When I got up this morning and saw that it was already snowing, I had a brief moment where I worried that it would affect my lunch plans.
I should have known better.
Right on schedule, my friend showed up to pick me up for lunch (with the gift of flowers, always a lovely surprise) in the heart of Carver.
I should have walked the four blocks, but I'd done my four miles this morning, and he had to pass right by my house, so why not?
Of course the Black Sheep was nearly at capacity, but there was one two-top with our name on it.
The soup d.j. was beef stew and if this isn't a beef stew day, what is?
I got a side of the homemade pork and great northern beans baked with molasses and brown sugar.
Warm, filling and flavorful, this was a snow day lunch for the gods.
My friend, having just spoken to his mom before collecting me, ordered the CSS Virginia (fried chicken livers, remoulade, cabbage, green onions, granny smith apple on baguette) in her honor.
He only ordered the half and still had half to take with him, but then he did enjoy some of my pork and beans.
Afterwards, he suggested a drive to the top of the city to admire the view. We began at the old WRVA tower and then went to Richmond Hill, the urban retreat center and former convent that sits atop Church Hill.
We admired the view from the balcony, went down to the tiny little prayer chapel (with the two tiniest windows I've ever seen) overlooking the hill and then strolled around the perimeter of the walled garden under snow laden evergreens and bamboo (and, yes, I was using my umbrella in a snowstorm).
Despite the limited visibility, the garden and views were breathtaking.
Afterwards, we detoured through Chimborazo, admiring the snow-covered rooves of Fulton Bottom, before making our way back to J-Ward.
With a fully belly, a bouquet of unexpected flowers and the memory of the city rooftops covered in white fresh in my mind, I thanked my snow buddy for our excellent adventure.
And in case my new friend George from Toronto is reading this, I want him to know that I saw dozens of people walking around in the snow today with umbrellas.
Make fun of us if you will, but you also have to give us a break; we're clueless when it comes to snow behavior.
Of course, if this weather keeps up, we're bound to get better at it.
Maybe.
Showing posts with label black sheep rva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black sheep rva. Show all posts
Friday, February 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Black Sheep Did Me In
Some dishes are just not worth cooking for one person, not because they're necessarily difficult to make, but because the leftovers don't keep well.
So it was that I took my craving for chicken and dumplings along with my book to the Black Sheep tonight for a big plate of creamy goodness.
I'd heard raves about this dish from people who can't resist ordering it every time they go in and I had yet to try it.
But before I even got to that, I was seduced by the Soup D.J.
When I asked my server (the lovely Melissa, always a great conversational partner) what tonight's was she said, "Jalapeno Corn Chowder...but it's got bacon in it."
Sold! I might not have been as tempted without the pig part, but I was a goner when I heard that.
Good call on my part because it was divine, thick and chunky with corn and bacon and a nice heat on the back end.
Later I heard a nearby diner ask her if the chowder was good.
That was my cue to jump right in and tell him how much I liked it and why, resulting in him ordering it.
He thanked me for the heads up afterwards.
Like most orders at the Black Sheep, the portion was huge with six dumplings and an overly generous amount of white and dark chicken swimming in a deep pool of gravy.
The only thing I would have changed about it was more and larger chunks of carrot, but perhaps not everyone likes carrots as much as I do.
After finishing all but two of my dumplings, I took a break to read my book, hoping to allow time enough to have room for one of my favorite Richmond restaurant desserts, the La Brea Tarpit (a chocolate creme brulee).
Alas, forty minutes later, I was still stuffed beyond belief and had to tell an incredulous Melissa that I wasn't going to be able to manage dessert.
Even she looked sad about it.
When she brought my check though, she also brought a small brown bag to me and said, "It's not a tarpit, it's one of those brownies my Mom makes. I know how you love your chocolate, so you can eat it later."
And, just to be clear, this is no ordinary brownie; this is what we used to call a meltaway.
It's a large cake brownie, topped with a mint butter cream frosting and holding that in place is a layer of hardened dark chocolate.
