Who needs to go out of town for Memorial Day weekend?
Just stay right here and the out-of-towners come to you.
Or so it seemed on a canal boat ride today, my fourth and my seafaring companion's first, as good a destination as any for a Saturday stroll.
Our able-bodied skipper Cotton (yes, as in "Hi, Cotton!") broke the party ice by asking from whence came the visitors aboard.
Colorado, New York, Connecticut and North Carolina were in the house.
"Anyone here a Richmonder?" Cotton asked and a flurry of hands went up, including my own.
I'm one of those people who actually thinks being a Richmonder comes from RVA experiences and not birthright.
"That's what Richmonders look like," Cotton told the visitors, a point well made since we were a very diverse group.
"If you hate history, you just got on the wrong boat," he said as the final two passengers arrived, explaining their tardiness by saying they were from England.
"We'll be talking about you later," Cotton quipped.
"And you won't be nice about it, I'm sure," the man smiled in a clipped British accent.
Luckily for our former mother country's spawn, Cotton was not just a knowledgeable and humorous tour guide, but dressed to impress.
That's right, in this heat he was wearing a tri-cornered hat, a puffy shirt and lace-up vest, breeches and shoes with buckles.
The other canal boat was being commandeered by a guy in a baseball cap and a polo shirt, so how's that for job devotion?
I know, because we breezed right by them.
One sure way Richmond can seduce is gliding along the canal near Shockoe Boat Slip on a sunny day as a wheat-colored CSX Grain Express train passes through the triple crossing and turtles lounge nearby on dead branches, legs sticking out for maximum sunning.
When we got to the turnaround point near the Leonardo-inspired bascule bridge at Shiplock Park, Cotton said he was going to break bad.
Nest thing we knew he was vigorously repeating Patrick Henry's liberty speech, immediately followed by, "Happy Memorial Day!"
If we'd had a red, white and blue jello mold, that would have been the moment we broke it out.
As it was Cotton turned the boat around and we listened to tales of Richmond's history.
We were the first city to put beer in cans? Who the hell knew?
You should have seen how impressed with that the English couple was. So we Yanks were good for something.
On a related note, after docking we made our way up to Urban Farmhouse for lunch. where a sign greeted us, "Have you had your mimosa today?"
Why, no, now that you mention it.
The best part of a simple spinach salad with almonds and lemon honey dressing was the abundance of fresh strawberries, every one declaring itself to be at its peak.
But after walking from J-Ward to the canal, protein was in order, so I added a scoop of tarragon tuna salad, delightful to this mayo disdainer for its olive oil base.
Best of all, we ate our meal in the corner big front window thrown open to the parade of passersby.
A sunny walk, a languorous yet informative boat ride and a big plate of food in front of me.
Happy Memorial Day indeed.
And it wasn't just me. A man walking down the street winked at me when he caught my eye sitting there.
I know, Mister, right?
Showing posts with label urban farmhosue market and cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urban farmhosue market and cafe. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A Birthday Afternoon of House Music
Say a musician friend was planning a casual performance on the afternoon of your birthday. He asks you what you think of the idea weeks in advance. You tell him the idea is magnificent and made all the better because it will take place in between your birthday brunch and birthday dinner. Say he decides to call it the "Great Music, Great Spaces Inaugural performance" instead of "Karen's House Music Show." Whatevs.
But let's be clear, the show was not at anyone's house; it was at Urban Farmhouse Cafe, that high-ceilinged space with a facade of nothing but enormous windows, all of which were open. The "house music" term comes from the tradition of composers playing their latest creations for writers, poets and other musicians in a room in their house before debuting works for a symphonic audience.
Today's house show was organized by good friend and clarinet player Nicholas Lewis of the Richmond Symphony and involved four partners in crime (two violins, a viola and cello), also Symphony members. Urban Farmhouse was filled to capacity and I must have run into a dozen people I hadn't seen in years. Clearly Nick's circle is a wide one and yet somewhat overlapping with mine.
The program began with Mozart ("a civil discourse"), followed by Brahms ("more agitated"). Next came selections from Ralph von Williams consisting of folk melodies arranged as high art. The finale was spectacular. Nick had asked his friend and musical peer Gary Powell Nash to do an arrangement of the spiritual "Over My Head," a feat accomplished in an unbelievable three days. Of note here is that we were the very first audience to hear this arrangement; it was truly magical.
The words of the spiritual were demonstrated by Nick because the scheduled vocalist was unable to perform. I was so glad that he took the time to share the words because it made the piece resonate even more.
