdog by Amtrak, has snuck into my first place ranking.  The freshness and charbroiled cooking style of this burger is so evident (juicy not greasy), and the fries accompanying are so goood.  Great value, too…Though I’ve been to Delux several times, I’m still working through their blue plate specials, and haven’t been in the mood to try their $15 Kobe burger yet.  Soon.  Soon…. Finally, on the other end of the spectrum, I’ve noticed a fantastic new trend in Richmond: the cheap burger night (see my burger list).   In these recessionary times, I love that I can still buy a good burger for the price of a gallon of gasoline.
• While we’re on this topic: Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn (yeah, there’s actually a Long Island version, too)…They have the best burgers (lunch only) in the world, without a doubt.  I was just there a couple of weeks ago without reservations (I would highly recommend calling for one if it’s a weekend…I just got lucky, and it helps I’m a charming SOB.).  Burger comes with their world famous fries and beefsteak tomato (worth getting salmonella poisoning for).  And you must add the bacon.  Trust me.  Add the bacon.
• Pizza list: Tarrantino’s is totally IN…They get the “crust” thing: charred n chewy, and the staff back there are super friendly.  Right now, they are the best in town for the elusive New York style.  The bloggerati agrees.
• If I were to create an obscure list for best hush puppies in town, Infuzion would win this award hands down.  Think funnel cake. 
• UMI Sushi Bistro’s Teriyaki Chicken is one of the best in town.  At first turned off by the high price of the plate, they make it up by giving out a ton of chicken (two sliced up breasts as opposed to the industry standard of one).  Very tender for chicken, and the sauce is delicate.
• I recently discovered the charming as hell Western Hanover Grocery Store in Montpelier.  Wrangler jeans, cowboy hats, local farm produce, Grape bottle Nehi, cooking ingredients, and a very nice deli and ice cream shop.  Straight out of a Garrison Keillor novel  (Read More about them).
• I gave the new Citrine (7515 Brook Road, the old Celebrity Room) a try.  Too early to gauge, obviously.  The menu did seem all over the place (ie, trying to appease the wide variation demographics of this part of town).  I went straight for the kebobs, the litmus test of any Mediterranean restaurant (like Pho in Vietnamese, Soon Dooboo in Korean, etc).  I was pleasantly surprised.  Nice marination-spices, juicy, and the rice n Naan sides were solid.  This is a restaurant to keep an eye on…it’s just one of those “cursed” locations though.

Petersburg is Williamsburg (Brooklyn) to Richmond’s Manhattan.  I was pleasantly surprised and supremely jealous to discover Java Mio Coffeehouse (322 N Sycamore St Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 861-2700) in Old Towne.  I was in the Pete conducting some business, and I needed a spot to cool down and check email.  I remember driving by Java Mio many a time and finally, decided to check it out. 

Wow!  This is a very unique space.  Probably, taking advantage of cheap Petersburg real estate, the location has huge square footage (twice as big as, say, an average Starbucks).  They also take their coffee seriously, roasting fresh beans on premise (roaster was in the back).  My cup of joe was very, very nice. 

But, again, the standout feature of this coffee shop is its size and layout.  The mashup furniture is very eclectic-cozy (a mix of bars, high tables, low tables, and a Friendsesque sofa).  The magnificent centerpiece of the location, however, is their “Secret Garden” outdoor courtyard in the back (think Beuregard Thai Room).  That must be the “it spot” for Petersburg denizens (when it’s not 100 degrees). 

They have an extensive food menu serving beer and wine (No scouting report on the food as I had already eaten).  Anyways, I was so impressed with Java Mio that I actually had to update my Top Coffee Shop list on the Good Life.  This could very well be the perfect coffee house.  Sure wish we could magically transport it to Richmond.