Rappahannock Restaurant

Oysters + pearls
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I visited Rappahannock Restaurant in Richmond, VA twice, both with my parents who fell in love with the place on the first visit and insisted on a return visit. This was several months ago now, so the menu may have changed.

We ordered the brandade A potato and cod emuslion of sorts, which my father really enjoyed. Also the Cured Salmon We ordered clams Which came with toasted bread. Delicious and briny, great seasoning. I always order oysters, but we also ordered pearls and oysters, the combo of oysters and salmon roe. This combo is perfect, and my father in particular loved it and ordered it on our next visit as well. The boy and I had the lemonade from the bar which was excellent. Very likely will go back for more oysters and the great seafoood dishes. Certainly beats having to go to DC for great oysters.

O´Caldiño

almejas a la plancha
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

One of the most frequented restaurants we go to when in Madrid is O´Caldiño. It is a galician styled restaurant, where tapas are truly based on what you drink and eat, as well as your repeat business. The boy and I went back maybe three times in the week we where in Madrid.



and we ate like kings. Above sauteed clams.
below on the house croquetas and meatballs



Gambas a la plancha



caldo gallego







stewed muscles



Ensaladilla rusa and pintxos (on the house)



and my favorite pulpo a la gallega (octopus)



If you are in the neighborhood would stop in.

with bread

Cocido Madrileño

cocido madrileno
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I took the boy to Spain to spend some time speaking spanish. While in Madrid we decided to have some proper cocido. This is a dish that is all cooked in the same pot, but the ingredients are then served in sequence.
It starts with the cooking liquid, with small noodles, pretty much an awesome noodle soup. Served in a large soup dish, and accompanied by a selection of pickled peppers and olives.



The amount of soup could easily have been an entire meal, actually that is true of every portion of this meal. (we ordered for two!)



I ate two bowls of soup before the next plate arrived, the garbanzo beans with potato, carrot and cabbage



Everything was perfectly cooked. We remarked that the potato in particular was spectacular. Very flavorful and perfectly cooked. I think it is easy to throw everything in a pot but the skill is to have each ingredient cooked appropriately not under or overcooked.
Soon after the garbanzos the meats arrived.



Chicken, pork, morcilla, bone marrow, beef shank all super tender and delicous, and bountiful.
I was about to blow up satisfied and starting to bust into the meat sweats, yet the boy ordered dessert.



A lemon sorbet.

A great meal, good service.

Taberna de Buenaventura
Calle de Hermosilla, 69, 28001 Madrid, Spain

Sushi-O

Sushi o
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I had lunch at Sushi-O in Midlothian. The food was very good, although expensive. I had the Yellowtail ceviche



The marinade was incredible, sweet, a bit spicy and paired very well with the fish and the radish garnish.

I also had the lunch menu 2 piece (octopus and spicy tuna) this was served with a cucumber salad. The salad was very refreshing, The spicy tuna was very tasty and the octopus perfectly cooked.



I enjoyed every dish, but still was a bit sticker shocked at the prices (notable on their menu) The host and waiter were great and the place is very cool.

IronFish

squid
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

My wife and I went to IronFish for our 17th wedding anniversary. A Friday night, she had called ahead, but they don't make reservations so we braved it anyway. The wait when we got there around 7:30 was 45 minutes, which is not horrible but enough to get your attention and think of different options. We stepped outside and started calling other nearby restaurants, but within 20 minutes the hostess came out and called our name. We bypassed several larger parties that had been waiting longer than us, as a 2 person table had become available. I was a bit embarrassed but then figured out that they couldn't have sat those people at this table anyway. The restaurant is very nice with some booths and two table areas as well as a bar which was packed. My wife had seen the Richmond Magazine cover of best new restaurants with the fried squid and wanted to get that as an appetizer so we did. We also shared a bottle of wine (tempranillo, which we brought home and finished off the second half of the bottle at home, hey it is our anniversary)



The squid were very tasty and tender, there are banana peppers breaded and intermixed which add a nice tangyness, but my wife doesn't particularly care for that. I thought they were good. My wife ordered the crab cakes for her main course, (althought she vacilated between the lamb shank)



She liked them very much and actually brought one home and had it for lunch today, thought it was still very good. I ordered the whole branzino



Perfectly crispy with flacky meat. I love the crispy tail and flippers. I did not bring any home as none survived. We shared two desserts, the key lime pie with mango cream and the chocolate cake



both very good, but the key lime pie was the more tasty of the two. We had a very nice evening, the service was very prompt, casual and friendly despite what looked to be a very busy night. As we left we could hear the wait staff explaining that some items where sold out, but we did not run into that issue. This is another great addition to the RVA seafood restaurants, we will definitely be back.

China Poblano

china poblano
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

During my trip to Las Vegas I made a point of checking out Jose Andres' China Poblano. I loved it, so I ended up eating here twice, once alone the second time I dragged three friends with me. I have eaten tapas at Jaleo and the tasting menu at Cafe Atlantico in DC, both very good but I found China Poblano as a more fun dinner, the menu is amazing with both chinese and mexican dishes and some fusion of both.
They run 3 kitchens, the open chinese



The open mexican



and a closed kitchen in the back. I think they also service the Vegas version of Jaleo which sits one floor up. (both these restaurants are in The Cosmopolitan hotel)
Here are some of the dishes we had, Duck tongue tacos



very tasty but not very duck tasting, beef tongue taco with pork rinds



This was incredible.
A noodle and seafood dish titled shrimp nest, with veg and mushrooms



Su Mai, good, but not the stars of the night.



Beijing glass noodle soup, the broth was perfect.



Shrimp Mojo, I think this was my favorite



Seared scallops (i didn't try this but they looked good)



we got some greens, Green Beans with Lotus



Very tasty Tamal



Ok I was lying earlier, this was my favorite, the red pozole



Great food, accompanied by the house drink the salt foam margarita,



Would strongly reccomend a visit if in Las Vegas.

Bistro 27 Lunch

Sausage salad
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I had some time so I ran into Bistro 27 for lunch. Very nice space, the menu was interesting, (I may have to come back with my wife for dinner) I ordered the sausage salad, Locally produced by Sausage Craft, a pork and Pecorino cheese sausage with frisée salad dressed in a balsamic vinaigrette, served with french fries



The salad dressing on mixed greens was great the sausage was awesome with a great juicy bite. The fries where cut thin and crispy seasoned well. Great meal, the menu was very intersting making me want to go back.