Burger Works and Anokha, West End

The meat loving boys got the beef burgers(blend of Brisket, Chuck, Short-Rib). They said they were the BEST burgers in Richmond, translated-better than our usual go tos 5 Guys and Cook-out. I got the Veggie Signature burger-dripping down the arm juicy! The Veggie had pesto mayo, marinated portabella cap, grilled squash and zucchini, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella on a ciabatta roll and I added on grilled onions. Ready to go back A.S.A.P, want to try the cilantro-avocado sour cream! Gave myself 11 points. A-
Anokha-   Eating here confirmed one of the main reasons I started the blog- I can never remember my favorite dishes(now I can just read my blog).  Went to lunch here yesterday and of course couldn't remember what I previously liked so I took a guess.  Quickly realized it wasn't my usual fav but it was still very good. I got the Scallop Masala but the Scallop Goan Curry was what I loved before(which Barb ordered so I was able to swipe some). They actually have similar flavors but the curry dish is sweeter than the Masala.  The flavors are too hard to describe but oh so good, especially when you layer the rice, scallops and raita(classic yogurt sauce) on the naan and dip into the sauces-oh boy.  Lunch comes with soup or salad and Indian pudding- got the Lentil soup(yum with a kick), only had a bite of the pudding(saving points for a cupcake at Frostings later ). Figured 19 points. A-

The Watergrill and Carytown Cupcakes

Decent club, wouldn't run back-although if there is a next time I'd get the Oyster Po Boy. The California Club-smoked turkey, bacon, avocado, Monterrey jack, tomato aioli, whole wheat.  Turkey was good and moist, bacon was just how I like it, thin and crispy. Didn't really notice the other ingredients b/c I was deep in conversation with old friend Annie.  Noted it was pretty dry but really didn't see waitress to ask for more aioli. 10ish WW points, grade B
After lunch, went down the street to Carytown Cupcakes to use my Living Social(like Groupon) deal.  Would never go back- small, not great flavor, not enough icing.  I have fallen in love with Pearl's on Grove and my next fav is Frostings(so far, I'm still working my way around the city). 7ish WW points, grade C-

Ironfish by Pescados, off Lauderdale

Sat night, quick trip over(less than 5 minutes away), hubby had to get back for the football game.  They were packed at 5:30, we usually go out to eat early to avoid the crowds but now may have to go earlier since they stopped taking resies. There was a large gathering of hungry folks waiting at the door when we left, I'm sure happy to see us leave. We have been about 5 times before and we were psyched for some great seafood.  We usually love the crispy oysters(almost as good as Acacia's), they were good, just not as crispy as usual.  Always enjoy the purple potato vichyssoise, it's just fun!  For din I usually get fish or scallops but I'm trying to expand my horizons in 2012, I might rethink that though, nothing better than a perfectly seared scallop!  The crab cakes were kinda blah, loaded with little veggie bits, barely tasted crab(I miss Frog and the Redneck, they were the best crab cakes).  The saffron risotto cakes were just ok.  Since this was our 1st meal there that wasn't up to par, we will definitely go back. 18 WW points. B

Double trouble, Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe and Croaker's Spot

Almost embarrassed to admit that I went to Pearl's(Grove and Libbie) three days in a row, I've got a bit of a sweet tooth! 3rd day was by default though, went to Shyndiz but they weren't open yet. Wow, those are some moist cupcakes, loved all 3.  The Top Hat-vanilla cake, chocolate buttercream frosting.  The Tuxedo-choc buttercream cake frosted with a layer of choc buttercream, a layer of 7 minute frosting, and another layer of choc buttercream.  Could have laid my head on that sweet pillow of frosting, um um good.  The Mexi Cali-choc cake with red pepper and other spices, frosted with spiced buttercream.  This one is similar to Frosting's Mexican Hot chocolate, love, love, love(husband said the carrot cupcake that I brought him was the best he's ever had). Gave myself 9 WW points for each one. Guess I should mention that I recently upped my class attendance at the Y:)   A
Croaker's with Kim(who I recently starting calling Casper). Bring a big appetite or a doggie bag!  I almost never leave with leftovers b/c I usually clean my plate.  I had almost a full takeout container when I left Croakers. I got the Butterfly Shrimp Dinner- 8 fried shrimp, cheddar ranch grits and mac and cheese(instead of the cabbage) and a block of cornbread.  Shrimp were good, grits were very good and mac was and creamy and spicy, just needed a little salt.  Best thing was the enormous hunk of sweet cornbread. Oh yeah, didn't think I liked cabbage but tried Kim's-loved it! Let's just say I didn't count my points, just used up whatever I had left for the day and then added extras. B+

