Good Things To Eat

If I say I brought a bottle of Virginia wine in my bag, does that tell you where I ended up?

It says nothing about where I started out, which was at The Camel for Todd Raviotta's art opening.

Before I even made it inside, I ran into a musician headed up to WRIR for an interview. That yielded some fun conversation and a FB friend request before I even got home.

The prolific photographer was showing his art work, all of it based on a life going to shows in Richmond. I know because I see him everywhere.

The first image I saw was of Prabir and the Goldrush, a band I know well.

In Raviotta's image, Treesa's dress was green glitter and Prabir was singing with his mouth wide open and Matt had his head bent, the better to hear his bass (I strain, too).

An image of No BS Brass band showed the musicians mid-note, with everyone's mouth open and singing.

There were many images of burlesque dancers in addition to one of a six headed DJ (actually three double exposures).

I admire Todd because he eschews the use of Photoshop in his photography; instead, he prints his pictures on waterproof paper, creating a canvas for further work.

Then, using nail polish (and often glitter nail polish) he paints on the photographs. It's interesting what gets his brushstrokes and what doesn't. Treesa's dress did.

Todd said tonight that this art form was his way of combining his love of photography with painting and his affinity for the people in his world (musicians and burlesque performers) without having to resort to using a screen.

After perusing the paintings and talking to the artist, I headed up the hill to The Roosevelt, where I arrived to a standing-room-only dining room.

It was also the first night of full ABC service. Just in case, though, I'd brought a bottle of my own. For the record, it was Virginia wine.

I took the seat vacated by Jason Alley, chef at Comfort, and was immediately introduced to my seatmate, a merchandiser for Urban Outfitters and a charming conversationalist.

Considering my Diversity Thrift summer dress, I'm fortunate that he even deigned to talk to me.  But he did, and with enthusiasm

I asked for the Virginia Fizz, which had already sold so well that the remainder was on ice being chilled down.

Rather than wait, I opted for the Boxwood Rose, which came to me highly recommended by the owner. She was right.

The conversation with my new found friend was fascinating; we covered suburban childhoods (his), diversity in the neighborhood (mine) and the appeal of beer labels in making a selection (given his line of work, not surprising).

The good news is that The Roosevelt carries no throwaway beers, so bring your best beer-drinking game when you come. Beer and a shot comes with knowledge, not on the menu.

After lively discussion of city life and Mama J's, I found myself hungry and ordered the squash fritters with Tabasco remoulade at my new friend's suggestion.

The irregularly shaped fritters had the right amount of  crunch outside to balance the  savory inside, especially when dredged in the remoulade.

My companion, a highly visual type, described the decor of some favorite high-end restaurants and hotels while I enjoyed my fritters

The dining room became a tad more civilized as a few tables got up to go and were not immediately filled.

A musician friend (and, as it turned out, blog reader) appeared with his beloved and we talked local music until he had to go. Readers seem to turn up everywhere.

Then I ordered the steak tartare with egg yolk, pickled mustard seed and grilled bread.

The dish was amazing; the couple next to me ordered it twice tonight. The yolk made the dish, imparting a a richness that the tartare could only absorb.

I pricked it, it oozed and I savored it like, well, I hadn't had a a good yolk in a while.  Metaphor-like.

The grilled bread, when eaten with the tartare, gave a cooked quality to the beef that was wholly unexpected...and perfect.

With my raw meat, I enjoyed a pairing of Mountfair Merlot. As good a pairing as it was, the raw meat and yolk were the star. Still, I drank on.

After dinner, I was invited to join a contingent at the center table. Fortunately, I'd had the foresight to bring a bottle of 2008 Cardinal Point Cabernet Franc/Viognier to share.

While celebrating Virginia's new BYOB law, we talked about wineries, American food origins and why it's important to stand up to people who disagree with you (this happens to us both frequently).

Be nice, but be firm. Hate no one. And when in doubt, ignore the people who don't matter.

One of my favorite drummers came in and I greeted him enthusiastically, not having known before that he was a Church Hill resident. Like the other neighbors, he is rejoicing at The Roosevelt's opening.

"We're just going to sit you out front with a bottle of wine and you can bring in business," my friend informed me.

It was at that point that we switched to a bottle of Whitehall Cabernet Franc, very different from the last.

I sipped it while flipping through a fascinating book, "Rufus Estes Good Things to Eat," the first cookbook by an African-American (full of yummy things like tongue toast).

There were no less than ten return customers at The Roosevelt tonight, all raving about the food and thrilled that the ABC license has arrived.

I was just another returning face with a bottle of Virginia wine and a propensity to talk to everyone.

The Roosevelt, not just for teetotalers anymore.

RVA Jazzfest Killed It

Given how many events were cancelled for tonight, I felt lucky to find that the RVA Jazzfest was on.

With a focus on the Richmond jazz scene due to the snow-related absence of the two visiting artists, Ray Anderson and Adam Larrabee, our local musicians represented exceedingly well.

The crowd was much smaller than usual when the music began around 9, but fortunately people continued to come in for the first hour.

It was too bad for some of the late arrivals, because missing any of Trio of Justice's set was a major loss.

Reggie (Can't Stop/Won't Stop) Pace's latest project of low brass and percussion meant loud volume and heavy weights.

Trombone, tuba and drums drove the grooves and captured the audience in the palm of their musical hands.

Talking to Reggie before the show, he assured me that he'll be doing the Thompson and Grace balcony series again this summer; it's still one of my favorite free summer events and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

And Reggie remains one of the most genuinely nice and most talented musicians in this town and that's saying a lot.

And did I mention that his lemonade is legendary?

The second act was the indomitable Kuhl (JC) + Jones (Brian), practically the RVA godfathers of jazz, despite their relatively young ages.

Jones' drumming may be a blur to watch, but it's such an amazing thing to hear.

There's no part of the sticks, mallets or drums themselves that he doesn't use and it's mesmerizing.

Headlining was Ombak, composer and trombonist Bryan Hooten's project, with their pastiche of musical influences and original compositions.

Luckily if you missed tonight's show, they do a regular gig at Balliceaux.

Needless to say, the audience was full of local musicians, as eager to enjoy this array of talent as the non-musical of us in the audience.

WCVE's Peter Solomon was there, taking in the show and offering me job advice.

There also looked to be students from VCU's jazz studies program, worshiping at the feet of their jazz elders, so to speak.

It was my third year for the Jazzfest, yet another example of the stellar and low-cost entertainment that goes on in RVA all the time.

If you weren't willing to brave the elements to check it out tonight, I won't judge you, but it's not that hard to find these musicians playing around town on a regular basis and often at the Camel.

You won't be disappointed and you'll likely be hugely impressed, I can assure you.