Franken Stube is wunderbar!

April 16, 2019April 17, 2019 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ Leave a comment

From the age of 3 until I was 8 years old, I lived in Germany due to my father having 3 consecutive postings there with the British Army. Being so young, I didn’t exactly explore the culinary scene but I do have a few memories of our time there! When I found out that there was a German restaurant here in Petersburg, and that folks were raving about it, I just had to go and try it myself. Along with my friends Silvia (who is originally from Germany) and Heather, we headed down there for dinner on a Friday night. We had made a reservation, which is recommended by the way.

Sometimes a restaurant just surprises you in the most wonderful way. Franken Stube is housed in a building attached to a Shell gas station just off I-95. An interesting location to say the least! When you open the door, you enter into the most delightful, simple café adorned with red and white checked table cloths and curtains, along with German flags and mementos clearly belonging to the owner. There’s even a little market section with a variety of food imported from Germany.

We were warmly greeted by Andrea and shown to our table. She was busy but fetched us some beer and wine (it’s all German here) while we perused the menu. So, let me start by saying that this is the kind of place where you feel like you are in someone’s home and, as a guest, you need to treat is as such. As the restaurant was busy, Andrea was too, so we reassured her that we were perfectly happy to sip on our drinks while she tended to the other guests before taking our orders. With all the delicious classic dishes to choose from, we needed time to decide anyway! Silvia opted for a classic Weiner Schnitzel with Potato Salad and Cucumber Salad. I chose the Sauerbraten with Red Cabbage and Spaetzle and Heather went for the Gulasch, served over Spaetzle. All were delicious! It really did feel like we were having a lovely home-cooked meal in someone’s house.

When owner Irene Williams can take a break from cooking, she comes out to talk to the customers. She is delightful, and an inspiration to all. If ever you are wondering about starting over and second chances, she is a shining example showing that anything is possible at any stage in life. A dozen or so years ago, she married Freddie, her second husband, whom she proudly lets you know, is a retired Marine and Vietnam Veteran. She told us that he wanted to make her dreams come true by helping her open up a restaurant. She is in her sixties. She could be just enjoying retired life with her husband but instead, she is fulfilling her dream and sharing her amazing talents with us all. I got OUT of the restaurant business at 40! I’m in awe of her!

When we asked her why she wanted to do this and how she got her love of cooking, she explained that growing up she was the oldest girl of 6 children and, with 2 working parents and 3 hungry brothers, she needed to learn how to cook! She has always loved to cook and thought she would like to have a restaurant one day. She first opened Franken Stube in Emporia and while very popular, she ultimately decided to move it further north towards Petersburg. She still lives in Emporia but says that the 30 minute drive home is her wind-down time. Does she go straight to bed? No…. she bakes! Interestingly she told us that her classic Apple Streudel and Black Forest Cake have become very popular with diabetic customers. As with a lot of European desserts, there is a lot less sugar in them than American style desserts. Her streudel contains NO sugar – just apples, cinnamon and vanilla. The only sugar is the confectioner’s sugar sprinkled on top. The cake contains only about 4 tablespoons of sugar in the ENTIRE cake, with the fruit and the cocoa powder providing the sweetness. Both were fabulous.

Irene was very pleased to be able to chat away to Silvia in German and they compared stories. Both came here to the States by marrying American soldiers who were serving in Germany. She was very keen to get Silvia’s opinion about the food and they had a fairly long talk about the schnitzel which Irene explained was thinner than it should typically be, because she was unable to get the right cut from her supplier. This is a woman who really cares about and loves what she’s doing. You can just tell that she so enjoys sharing her passion for her native cuisine with her many customers. We ended up spending 3 hours there chatting and just enjoying the place. We all got a bit teary eyed hearing her story and after describing her husband Freddie, we asked where he was, and he was immediately brought out to meet us! What a lovely couple, providing us with a unique dining experience that feels like you are in someone’s home. But in a gas station just off I-95. If you haven’t tried it, go experience it for yourself. I hope you feel the same warmth and welcome and that you love the German homecooked food as much as we did. Thank you, Irene, for never giving up on your dream. Wunderbar indeed!

Franken Stube is located at 328 Rives Rd, Petersburg, VA 23805 (804) 805-2482

It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Check their Facebook Page for more details.

Chicago

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 2 Comments

Having lived in the US for my entire adult life, it’s amazing to me that I had never been to Chicago! A total foodie city, it had been on my bucket list forever. As in recent years, I found myself free for a few days after Christmas, as did my brother Luke. “Want to go on a trip somewhere with me?”, I asked back at in November. “Sure” was the reply. So then came the quest to find the perfect place for two siblings in their forties to spend a few days together. “How about Chicago?”, I texted him one day. His response was a resounding “yes!”. Decision made! Both of us have worked in the restaurant business for most of our careers so far, so heading to a city chock full of amazing restaurants was perfect. A couple of days later, a text to Kerry and Bart asking them if they wanted to come too, resulted in them booking within hours!

The advantage of traveling to Chicago in winter, is that it’s low season for hotels. Book on Cyber Monday and you can snag a great deal for a luxury hotel for the same price as an average 3 Star. The obsessive researcher that I am, after days of looking, I landed on The Hotel Gwen smack in the middle of the city, just north of the river and adjacent to the Magnificent Mile. Newly renovated, the former Conrad Hotel is now part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. Named for the Sculptor whose work is a prominent feature in the lobby, the hotel is chic with an Art Deco flair found in the many details of its decor. We loved it. Gorgeous heavenly beds and spa-like bathrooms, friendly staff, a great bar and even a curling ice and little chalet on the patio overlooking the city! I love beautiful hotels. I appreciate luxury. And I especially do so when acquired for less than $150 a night!

So now for the main theme of our trip…..FOOD! Luke and I arrived a day earlier than the others and after a good flight and a 40 minute Lyft ride to the hotel, we were ready for a bite to eat. Across the street from the Gwen, was the famous Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. I had read about their excellent happy hour and as if by magic, we arrived on the dot at 2:00, the start of it. Moscow Mules, Buffalo Cauliflower and a petit Shrimp Po’boy, fortified us. We then had a nice walk around the area, realizing how much there was right outside our front door. Great shopping and tons of restaurants albeit somewhat touristy.

The evening was the best part of our day and indeed one of the highlights of our trip. An old friend of Luke’s, Scott Worsham, who along with his lovely wife Sari, owns two restaurants in Chicago and invited us to meet him at their newest place, Bar Biscay in West town, recently nominated for a 2019 Jean Banchet Award for Best New Restaurant. A sleek modern restaurant in a more residential neighborhood, Chef Johnny Anderes cooks food inspired by the “simple, direct approach of Basque cuisine and the classic rusticity of the French Countryside”. My kind of food. We were in for such a treat.

Firstly, there is nothing like being reunited with an old friend, so to witness Scott and Luke catching up after so many years was a pleasure in itself. To do so accompanied by a veritable journey through the menu and wine and drinks list was perfectly divine. We started with Anchovy Toast, Razor Clams with Radish, Garlic butter and Toast, and Manchego Gougeres with Garlic Aioli washed down with a lovely white wine. Then, on to Veal Sweetbreads with puréed parsnip and maple-espellette glaze, Cockles in sherry and paprika butter served with a crusty baguette, then I believe a salad.

On hearing that I planned to resume my tee-total life after the trip Scott declared that we must drink something good with our Braised Oxtail (that reminded Luke and I of our grandmother’s version), Confit Carrots, Tilefish and Chorizo stuffed Peppers. A gorgeous Bordeaux was chosen. There are few things in life that make me happier than experiencing that perfect marriage of food, wine, atmosphere and the company of others. A celebration of flavor, carefully crafted combinations and great banter. The best part of which is that the owners and their SUPERB crew, are taking you on that ride, showing their exquisite artistry. Brilliant. I know there are literally thousands of restaurants to choose from in this city but I instantly fell in love with this place. I wish them all kinds of success as they certainly deserve it! I can’t wait to go back and try their other restaurant, mfk, as well as coming back here!