Over my head I hear music in the air
Over my head I hear music in the air
Over my head I hear music in the air
There must be a god somewhere
Now I'm a card-carrying heathen but I found those words to be as true as any ever written or sung. I might also mention how completely appropriate they were for the music-loving birthday girl at the finale of Karen's House Music Show.
Or whatever Nicholas was claiming it was called.
But let's be clear, the show was not at anyone's house; it was at Urban Farmhouse Cafe, that high-ceilinged space with a facade of nothing but enormous windows, all of which were open. The "house music" term comes from the tradition of composers playing their latest creations for writers, poets and other musicians in a room in their house before debuting works for a symphonic audience.
Today's house show was organized by good friend and clarinet player Nicholas Lewis of the Richmond Symphony and involved four partners in crime (two violins, a viola and cello), also Symphony members. Urban Farmhouse was filled to capacity and I must have run into a dozen people I hadn't seen in years. Clearly Nick's circle is a wide one and yet somewhat overlapping with mine.
The program began with Mozart ("a civil discourse"), followed by Brahms ("more agitated"). Next came selections from Ralph von Williams consisting of folk melodies arranged as high art. The finale was spectacular. Nick had asked his friend and musical peer Gary Powell Nash to do an arrangement of the spiritual "Over My Head," a feat accomplished in an unbelievable three days. Of note here is that we were the very first audience to hear this arrangement; it was truly magical.
The words of the spiritual were demonstrated by Nick because the scheduled vocalist was unable to perform. I was so glad that he took the time to share the words because it made the piece resonate even more.
Over my head I hear music in the air
Over my head I hear music in the air
Over my head I hear music in the air
There must be a god somewhere
Now I'm a card-carrying heathen but I found those words to be as true as any ever written or sung. I might also mention how completely appropriate they were for the music-loving birthday girl at the finale of Karen's House Music Show.
Or whatever Nicholas was claiming it was called.
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Symphonic Lunch at Urban Farmhouse
Sunny Fridays call for lunch plans and luckily my friend Nicholas, he of the Richmond Symphony and a consummate musician, here, invited me to join him at his new favorite place, the Urban Farmhouse. He said he was cooking up a performance idea and he wanted my input since I like music and going out so much.
Like so many places of late, UF has a gluten-free bread option for people like Nicholas and the half dozen other friends I have who are gluten-intolerant. They offer a gluten-free flatbread on which Nicholas got his Q with Blue Chicken, which the server described as "like eating hot wings without the grease," although the kitchen made it clear that the combination was a first for them. Apparently they succeeded beautifully because Nicholas said it was delicious and ate every bite.
I ordered the asparagus, white bean and feta salad over mixed greens and it was by far the best thing I've had at the UF and this was my third visit. The asparagus was perfectly cooked as were the beans, both a bit toothsome, which is to say to my liking. The salad was not overdressed, a frequent pet peeve of mine, but perhaps a tad over-cheesed. Still, it was good enough for me to say something to the kitchen staff who thanked me profusely for my kind words.
Nicholas' stroke of genius is a chamber music performance to be held at UF on an upcoming Sunday afternoon, in the tradition of "house" shows of previous centuries where new music was played for the enjoyment of friends and family. Those enormous windows that front Cary Street will be thrown wide open so as to entice passers-by to come in and listen. The five musicians will be sipping wine in between movements and the vibe will be comfortably relaxed.
I told him that I absolutely love this idea. Let's see, it's free, it's creative, it's music and I can't imagine anyone who shows up won't be thrilled to experience it. Hell, if I was transported hearing him play in a wine shop under construction, this will be almost like a ribbon-wrapped gift.
After all, my birthday is coming up this month...
Like so many places of late, UF has a gluten-free bread option for people like Nicholas and the half dozen other friends I have who are gluten-intolerant. They offer a gluten-free flatbread on which Nicholas got his Q with Blue Chicken, which the server described as "like eating hot wings without the grease," although the kitchen made it clear that the combination was a first for them. Apparently they succeeded beautifully because Nicholas said it was delicious and ate every bite.
I ordered the asparagus, white bean and feta salad over mixed greens and it was by far the best thing I've had at the UF and this was my third visit. The asparagus was perfectly cooked as were the beans, both a bit toothsome, which is to say to my liking. The salad was not overdressed, a frequent pet peeve of mine, but perhaps a tad over-cheesed. Still, it was good enough for me to say something to the kitchen staff who thanked me profusely for my kind words.
Nicholas' stroke of genius is a chamber music performance to be held at UF on an upcoming Sunday afternoon, in the tradition of "house" shows of previous centuries where new music was played for the enjoyment of friends and family. Those enormous windows that front Cary Street will be thrown wide open so as to entice passers-by to come in and listen. The five musicians will be sipping wine in between movements and the vibe will be comfortably relaxed.
