Food & Drinks

Mexican

Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant – 1940 Sandy Hook Road; 804-556-0650; LosPanchosVA.com

Enjoy your authentic Mexican favorites, such as fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and tacos. Choose from chicken, steak, pork, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. And as the temperatures drop, you may want to opt for one of their several delicious Mexican soups including the new Pozole pork soup.

Mi Jalisco 1390 Broad St Rd, Oilville; 804-476-9914; MiJaliscoToGo.com

With seven locations, in Central Virginia, there’s a Mi Jalisco near you, including one in Oilville. Not only will you find the food to be absolutely delicious, but the service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff is second to none. The next time you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican fare in a casual, relaxed, and pleasant atmosphere, plan a visit. Relax and enjoy a wide variety of fresh salads, tacos, and fajitas, as well as fantastic chef’s specialties such as my favorite, the Dos Amigos, which includes two chili rellenos topped with shredded pork and prepared with onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. The rellenos are served with Spanish rice and guacamole salad.

Chinese

Peter Chang Glen Allen – 11408 W. Broad St.; 804-364-1688; PeterChangGlenAllen.com

This is definitely not your typical Chinese Restaurant. Many consider Peter Chang to be among the greatest Chinese chefs in the world, today. Every dish is a masterpiece. Featuring dim sum dishes as well as hot and cold appetizers, this truly is a place to get the whole gang together with a little something for every taste. The chef’s specialties include New Zealand lamb chops and Peking roast duck.

Indian

Lehja Restaurant – 11800 W. Broad St. (Short Pump Town Center); 804-364-1111; Lehja.com

The Washingtonian Magazine has called Lehja the best Indian restaurant outside of DC. Try it for yourself and see. Choose from such authentic delicacies as butter chicken, tandoori lamb chops, the House Kebab Medley, and wild salmon tikka…plus much more. The restaurant boasts a great wine list, too.

Italian

Bella Sicilia Italian Restaurant – 2913 River Road, West; 804-556-0137; BellaSiciliaToGo.com

For more than a decade, Salvo Gambino has been serving deliciously authentic Italian fare. Sal says that it’s the high quality of the food that really makes Bella Sicilia stand out.  

In addition to pizzas, you’ll find a host of other delicacies including fresh salads, sandwiches, and a variety of Italian specialties including, Sal’s Special, which features fresh mushrooms and garlic, meatballs, and meat sauce. The ingredients are sauteed and served over spaghetti. And for you ice cream lovers,  Bella Sicilia offers about 16 flavors of Gelati Celesti ice cream. Sal says he’s adding a new bar. So come March, guests can enjoy a refreshing cocktail with their Italian favorites.  Sal is also adding a wood-fired oven plus additional banquet space for private parties and gatherings. 

GG’s Pizza – 2031 Broad Street Road, Maidens; 804-556-0208; GGsPizzaToGo.com

With Bella Sicilia located in Goochland Courthouse, many residents in the county who travel Route 250 and I-64 may be missing out on all the authentic Italian fare for which Bella Sicilia is famous.  Sal Gambino, owner of Bella Sicilia, remedied that problem by opening GGs Pizza, right off the Interstate. Enjoy the fabulous pizzas as well as Sal’s other Italian specialties at GG’s.

It was 260 years ago this month that a relatively unknown Hanover County lawyer argued the Parsons Case in the Hanover Courthouse. Directly across from the courthouse, sits the Hanover Tavern (13181 Hanover Courthouse Road; 804-537-5050), where the young lawyer, Patrick Henry was staying. Actually, Henry had lived in the 27-room tavern for many years. His wife’s parents owned the place. Henry had worked there for many years prior to the earmark court case. He had greeted visitors, tended bar, and even played the fiddle to entertain guests. 

Just imagine Henry after a day in court, warming himself by one of the welcoming fireplaces in the tavern, perhaps enjoying rum from the British West Indies or a glass of Madeira. 

Rather than simply imagining it, you can personally enjoy a delicious step back into history with a visit to Hanover Tavern.