After a blissful slumber in our double queen bedded room with a view of the Magnificent Mile, and countlessly recalling the dishes we had sampled and how fabulous our evening was, we turned our thoughts to Kerry and Bart’s arrival. We greeted them at the lovely bar in the hotel lobby and after checking in, we headed out to do what we felt was an obligatory food experience…the famous Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. We found ourselves at Pizzeria Due, at the bar with beer and red wine, sampling their meatballs and garlic bread while the famous pizza was being prepared. They take 45 minutes. Was this my favorite food experience of the trip? Probably not, but it was certainly fun to sit at the bar in this loud but cozy place and soak up the atmosphere along with the 5,000 calories that surely each slice contained. The four of us split a medium size and couldn’t finish it! It was certainly decadent; a very thick almost pastry-like crust filled with cheese, tomato sauce, sausage and pepperoni. So, so heavy… tasty but now that I’ve done that, it’s checked off the list and I can continue on to other delicacies.

A walk was needed after that indulgence so we headed to the Navy Pier area. On our way we truly understood why this place is called the Windy City! Freezing wind means that warm coats, hats and gloves are essential. We needed the walk and it was nice to see the lake and view the skyline. Navy Pier had lots of shops, a tropical garden (?!), a big Ferris wheel and a Children’s Museum. When we had seen enough we headed back to the sanctuary of the hotel bar to enjoy the delicious cocktails.

For dinner, we attempted to get into the Purple Pig but the hostess rather proudly told us that it was a 2.5 hour wait….thanks, but no thanks! So we opted for Shaw’s Crab House for martinis, two dozen oysters and bowls of clam chowder in their more casual Oyster Bar. Perfect!

Just as I research hotels to death, I of course do the same for restaurants. I do not just go straight for the number one rated restaurants, give me a smaller, independently owned place over a large corporate franchise ANY day. I had found out about Lula’s and was happy to get Scott and Sari’s endorsement for my choice. Famous for their brunch for which they don’t take reservations, we hopped in a Lyft on Saturday morning for the 15 minute ride out to Logan Square. Located on a wide avenue with grand houses, it was great to get out of the city centre into a neighborhood. As expected, there was a wait, so we added our name to the list and checked out the local bookstore a few doors away. We were greeted by a parking lot of strollers inside and the sound of music coming from a kids story time hour here. Quite charming. After a couple of purchases we headed back to Lula’s for Bloody Mary’s made from scratch and deemed “nice and clean” by our experts aka Bart and Luke. We were seated shortly thereafter and proceeded to enjoy an outstanding brunch. The key to success in most businesses is attention to detail. This place has it in its drink ingredients, the art on the wall, the cool expert service and oh my, the food…..freshly made pastries followed by Royale sandwiches with the addition of bacon for the guys, a beautiful White Sweet Potato Hash for Kerry, and Smoked Lake Trout Scramble with the crispiest potatoes for me. Sublime, we were all ridiculously happy with our choices. At the end I ordered a pot of tea, and even that was impeccably served, down to the server letting me know to please let it steep for three and a half minutes.

Analzying the Bloody Mary

Our only downfall was our plan to visit the Institute of Art after this boozy brunch! Whilst a nap was likely in order, we battled on regardless! A quick breezy stop at the “Bean” revived us somewhat. The only place which felt truly crowded and touristy during our trip. The Institute, however, was everything and more! One could spend days there. Bart and Luke opted for a shorter tour, ducking out to search for football viewing and beer….Kerry and I stayed on to enjoy the Contemporary wing which looked out on the skyline with its window frames mimicking the buildings. Very cool. Definitely need to go back. The Drag Docent was a fantastic addition to the experience! We loved it all.

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A Facebook comment by our friend Denise lead us to the lobby of the nearby Palmer House Hotel. Wow! So beautiful. Well, most of it anyway. The modern addition of escalators was a less than perfect choice despite its necessity?! We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere though and had yet another cocktail…

Dinner tonight was another Facebook comment suggestion by our friend Terry. Bart had really wanted to have an authentic Italian dinner. This we found at Quartino’s. A huge two-story bustling restaurant a short walk from our hotel. Yes, the food was fabulous, but the best part of this meal was watching Bart in his element, ordering up a storm, reviving his Italian and clearly taking a trip down memory lane from his time spent in a Italy. This is what eating is all about. The joy of the time, the place, the company and the tastes. How it makes you feel, transcending you to a happy place. We ate a ridiculous amount of food, without complaint! Antipasti to start followed by Broccolini, a delicious Arugula Salad with orange and hazelnuts, Beef Carpaccio, then Linguine with Clams, Gnocchi with Arugula Pesto, Braised Pork Shank…..AND a pizza!!!! Pure gluttony. One would think that there would be no room for dessert, but we bravely ordered some and loved our Tiramisu and had hysterics when Kerry bit into her cannoli and the icing sugar exploded over her, and Luke. Oh and there was wine…of course. What a great day!

Luke was determined to have a classic Chicago Hot Dog, and we achieved this the next day, at Portillo’s, an institution here. It’s a large place with just counter service so as Bart and Luke ordered hot dogs and Italian Beef sandwiches, Kerry and I grabbed them goldfish bowl beers from the bar counter where the menu included Beer, Wine….and Mai Tai’s!? Not sure about the story behind that…. We lovingly devoured our classic dogs; sliced onion, sliced tomato and a pickle with chili on the side. The Italian Beef sandwiches were delicious too, as were the fries! What a well oiled operation, we were in and out of there, happy as we could be, in about 40 minutes. We grabbed a Lyft to head to the river for our Architecture Boat Tour.

Were we quite mad to do a boat tour in these temperatures?! Quite possibly, but the tour was fantastic, and packed. It was also luckily on the only sunny day of our trip. Our guide was great (he’s a therapist when he’s not a tour guide) and we got a wonderful hour-long overview of the magnificent architectural styles that are represented here. The buildings towered above us, gleaming in the sunlight. We absolutely loved it despite almost freezing to death. It is such a beautiful city and seeing it from the canals was the perfect way to do so.

We returned to the hotel and the guys decided to go in search of a pub to watch football again. Kerry and I opted for quiet time before the grand finale of our culinary adventure! We met up with Scott and Sari at La Frontera, a Rick Bayless establishment serving traditional Mexican fare with modern interpretations. Having visited Austin in September, Kerry and I had fallen in love with the authentic higher-end Mexican cuisine that we found there. La Frontera was the first of several restaurants that Chef Bayless owns. Naturally, we hit the bar first and while we didn’t go for their famous $30 Splurge Margarita, we all tried various other kinds. I had a Mango Picante, followed by the Champagne Margarita. The latter was served in an oversized champagne flute, topped off with Taittinger Champagne. I kid you not. Couldn’t let up on the decadence, not when this was the grand finale, right?

It’s funny, I’m usually a bit of a control freak when it comes to food ordering, but for most of this trip, other people took care of it. And you know what? It was great. So fun to sit back and have things appear in front of you. Scott commandeered the wine list, not only ordering a lovely Albarino which balanced with the food superbly, but also shots of Mezcal and a tomato juice concoction which arrived in separate champagne flutes. More decadence! A dozen oysters and their Ceviche Trio appeared. I love ceviche and tasting three different kinds was a treat; the Classic Frontera included Hawaiian albacore, lime, tomatoes, olives, cilantro the green chile. The Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche Verde was combined with avocado, cucumber, jicama, serrano and onions. The Tuna Ceviche Tropical consisted of Hawaiian yellowfin tuna, fresh Mexican Papaya, spicy salsa roja, jicama and avocado. Delightful. We also enjoyed two-bite Tostadas de carnitas, Puebla-style chicken enchiladas and baked cheesy cauliflower. So much fun to indulge in so many flavors and share that experience. When two slices of their Chocolate Pecan Pie with Kahlua whipped cream appeared, our decadent repast was complete. Good grief. What a meal in a great, colorful and lively restaurant, oozing with flavors and fun!

While Kerry and Bart decided that they had reached their limit, Scott suggested one last stop. So where does one finish a decadent food tour of Chicago? In a dive bar, of course! This is where it pays to be with a local, we would never have had this experience on our own. Rossi’s is, I understand, a bit of an institution. A full bar, no food, one bartender, cash only, a juke box and the walls are plastered with mementos showing its history. It opens at 7 am. Closes at 4 am, I believe. Oh, if those walls could talk. I nursed one drink and happily chatted with Sari while Luke and Scott talked away until we had all simply reached the point where we simply had to retire. It was a really fun way to finish off another wonderful evening and yet another great experience.

