Lord, I hope that the lack of the accent on toco does not totally translate the Spanish idiom into anything more than, 'By a stroke of luck'!
I just want to say that my or Kate's opinion is not meant to please anyone. The opinion's voiced on this blog are the opinion's of my tongue and gut and sometimes of my eyes and mind. With all that mentioned, no one should ever put any worth into any one person's opinion when it comes to your own tongue and gut. For example, I HATE MEXICAN FOOD!!!!! Do I want you to hate Mexican food? No! Hell NO! A lot of people like Mexican food. I am voicing an opinion, a value of my taste and nothing more!
So with all that said...I FOUND MEXICAN FOOD I LIKE!!!!
Okay! I will be honest, I was dragged there against my will AND I had a Val-Pak coupon...
but it was SO good!
There is an urban legend that some establishments drug their products to get return business...as a non- Mexican food love (who now loves Mexican food) I would say El Toro Loco makes the list.
The chips were oh' so crunchy! The salsa was...FRESH!!!!!
I ordered the Chimichanga (I know, I know), I had never had one before and LOVED loved LOVED it!!!
Two orders of chips, fa bu- (thank you Kate) and salsa and cheese dip AND a Chimichanga later...
I AM! a fan!
I will return to try more! The staff was prompt and the food came out hot and fast!!!
El Toro Loco
1808 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, Va.
(804)353-2391
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A re-visit...Sensi
A re-visit…Sensi
Though it may not have been so long ago we posted on Sensi, it seems that we just cannot get enough! A quick re-visit just to make sure we weren’t being too nice in the last review.
First we went online to www.halfoff.com and purchased a coupon to Sensi at (really) half the price. You pay shipping and handling and most establishments only let you purchase one (must spread the wealth). All coupons have an expiration date so pay attention and check the site often since the restaurants change frequently.
I ordered a house Pinot Grigio (of course!) and the SALAD "ESOTICA"
Baby Lettuces, Asian Pear, Spiced Walnuts and Gorgonzola "Terrina" with Aged Balsamic Vinegar and Cold Press Virgin Olive Oil
$6.50
Because of this salad I ignored my wine and forgot to breathe due to the pace that I was shoveling fork loads into my mouth too quickly to drink or breathe. This was so simple and elegant and totally blew me away. The walnuts were spiced with cinnamon which paired beautifully with the ever so wonderful wedge of gorgonzala and pear. To my own embarrassment I finished (every single little piece) and still wanted more. But I knew I had more coming so I surrendered my plate and nursed my Pinot Grigio.
As I realized I was satiated my Crab cake and my eyes met and the rest is history!
I ordered the CHESAPEAKE BAY LUMP CRAB "CAKE"
San Daniele Prosciutto, Ginger Carrot Glaze, Salsa Aurora and Seasonal Melon
$12.95
I suppose in February one cannot find a carrot glaze so (and this is just a guess) they used a pesto glaze instead. NO MATTER! The pesto glaze around the side of the plate was a perfect compliment to each bite. Which if you ate it just right included the savory crab cake, a shaving of the seasonal melon (cantaloupe) and tiny piece of prosciutto and a perfected half a second dip into the salsa. I guess I will hit the treadmill tomorrow because I ate all of that too. Thanks to Sensi’s fine food and my lack of control I ate more than my pregnant friend that accompanied me (so so sad).
Though I am sure I could have entertained a dessert or even another glass of vino, I handed over my coupon. Made sure to pay tip on the full amount of the bill (before the coupon) and have already started planning my next trip.
2222 East Cary St. Richmond, Va.
(804)648-3463
Though it may not have been so long ago we posted on Sensi, it seems that we just cannot get enough! A quick re-visit just to make sure we weren’t being too nice in the last review.
First we went online to www.halfoff.com and purchased a coupon to Sensi at (really) half the price. You pay shipping and handling and most establishments only let you purchase one (must spread the wealth). All coupons have an expiration date so pay attention and check the site often since the restaurants change frequently.
I ordered a house Pinot Grigio (of course!) and the SALAD "ESOTICA"
Baby Lettuces, Asian Pear, Spiced Walnuts and Gorgonzola "Terrina" with Aged Balsamic Vinegar and Cold Press Virgin Olive Oil
$6.50
Because of this salad I ignored my wine and forgot to breathe due to the pace that I was shoveling fork loads into my mouth too quickly to drink or breathe. This was so simple and elegant and totally blew me away. The walnuts were spiced with cinnamon which paired beautifully with the ever so wonderful wedge of gorgonzala and pear. To my own embarrassment I finished (every single little piece) and still wanted more. But I knew I had more coming so I surrendered my plate and nursed my Pinot Grigio.
