My “Best List” for 2023 (Part 1)
Each year you see a number of “Best & Worst” lists for the year, so I decided to create my own list, but concentrate on just what I consider to be the “best of the best” for 2023. Not saying it’s totally inclusive, just saying it’s what came to mind and is being displayed randomly and in no particular order, but somewhat categorized. Of course, all but two on my list are from the Richmond area since that’s where we make our home.
The Baby Boomer’s Best List for 2023 (Part 1)
Italian Restaurant–Chianti 1304 Gaskins Road Richmond 23238 Classic family-owned Italian restaurant in a comfortable setting where everyone gets to know you and the food is phenomenal no matter what you choose. Excellent selection of salads with the best homemade Italian dressing ever. The Italian Salad and the Marta Salad with both salmon and shrimp do not disappoint. Great subs with The Euro being my favorite consisting of prosciutto ham, fresh mozzarella, salami, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, with dressing and red peppers. Lots of pasta dishes to choose from with La Bear’s favorite being the Homemade Lasagna and their “off-the-wall” marinara sauce which accompanies a number of other dishes including an excellent Stromboli. My two favorite pasta dishes are their Spaghetti Carbonara and Pasta Napoletana which is fettuccine w/chicken, mushrooms, caramelized onions in a garlic and oil sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs and ricotta. Entrees include an array of veal, chicken, steak, and seafood choices. Baby Bear’s favorite is the Chicken Parmigiana. Their N.Y. Style Pizza is outstanding offering the full gamut of toppings along with a selection of Specialty Pizzas for your choosing. If there’s still room, a number of homemade Italian desserts are at your “beckoned call”.
Pizza–Capriccios 9127 W Broad Street Henrico 23294 Authentic N.Y. hand-tossed style pizza with the crust thick and crisper only along its edge, yet soft, thin, and pliable enough beneath its toppings to easily be folded in half to eat–magnifico! With a plethora of high-quality toppings and specialty pizzas to choose from, you will never go wrong as this pizza never disappoints–dine in or carry out. My personal favorite is the pepperoni, Italian sausage, and mushroom pizza.
Carry-Out Pizza–Sparrow’s Pizza 6313 Rigsby Road Richmond 23228 Mike, the owner, knows his pizza and his is carry-out only. Now closed on Mondays, his hours are only from 4-9PM Tuesday-Sunday. There are a number of appetizer and salad offerings available for ‘order, but, here, it’s the hand-tossed pizza which is thin crust and chewy throughout. Sparrow’s ain’t pretty, though very clean, and it’s in an obscure location, but Mike’s pizza is outstanding, and his sausage is the best of all the rest–enjoy!
Steak & Cheese–Mary Angela’s Pizzaria 3345 W Cary Street (Carytown) 23221 You want a great Steak & Cheese that you’ll have to share in order to finish, well, this is the place and it’s delicious. The sub begins with a perfectly oven-crusted large Italian roll, heavily filled with thinly sliced ribeye, topped with fresh mozzarella, and filled with lettuce, tomato, fried onions, and mayo. Not only is this Steak & Cheese big, but it’s also messy, so have plenty of napkins available for wiping. Since you’re sharing, order two slices of their delicious pizza by the slice (double-sliced) topping it only with pepperoni–you won’t be disappointed! My only complaint is the seating where the booths are extremely tight and somewhat uncomfortable for the Baby Boomer as he, like their Steak & Cheese, is oversized!
Seafood Restaurant–RT’s 3804 Mt Vernon Avenue Alexandria 22305 (Arlandria) Having first opened their doors in 1985, RT’s has remained a highly rated popular seafood restaurant specializing in Creole and Cajun dishes. Unpretentious yet inviting, the atmosphere is very comfortable. We prefer sitting in a booth in the bar area over the two additional available dining rooms. We’ve never not enjoyed anything we’ve ordered at RT’s and we’ve ordered a bunch many times over the years. A favorite appetizer would be the Oysters Three Way which is three ramekins filled with two oysters each in a different rich and flavorful sauce served with a mini-baguette to sop up the remaining sauce–wow!! Their She Crab Soup is the best ever–enough said. Of the entrees, several wonderful choices come to mind–Shrimp and Crab Etouffee served with a white rice pilaf, the creamy baked Crab and Crawfish Imperial, the Shellfish in Parchment with shrimp, scallops, and jumbo lump crabmeat, Trout Orleans topped with spicy sauteed shrimp, lump crab, and hollandaise, and Crab and Crawfish Stuffed Flounder stuffed with the fabulous crab and crawfish imperial and finished with a crab butter cream sauce–bon appetite!!
Chinese Restaurant–Little Szechuan 10234 Staples Mill Road Glen Allen 23060 Always friendly, always comfortable, always outstanding service, always excellent food, always clean, and always reasonably priced. This is our “go to” Chinese spot for both eat-in and carry-out. That’s all I have to say about that!
