Restaurant Week Richmond 2009

Whitney:

With 23 choices it was difficult to choose. Each establishment had prefixed courses to choose from each offering a three course meal for $25.09. All participating restaurants donate $2.09 to the Virginia Food Bank, so not only does one get to eat at places they otherwise might not be able to afford but they are contributing to charity as well. After meticulously studying my options I decided upon The Hard Shell, The Berkeley and Zeus Gallery.

The Hard Shell – (804) 644-5341
First Course (choice of):

she crab soup; field green salad; flash fried calamari; or Caesar salad.

Second Course:

grilled shrimp and sea scallops (orange sticky rice, seared Asian vegetables, soy ginger beurre blanc); mustard and nut-crusted salmon (roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed spinach, tarragon crème fraiche); grilled filet mignon (Yukon gold mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus, shallot demi glace); steamed snow crab combo (crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, corn); or jumbo lump crab cakes (jasmine rice, asparagus, sorrel remoulade).

Third Course: key lime pie or pumpkin cheesecake.

First I would like to say that I only went to establishments this week that I have not yet been to. So, it may seem that I am the worst Richmonder in the world but true to form as a Richmonder i have felt that maybe these places were a little well...showy, or trendy for lack of better vernacular. I am extremely pleased to announce that The Hardshell in Richmond, Va. Kicks Ass!!! The She Crab soup was EXACTLY the way She Crab soup is supposed to be. The Salmon was good (though the rice was lame) but to make up for it the broccoletti was on point. Not too greasy too garlicky and not like Mamma Zu's.

For dessert though the Pumpkin Cheesecake wasn't offered they made up for it with Chocolate Pecan Pie and that was amazing!!!!! Considering I didn't have any room at all left in my gut and still managed to eat it all.

The time factor was ridiculous. We were in and out in about 45 minutes. Which don't get me wrong I love love love this, I was really caught off guard. We had our first and second course completed within 30 minutes. The food was good, fast and memorable.

SECOND NIGHT OUT

The Dining Room At The Berkeley Hotel - (804) 225-5105

First Course (choice of):

barbecued shrimp; Virginia home-style Brunswick stew; field green salad or Caesar salad.

Second Course: tilapia stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat; fried chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies; bistro steak or vegetarian risotto.

Third Course: bread pudding, New York style cheesecake or house-made gelato.

On this crisp cool autumn night in our little big town I was seated in the Berkeley by a fine gentleman by the name of Will. Will sat us by the window at the seat of our choosing. The view of Cary St. was lovely! I ordered the barbecued shrimp+grits. I thought the appetizer was lovely but I felt that the shrimp could have been prepared a little better. Several times I ended up with shell in my mouth. Now keep in mind this wasn't finger food the shrimp were swimming in barbecue and grits so...(I think the chef should have gone the extra mile on that one)! Other than that I love the flavor and presentation.

For my second course I ordered the the tilapia stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat. I was very unimpressed. It may have been sensory overload for me personally but the flavor of the two combined along with the sauce it was in was just a little off. I kept eating to figure out where it went wrong and it never came to me so I stopped. However, the presentation was beautiful! Complete with orchid (for eating or admiring) the flower was a nice touch.

For my third crash course I had the very dry cheesecake.

There is nothing left to say, except it is not Will's fault.

NIGHT THREE

I couldn't find the Menu for Zeus Gallery but I can tell you EVERYTHING was wonerful!

I started with the Celerey Root Soup, which didn't last long because...well as previously stated it was WONDERFUL!!!

For my entree I ordered the Veal and Ricotta meat balls on top of pasta in a marinara sauce and was really blown away by all of the intense flavors that came out in each bite.

I ended the evening the with a warm apple cobbler which I really didn't want because I was soooo full...but I did try and I thought it tasted like a good apple cobbler.

The service was good and the food was better. I will be back there soon!

Overall: This week allowed people the excuse to go out and spend money in a time when money is tight. I hope that everyone had a good week out. I hope everyone ate well. And if anyone has any comments please let us know.