Caffé Nero

Cambridge, England

Not plugging anything here. Just sayin' that Caffés Nero often seemed in just the right places at just the right times.

The Royal Oak

So the story behind I found myself eating at The Royal Oak in Ripon begins with the dinner I enjoyed the night before in Harrogate. There the waiter, learning that I was to sing the next day at Ripon Cathedral, heartily recommended that I grab lunch here. He was right. It was a great place to eat. Plus I was welcomed there by a very cordial and, I must say, quite accommodating canine maître d'. :-)

821 Café

 

The 821 Café is a popular eatery just across the street from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. It has a very small dining area, hence the people outside waiting for tables to open up. But what it lacks in space, it tries to compensate with good food at more or less reasonable prices. I had their Grummus Wrap loaded with hummus, field greens, feta, kalamata olives, banana peppers, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette in a flour tortilla and a side cup of fruit for $12. 

Francesco's

So, I've had to overcome a reluctance on my part to share my local favorites, mostly because I favor the little known and often slightly out-of-the-way places to eat, which are not likely to remain "little known" if I spotlight them. Anyway, Francesco's is one of my favorites.

Greeting me, as I entered last night, was this cool color-changing sign. More about this place tomorrow.

Coffee Shop

There appears to be another coffee shop opening soon near me but with a twist. 

Chowning's

Hamiltons'

Blue

 

 

Methinks the owners of Hamiltons' have a strong affinity for the color blue. I have to admit that I do too. 

Painting

Hamiltons' not only serves good food, it also has an interesting collection of art. I spotted this oil on canvas painting in--of all places--the men's bathroom. :-)

Blue Plate

Had lunch yesterday at Hamilton's in Charlottesville and ordered the Vegetarian "Blue Plate" Special. As far as I could figure it was made up of a couple of different kinds of squash pickled radishes, cabbage, carrots, arugula (?), and some things fried (?). Very good. Just right, as Goldilocks would have put it.

How about you? Eat anything new and or different over the Thanksgiving holiday?

Masón o Tapas

 

 

A simple light meal at the restaurant in Sarria before a short tour of the town. So very fresh, as if these vegetables came straight from the garden.

McDonald's

 

The McDonald's at Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany

KFC

 

Berlin, Germany