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

Acacia Midtown - Wines of New Zealand

agave honey
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The Empress

Roasted Vegetables
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I ate lunch at The Empress today. The menu is interesting with breakfast and lunch options available till 5pm. I ordered the vichyssoise soup and the Roasted Vegetable Plate.
The vichyssoise was had great flavor and was nicely cold on a hot day.



The Roasted Vegetables where outstanding. I think this is the best bunch of vegetables I have ever eaten, seriously. I have had great menestras de verduras in spain but those have ham in them, this was straight up tasty veg.



The hummus was garlicky, and paired well with the well seasoned vegetables. I had a great lunch, attentive service in a nice place.

Black Sheep without the excess

sausage and pork platter
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

We ventured back to Black Sheep for lunch, on a sweltering weekday afternoon, we arrived just about 11:45 for lunch and strolled right in. We where a bit surprised as previous visits it has been packed. Probably the heat keeping people out. Anyway better for us. We settled in and reminisced on our previous visit. We decided to avoid another giant battleship and ordered.
We went with the Sausage and pork platter (not really the name of the dish but I can't remember it officially)



The sausage was very tasty, but the pork was perfect, pulled but chunky perfectly flavored.
I went with a side of corn pudding.



just the right sweetness with great flavor.
My fellow lunchers ordered the
Green Eggs and Ham



described as awesome by the eater and by the menu "Three eggs scrambled with a basil pesto, spinach & pancetta.
Garnished with shredded parmesan & green tomato sauce. Served over grilled french bread"

and then the Barn and Bay breakfast sandwich
"Scrambled eggs mixed with crabmeat, country ham, green onion & swiss cheese on buttered & griddled texas toast."



Described as "by the way... this is awesome"
Even without the spectacle the food is great, service was prompt and we hesitated to head back out into the heat.

Low and high brow

pork liver pate
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

On the high end of our weekend the boy and I hit Secco Wine Bar for our second visit as we had had a great time the first time around. The menu had changed a bit, but we still had great food.
we started with the cheese and salumi plate.



The cheese was excellent: Roncal, Ewes, Blue
The meats also tremendous: Jamon Iberico, and a Lomo for local producer Olio.
We also shared the Tortilla de Hongos (fritata with fungi)



We shared the Venison Sausage with white beans



and the pork liver pate



oh yeah and I had a beer (whatever was on the specials board)



Once again we had a very fun time, sat at the bar and shared small plates of interesting foods. Would reccomend to all.

High and low brow

chili dog
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The boy and I had the weekend free so we decided to have some meals out. Saturday for lunch we hit Sam's Hot Dog Stand on 301.
We ordered three chili dogs, one relish dog, fries and drinks. We arrived just before noon, and walked right up to the counter, but immediately after the place was packed with a line just to the door. Mixed crowd of what looked like grandparents, parents and kids.
The hot dogs where good but not spectacular, they lacked the bite/snap that a high end dog has. the toppings where OK but again not spectacular.



The bun was steamed and soft



Having said all that we had fun, enjoyed our lunch and didn't spend much money, the service was attentive and really well meaning, with staff working hard to move the crowd. I think I will be back as there is not a similar establishment near me for that chili dog fix every so often.