I wasn't the only one eating the chicken and dumplings tonight, but the star of the evening and the item the kitchen sold out of was the Pork and Beans.
Before you question that, let me explain that it's a grilled maple-brined pork chop with house-made baked beans and roasted apples with figs.
As sorely tempted as I am to go back for for p & b real soon, I already promised Melissa that on my next visit, I would not disappoint again.
I'll be there for red wine and chocolate only.
So it was that I took my craving for chicken and dumplings along with my book to the Black Sheep tonight for a big plate of creamy goodness.
I'd heard raves about this dish from people who can't resist ordering it every time they go in and I had yet to try it.
But before I even got to that, I was seduced by the Soup D.J.
When I asked my server (the lovely Melissa, always a great conversational partner) what tonight's was she said, "Jalapeno Corn Chowder...but it's got bacon in it."
Sold! I might not have been as tempted without the pig part, but I was a goner when I heard that.
Good call on my part because it was divine, thick and chunky with corn and bacon and a nice heat on the back end.
Later I heard a nearby diner ask her if the chowder was good.
That was my cue to jump right in and tell him how much I liked it and why, resulting in him ordering it.
He thanked me for the heads up afterwards.
Like most orders at the Black Sheep, the portion was huge with six dumplings and an overly generous amount of white and dark chicken swimming in a deep pool of gravy.
The only thing I would have changed about it was more and larger chunks of carrot, but perhaps not everyone likes carrots as much as I do.
After finishing all but two of my dumplings, I took a break to read my book, hoping to allow time enough to have room for one of my favorite Richmond restaurant desserts, the La Brea Tarpit (a chocolate creme brulee).
Alas, forty minutes later, I was still stuffed beyond belief and had to tell an incredulous Melissa that I wasn't going to be able to manage dessert.
Even she looked sad about it.
When she brought my check though, she also brought a small brown bag to me and said, "It's not a tarpit, it's one of those brownies my Mom makes. I know how you love your chocolate, so you can eat it later."
And, just to be clear, this is no ordinary brownie; this is what we used to call a meltaway.
It's a large cake brownie, topped with a mint butter cream frosting and holding that in place is a layer of hardened dark chocolate.
I wasn't the only one eating the chicken and dumplings tonight, but the star of the evening and the item the kitchen sold out of was the Pork and Beans.
Before you question that, let me explain that it's a grilled maple-brined pork chop with house-made baked beans and roasted apples with figs.
As sorely tempted as I am to go back for for p & b real soon, I already promised Melissa that on my next visit, I would not disappoint again.
I'll be there for red wine and chocolate only.
Friday, August 21, 2009
I Love It When A Plan Doesn't Come Together
I deflowered another lobster roll virgin at the Black Sheep today. My friend Holly got tired of hearing me rave about this succulent sandwich, so we met for lunch so she could find out for herself why I've been raving (besides my usual rants, of course) about it. Problem was, I've had at least five lobster rolls in recent weeks and you can't eat one AND eat dessert, so I had the lovely Piggy Bank salad (spinach, mozzarella, peaches, nuts and Virginia ham) so that I could have room for a La Brea Tarpit (chocolate creme brulee). I took crap from my favorite waitress just last week when I finished my lobster roll and was unable to order dessert. "What do you mean, you're not having dessert?" Melissa demanded. "You always get chocolate!" And she wasn't even our waitress; she just noticed my omission.
The game plan for this evening was set: drinks with Former Co-Worker and then the opening at Metro Space Gallery... except that a certain overly nice Gemini restaurant owner sat down just as Co-Worker was leaving after two hours and we were off and running. Five hours, much wine, assorted apps and countless shared stories later, we came up for air. Fortunately, we were out on the patio by this time enjoying the night air and the parade of humanity on the sidewalk.
But best of all, we already had plans for Saturday night, so tonight's prelude was just a cosmic bonus. My plans gone awry yielded a delightful evening; to quote the poet Robert Burns:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley.
Amen to that.