I told him that I absolutely love this idea. Let's see, it's free, it's creative, it's music and I can't imagine anyone who shows up won't be thrilled to experience it. Hell, if I was transported hearing him play in a wine shop under construction, this will be almost like a ribbon-wrapped gift.
After all, my birthday is coming up this month...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Kiss Me, Kate. Noisily.
I could get used to this going to restaurants that have their windows open thing.
A friend suggested we eat dinner at Urban Farm House before going to Center Stage for The Taming of the Shrew and I was happy to return to the high-ceilinged place at which I'd recently enjoyed lunch.
They have those huge opening windows on two sides and one of them was open, allowing the evening air in as we enjoyed our pre-theater dinner.
We shared the farmhouse salad, which was a nice mix of organic greens and fruit in the house vinaigrette.
I ordered the Virginia ham Cubano (free-range Virginia ham and pork, locally made organic pickles and organic Swiss cheese and sharp American mustard) and got a delicious grilled pig feast.
My friend got the Tangy Curry Tuna salad sandwich, which did have a great kick to its flavor.
We were the only twosome in the place; everyone else sat in front of a laptop, some also on the phone, some using iPods and not a one speaking, so it was strangely quiet except for us.
Tonight's staged reading by Richmond Shakespeare was of one of my favorite plays about relationships.
I've read all the arguments about how dated the attitude toward the sexes are, but it's really a play about passion with loads of comedic dialogue and a terrific ending, so that's enough for me.
Who can resist a line like "Thus have I politically begun my reign!" from Petrucchio after the first time he beds Kate? Not me.
The beauty of a staged reading is the informality (and the fact that glass of wine comes with the price of admission).
At one point during a passionate argument scene between the lovers, the actor playing Petrucchio lost his place in the script.
The actress playing Kate waited momentarily for him to find his place, but he continued to flip through the pages unsuccessfully.
Finally she yelled, "Page 42!" at him in her most argumentative voice to assist him, garnering a big laugh from the audience.
Improvisation aside, it's those well-crafted words that enthrall me every time. Describing how the groom behaved at the wedding, Gremio said:
This done, he took the bride about the neck
And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack
That, at the parting, all the church did echo.
Clamorous smacking, now that's something we could all use a little more of.
Am I wrong?
A friend suggested we eat dinner at Urban Farm House before going to Center Stage for The Taming of the Shrew and I was happy to return to the high-ceilinged place at which I'd recently enjoyed lunch.
They have those huge opening windows on two sides and one of them was open, allowing the evening air in as we enjoyed our pre-theater dinner.
We shared the farmhouse salad, which was a nice mix of organic greens and fruit in the house vinaigrette.
I ordered the Virginia ham Cubano (free-range Virginia ham and pork, locally made organic pickles and organic Swiss cheese and sharp American mustard) and got a delicious grilled pig feast.
My friend got the Tangy Curry Tuna salad sandwich, which did have a great kick to its flavor.
We were the only twosome in the place; everyone else sat in front of a laptop, some also on the phone, some using iPods and not a one speaking, so it was strangely quiet except for us.
Tonight's staged reading by Richmond Shakespeare was of one of my favorite plays about relationships.
I've read all the arguments about how dated the attitude toward the sexes are, but it's really a play about passion with loads of comedic dialogue and a terrific ending, so that's enough for me.
Who can resist a line like "Thus have I politically begun my reign!" from Petrucchio after the first time he beds Kate? Not me.
The beauty of a staged reading is the informality (and the fact that glass of wine comes with the price of admission).
At one point during a passionate argument scene between the lovers, the actor playing Petrucchio lost his place in the script.
The actress playing Kate waited momentarily for him to find his place, but he continued to flip through the pages unsuccessfully.
Finally she yelled, "Page 42!" at him in her most argumentative voice to assist him, garnering a big laugh from the audience.
Improvisation aside, it's those well-crafted words that enthrall me every time. Describing how the groom behaved at the wedding, Gremio said:
This done, he took the bride about the neck
And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack
That, at the parting, all the church did echo.
Clamorous smacking, now that's something we could all use a little more of.
Am I wrong?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Windy Walk to the Urban Farmhouse
Yes, it is windy and cold outside, but at least it's not snowing (yet), which was cause enough for my friend and I to walk from J-Ward to the Slip and lunch at the Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe.
We were both curious about their commitment to both urban renewal and good food from local sources.
The space is beautiful with incredibly high ceilings and cozy love seats sandwiched between tables.
When we arrived shortly after 12:30, there was only one two-top free, which we grabbed, but within a half hour, the tables had turned over completely.
Lots of creative business-looking types came and went while we lingered.
