Tanglewood Ordinary

I think people tend to pay way too much attention to new places that open, and overlook ones that have been open forever. Places that have been around for a while usually have a good reason for having been around, and the Tanglewood Ordinary has a lot of those reasons.

First, the location, west of Richmond on Route 6, almost out to the Goochland courthouse. It's far enough away from our house to keep us from eating there more often, which is great, because we'd both way 800 pounds if it was closer in.

Second, is the decor. The building started out as a log cabin around 1910, and in 1930 the larger part was built as a dance hall. It's now a big spacious high ceilings dining room that can fit many after church Sunday dinners, or other large groups.

We had been driving by for years, and never stopped, even though we had heard only good things about it. Finally, the raves of my coworker were enough to convince us to stop in.

There are also some cozy little booths along the wall if you didn't bring the entire softball team, but be ready to have the boisterous mood birthday parties, anniversaries, or other large groups.

The interior feels really rural and rustic because of the age of the construcion, and there is a lot of that great old hardwood on display that no one has the patience to grow any more.

The menu is very simple, and is served family style. You get to Fried chicken, and then you pick your other meat. On the day we went with the pot roast instead of the ham or the house made barbecue.

Family style means that you get an empty plate, and then everything is brought out in bowls or platters. I posted a picture of our table to help express the idea.

The Cole slaw was the best Cole slaw I ever had, crisp and fresh with a very light dressing. Usually i find it slaw a little gummy and two sweet, and this was neither.

The post roast was tender and flavorful, with little browned bits and carrots mixed in.




The chicken was moist and had a very light breading.

The mashed potatoes and gravy were both warm, filling, satisfying and clearly made on site, as were the biscuits and corn bread.

About the only things we did not get seconds of were the green beans and the stewed tomatoes. There was nothing wrong with either of them, but we loved everything else, and only liked them.

It was all you can eat, but put aside your dread of buffets and come with an open mind. Nothing is sitting on a steam table, nothing comes out of a mix packet. You sit down, they bring you plenty of food hot and fresh from the kitchen, and then unless you stop them, they bring you more.

We had to skip the desert, but you can see what they offer on the sweet side and the entire menu, right here.

Lamplighter Coffee

Yes, we checked out LampLighter. Good coffee, neat atmosphere, interesting location.


You go up to that big developement in Short Pump and it's 90% empty, but you go up to the last block before the downtown expressway cuts up a neighborhood, and they are cramming coffee shops into old gas stations.

It was pretty busy when we went, and when the weather turns they are going to be slammed!

and another thing I like

Hey. let's keep the theme going, shall we?

Here's another review I wrote as an unpaid, unsanctioned random civilian in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

This time, let's talk about Indian food.

Shahi Kitchen, (804) 290-0666, 7927 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23294, www.shahikitchen.com

Great, awsome, hand made Na'an served up with every order.

The Buffet is a great bargin, and a great chance for people with a limited knowledge of the cuisne to go experience it.

The food is mostly different types of slow simmered stews, with rice to soak it up, and Na'an to sop it up.

The place is the old Aunt Sarah's on West broad, it's in Front of the Outback and across from the Hooters.

The inside is bright and cheerful, and when I'v ebeen they always play the Bollywood Chanel on the TV.

A perfect place to go to get some warm bread and slow cooked stews on a freezing brittle day.

Let's talk about a place I like

Hey;

If I had put more time and effort into planning this, I would probably have spent more time talking about things I like than dislike.

This is not supposed to be the "Things no one could eat sober" blog for the Greater Richmond Area.

However, I am pretty tired, also, as I type this, Amir Sadallah is getting ready to fight.

So, let's just throw up a link to a place I really really like to eat at, Pho So No.1

Sunday update

Hey;

Went out yesterday, to Capital Ale House in Glen Allen.
In an attepmt to get the best of both worlds, we decided to eat at Boychicks Deli first. Boychicks is well above average for a place to get a hot pastrami on rye for the Richmond area, and the little strip of shops at Innsbrook is one of the last places to eat local because everything west of that is chain hell.

I love the beer selection at Capital Ale house, but hate the food. Is there anything on the menu that does not come pre packaged and frozen from Sysco for them to just thaw out, deep fry, or heat up? I've eaten brunch there once, dinner twice and lunch two or three times. The Brunch because we wanted to try someplace new, lunch because of it's location, and because it is quiet enough in there at lunch for it to double as a meeting, and dinner because I went there for the beer and got hungery. And have yet to have anything better then a "meh."

When we got the sandwiches at Boychicks, we got chips, and my dining buddy wanted fries, so we decided to get them next door. We figured that fries that came frozen and were deep fried were a pretty safe bet. The dipping suaces that come with the fries were a nice touch, although they all seemed to be based on mayo. If you don't like Mayo on your fries, you might want to send the dipping sauces back and get ketchup.
Anyone who wants to tell me why regular fries with four pre-packaged mayos would earn the right to be called "Belgian style frites" is welcome to leave a comment.

The Beers were great, and the staff was impressive in the knowledge, seeming to have an opinion about every beer offered on tap.

It's brutally cold today

Hey;

It's brutally cold here today, at least by the standards we are used to here in Virginia.

If you're like me and tired of the cold, and getting a little stir crazy at being stuck in the house, you might enjoy some pictures of an outdoor activity.

I suggest you consider Delfosse Vineyards as soon as you are able to brave the cold.

Update: The Washington Post Travel section has some interesting stuff, including a suggestion to travel to Canada to try ice wine. Posted the same day I made my wine and cold weather post.

Just Getting Started

Hello;

I like to eat and drink, and I live in the Near West End of Henrico County, just outside the city limits of Richmond Virginia.

This blog will be a place for me to talk about things that interest me.

For those of you who did not spot it right off the bat, the blog's title is a tip of the hat to the movie Eat Drink Man Woman.