When we went in search of the ideal spot in Hanover to enjoy an adult beverage in a warm, cozy atmosphere, we figured we couldn’t do better than Patrick Henry, himself. 

So, we headed over to the tavern. While Patrick Henry and George Washington and their contemporaries couldn’t make dinner reservations online, you can (at HanoverTavern.org). You can also peruse the menu and learn more about the Tavern’s fascinating history.

But pick the perfect night when there’s a nip in the air and head out for a nip of your own at the Tavern’s cozy, historic bar. From the moment you enter the room and are greeted by one of the friendliest, most hospitable staffs you’ll ever meet, you’ll know you’ve picked the perfect spot to take the chill off. The roaring fire will be as warming to you as it was to Patrick Henry two-and-a-half centuries ago.

We asked Toni Guthrie, the restaurant manager at Hanover Tavern for some ideas for a warming beverage and a delicious taste treat that one might enjoy at the bar. She, along with the tavern’s primary bartender, Don Wilson, made some excellent suggestions. Better than that, they spread a lovely table for us to enjoy the fare. 

Toni said in view of the season, a cranberry martini might be good. “It’s a cold drink but it’s going to warm you up,” she promised. Of course, being a skeptic, I had to try it for myself. She was exactly right. It was deliciously refreshing, but also did a marvelous job of warming one’s innards, so to speak. If a cold adult beverage can warm you up, imagine what a hot one can do. I didn’t have to imagine for long. Because Don served an amazing “Hot Scotch” hot cocoa drink. With the whipped cream, this drink looked almost as fantastic as it tasted. The hot cocoa and the hot butterscotch schnapps go so well together. Don also mixed a Peppermint Patty, which included a shot of peppermint schnapps and  hot cocoa, as well as a steaming cup of coffee topped off perfectly with Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Grand Marnier.  

Of course, sitting by the fire and enjoying a drink is a great way to work up an appetite. So, I was more than ready to dip the crispy, tasty, pita chips into the tavern’s delicious crab and artichoke dip. Next, I tried the hot pretzel and beer cheese, which were also scrumptious. But my favorite had to be the tavern’s signature fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes were prepared with just the right amount of batter…not too heavy and not too skimpy. They are served with a rich pimento cheese dressing. Of course, there’s so much more on the menu from which to choose. And, it’s all made from scratch.

I asked Toni why the Hanover Tavern is the ideal spot on a chilly Hanover night.  She said,  “The atmosphere makes it nice and cozy and the fireplaces keep you warm.”  

Think about it: a friendly staff, the perfect atmosphere with a roaring fire, delicious food and expertly crafted cocktails, this place has all the makings for a perfect night out. Truth is, some nights you just need to feel warm and cozy. And when that need hits you, then you need to hit the road and head to the Hanover Tavern.

Mr. Pepe Mexican Restaurant 

Genito location: 10902 Hull Street Road; 804-276-1154

Woodlake location: 7020 Woodlake Commons Loop; 804-818-5953

MrPepeMexicanRestaurant.us

For a delicious, authentic Mexican meal in a family-friendly atmosphere, you’ll be delighted with your meal regardless of which of the two Mr. Pepe’s you visit.

However, the Woodlake location is larger and offers a much more expansive bar area. Hector Ortega, the GM in Woodlake, has spent most of his adult life in the hospitality industry and is a firm believer in offering exceptional, personalized customer service. “We want every guest to feel special,” he says. “We want them to know we care about them.” Assistant manager Onan O’Neal reflects the same regard for each guest. Onan, who can often be found behind the bar, prepared not just one, but two cocktails that will warm you from within. 

For winter warmth, Hector says there’s nothing better than a shot of tequila, however, if you want a little more flavor with your tequila, he and Onan offer some great recipes for a variety of margaritas. For my visit, Onan prepared both the Tropical Margarita and the Teremana Margarita, The Tropical’s lovely green color comes from the inclusion of Crème de Menthe, but that liqueur doesn’t overwhelm the flavor of the drink. The Teremana’s primary ingredients are Teremana tequila and pink lemonade. Both drinks were excellent.