It's one of those places where you order at the counter, take a seat and wait for your name to be shouted out, which makes me want to come up with a more creative name for myself next time.
I ordered the Turkey and Sesame with Fresh Scallions (with ginger garlic aioli, toasted sesame seeds and fresh organic scallions) and my friend got the Lemony Ceasar Salad with free-range chicken with their house made egg-less Ceasar dressing.
She was especially pleased that walnuts replaced the usual tired croutons in her salad. I enjoyed actual sliced turkey breast rather than deli turkey on my grilled sandwich which came with carrot sticks and potato chips, no doubt to balance each other out.
The large windows made for a delightfully sunny meal and really opened up the corner space.
I was amazed to find that the ceilings were just as high in the bathroom; I can't say I've ever been in a bathroom with walls easily four times my height.
Add in colorfully tiled walls on the lower third and an enormous window and it was a pretty spectacular bathroom experience, if you're into such things.
Apparently I am.
Although they had an assortment of desserts like cookies, brownies and candies, we opted to go around the corner to Shockoe Espresso, me for a slice of chocolate cake with coconut icing and her for coffee.
I was surprised to learn that their desserts came from Garnett's which explained why my huge piece of cake was so well done.
Coconut + chocolate = dessert nirvana, at least in my world. Can you say Samoas?
Walking home and into the wind on shadowed streets wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the walk east had been, but we detoured into Ghostprint Gallery to check out their latest show "Italian Art &Design."
There were some striking ceramic relief pieces in colors too beautiful to describe, as well as vintage Italian pieces from the mid-twentieth century.
One was a wooden bar cart with swans for handles connecting the wheels and trays. Another was a lacquered goatskin coffee table with a built-in well for an ice bucket; it was incredibly groovy circa 1960.
Chairs of various styles and materials looked more like sculpture than furniture.
Most of the pieces looked like they would have been right at home in an urban loft right around the time the cultural revolution was taking off.
Walking the last few blocks home in the wind, my friend thanked me for helping her wile way a rare afternoon off.
Hell, I'm practically an expert when it comes to creative time use, even with a wind advisory that would have kept saner people inside.
But then I've heard sanity is overrated.
We were both curious about their commitment to both urban renewal and good food from local sources.
The space is beautiful with incredibly high ceilings and cozy love seats sandwiched between tables.
When we arrived shortly after 12:30, there was only one two-top free, which we grabbed, but within a half hour, the tables had turned over completely.
Lots of creative business-looking types came and went while we lingered.
It's one of those places where you order at the counter, take a seat and wait for your name to be shouted out, which makes me want to come up with a more creative name for myself next time.
I ordered the Turkey and Sesame with Fresh Scallions (with ginger garlic aioli, toasted sesame seeds and fresh organic scallions) and my friend got the Lemony Ceasar Salad with free-range chicken with their house made egg-less Ceasar dressing.
She was especially pleased that walnuts replaced the usual tired croutons in her salad. I enjoyed actual sliced turkey breast rather than deli turkey on my grilled sandwich which came with carrot sticks and potato chips, no doubt to balance each other out.
The large windows made for a delightfully sunny meal and really opened up the corner space.
I was amazed to find that the ceilings were just as high in the bathroom; I can't say I've ever been in a bathroom with walls easily four times my height.
Add in colorfully tiled walls on the lower third and an enormous window and it was a pretty spectacular bathroom experience, if you're into such things.
Apparently I am.
Although they had an assortment of desserts like cookies, brownies and candies, we opted to go around the corner to Shockoe Espresso, me for a slice of chocolate cake with coconut icing and her for coffee.
I was surprised to learn that their desserts came from Garnett's which explained why my huge piece of cake was so well done.
Coconut + chocolate = dessert nirvana, at least in my world. Can you say Samoas?
Walking home and into the wind on shadowed streets wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the walk east had been, but we detoured into Ghostprint Gallery to check out their latest show "Italian Art &Design."
There were some striking ceramic relief pieces in colors too beautiful to describe, as well as vintage Italian pieces from the mid-twentieth century.
One was a wooden bar cart with swans for handles connecting the wheels and trays. Another was a lacquered goatskin coffee table with a built-in well for an ice bucket; it was incredibly groovy circa 1960.
Chairs of various styles and materials looked more like sculpture than furniture.
Most of the pieces looked like they would have been right at home in an urban loft right around the time the cultural revolution was taking off.
Walking the last few blocks home in the wind, my friend thanked me for helping her wile way a rare afternoon off.
Hell, I'm practically an expert when it comes to creative time use, even with a wind advisory that would have kept saner people inside.
But then I've heard sanity is overrated.
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