As I realized I was satiated my Crab cake and my eyes met and the rest is history!
I ordered the CHESAPEAKE BAY LUMP CRAB "CAKE"
San Daniele Prosciutto, Ginger Carrot Glaze, Salsa Aurora and Seasonal Melon
$12.95
I suppose in February one cannot find a carrot glaze so (and this is just a guess) they used a pesto glaze instead. NO MATTER! The pesto glaze around the side of the plate was a perfect compliment to each bite. Which if you ate it just right included the savory crab cake, a shaving of the seasonal melon (cantaloupe) and tiny piece of prosciutto and a perfected half a second dip into the salsa. I guess I will hit the treadmill tomorrow because I ate all of that too. Thanks to Sensi’s fine food and my lack of control I ate more than my pregnant friend that accompanied me (so so sad).
Though I am sure I could have entertained a dessert or even another glass of vino, I handed over my coupon. Made sure to pay tip on the full amount of the bill (before the coupon) and have already started planning my next trip.
2222 East Cary St. Richmond, Va.
(804)648-3463
Friday, January 15, 2010
Havana '59
Hmm...Tasty! There are not many Cuban options in Richmond, Va. But the ones we do have do Cuban food right! Havana '59, a classic dining spot with the urban back drop of the RVA nightlife offers dinner and drinks and they also host parties. Reasonably priced entrees around 20.00 offers more than enough food for one person. They also have appetizer and drink specials from 4-6:30p.m.
I ordered the Fresh Tamales del dia with black beans, jasmine rice and fried plantaines for 16.95. This dish was sooo good one could only wish for a bigger stomach so the eating could continue. I ordered the Soy glazed sesame crusted Hawaiian tuna with asian vegetables and wasabi mashed potatoes for 19.95 to go so the verdict is still out but it looked so tasty I had to take it home to try! Also ordered the Pork Morsels with cilantro dipping sauce for 6.95 and the 59' black bean soup for 2.95/4.95. Also included Sangria and a bloody mary.
The food was awesome the service was great and they are located in the heart of the bottom. If you go in the summer you can also sit on their patio upstairs (when it is not reserved).
16N. 17th St
(804)780-Cuba
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Pie
Recently opened Pie offers Pizza, cal zones and other tasty treats at reasonable prices. I ordered the Capresse and really enjoyed the healthy portion of fresh mozzarella! You will still find Si's small tapas plate signature logo around but don't be fooled Pie is a different restaurant all together. Still the same layout with the dining room and kitchen downstairs and the bar upstairs.
Pie offers more of a restaurant dining experience than Mary Angela's or Arianna's and not as far to travel as Bottom's up Pizza. I really enjoyed the feel of the restaurant the menu was simple and easy to read (not too many choices and sometimes we just welcome the simplicity of a good pizza).
Parking may be a bit of a problem but if you can manage you'll enjoy this pizza spot. So if your looking for an inexpensive and refreshing take on Pizza in the fan (or if the wait at Balliceaux is crazy, walk across the street and) give Pie a try!
214 N. Lombardy
Pie offers more of a restaurant dining experience than Mary Angela's or Arianna's and not as far to travel as Bottom's up Pizza. I really enjoyed the feel of the restaurant the menu was simple and easy to read (not too many choices and sometimes we just welcome the simplicity of a good pizza).
Parking may be a bit of a problem but if you can manage you'll enjoy this pizza spot. So if your looking for an inexpensive and refreshing take on Pizza in the fan (or if the wait at Balliceaux is crazy, walk across the street and) give Pie a try!
214 N. Lombardy
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Hill Cafe
Happy New Year!
Where did everyone and their mother go to eat?
Millie’s Diner.
I however, saw the line wrapped around the building in a left over Prosecco buzz and discovered brunch at The Hill Café (no line) instead. I ordered the exact same dish (Huevos Rancheros) that I would have ordered over at Millie’s! The portion was perfect and the Bloody Mary helped the left over haze! So in the event that you find yourself faced with an hour and half wait at Millie’s (and we have all done it) but you are just not sure about the wait or forgot your lounge chair and Richmond Times Dispatch then pop on over to the Hill Café, you’ll be glad you did! The Hill Cafe was better, faster and cheaper! That’s a New Year’s Resolution if I’ve ever heard one.
The Hill Cafe
2800 East Broad St.
(804)648-0360
www.thehillcafe.com
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