It’s an understatement to say that this was a wonderful trip. We had an absolute blast and can’t wait to go back. To spend time with my brother, especially at this time in our lives, was a really lovely thing to be able to do. Having Kerry and Bart along for the ride was the icing on the cake. I realize that we saw just one side of this magnificent city, but boy did we love it. Upon my return home, the boys and I watched Anthony Bourdain’s Chicago and saw a very different but fascinating side to the city. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface which means now I’m itching to return. Good times, good eats, good company… my favorite way to end a year! We’ll be back.

LINKS:

The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Feeling the Local Vibe in Petersburg

August 12, 2018August 13, 2018 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ Leave a comment

If I told you that patronizing a local café in Old Towne Petersburg could be the key to transforming your life and health, would you believe me? Well, it just happens to be true. Tucked away on Market Street in Old Towne Petersburg, you will find Local Vibe Café. It’s my favorite place for lunch. Having adopted a predominantly plant-based diet myself since being diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be challenging to find places that offer a variety of options. Local Vibe provides countless delicious options for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Owner Donnie Cornwell adopted a healthier lifestyle initially as a joke while working at Capital One. He wanted to see for himself what it was like to eat a vegan diet, having always poked fun at the lifestyle but never thinking for a second that he’d love it! He was amazed to discover that he was quickly dropping pounds (ultimately 65 lbs to be exact!) and that suddenly his coworkers wanted to know what he was eating and asked for recipes. He started with a vegetable stir fry and was surprised at how it filled him up. After a couple of weeks he went raw vegan for 6 months. His energy levels soared. He never imagined that he would be an inspiration to others. Fast forward to today and he’s now made a business out of inspiring others to adopt a healthier lifestyle and that has left him feeling “humbled”.

Donnie’s transformation:

When he got laid off from Capital One in January of 2016, Donnie had to come up with a plan B for his career. One day soon after, his mother told him about a building that she was going to see, with the idea of possibly starting a business. So, he accompanied her there and met Linda Pittman who, along with husband Dale, was looking for a project in Petersburg. Ultimately friendship, a love of good food, and a mutual desire to contribute to the development of Old Towne led to an extensive and wonderful renovation of a small building on Market Street that now houses this nutritional powerhouse. The story is all too familiar to me, as 18 years ago, a local couple also made it possible for us to renovate our buildings on Cockade Alley and open The Brickhouse Run. In both cases, a wonderful marriage of resources, vision and passion that can make such a difference in a city such as Petersburg. Along the way, Donnie also got to do a Shark Tank-like pitch at Community Business Launch which earned him a 3rd place prize of $8,000 in start-up capital!

Another amazing transformation:

When I asked Donnie why he wanted to open Local Vibe and his vision for it, he explained that he wanted to do something for Petersburg that was small scale but with a big city concept. He wanted to serve healthy food in an area where meat-centric menus typically reign. However, he wanted it to be more mainstream, not “out there” and therefore accessible to all. So, for starters, they do serve chicken, shrimp and cheese whereas in a larger city, this might have been at very least a vegetarian if not vegan concept. But, there are literally hundreds of combinations to enjoy whether you eat meat or not. Many items on the menu were created through trial and error. The two most popular dishes are the Cilantro Madness bowl and the Local Fave wrap. There are about a dozen set bowls and wraps to choose from if you are overwhelmed at the idea of creating your own. My favorite thing to do is to create my own bowl with BBQ Tofu. I’ll start with a salad base, then add Vibe Rice (brown rice mixed with their divine cilantro dressing), then add a mix of colorful vegetables and chickpeas with dried cranberries and almonds. What’s not to love? It’s beautiful, delicious and SO good for you. I can genuinely vouch for how this way of eating helps you as my total cholesterol lowered 63 points and my blood pressure normalized after adopting this lifestyle without any additional medications. I was shocked. As a society so many of our ills could be cured by eating more vegetables and fruits. It’s that simple.

I was really impressed to learn that the ONLY canned item in the kitchen here, are the chickpeas. Why? Because the liquid can be used as an egg substitute called “aquafaba”. Combined with powdered sugar, it makes the meringue topping for the delicious chocolate sweet potato pies. All desserts here are vegan (and lovingly made by Donnie’s Mom, Melody) including the oatmeal raisin cookies that call my name every time at checkout. They make their own vegetable stock here too, which is used to cook the beans, rice and quinoa. They take great pride in even checking the macronutrients in their Feel Better chicken and rice soup. This is a place that cares about us!

So not only is the food delicious and good for you, it is also extremely healthy for our local economy….a win-win situation! Your bowl of food is often mostly sourced from farms and suppliers within a 40 mile radius. These include Two Veterans, Virginia Vegetable Company, Lil Sprouts, Schofield Farms, Mareks Produce and Old Dominion Farms. Donnie even cited the Food Lion in Ettrick who purchase their red leaf lettuce from a grower in Mechanicsville.

So what does one drink here? Local, of course! The bottled beer comes from Petersburg’s own Trapezium, Beale’s of Bedford and Blue Mountain from up near Charlottesville. And then there’s my personal favorite, Red Mushroom Kombucha out of Norfolk. If you haven’t tried Kombucha, it’s a delicious fermented low calorie drink with probiotics. A great alternative to alcohol (try the Buch’arita!) and certainly better than sodas. Talking of which, in keeping with remaining accessible, Donnie does offer bottled sodas such as Coke. However, they are kept intentionally on the bottom shelf while healthier alternatives, including filtered water, secure the prime eye-level spots in the refrigerator.

Despite 80 to 90 hour workweeks, Donnie tells me he truly loves getting to know the people who frequent his place and being his own boss. He enjoys building relationships and has loved the fact that many customers are changing their lifestyles since coming to eat here. He’s working on adapting menu items for Diabetics, a children’s menu and selling his housemade salad dressings. He now offers catering and even has a more long term goal of franchising.

As a Petersburg resident, former restauranteur, and (now mostly health) foodie, I am very grateful and take my hat off to the Pittman’s and Donnie Cornwell’s partnership to bring us not only another wonderful renovation, but also seriously good food. The restaurant industry is tough; trust me, I know. When you eat locally at a place like this you help realize a dream for the owner who is not only providing a service, but also providing jobs for locals, supporting other local businesses, adding to the tax base and making us healthier all at the same time. What’s not to love about that? Try it, your tastebuds and your body will thank you!

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00am until 8:00pm for eat-in and take-out. 414 Market St, Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 324-4562 www.localvibecafe.com

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this piece. I just happen to love my adopted City of Petersburg and my fellow citizens who work hard to make it an even greater place to live! I also love to write about and photograph my travels and most especially, about food.

2017: My Top Ten Food Experiences

Image ~ January 4, 2018January 5, 2018 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 1 Comment

I woke up on New Year’s Day 2017 in New York City. My first meal of the year was Steak Frites at Le District by the waterfront in Lower Manhattan. Little did I know that 2017 was going to take me to some places I had never been and encounters that I could never have imagined. And I’m not talking about traveling. I decided to review my year of food by picking 10 experiences/themes, in random order:

ONE: @frommyporchtoperu

I embraced Instagram this year and have loved it. Yes, I’m that obnoxious person that posts food photos. I love it! It’s fun and I have drawn endless inspiration from other foodies along the way. After my Breast Cancer diagnosis this summer, one of the first things I thought about was: what could I take control of during treatment and in the future? One evening, whilst grasping for inspiration, I found it on Netflix in the form of the documentary Forks Over Knives. I was sold. It all made so much sense. Control what you put in your mouth and you can tackle what ails you. It became my mission alongside the necessary medical treatments. I found it fascinating to change the whole concept of what food meant to me. Me….a vegan??!!! Good grief. A few months later, I can report that I’ve had lapses but ultimately it’s a lifestyle that works for me, in my unique way. I kind of see a “Pesce-vegan” thing working. I just can’t give up oysters. They are just such a huge pleasure in life, right? And lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels……. I used Instagram as a method of expressing my creativity, but also my accountability. So for all of you who encouraged and acknowleged that, I thank you. It meant an awful lot

TWO & THREE: DATE NIGHTS

Breast Cancer aside, 2017 also brought some romance into my life. While it didn’t stay the course, I’ll be forever thankful that this lovely man came into my world. We had been dating just four months when I received my diagnosis. When I called to tell Andy the news, I told him that I absolutely didn’t expect him to stick around because it was too much to ask. He was horrified and showed up at my appointment with the Surgeon the next day. Yes, he is that kind of guy. He breathed life into me while it momentarily felt like I was losing it. We ate in lovely places, had some fabulous experiences and I think I can speak for us both when I say we learned a lot from each other. The way to this girl’s heart is to make dinner reservations and that he did many times! He even tolerated me taking pictures of our food. There are many to choose from but I think my two favorites were these two. The first was dinner at The Boathouse in Rockett’s Landing where we had a table on the deck overlooking the river. We ate our oysters, the AMAZING Burratta Salad and perfectly Seared Scallops while watching a huge storm roll in.