Annie Ruth’s Wine Bar and Bistro

6161 Harbourside Centre Loop; 804-639-9940; AnnieRuthsWine.com

It’s funny that one of the, warmest little dining/drinking spots in the entire county is run by one of the coolest guys in the business. For a place that’s so sophisticated and classy, Annie Ruth’s owner, Curtis Perry, is a very down-to-earth, fun guy. I’m not saying he’s not classy, but he’s certainly no snobbish stuffed shirt. Curtis spent most of his professional life working in Fortune 500 companies, with many of those years in insurance sales. But, he says, “I got to a point that I did not like corporate America.”

So, he dropped out and dropped in to a small dessert-centric restaurant in the Brandermill/Woodlake area known at the time, as The Desserterie. 

Since purchasing the cozy eatery, Curtis has changed its name to Annie Ruth’s, in honor of his mother, He shifted the menu to focus more on classic American fare, such as shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, salmon, steaks, and burgers. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, Annie Ruth’s Saturday and Sunday brunch have proven to be very popular with the locals.

As for the perfect drink for a cold winter night, Curtis says he and his fiancée Kyia Byrd debated as to which drink to feature. They decided upon their very popular boozy cocktail featuring soft serve ice cream. During the week of my visit, the soft-serve treat featured orange-vodka. “It reminds you of the orange dreamsicle you had as a kid,” he says. “Our goal was to give you a blast from the past.” And what can be more warming than recalling fond memories?

I relived my past with this fantastic treat. I could almost hear the music that came from the ice cream truck luring us kids out onto the streets with our nickels in hand. Only thing is, Mr. Ice Cream Truck Man of yesteryear didn’t have any vodka on him. Or, if he did, he didn’t share it with us. Summer, spring, winter or fall, this drink has it all.

The Grill at Waterford

13548 Waterford Place (in the Village at Waterford); 

804-763-0555; TheGrillAtWaterford.com

One of the warmest restaurants in the area - literally - is the Grill at Waterford. “Our fireplace keeps the restaurant warm even on the coldest nights,” says Sara Atkinson, the owner of the Grill. Sara had operated restaurants in the city earlier in her life. However, by 2008, she tells me, “My youngest one (Jake) was graduating from high school. My husband had passed away. And I decided I wanted to get back into the business.” That was the origins of this popular Midlothian dining spot. Today, Jake continues to work alongside his mother in operating the Grill.

Sara says, “I had always wanted to have a Fan-style restaurant in the Southside.” If you’re familiar with the small, intimate neighborhood restaurants in Richmond’s Fan District, then you will know what type of place Sarah had in mind. The Grill at Waterford fits the bill perfectly. On the night of my visit, the place was filled with regulars. Everyone truly seemed to know everyone else. 

As for the menu, Sara says she wanted to provide a little something for everyone. If you want seafood, you might opt for the shrimp and grits or the delicious crab cakes. If you’re in the mood for Italian, try the Tuscany Chicken or the Grill Seafood Scampi. For good Southern fare, you’ll find meatloaf, chicken pot pie, and much more.

Sara says she likes everything on the menu, including the liver and onions, which is so popular, she tells me that folks come in just for that dish.

On a cold winter night, pull up a seat by the fire and enjoy (as I did) the Café Van Gogh, which features Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream, and coffee. The whipped topping is the icing on the cake, so to speak. If it sounds delicious, take my word for it. It is – perfect for a cold winter night. Sara recommended I try the mini crab cakes with the drink. They were wonderful – small but very tasty. 

When the temperatures start to dip, head on over to The Grill at Waterford. As Sara says, “Even if you’re not a regular, you’ll be made to feel like one.”

