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. 

Hoagie

 

Turns out that my "chicken hoagie" at Mellow Mushroom has a history.

"The Italian sandwich originated in several different Italian-American communities in the Northeastern United States from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. The popularity of this Italian-American sandwich has grown from its origins in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island to most parts of the United States and Canada, and with the advent of chain restaurants, is now available in many parts of the world. Sociologists Edwin Eames and Howard Robboy identified thirteen different terms for the submarine sandwich in the United States." -- Wikipedia

My friends shared a vegetarian pizza. All good, as people say. :-)

Mellow Mushroom

 

Ate lunch here on New Year's Eve. My first time. Great atmosphere. Good service, even on what appeared to be a rather busy afternoon.

Eggplant Parmigiana

 

So I got curious about the origin of this fabulous dish that I enjoyed at Francesco's: 

"The eggplant arrived in Italy during the 15th century – when the Arabs brought it from India. This part of the story already takes us to Sicily: According to this thesis, the city of Parma has nothing to do with it – not even the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This version states that the term actually derives from the Sicilian word ‘parmiciana,’ the little wooden strips that form a shutter – recalling the partially overlapping arrangment of fried eggplant used in the dish." -- La Cucina Italiana

Felice Anno Nuovo!

 

Francesco

A salad is just a salad, unless, of course, you slightly caramelize the red onion slices and add peppercorn dressing. Whew! And brace yourself for the pepper!

Felice Anno Nuovo everyone!

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.

Jamestown Pie Company

 

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?

McDonald's

 

The McDonald's at Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany

KFC

 

Berlin, Germany