The second restaurant was Dutch & Co, which I already dedicated a whole blog piece to, but it bears repeating. Beautiful, innovative food in a great space.

FOUR: Eating and sipping on my Porch

Despite being pretty gregarious and loving to entertain, I treasure my alone time on my porch. During warmer months, I’ll sit there with a cup of tea in the morning and often I’ll come home for lunch and enjoy some quiet time. As it’s west-facing, the evening sun hits it, which in the summer makes it brutal but on cooler spring and fall days, it’s perfect. Below is a picture of a bowl from Local Vibe Cafe, a new favorite of mine that I plan to write about in more detail soon. The food is delicious, healthy and so beautifully colorful. Eating it in the sunshine on my porch was just a delightful experience. Also pictured is a glass of bubbly I enjoyed one warm Friday evening, the perfect way to start the weekend.

FIVE: Camden’s

Andy Howell, my longtime friend and catering partner is the owner of Camden’s Dogtown Market, so I feel a little bit like I’m a part of the place. He has created beautiful food for many years in various different restaurants that he has owned. I ate here a number of times this year, but one of my favorite dinners was the pre-Valentine’s Wine Tasting. Another meal that already has a piece on here in its own right. I had two truly “aha” moments when I drank two wines that I don’t normally care for on their own, but paired with the food, sprung to life for me. That moment when you get schooled in the most fabulous way….yes! The first wine was Complicated Chardonnay which he paired with a Crab Quesadilla with Peach Salsa, a glorious marriage of flavors. The second was Rosa Regale which he paired with a dark chocolate pate, ricotta cheese and a pine nut cookie. Quite possibly one of the loveliest dessert combinations I’ve ever had.

It was a tough year at Camden’s though, as Alix, the front-of-house manager, tragically passed away. I spent many an evening at the bar, chatting to her, trading advice and gossip. She loved fashion, hair, make-up, art, music and relished giving me dating advice over the couple of years that I knew her. She even persuaded me to dye my hair red. I like to think I was the older, wiser one dispensing words of advice, having more years behind me, but in retrospect, she was wiser than me in many ways. She lived for the moment, spoke freely (often punctuated with profanity) and charmed everyone she served. She made me laugh! When she was suddenly taken from us, it was so shockingly sad and left such a painfully huge void. So much so, that Andy stopped serving dinner for a few weeks. You never know who might have a big impact on you and sometimes we sadly don’t realize it until they are gone. Alix mattered, she touched many lives and I know I’m certainly the better for having known her.

SIX: LOBSTER AT CHAUNCEY CREEK Kittery, Maine

I have been here many, many, times over the years. So many great memories. This time, it was just Polly and I, on a perfect warm Fall day. Steamers, hardshell pound-and-a-quarter lobsters, a bottle of Chardonnay…..sitting on the dock. Always my favorite culinary experience. What a treat.

SEVEN: BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

My birthday fell right in the middle of my radiation treatments, but I celebrated nonetheless with my lovely friends. I turned 45. Moving into the latter part of this decade, I know I’ll continue to face more challenges but hope that perhaps they may be a little less dramatic than those I’ve faced in the first half! Ladies Night at home, then a weekend involving dinner at the The Brickhouse Run then a recovery brunch at Ammo with guava mimosas in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, was a great way to celebrate!

SEVEN: BREAST CAKE EVER!

Radiation was a little more challenging than I thought it would be. I’m still working on a blog piece about the experience as a whole. My last treatment fell on Wednesday 1st November, our usual Ladies Night. I had vowed to drink Veuve Cliquot to celebrate and that I did! I was surprised with another delicious vegan chocolate cake from Buttermilk Bakery, decorated in the most appropriate way, with one red boob. We drank plenty of good champagne and it was warm enough to sit on the porch. Despite being exhausted, sore and so ready for healing, I felt buoyed once again by the love and support of these incredible women. A night I’ll never forget!

EIGHT: WEDDINGS

When in the throes of divorce, it’s kind of strange to be involved in working in at least a dozen weddings a year! But each is always different, lovely and interesting in its own way. Andy and I catered three this year; a large outdoor wedding at Glenward Gates in Carson on a gorgeous Saturday in May, a lovely intimate small Fall wedding at Folly Castle, and last, but not least, our friends Kate and Mark’s party to celebrate their recent nuptials. I have known Kate since she was a baby so to be part of this was really special. No gifts, no formalities, they just wanted friends and family to gather and celebrate with them. They had a couple of specific requests for food but otherwise left it to Andy and I to come up with a menu. It’s always fun when you are given creative and artistic license. It snowed that day but it was cosy, warm and festive inside the house. Joan and Lawrence have traveled the world so we used a lot of the gorgeous pottery that they have collected. A joyful occasion that was an honor to be a part of.

NINE: PIZZA NIGHT CHEZ JOYAUX

Our friends Alain and Aimee have, without a doubt, the coolest abode in Petersburg. Alain built a pizza oven this year and on a unusually warm evening a couple of weeks ago, they invited us over for pizza. Just being in their house is an adventure but they are truly dear friends. My cousin Georgia, Geoff and Jake had arrived for Christmas and so we all walked over there and were in for a treat.. I think what made this experience particularly memorable was the interaction with the youngest members of our party. Jake at age 8 just loved the pizza making process, as did Rory and Ben. But it was our conversations whilst eating it that really made an impression. The emerging of powerful personalities with opinions and plenty to contribute. I loved that Jake kept whispering to me, asking when and if the subject had changed. He desperately wanted to keep up. A delicious evening.

TEN: CHRISTMAS

Having family join us from England for Christmas was the best gift ever. My mother would tell you that Geoff taking over the cooking was the icing on the cake. He produced a gorgeous dinner of Rib Roast, Yorkshire Pudding, Leeks in Bechemel Sauce, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots and Peas. Finished off with Traditional Christmas pudding, of course! There’s nothing like family and to have them here with us, especially after a tough year, made it joyful indeed. The addition of dear friends, plenty of wine, Christmas Crackers and Charades by the fire completed our festivities. I felt the most at peace this Christmas than I have in years.

It was a huge year! But once again, I’m reminded of the pleasure of sitting around a table with great company eating fabulous food. I’m grateful for the many wonderful experiences I had doing just that in 2017, with the host of phenomenal people I am surrounded by. Here’s to a great 2018, cheers!

Celebrating Love in New England

October 24, 2017October 26, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 2 Comments

I don’t really need an excuse to go to New England for a weekend, but a lovely wedding is the best kind. Three weeks ago, I squeezed in my 10th radiation treatment before heading to RIC. Thankfully I was feeling great! I always get a thrill arriving at Richmond Airport to go somewhere, but when the destination is Boston, I’m particularly tickled. Somehow I’ve always arrived there on a clear beautiful day regardless of the season and September 29th was no exception. I was heading up for Steve’s cousin Tim’s wedding in Dover, NH.

My mother encouraged me to go, and kindly took over teenager and puppy duty for the weekend so that I could join Polly for all the festivities. I caught the S&J bus service from Boston Airport to Dover, fantastic! Polly picked me up, we checked in to the Hampton Inn and before we knew it we were invited to a fun dinner with the Nordahl clan. I sat next to Yuri who had much in common with me and we had a great conversation.