The game plan for this evening was set: drinks with Former Co-Worker and then the opening at Metro Space Gallery... except that a certain overly nice Gemini restaurant owner sat down just as Co-Worker was leaving after two hours and we were off and running. Five hours, much wine, assorted apps and countless shared stories later, we came up for air. Fortunately, we were out on the patio by this time enjoying the night air and the parade of humanity on the sidewalk.
But best of all, we already had plans for Saturday night, so tonight's prelude was just a cosmic bonus. My plans gone awry yielded a delightful evening; to quote the poet Robert Burns:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley.
Amen to that.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I'm Trying Out this Perpetual Motion Thing
I feel like the last time I took a breath was yesterday about noon and it's been non-stop ever since. First I went to the Jonny Z Fest over on Shields where I ran into loads of people I knew, either selling their wares or volunteering for art's sake. It was hot as hell and totally worth it. There's so much artistic talent in Richmond and I love seeing so much of it on display. Plus I had the chance to discuss the My Bloody Valentine show with half a dozen concert-goers.
Next up was the reopening of Geometry Park, now re-christened Paradise Park. Colorful paint made a huge difference to this oasis, which I thought always had a hard-edged industrial vibe. The kids' hand prints, leaf prints and mural added a lot to the charm of the new park and the extensive shade was much appreciated. Does anyone not have memories of hanging out here for one reason or another?
Then I took a couple of lobster roll virgins to Black Sheep to be de-flowered. Yes, they were impressed with the hunks of succulent lobster on buttered rolls and now it's their job to help me spread the word. Best of all, it was after 2 by the time we lunched, so the the Black Sheep crowds were gone.
Dinner was at Julep and included plenty of ambiance because of the fact that none of the street lights came on last night. As I sat in the restaurant eating and drinking, it was kind of eerie to observe the growing darkness outside, unaided by any artificial city light. It did make locating my black car more challenging than usual, even with the able assistance of the waiter Ben.
Today began with two friends and a bottle of Horton Sparkling Viognier and ended at Tarrant's with mimosas and lotsa food. One of my friends is moving to San Francisco in a week, so she felt obligated to have an east coast crab cake while she still could. She also provided a hilarious story about a mutual acquaintance which I had never heard before (actually only the participants knew of it) and it was the kind of amazing, "you did what?" story that you think only happens in movies. Melting wax from Michael's is all I'm going to say.
I was all set to take a deep breath when I looked at the clock and realized a friend will be stopping by for wine before we go out...in an hour and a half. Perhaps I should get cleaned up and ready to keep going.
Next up was the reopening of Geometry Park, now re-christened Paradise Park. Colorful paint made a huge difference to this oasis, which I thought always had a hard-edged industrial vibe. The kids' hand prints, leaf prints and mural added a lot to the charm of the new park and the extensive shade was much appreciated. Does anyone not have memories of hanging out here for one reason or another?
Then I took a couple of lobster roll virgins to Black Sheep to be de-flowered. Yes, they were impressed with the hunks of succulent lobster on buttered rolls and now it's their job to help me spread the word. Best of all, it was after 2 by the time we lunched, so the the Black Sheep crowds were gone.
Dinner was at Julep and included plenty of ambiance because of the fact that none of the street lights came on last night. As I sat in the restaurant eating and drinking, it was kind of eerie to observe the growing darkness outside, unaided by any artificial city light. It did make locating my black car more challenging than usual, even with the able assistance of the waiter Ben.
Today began with two friends and a bottle of Horton Sparkling Viognier and ended at Tarrant's with mimosas and lotsa food. One of my friends is moving to San Francisco in a week, so she felt obligated to have an east coast crab cake while she still could. She also provided a hilarious story about a mutual acquaintance which I had never heard before (actually only the participants knew of it) and it was the kind of amazing, "you did what?" story that you think only happens in movies. Melting wax from Michael's is all I'm going to say.
I was all set to take a deep breath when I looked at the clock and realized a friend will be stopping by for wine before we go out...in an hour and a half. Perhaps I should get cleaned up and ready to keep going.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Eat This Lobster Roll Now
A lobster roll is the simplest thing in the world: big chunks of lobster meat, enough mayo to bind them together and a perfectly buttered and toasted split hot dog roll.