Crab House–Tim’s at Lake Anna 200 G Boardwalk Way Mineral 23117 Off Route #522 at Lake Anna and only 50 minutes from “The Compound”, Tim’s is a full-service seafood restaurant, but it’s our spot for excellent hard-shell crabs which are priced by the dozen or AYCE which is the way we go. This past summer, price for AYCE got as low as $20/person. It’s a spacious interior with additional outside seating on the patio overlooking the lake. There’s nothing finer than to spend an afternoon doing some crab-pickn’ washing them down with an ice-cold brew, or two, or three! Friendly attentive service and the restaurant is very clean.
American Fare–Melito’s 8815 Three Chopt Road Richmond 23229 Since 1981, this family-owned restaurant delivers consistently excellent handmade food in a warm inviting atmosphere. Known for its world-famous chili hot dogs, offerings include appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and a wide variety of entrees which all will be sure to please as we’ve never been disappointed. Ample portions at reasonable prices and a friendly attentive staff who make you feel like family will keep you always coming back. Sit at the bar and get to know Tammy!
Steakhouse–Buckhead’s 8510 Patterson Avenue Richmond 23229 Not a chain and locally owned, this is THE premier Richmond steakhouse featuring succulent Braveheart Beef and the freshest seafood, over 700 wine labels, and the largest selection of single malt scotches and small batch bourbons in the area. Classic steakhouse atmosphere with lights low and lots of dark wood and red leather. The waitstaff is very professional and is extremely attentive anticipating your every need. Prices are all inclusive as your entree includes a salad, main course, choice of potato, and a side of fresh vegetables. Certainly, a dining experience reserved only for special occasions.
BBQ–Q BBQ 1070 Virginia Center Parkway Glen Allen 23060 Nicknamed, “The Professor”, owner Tuffy Stone, a Barbecue HOF member, is a native Virginian and a six-time World Barbecue Champion pitmaster who is co-host of the “BBQ Pitmasters” television show. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed my share of great BBQ with the best being from SC. But in the Richmond area, Q BBQ is the one that consistently “hits the mark”. My personal “faves” are the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and their Hot Z BBQ Sauce, their sensational “fall-off-the-bone” baby back ribs, and their smoked Buffalo-style chicken wings! The staff is always friendly, the setting is comfortable, and the restaurant is immaculately clean.
Deli–Boychik’s 4024 Cox Road B Glen Allen 23060 This extremely popular authentic Jewish deli, family-owned and operated since 1990, serves up authentic NY-style heaping sandwiches, as well as, an amazing breakfast line-up. Always crowded, the waitstaff and kitchen are in their “fast and furious” mode providing good food and friendly efficient service. The Boychik’s Breakfast Special is served all day and includes 3 eggs, your choice of bacon, ham, or sausage, grits or home fries, and a bagel or toast! My sandwich of choice is their heaped flat cut Hot Pastrami on Seeded Rye with mustard!
Breakfast–Moore Street Cafe 2904 W Moore Street Richmond 23230 Ain’t nothing fancy here at this simple longtime American standby diner except a great breakfast which happens to also serve lunch. It’s always bustling where you’ll see and eat with those from all walks of life. But what makes you know this joint is great is the fact that you’ll always see a number of police officers from the City of Richmond enjoying the fare. For me, it’s a rather simple breakfast which I’m unable to replicate at home: eggs over medium, sausage patties, hash browns, and white buttered toast. I guess there’s just something about the “vibe” that makes this breakfast taste so good!
Submarine–The Italian Store Lyon Village and Westover Shopping Centers Arlington An Arlington family-owned institution specializing in, since 1980, not only, the best Italian subs, gourmet sandwiches, fresh New York-style pizza, and ready-to-go entrees prepared daily, but hard to find Italian products sourced from Italy and Brooklyn. They offer 8 cold subs and 3 hot subs on your choice of a hard or soft Italian roll, with sweet and/or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their special dressing. Their most popular sub is mine as well-“The Milano”-served with two Italian hams, provolone cheese, and Genoa salami! Umm, umm, good!!
Soul Food–Mama J’s 415 N 1st Street Richmond 23219 Outstanding southern soul food in a small, casual, yet comfortable setting with a chill “vibe” which is family-owned and operated seemingly celebrating the family tradition of going to grandma’s house for Sunday dinner. Offering a few appetizers, salads, and sandwiches, the entrees are the real reason you visit Mamma J’s. It’s best to plan for a late lunch or you’ll end up having to wait to be seated which is of no surprise due to the quality of the food and the friendly efficient service. La Bear and I go for the fried fish. La Bear prefers the Catfish, while I enjoy the Trout. Favorite side dishes include Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Cabbage, and Green Beans. You will always leave full and satisfied!