Breakfast the next morning saw us reunited and newly acquainted with family and friends. Whilst we should have rushed out to see the delights that I’m sure Dover has to offer, chilling in our room on a drizzly day was a lovely alternative. Once primped and ready, we headed over to St. Joseph Catholic Church. It’s always lovely to arrive at a wedding where you know you are getting ready to see a whole load of people you love and eagerly anticipate the nuptials of two of them.

Catherine and Tim are one of those couples that just fit. Even the Priest affirmed this when he said that upon meeting them in preparation for marriage he knew it was for real because Tim wouldn’t stop looking at Catherine. They are both in caring professions, he’s a Physical Therapist and she’s a School Psychologist. Both are the sweetest, mildest-mannered people you could ever meet.

I don’t like to take photos during a wedding ceremony so there won’t be any in here, but I’ve seen some lovely ones! Needless to say the bride was radiant, the groom was handsome and we were all thrilled to bits for their union. I’ve been to many a wedding and worked many more than that and this was the real deal.

Transportation was provided from the hotels to the Reception and I couldn’t have been more thrilled that it was a yellow school bus! A first for this Brit! We wound our way through the New Hampshire countryside that was starting to show the telltale signs of Fall, before arriving at the lovely Lodge at Parker Mountain. Catherine’s uncles own the beautiful property in Strafford and, despite the overcast skies, it’s a stunningly gorgeous place. A cabin overlooking a pond, between which a huge tent was pitched. As it was a chilly day, guests were drawn to the inside, next to the roaring fire. I believe this is typically rented out as an Airbnb, what a treat that would be!

With a bar stocking signature cocktails, beer and wine, the party got started! A delicious array of hors d’oeuvres were laid out on the porch for us all to enjoy while watching the official photos being taken down by the pond. The weather was overcast but the mood was most definitely sunny! Also, let’s face it, the photos are usually better in this lighting too. An important detail to add at this point is that the porch was decorated with strings of origami cranes, ONE THOUSAND of them! Marie and Caitlin had painstakingly made them over a period of several months, a symbolic gift to Tim and Catherine for good fortune.

After the cocktail hour, we were ushered to the tent to find our assigned seating. The wedding party was introduced to much applause and Tim and Catherine took their first dance. Just lovely, followed by Catherine dancing with her father and Tim with his mother, Marie. Justifiably proud and happy parents.

I particularly love this photo as it shows the joy we all felt!

So while the focus is of course on the couple, we do have to talk about the food too, right? They opted for the newly popular family style service of dinner. Something I love! No long lines for a buffet and no being confined to one set plate of food. Instead, delicious platters and bowls of food that included all food groups and diets. I’ve already talked about platters of food in this blog, but I’ll say it again: it promotes and celebrates the shared experience of enjoying food. They chose well; sliced beef, chicken, a veggie pasta dish, roasted rosemary potatoes and haricots verts. It’s always great when there’s wine on the table too! Kudos to the excellent catering staff, diligently working out of a truck and a tent. As someone who caters weddings, I know the challenges.

Tim’s best man, his brother Patrick, made a lovely speech before raising a toast to the newlyweds. Heartfelt and loving from what I know is a close relationship. And then it was time to dance!! And yes, we did! So much fun! Here’s a selection of photos to show the rest of this lovely celebration:

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The school buses returned to pick us up in shifts and Polly and I took the second one. We were given treat bags for the ride home; a freshly baked cookie, a bottle of water and an apple. What a lovely touch and the perfect end to a most beautiful day!

So, did Polly and I party on upon our return to Dover? Ummm…nope. Went to bed! Slept beautifully and then enjoyed a lively breakfast catching up with everyone the “morning after”. It was great to chat and laugh and have one last chance to hear about how everyone’s lives were going. I sat next to Caitlin and Cliff who had traveled from Nairobi for the wedding and our conversation ended up with an invitation for the boys and I to go and visit them and they offered to help book a safari….uh oh. Don’t have to ask me twice to go pretty much anywhere! But the thought of a safari with my boys next summer had me racing to look at fares and guide books. Fingers crossed I’ll be blogging from our Kenyan adventure next August!

The one thing I always have to do when I go to New England is, of course, to eat lobster. I had let Polly know that and on Sunday morning, asked her how far we were from York, Maine. Less than 30 minutes!! My request to pay a visit down memory lane was instantly granted and after saying our goodbyes, we took the back roads to York. It was a perfect New England fall day and we wound our way through lovely countryside to the place that Polly and Ed used to call home and a place I had adopted as a favorite, chock full of memories. I first met Ed and Polly there, Steve and I drove all night from Virginia when I was just 20 years old. We had many Thanksgivings there, always taking a frigidly cold walk by the beach before indulging in pie. Ed and Polly threw us an engagement party there. We brought our boys up here pretty much every summer. The last time I had visited, 3 years ago, we came up to let Ed and Polly know that we had reached what would turn out to be an insurmountable issue in our marriage, not a happy time. However, on this day, with Ed surely looking down on us and smiling, we drove to all our favorite spots and had the most lovely day. Time does, and can, heal.

Lunch just had to be at Chauncey Creek. An absolute favorite. My grandparents went there, many friends from Virginia were taken here. My boys tried lobster for the first time in high chairs here. So here we were, just the two of us this time, enjoying a perfect sunny day, sipping wine and eating pound-and-a-quarter lobsters and steamers, whilst enjoying each other’s company. Polly had been on the road for 5 months cross country and around Canada visiting National Parks, mostly by herself, processing her grief at the loss of her beloved Ed. When describing the experience, she concluded that it had made her realize and believe that she “could do anything by herself”. Music to my ears. It’s a powerful thing to discover about yourself and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her. It would have been easy for her to have stayed home and mourn, but she hit the road and 15,000 miles later, had stories and experiences that will propel her into this new chapter. Pretty awesome.

We hated to leave but it was time for me to get myself to Boston Airport, using the shuttle once again, this time from Portsmouth. What a beautiful weekend celebrating the start of marriage for a truly lovely couple, as well as a gorgeous trip down memory lane.

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Dutch & Company

August 26, 2017August 26, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ Leave a comment

I love to cook. But what I really love, is to eat food prepared by people who have dedicated their lives to culinary artistry. Cooking really is an art and when done well it’s the ultimate feast for ALL the senses. I should also add that I really appreciate a man, or indeed anyone, who understands that about me and researches and makes reservations in advance, at a place they think I’d enjoy. Andy did just that last night, picking Dutch & Company in Church Hill for a early dinner. My first visit and definitely not my last.

While I sipped on a glass of Rose at our corner table by the window, I perused the menu and knew we were in for a treat. When visiting a restaurant for the first time, I like to try and eat a variety of small plates so that I can get a feel for what the place does well and what style of food they are presenting. I rarely eat meat now so I was happy to see a number of vegetarian and seafood options here. We made our selections and so began our little culinary journey…

The presentation of the bread was a great start, delicious grainy wholewheat bread wrapped like a parcel in a linen napkin held together with a clothes peg. Gorgeous!

Next up were half a dozen Ruby Salts, already dressed with a dot of mignonette and a tiny slice of chive. I love it when a chef is essentially telling you how to eat your oysters, as creatures of habit, people tend to eat them the same way each time. Here, you are eating them in the way the kitchen wants you to experience them. Briny, plump oysters with the slight sharpness of the dot of mignonette and a cool chive. Just lovely.

Our excellent server suggested enjoying the small plates two at a time. She was right, the flavors might have been too overwhelming otherwise. The Smoked Salmon Rillette was served with warm Salmon Skin Blinis and the saltiness of the fish was perfectly cut by the cool Chive Yoghurt served with it.

I eat a lot of Almond butter these days so the next dish caught my attention right away. Figs with Marcona Almond, Chili Threads, Lemon Curd, Smoked Almond Butter and Smoked Salt. It was fascinating. It was, in my opinion, essentially figs with a deconstructed Peanut Sauce. I loved it and I particularly loved the presentation. The chili threads were a beautiful touch in both taste and looks.

Our next duo included what I believe is a signature dish here, “The Perfect Egg”. Rye Crusted Cured Salmon, Herbs, Sprouted Quinoa, Braised Cabbage, Cumin Yogurt. So much texture, color and flavor in one dish. It was beautiful. The egg was encased in breading which, when punctured, caused the yolk to pour out onto the plate. They’re right, it is the perfect egg.

