Mama Zu's Goes South

Ed Vasaio is practically Richmonders' favorite chef, right?

I mean, besides me, who doesn't cite Mamma Zu's as one of their favorite local restaurants?

That aside, Holmes and I honored our reservation at Positive Vibe Cafe tonight to enjoy Guest Chef Night with Ed Vasaio and his culinary meanderings.

The menu was simple enough:

Homemade square pasta in broth with chicory and pate on bruschetta
Homemade Broccoletti and Provolone Sausage and Pork Liver Sausage served with Polenta and Mushrooms

It sounded wonderful and it was, but who knew to expect two sausage links each 8 inches long?

The servings were huge (and only $15.99); the brilliant Holmes intends to take his leftovers to work tomorrow along with assorted mustards and a baguette.

After chowing down, the owner came out to chat with us and made a joke about Ed being back in the kitchen with a cleaver, terrorizing the staff, and creating this cartoon version of a sausage serving to freak customers out.

The soup was sublime and the main course absolutely delicious and very generous, and what's not to love when it's all for a good cause like Positive Vibe?

Nothing that Holmes and I could see.

We indulged in Ed's wine choice as well: a bottle of the Donna Laura 2007 Sangiovese de Toscanna Ali and found it to be the perfect accompaniment to our meal.

Seeing as how the food portion of the evening was complete by 8:30, we moved on to Mezzanine for dessert and libations.

We found a lively bar scene, plenty of Patron and brown spirits for Holmes and a chocolate mousse with nuts and almond brittle.

The bartender's Ipod offered a diverse musical background for discussion: Dylan, Counting Crows, Bon Jovi and Cake, to name but a few.

Sure, I made a few cracks about the music, but all in all, we found an interesting bar crowd, some worthy of conversation, a division game (and a fan in a Riggins jersey! Can you say flashback?) and stayed four hours.

So how bad could it have been?

Luckily, Holmes was merely blocks from home, although my commute was more like two whole miles.

The evening gave us a chance to discuss a variety of blogs, dating (his latest: Bombshell Mama), ponytail growing attempts (Holmes' and the bartender's) and drinking habits.

And, oh, did we laugh about a few choice topics.

Sharing a good story with someone who knows where the bodies are buried makes it all the better, especially on a deliciously full stomach.