StarterZ

 

 

ZED                                        Restaurant Week Menu

 

Seasonal Greens w/Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette

Portabella Mushroom Pistachio Pate

 

Main Course

 

Moroccan Baked Chicken w/Herbed Bulgur Pilaf

Pecan-Crusted Seasonal Whitefish w/Dijon Cream

Apple-Cider Braised Pork Loin w/Roasted Red Potatoes

 

DessertZ

 

Apple Pecan Cake w/Caramel Sauce

 

Cinnamon Pear Crisp

I got the inside scoop today on the menu for Richmond Restaurant Week at Six Burner. It is quite adventureous, offering 4 entrees including skate and beef cheeks. Hmm. Two things I’ve never tried before, but I’m not sure I want to. Looks like some good eats though!

Appetizers

celery root soup, porcini oil

*

duck confit and root vegetable salad, balsamic reduction

*

roasted beets, blue cheese, truffle puree, toasted hazelnuts

*

entrees

salmon, white bean and surry sausage ragout

*

skate, savoy cabbage, local oysters,

smoked bacon

*

duck confit, mascarpone polenta,

orange emulsion

*

beef cheeks, garlic mashed potatoes,

baby carrots, pomegranate jus

*

desserts

hot chocolate panna cotta,

 homemade marshmallow, pistachio biscotti

*

foie gras and almond pound cake, caramel mousse, almond brittle

Thanks for not giving me a hard time because I keep talking about Trader Joe’s even though it is in the Far West End.  We all know it’s going to impact the Near West End too.  While I still haven’t made it out to the Whole Foods that opened a few weeks ago, I did make it a priority to go to Trader Joe’s on opening day today.  (And no, the cops were not there directing traffic like they were at Whole Foods.) Over $100 later, I’m home and still haven’t unpacked my groceries.

Yes, it was busy. Yes the lines to the register did block some of the isles at the peak time this morning, which was frustrating, but all the staff were efficient, helpful, and most important in a great mood – which seems to be the signature of Joes. No, it wasn’t that fake rehearsed kind of happy either. It helps to have a sense of humor on a day like to day (screaming kids,  no carts –’cause they are all in use, and a mob scene around the Mandarin chicken sample table) and the staff succeeded.

I was one of the high-maintenance customers who knew what I wanted (from shopping at stores in NOVA) but couldn’t necessarily find it. I had no less then 4 people help me at various times.  I cannot tell you how happy I am with how kind everyone was. My kids were so sad they couldn’t come because they were in school.   Too bad I have to wait until dinner to crack open a bottle of my $3 buck Shiraz.

River City Food & Wine gave the new Sticks Kabob Shop at Willow Lawn a so-so review. The concept sounds neat to me, but it looks like the meat is what folks get excited about, here (and I don’t eat meat).   Based on the review, I’m not sure if I need to rush to try it out.   On the other hand, if someone tells me thier falafel is great, perhaps I’ll reconsider.

Whole Food Market is taking steps to open and fully staff their new store here in Richmond by August, or early September.  They are hosting a job fair July 22-23rd at the Hilton Garden in Innsbrook, but word on the street is that the building is near completion.  Aside from this being good for Richmonders who want great preapared foods and more variety in whole foods and organic produce, Richmond will also benefit from having a great new employer in the area.  From the website:

“Our company has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine for the last ten years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For,” and in 2007 we were one of only 16 companies on their list that cover 100% of their employees’ health insurance premiums.”

Here are the details from Whole Food’s website:

Job fairs are generally manned by the actual leadership that our new team members will be working with along with other experienced team members who may be from other stores or the regional offices, there to help out and answer your questions.

Job fairs may be held at an existing store or in a more convenient venue for new stores or larger events.

Short Pump - Richmond, VA - Hiring Events

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Wednesday, July 23, 2008
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

All applicants must apply online before attending the career event.

For questions please call 301-984-3737 or email shortpump.careers@wholefoods.com

Location:
Hilton Garden Inn – Richmond–Innsbrook
4050 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

I am so excited to announce that Chris Humes has organized another wonderful Community Supported Agriculture berry and fruit co-op.  This is slightly out of our area, but worth knowing about anyway. I know I’ll be joining, and I expect the drive to Lakeside to take less than 10 minutes.  Here’s the scoop:

We [SPROUT Richmond] are pleased to announce the start-up of a new berry CSA for Richmonders.
Here are the details:

WHO: Fruit and berry fans can now get in on enjoying an array of sun
ripened, just picked, local berries and fruits delivered nearby!

WHAT: A weekly share consisting of a 5 lb+ tray of up to 6 pints, which
includes- always blackberries, blueberries and/or peaches, plums or
nectarines, and if available- raspberries. Although not certified
organically grown, all products are grown with sustainable farm production
practices.

WHEN: Starts Wednesday July 9th thru early September 2008 for weekly
delivery! 9 weeks total.

WHERE: CSA share trays will be delivered and available for pickup every
Wednesday evening from 5-7pm at the Lakeside Farmers Market at the Lakeside
Town Center, 6116 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, VA 23228.

COST: $28 per week. Three scheduled payments of $84 OR pay in full to
receive DISCOUNT of 10%. Space is limited- act fast!

HOW: Simply reply to this email [actually, you'll just need to email chrish@threemiles.com] and request your interest in joining. We
will send you additional information and tell you when you can start
enjoying fresh, local sweetness.

ABOUT: Agriberry LLC- 25 years ago Anne Geyer established and began
directing the marketing program at Westmoreland Berry Farm near Oak Grove,
VA with her husband, farm co-founder, and current farm manager Charles
Geyer. With this vast expertise in dozens of summer berry varieties- Anne is
eager to share with a wider consumer base. Anne is applying her range of
experiences and her passion to establish other small acreage summer
Agriberry sites in rural/urban counties across Virginia; starting in Hanover
County in 2009. Anne is also an active board member on the National Berry
Crop Initiative; a member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Specialty Crop
Committee; a District 17 representative for the Virginia Extension
Leadership Council; and a Hanover County Master Gardener Volunteer.

NOTE: Anne will be at the Hanover Tomato Festival from 9am-4pm this
Saturday, July 5th with examples of the Agriberry weekly berry/tree fruit
share!

The Celebrity Room is back.

The pizzeria and restaurant, which operated in northern Henrico County for 31 years before closing in 1994, has taken over space in the TJ Maxx shopping center on West Broad Street in western Henrico. It opened in late May.

“It’s great to be back,” owner Alan Serafim said. “People walk in and they say the smell is just like the old place. They remember.”

The new 40-seat restaurant even has some of the old fixtures that made The Celebrity Room a Richmond landmark. For example, Christmas decorations are up year-round, as they were at the old place.

“It’s still Christmas every day in here,” Serafim said, adding that more decorations will go up as the season approaches.

[via the TD]

Willow Lawn adds a Qdoba Mexican Grill to the list of recently opened quick-food restaurants in that area (Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Panera Bread, Chipotle, etc.).

The fourth Qdoba in Richmond is slated to open Thursday at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, at the corner that formerly housed Payless ShoeSource.

Across the street in the new Willow Lawn Plaza (behind CVS pharmacy), the under-construction Jason’s Deli is now hiring.

[via]

Never been to Shula’s 2 Steak & Sports?
Open House
April 1, 2008
5:30p-6:30p

Try our Award Winning SHULA CUT Steak
Please RSVP to Jacque Brown @ 281-5969 by March 27, 2008