Our other plate consisted of Fried Cauliflour with Chili Sauce, Cucumber, Sesame, Basil and Scallions. Yet another lovely combination of color, texture and flavor. I was delighted.

I don’t always order dessert but this is the kind of place that you really have to, and I’m glad we did! Chocolate Semifreddo with balsamic soaked blackberries, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Heavenly. The richness didn’t come from the flavor of chocolate but more from the creamy texture and the addition of olive oil. It was a spectacular marriage of flavors.

This is not the kind of place for people who must have ice in their water, request endless substitutions or insist on food being prepared in a particular way. It’s a place to challenge your tastebuds and enjoy a mini-adventure, throw caution to the wind and trust that you will be well fed. Definitely my kind of place.

Next time I go, I’ll likely take others and enjoy their $29 three-course prix-fixe dinner. It would be fun for everyone to order different dishes to allow more opportunity for tasting. It looks like they have great craft cocktails too. The decor has a very RVA vibe to it, being located in a historic neighborhood. It’s comfortable, not pretentious but at the same time possesses a subtley high level of sophistication. The service was flawless, as was every bite. There is some serious artistry going on in that kitchen and I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to enjoy such a fabulous experience there. I’m ready to go back anytime!

Weekend in Wintergreen

July 25, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ Leave a comment

I have had the fortune to have traveled to many countries all over the world and have seen a multitude of stunningly beautiful places. But, few have captured my heart quite like the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. After a week that involved surgery recovery, often a bit of a blur thanks to painkillers, a weekend in the mountains was just what the doctor ordered. It’s one of my happy places, for sure, and the closer I get to them, the calmer I am. I took this photo on my phone near Charlottesville, the first glimpse of the mountains was accompanied by the sunset….just lovely.

Before heading up the mountain to Wintergreen, Andy and I stopped in Charlottesville for dinner at Bella’s, a delightful Italian restaurant downtown. A Limoncello Martini seemed like a great way to start and then it didn’t take long to decide on Gorgonzola Grilled Salad (grilled romaine hearts topped with Gorgonzola dressing, tomatoes, pancetta and scallions with a balsamic drizzle) and Arancini (fresh mozzarella stuffed inside lemon risotto, breaded and fried). We followed this with Zuppa Di Pesce, a mound of fettuccine with fennel scented tomato sauce with all kinds of seafood. Heavenly. I clearly decided to eschew my newly adopted mostly plant-based diet, just for the weekend. Every bite was fabulous and I loved the setting, exposed brick in a likely 19th century building. It’s clearly a popular place and you can tell the staff enjoy it as much as the customers.

With a Tiramisu “to go”, we headed up the mountain to the condo that had very kindly been lent to us for the weekend. Sitting on the deck in about 65 degrees under a clear starry sky was just perfect and a much needed respite from the almost triple digit temperatures back in Petersburg.

I woke up early the next morning, it’s a bit of a struggle to sleep comfortably as I’m still sore from the surgery. I was rewarded with seeing the latter part of the sunrise over the mountains. A spectacular sight given the amazing vantage point from the deck. It was so quiet and apparently the only living things up this early were me, and a groundhog having its breakfast. I think living in an urban area intensifies my appreciation of beautiful rural spaces.

First up on the schedule was Wimbledon, of course. No way I’m missing the finals! Afterwards, a decision was made to go to Devils Grill, the Golf clubhouse restaurant that has a gorgeous porch overlooking the 18th hole where we scored a great corner table with an uninterrupted view. We watched as deer and golfers enjoyed the stunning course while we ate a delightful lunch of Salmon Sliders and a Lamb Meatball Naan with Tsatsiki. Yum. To be able to sit on a porch in July in Virginia, with a cool breeze and the absence of bugs, was a veritable treat. I could have sat there all afternoon!

Just to prepare for the unlikely chance I might win the lottery one day and be able to buy a second home here, we stopped by an Open House and then the Realty office. I represent the opposite of the average Wintergreen homeowner as I’d want to be there anytime other than the ski season. The Open House was a fully refurbished 3 bedroom condo with SPECTACULAR views but for some bizarre reason they only built a tiny deck which would barely fit two bistro chairs. Simply not good enough for this porch lover. And neither was the $360,000 listing price. But a girl can dream, right?

I hadn’t been to Afton Mountain Vineyard in almost 20 years and wow has it changed since then! I remember a small tasting room with a selection of cheeses and snacks in a refrigerator that could be enjoyed outside with a glass or bottle of their wine. The basic concept is still there but it’s all grown up now. A “terrace room” provides a weather resistant tasting space, and I presume a private event venue. A lovely porch surrounds the actual tasting room with lots of seating. We were greeted at the door and informed there was a wait for our tasting. The offerings were quite lovely and being a fairly hot day, we picked the crisp and delicious Rose to take outside. Here we were entertained by two women, a few glasses in, gossiping about the antics of their friends. Then, a bachelorette party arrived and the delightful civility of the setting was momentarily and hilariously interrupted by the bride and her very enthusiastic group of bridesmaids. It would be a fair guess to say that they were probably on about their fifth vineyard of the day. One of them was practically begging for someone to ask her to take her top off….. Despite the distractions, the setting is lovely and surely there are few better ways to spend an afternoon?

Bold Rock Cider was on our way “home” and what an impressive place it is! And clearly very popular especially with younger folks. I was a cider drinker back in the day in England so it’s great to see this delicious drink being taken a lot more seriously over here now. We took the free tasting of two of their signature ciders and then purchased their 4 cider flight. We carried our little trays outside onto the deck and sipped on some seriously good cider. A great visit to an impressive place.

We decided to have dinner up at The Copper Mine, the main restaurant at The Mountain Inn up at Wintergreen. No culinary boundaries were smashed through and the service was a little painful but we really did enjoy the food, opting for a flatbread, great honey balsalmic chicken wings, asparagus, a gorgeous watermelon and feta salad and shrimp cocktail. Tapas style, always a favorite way to eat.

I didn’t quite wake up early enough for the full sunrise again on Sunday but almost did… it was stunning regardless. I love the peace that emanates from the view, the silence except for birdsong, and the endless waves of shades of blue. Just beautiful.

Another lazy morning included watching Federer make Wimbledon history by claiming yet another title, he’s amazing! Watching him play is like poetry in motion. Unfortunately it was time to leave this lovely place so we packed up and drove to one more stop before heading back home. Veritas Winery is a favorite, not only is their wine great, but they also have a gourmet snack bar now. So, we enjoyed a Goat Cheese and Fig Panini and a Pear and Arugula Salad along with their Sauvignon Blanc whilst sitting on the large covered porch overlooking the Vineyard.

It was a perfect end to a fabulous weekend. The goal having been to relax, recuperate and enjoy this gorgeous area. The fact that I felt thoroughly peaceful and pampered, was the icing on the cake.

Showing up for 24 hours in Roanoke

March 6, 2017March 6, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 1 Comment

“Call and Response” and “Every Shadow you Make”, Aimee Joyaux

I firmly believe in the philosophy that half of life is simply about showing up.

Our dear friend Aimee Joyaux, a brilliant artist, was selected to include two pieces of her work in the Homeward Bound exhibit at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, a juried show featuring only Virginia artists. The opening reception was on Friday night and what better reason than that to plan a quick jaunt to celebrate her, experience another city and enjoy great food, drinks and company. Oh, and stay at the Hotel Roanoke. A place I’d heard much about but had never been to. Our party of 13 left for our destination at different times, our carload being the last, due to school pickup. The drive down 460 was an easy one despite the 3 hour duration and as we approached Roanoke the sun was setting over the mountains. Beautiful! Upon arrival at the hotel, we checked in to our lovely rooms on the Executive Level. The advance party, Heather and Cherry, had stocked our room with wine so we were able to enjoy a quick glass before walking over to the Taubman. On our way there we heard voices behind us and it was Alain’s son Daniel and his girlfriend Karin who had made the trip from D.C. to celebrate Aimee’s latest accolade of her amazing work.