Easy Street Grub N Pub

2612 Perdue Springs Dr., Chester; 804-302-4334; EasyStreetGNP.com

Easy Street is a cool, locally owned restaurant that looks like it would be a happy place any day of the week. I spoke with Amanda behind the bar. She told me, “Everybody calls me ‘Boston’ because that’s where I am from.” As for a cocktail recommendation, Boston prepared the Blue Hawaii. The fruity taste and the beautful blue color combine to make you feel like you’re sitting in a lounge chair on the beach as you sip this delicious concoction, which consists of rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice and a bit of coconut. 

I asked Boston for an appetizer recommendation. She said, “Hands down, it’s the Belly Bites.” The menu describes this dish as “tender nuggets of pork belly kissed with smoke then fried to perfection and tossed in your favorite wing sauce.” Boston recommended the Korean pepper sauce. It had just the right amount of heat – kind of a sweet and sour meets hot sauce.

Do you ever wake up in the mood for a big breakfast but don’t feel like having to prepare it yourself?  You may have asked the question, “Where can I get a great breakfast around here?” Well, I have a few suggestions.

For starters, while you can only enjoy their breakfasts on Wednesday through Sunday mornings, there’s a lot to love at one of Powhatan’s favorite restaurants, the County Seat Restaurant and Gathering Place, located in the heart of Powhatan at 3883 Old Buckingham Road. 

Did you know they offer a breakfast buffet on Friday and Saturday mornings as well as their big beautiful brunch on Sundays. And these are all-you-can eat deals. 

Of course, The County Seat is more than a great place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s also the home of some of the best live and local bands in the entire area. For instance, on Saturday, August 12, it’s Bubblegum music at its finest from the Super Sugar Beats and the next Saturday evening, the popular Jangling Reinharts will be covering some of the greatest hits of the seventies for the restaurants’ music-loving diners.

Speaking of great music, Tracy Cifers, who owns and operates the restaurant, tells me that on September 9, they’ll be sponsoring a fundraiser for the Powhatan Free Clinic. The event features one of Virginia’s most venerable bands, Bill Deal and the Original Rhondels Front Line. Proceeds from ticket sales will, in part, will be donated to the clinic. 

Bring your appetite because the weekly weekend buffet as well as your favorite adult beverages will be available for purchase. Peruse the menu and check the full line up of upcoming performances at the website, TheCountySeat.com.

Have you ever had a Mexican breakfast? Well, you can now at the recently opened Monterrey Burrito Company at 2544 Anderson Highway. If you’re want to sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast, Monterrey Burrito opens at 10 a.m. and offers Mexican-style omelets, breakfast sandwiches and more. For a truly authentic way to start your day, try the Omelet de Chorizo, featuring their homemade chorizo, cooked with onions and mushrooms and topped with pico de gallo and queso

The restaurant is owned by Eduardo “Lalo” Macias’, who operates several other great Mexican restaurants in the region. Lalo’s Cocina Bar and Grill in the heart of Richmond is the one I’m most familiar with. However, you may have already discovered his Two Compadres Taqueria Bar & Grill closer to home in Midlothian.

Even though the Monterrey Burrito Company is located in what was once the local McDonald’s, there’s nothing about the food or the decor that will remind you of the hamburger joint. Just take a look at the menu and you’ll see what I mean. Lalo is famous for his unique dishes, many of which you won’t find in other Mexican restaurants.  You may be surprised to discover such entrees as the Steak Julio, which offers ribeye steak and shrimp grilled with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and topped with melted cheese. Or how about the Molcajete Powhatan? This fantastic dish features ribeye steak, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes all grilled and served in a sizzling Molcajete bowl.   Of course, Monterrey Burrito also offers tasty tacos, fabulous fajitas, and my favorite, chile rellenos. Oh, there’s one more thing you might want to know. Lalo makes what is arguably the best Margarita in Central Virginia.

Another popular Powhatan eatery that offers delicious breakfasts is the Café at Maidens (3847 Maidens Road; TheCafeAtMaidens.com). True, they’re more famous for their fabulous sandwiches, such as my favorite, the Virginian, which perfectly blends the tastes of honey ham with cheddar cheese and apple butter. But what really takes this sandwich over the top is the cinnamon bread it’s served on.