If you appreciate this sublime combination, I would suggest you go immediately to the Black Sheep and order the Nor'easter...preferably with a side of bread and butter pickled veggies.
If this meal doesn't transport you to a summer day up north, then I can only be very sorry for you.
When I was ten, my family spent a month on vacation in Maine.
What stands out in my mind is how cold and rocky the ocean was, that we could light the fireplace every night (and it was July!) and the sheer amount of lobster we ate.
When I bit into that lobster roll in Carver today, I was transported to that month of lobster heaven.
The Black Sheep is a neighborhood place for me, so I don't need reasons to go there (today's visit was to spend time with Adam, of local band Marionette, a friend and a really interesting guy).
I do see an awful lot of their lobster rolls in my near future.
Memory jogging qualities aside, this lobster roll is summer on a plate.
If you appreciate this sublime combination, I would suggest you go immediately to the Black Sheep and order the Nor'easter...preferably with a side of bread and butter pickled veggies.
If this meal doesn't transport you to a summer day up north, then I can only be very sorry for you.
When I was ten, my family spent a month on vacation in Maine.
What stands out in my mind is how cold and rocky the ocean was, that we could light the fireplace every night (and it was July!) and the sheer amount of lobster we ate.
When I bit into that lobster roll in Carver today, I was transported to that month of lobster heaven.
The Black Sheep is a neighborhood place for me, so I don't need reasons to go there (today's visit was to spend time with Adam, of local band Marionette, a friend and a really interesting guy).
I do see an awful lot of their lobster rolls in my near future.
Memory jogging qualities aside, this lobster roll is summer on a plate.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Yes Men/A Yes Man
After two weeks of vacation at the beach, it was satisfying to get home and find e-mails and messages from so many friends insisting that we meet up as soon as possible on my return...as in every night this week was spoken for by mid-day Monday. I already have lunch plans for two days next week and assignations for three nights. Not bad, not bad at all.
Last night was dinner at Black Sheep (Artichoke Heart Galette, yumm, and a La Brea Tarpit for dessert) and then the documentary "Yes Men" at Gallery 5. This 2006 film was about the Yes Men, a group of activists who practice what they call "identity correction" by pretending to be powerful people and spokespersons for prominent organizations. They create and maintain fake websites similar to ones they want to spoof and then they accept invitations received on their websites to appear at conferences, lectures and on TV. The film focused on their impersonations of WTO big shots, giving speeches and presentations. It was hysterical and appalling at the same time. Only a college audience rejected the bullshit they were spouting, while the adult audiences appeared to buy into their line of crap completely. G5's second Tuesday of the month screenings are always worth checking out, for future reference.
The rest of the evening was devoted to us walking Jackson Ward (and running into my favorite neighbor Larry,who was a little tipsy after a few drinks at the Crossroads) and back to my place for some excellent getting-to-know-you-better conversation. It may not have been a night at the beach, but the evening had a lot to recommend it...mind, body and spirit-wise.
Last night was dinner at Black Sheep (Artichoke Heart Galette, yumm, and a La Brea Tarpit for dessert) and then the documentary "Yes Men" at Gallery 5. This 2006 film was about the Yes Men, a group of activists who practice what they call "identity correction" by pretending to be powerful people and spokespersons for prominent organizations. They create and maintain fake websites similar to ones they want to spoof and then they accept invitations received on their websites to appear at conferences, lectures and on TV. The film focused on their impersonations of WTO big shots, giving speeches and presentations. It was hysterical and appalling at the same time. Only a college audience rejected the bullshit they were spouting, while the adult audiences appeared to buy into their line of crap completely. G5's second Tuesday of the month screenings are always worth checking out, for future reference.
The rest of the evening was devoted to us walking Jackson Ward (and running into my favorite neighbor Larry,who was a little tipsy after a few drinks at the Crossroads) and back to my place for some excellent getting-to-know-you-better conversation. It may not have been a night at the beach, but the evening had a lot to recommend it...mind, body and spirit-wise.
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