Just seeing the Hotel Roanoke and experiencing the short stroll to the museum, I already knew that I loved this place! The historic area is chock full of independently owned restaurants, shops and bars housed in historic and interesting buildings with a small town feel. It was freezing outside so we happily entered the very warm museum, a thoroughly modern but not too imposing structure on the edge of the historic area. Our tardiness meant that our time there was somewhat brief but we were thrilled to see Aimee’s pieces hanging in such a beautiful space. Not only that, we got to see Ron Walton’s piece too! Another Petersburg artist and owner of the Walton Gallery. It was fascinating to see the different works of art, all by Virginia artists, all so distinctive and brilliant in their own way. One of my favorite moments was when JV suddenly exclaimed to Kerry, “Mom, my favorite artist has work here!” He had spotted the paintings by Richmond artist, Todd Hale, from a distance of about 50 feet and rushed over to admire them. How many twelve year olds do you know like that? Such a cool kid.

There was never any doubt that a great dinner was going to be part of our itinerary. We were also joined by another of tonight’s honored artists, a friend of Aimee’s, Alyssa Salomon. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Roanoke and we had secured a reservation at Lucky, a restaurant that describes themselves as French Country and American Comfort. Heather had pooled her contacts in the city to find this gem. Definitely my kind of place! We were seated at 2 big tables by the entrance which essentially gave us a space all to ourselves. We were then treated to one of the best servers ever, Lauren, who we initially assumed was the owner. She looked amazing and wouldn’t have been out of place at a cocktail party but more importantly than that, she knew the menu inside and out. Not only the food but the craft cocktails. Tonight’s special cocktail was Rumming with the Devil which included two types of Rum, Apricot, Five-spice and a concoction that apparently involved overnight fermentation of some ingredients in a coke bottle… I ordered one and it was certainly interesting! Not my favorite drink ever but fun to experience and as tonight was all about art, we appreciated the artistry and creative process that went into it. We ordered a Bread Plate, Mussels, Duck Pate and a Cheese Board to accompany our drinks and loved it all. The bread was accompanied with divine roasted garlic olive oil, goat cheese, nicoise olive tapenade and Basque olives. The PEI mussels were suitably garlic laden, the duck pate was divinely smooth and luxurious with baguette, sweet onion chutney, pickled red onions and Dijon. The cheese board was perfect. Four types of cheese with an onion jam, candied walnuts, olives, drizzles of honey and baguette slices.

Cocktails and appetizers demolished, we moved on to wine and a variety of entrees. Buttermilk fried chicken for all three boys and Heather, Gnocchi with Kale and Pesto for Kerry, gorgeous salads with Goat Cheese and Beets for Chana and Cherry, and I opted for two small plates. Roasted Marrow bones with Charred Lemon and Fava Bean Hummus along with four Roasted Oysters with lemon, garlic and scallion breadcrumbs. All delicious! Along with top notch service in a delightful space, we had a fabulous experience.

Ben and JV have a new passion for playing pool and had discovered that there was a table in the pub at the Hotel Roanoke. They begged us to see if they could go and play after dinner. So, we began the 10 minute stroll back to the hotel trying to explain why it might not be possible for them to play as it was late on a Friday night and kids might not be allowed in the pub. However, upon our arrival there, a quick chat with the bartender confirmed that it was fine for them to play. And so began a hilarious couple of hours that involved martinis and more wine for us ladies and several rounds of pool with a group of ACC football referees in town for a conference. The refs were all hanging out by the pool table and when they saw the boys starting to play, quickly became their tutors and ultimately competitors. They could not have been nicer and we all had a blast chatting away and playing pool. Until 1 am. I know, kids and their Moms should really go to bed a lot earlier than that but life is for living and this was a fun experience all round. Not an everyday occurrence despite the fact that my kids spent the first decade or so of their lives living above our pub.

Staying on the Executive Level gave us access to a lounge with refreshments. In the morning this included a breakfast that provided us with much needed delicious sustenance after our late night; sausages, scrambled eggs, fruit, pastries, yoghurt and all the caffeinated beverages that we needed. The lounge was overseen by a woman who was ALL business! We got a 5 minute warning when breakfast was over and we were in no way going to question her. I highly recommend upgrading to this level as the services included provided excellent added value.

Feeling a little more alive, we showered, packed and then sat in the gorgeous lobby, chatting and relaxing while JV and Ben enjoyed the pool table once again, but this time all to themselves and in the light of day. The Hotel Roanoke is definitely my kind of hotel. Upscale but not stuffy, traditional but with modern touches. For example, the furnishings in the lobby were mostly traditional in their colors but modern in their lines. I’m no interior design expert but I noticed the details and really appreciated them.

With what felt like the fiftieth game of pool completed, we headed out to explore. We went into the delightful city market, weaved through the stands and shops of Market Street, chatting with vendors along the way. You get a genuine feeling that keeping business local here is serious business. I love that. We purchased gorgeous locally made soaps, had hysterics in the kitchen store at all the fun quotes on napkins and tea towels, tasted delicious baked goods, bought great jewelry in a store that imported African and Asian crafts, marveled at all the Virginia products being sold in Eli’s, drooled over furniture at Shabby Love…the list goes on.

In need of a snack, we headed to the well known Roanoke Weiner Stand for hotdogs. What a cool place, simple concept, great service, lunch for 4 under $20. You can even get a $2 can of Bud or Bud Light if you so desired. I did not.

After enjoying our hotdogs, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the lobby for just a little bit longer and yes, the boys played pool…again! We decided to end our stay with a quick drive up the mountain to the Star monument where you can enjoy an amazing view over the city and valley. Much to JV’s horror, when we reached the iconic landmark, Kerry recalled her last visit to it. Back in her college days, she and her then boyfriend had a date there and she decided to declare her love for him in grand style, by shouting it from the mountaintop!

Just being up in the mountains feeds my soul. Give me them over the beach any day. Don’t get me wrong, I have no desire to climb them, but I love being surrounded by the majesty of them. There are few places in the world that I have found more lovely than the mountains of Virginia. I hadn’t explored this part of them before and it was a real treat. I could quite easily live in Roanoke. Beautiful scenery, great food, support of small businesses, a fabulous art museum and the essential requirement for any place I might even consider living in…an airport. Can’t wait to go back. We left the Star, winding our way back down the mountain and headed back along 460 on a lovely evening, happy to have experienced a terrific 24 hours in Roanoke. Thanks, Aimee!

Like I said at the beginning, all kinds of things can happen in life when you simply show up.

A Renovated and Reinvented Farmer’s Market

February 21, 2017February 24, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 3 Comments

You know what? Instead of working my way up to this, I’m just going to cut to the chase…. On Friday, I had the best dessert I have ever eaten. At the newly renovated and opened Farmer’s Market Restaurant and Bar right here in the center of Old Towne. It was their Creme Caramel. It was flavored with Asian citrus (I’m not sure what that was but I didn’t care) and honey. It was served in a jar, that had you actually left any, you would beg for the lid so that you could take it home. We all gasped at our first taste….”like butter”, “like gold”, “so creamy”…. I would honestly go back any night and sit at the bar to have it again with a drink. Perfectly balanced between sweet, creamy and downright sensual.

I had lunch here the day that they opened just 3 weeks ago and we all loved every morsel. We couldn’t decide what to order so we just picked a whole bunch of dishes to share. It was fabulous and there are pictures to prove it, the food is beautiful.

Goat Cheese and Spinach Quiche

Shrimp and Lobster Roll

Beet and Quinoa Salad

Charcuterie Board

Mussels with Surry Sausage and Leeks

Poached Pears with Crumble and Caramel

I returned the next evening with the Ladies Night Crew and again, we loved it.

On Friday night, my mother took the boys and I for dinner along with Kerry and JV as none of the boys had experienced it yet. It’s very convenient that you can make reservations on Open Table, and we took advantage of that. It was great watching the boys reaction to seeing the inside of the building for the first time since the renovation. “Wow” was used a lot. We have watched it lay empty and dormant for years, only briefly coming to life again as a major part of the set of Lincoln, so it is so exciting to see it fully restored and more beautiful than ever.

We were seated upstairs at one of the big tables. We had the same server as we had on Ladies night and we were genuinely shocked that she remembered our names! Were we that badly behaved that night?! “How can I forget a name like Cherry?” Sara asked. She’s here in the area because her husband is at Fort Lee but she’s originally from Savannah and has the accent to match. Delightful, accommodating and efficient as well as oozing southern charm, she made sure we had a great experience.