Ruth's Chris

Last Sat went to Ruth's Chris for husbands work function, great company not so great experience.  This was not my first time so I expected a great meal.  Let's just say it was a weird night that left us all perplexed.  The meal was 2 hours and 45 minutes, not by choice!  Seemed like at one point the waitress forgot about us, didn't see her for 20 minutes.  Anyway, on to the food.  The apps-mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat-soooo good, calamari-very tough. Several folks wanted the prime rib special but it was SOLD OUT, at 7pm-hmmm! They all were happy with their filets though.  My "special",  garlic encrusted halibut was WAY overdone, had to push very hard with the fork-no flaking here. For $33 bucks it should have been bangin'. The sweet potato casserole and spinach sides were terrific. We split the creme brulee(smooth, yum) and special lava type cake(tasted like cake I had in my grammar school cafeteria, yuk). Wish I had ordered the sweet potato casserole for dessert. I'll skip the rest of my complaints except: for that kind of money, the food shouldn't be hit or miss, there are too many great places to dine in RVA!

Frostings-It's amazing what a little cupcake can do

Picked up a Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcake at Frostings yesterday(near Trader Joe's Short Pump).  It was one on the flavors featured on Food Networks Cupcake Wars last week. Their website description-"chocolate cake, marshmellow filling, chocolate cream cheese frosting & a hint of cinnamon and spice". My description-"yummy chocolate goodness with a punch".  Although I didn't really taste the marshmellow that much, I didn't care, couldn't get enough of the chocolate icing and spiciness. The invigorating cinnamon and cayenne afterburn lasted for 6 minutes after cupcake completion! Gave myself 9 WW points.

Alexander's BBQ

Picked up Alexander's BBQ(1126 Westbriar Dr) tonight for dinner.  I LOVE their bbq- beans and coleslaw good too.  Got little tub of addt'l sauce-yum, just the right kick.  Child #1 prefers my bbq done in the crock pot but I usually like things better if I don't have to cook:) BBQ is the mushed up style which I prefer over the big chunks kind where you have to pull out gobs of fat. My serving was 10 points-had it on salad with Traders Joe's Light Cilantro dressing.
Coming soon: my favorite foods from 2011

Getting started

I started this blog b/c I wanted to keep track of my restaurant reviews/favorites and also the WW points that I use.  My family of 3(teen who doesn't want to be mentioned but has agreed to be called "child #1", me and my husband) rotates dinner choices every Sat.  The idea is that you can't put up a stink if child #1 wants to go to Dave & Busters,  if I want to eat Vietnamese for my 10th week in a row or if husband wants steak-again.  It really makes choosing a lot more enjoyable when no one can moan and it also encourages stepping out of your comfort zone.  Over the holidays we ate out more during the week than usual and since it wasn't our normal Sat rotation, it took us forever to decide where we all wanted to go, ugh!
My reviews will be simple, I'm not going to tell you about the various ingredients and sauces I know nothing about.  I love food and I'll let you know my favorite spots.
First visit of 2011-the Laurie's and I went to Tarrant's Cafe(One West Broad St) yesterday, 1/3/2011(sat us right next to former Gov Wilder).  Menu was enormous, so many things I wanted to try esp the black grouper lunch special but since it was $16.95(youch) I passed. I got the mahi mahi fish taco and split pea soup combo.  Taco was very good, big chunk of fish, good flavors- would have liked it to be more juicy like those from my favorite local food truck Boka.  You need several napkins to clean up after eating those!  Pea soup was great, almost as good as moms. The homemade chips were nice and crisp, had to share them to keep my points in check.  Oh yeah, they had brought out the BEST garlicy/olive oil bread.  Will definitely go back!
A- and total points I figured 25, a lot but worth it!

1st post Jan 3, 2012

I'm so tired from trying to figure out this blog stuff, the actual "post" will have to wait.  I am not a writer(so please don't correct my spelling or grammar), just a lover of food.  The point counting in my blog title refers to counting points plus, as in weight watchers.  I joined WW a yr ago Oct, lost 30 plus lbs. I love to eat and I eat out a lot, those points sure add up!  When I visit Richmond restaurants I'll try to include my points totals in my reviews.  Ready to pass out, more later.