We started with a dozen oysters that included Anderson Necks and Ruby Salts. Served in delightful two tiered trays, they were a big hit. For the third time in three visits, we also ordered the mussels with Surry sausage and leeks that were delicious as always. I’m a little obsessed with mussels.

For dinner? Braised Beef Rib for Rory, Salmon with Bok Choy for Ben, Curried Carrot Soup for JV with his new braces (he managed some oysters too), Shrimp and Grits for Cherry and Kerry and really lovely Rockfish with white beans and kale for me. All delicious and beautifully presented. My rockfish was perfectly cooked, delicate, so so fresh and just a delightful dish. Loved it. We finished with an incredible key lime tart along with the aforementioned Creme Caramel, and the boys all devoured gelato.

As a side note, I think their wine menu is thoughtful and very reasonably priced. The bar is also gorgeous and I look forward to going for drinks one night.

There has been much chatter about the menu at this new restaurant. When it was posted on Facebook for the first time, I saw a number of comments like “there’s nothing on this menu that I would eat”, “no steak?”, “people around here won’t pay those prices”…. Everyone has the right to their opinion and to choose where they want to eat, no doubt about that. But I want to challenge some of this chatter and having renovated and opened my own restaurant here, I feel qualified to do so. This space really was a farmer’s market back in the day which totally lends itself to being open to the farm-to-table concept. The food is super fresh and the quality of the ingredients is superior. Just because the menu selections aren’t instantly recognizable, does not mean that they aren’t amazing. I like to use the analogy of going to an art museum, it’s often tempting to just retreat to the familiarity and comfort of the Impressionist Gallery but sometimes you have to challenge yourself to look to explore less well known artwork. You look carefully at the paintings, you read about them, you seek to understand where the artist is coming from and suddenly your mind is opened. The preparation of food is art. It’s the same thing. I personally love to be challenged to pick something on a menu that I wouldn’t ordinarily choose.

It was 20 years ago this month that Steve and I bought the two buildings on Cockade Alley, just steps from the Farmer’s Market. When we announced that we were going to open a British-style pub, we were met with “why would you want to open a place in Old Towne Petersburg? No one goes there”. We were one of four restaurants in Old Towne when we opened in October 2000 and we were two of only a handful of people living above a retail space. Like any new restaurant, we experienced growing pains in our infancy but eventually we found our rhythm. I can’t even begin to imagine renovating and running a 200 seat restaurant but I know all too well about finding the careful balance of maintaining your mission while understanding your market. It can take time for everyone to get on the same page and you have to grow some thick skin!

So, fast forward to 2017 and Old Towne looks very different. Hundreds of people live down here whether it be in historic homes or converted warehouses. Despite many challenges in our City as a whole, we have a thriving Old Towne business community including over twenty restaurants and two breweries and I for one wouldn’t live anywhere else in this region. The significant investment that has been made by Sandy Graham, Tom Wilkerson and Frits Huntjens in the new chapter of this most iconic building, should be applauded and appreciated beyond measure. Be prepared to have your breath taken away by the renovation, it’s exquisite but that’s no surprise when Sandy Graham is involved. Look up to the roof and rafters, look at the light fixtures and decorative accents, admire the gorgeous furniture. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to dine in such an environment. Frits Huntjens is an award winning chef and his touch is evident in every nuance of this menu and it’s gutsy to challenge us with what feels like a small restaurant menu concept in a big setting. If the menu needs to be expanded or tweaked to accommodate more tastes, I have no doubt it will be, but I like places where the menu is relatively small as it generally means more thought has gone into each dish and it’s easier to maintain quality. They also need to be given some time to find their rhythm, just like people afforded us 17 years ago.

Each new business that opens up here in Old Towne ultimately enriches our City, elevates it, and we all benefit. The Farmer’s Market Restaurant is a showpiece for downtown, a huge new gem that joins a rapidly filling treasure chest of jewels in the city that I’m very happy to call home.

Eat, drink, love!

February 15, 2017February 24, 2017 ~ frommyporchtoperu ~ 4 Comments

Valentine’s Day can be tough for a lot of people. For those who have recently experienced great loss, especially. For those who are single, it can be a time of feeling excluded. As a restauranteur, it was always a really long, but profitable, day of work. As someone who is now single myself, I see it in such a mixed way. For starters, I like to think that great relationships don’t need a special day to be reminded to celebrate each other but I am also truly inspired by couples who remain lovingly and steadfastly committed to each other. Since my separation I have, in many ways, slowly gained a renewed or even totally new love of self and sense of who I am and what I want. That’s something pretty awesome and powerful to celebrate, I think!

My special dinner this Valentine’s Day? Tonight, it’s leftovers with my boys, embellished with some chocolate covered strawberries from Buttermilk Bakery and lovely Chardonnay (for me) and chocolate milk (for the boys). Followed by a new episode of This is Us. And writing this piece.

This past Sunday? You would think that I go to wine dinners every week, I really don’t! However, I’ve had the fortune to attend three in just the past month, lucky me! Along with four great friends, I headed north to Manchester to Camden’s Dogtown Market for a “Pre V-Day Wine Dinner”. Or as host/owner Chef Andy Howell likes to call it, “a culinary roll in the hay”. He loves playing with words as much as food….he partnered with Brandon Hamlet, fine wine specialist for Republic National Distributing Co. to produce a master class of a wine dinner. Andy did confess however, to using one of his all-time favorite cookbooks “Intercourses” for inspiration and the names of the wines were no coincidence. Brandon and I have something in common, we both worked for Andy many years ago, Brandon in the kitchen at Avenue 805, and I worked as a server at Portabella here in Petersburg almost 20 years ago!

Keeping it light while we sipped on Schramsburg Vineyards “Mirabelle” Brut, Andy and Brandon thanked us for forgoing the chance to see Rick Astley at The National tonight in order to indulge in their wine dinner. No complaints from anyone!

To pair with our glass of bubbly: House Cured and Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Croustade. Perfect start!

Next up on this menu chock full of aphrodisiacs… Parmesan Oysters, paired with Virginia Dare Winery “Two Arrowheads”. Sublime. Oysters were plump, sauce was creamy, coating was crunchy. Enough said.

The wine for the next course, “Complicated” Chardonnay from Taken Wine Co., is a wine I’ve tried before and struggled to love. Took a sip before the food arrived and sure enough…same again. But wait, along came the Crab Quesadilla with Peach Salsa and all of a sudden, I’m all about some complication in my life. THIS is what a great wine dinner is all about…that moment when you realize what the chef and sommelier want you to know and feel. Gorgeous.

Being a Brit, I love Roast Lamb and typically cook it with Rosemary and Garlic. Andy chose to use a Coffee Rub and it worked beautifully especially alongside a lovely Potato and Artichoke Salad. Served with “Taken” Red Blend, which was FABULOUS, it was the perfect meat course after all the yummy seafood!

How do you finish this? With my old kinda sorta friend, Banfi “Rosa Regale”, which as I learned at the last wine dinner, must be paired with a dessert less sweet than itself. In this case it was with housemade Dark Chocolate Pate, Ricotta Cheese and a freshly baked Pine Nut Cookie. Mind and tastebuds blown, I finally understood this wine. Rich dark chocolate with slightly sour cheese and a chewy pine nut laden cookie along with the rose petal, raspberry, and strawberry notes of this sparkling red, we were all wowed by the pairing and the quality of each component. What a conclusion to a phenomenal meal.

Let’s not leave out the bread……

So, I kind of feel the need to disclose the fact that Andy and I do work together on some catering. I love his style and feel for food. He’s sarcastic, sometimes cranky, witty, very clever and a really great friend. He’s much more organized than I am. He’s obviously a brilliant and talented chef. But I’m more of a people person. It’s a fun partnership and I’ll NEVER stop enjoying his Wine Dinners. I also happen to know that he hates having his photo taken……cheers!

	frommyporchtoperu on Salmon Summer Supper
	T Bertenshaw on Salmon Summer Supper
	frommyporchtoperu on Chicago
	cindy on Chicago
	frommyporchtoperu on Japanese Garden at Maymon…

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