Baker's Crust Carytown, Osaka Shortpump

Bummed that the Short Pump Baker's Crust doesn't have woodfired Pizza's but......Carytown does, giddyup on down, mine was soooo good.  I had the Wild Mushroom & Arugula(wild mushrooms, mozzarella, Fontina, & arugula with a drizzle of balsamic reduction). Keep in mind I'm Jersey girl, love Cappricio's cheese pies, but for woodfired, Baker's Crust's was right up there or better than any I've had locally. A, 19 points
Osaka today with old tennis pals Michele(Happy Birthday), Connie. and Laura. Got there at noon, surprised no one was there.  Got seated at a Hibachi table, a bit put off by smell off clorox, probably did the floors than morn but need better ventilation. Got the lunch combo scallop special. All good, sometimes hesitant to get scallops at non full time seafood places b/c they often lack flavor. These were tasty and chef put a good sear on them. The miso soup was actually better than most around(too watery and salty), liked the flavor and chucks of tofu. Also commented that this ginger dressing was different than most of the orange/red ones in town, was yellowish with great flavor.  Rice and veggies didn't disappoint! B+(only b/c of smell and pieces of rice still on table from previous diners). 18ish points
Of course had to celebrate FAT Tuesday with a Salted Caramel cupcake from Frostings, ummmmm!

Peter Chang's, Dot's, The Trellis

Peter Chang's(near Walmart W. Broad)-google the guy, he's got quite a following(Washington Post, the New Yorker, foodies).  After reading about him I had high hopes for finally getting a great local Chinese spot since nothing around blows my mind(grew up going into N.Y.C for great chinese). I'll give them a little slack since they were barely open a few days when Robin and I went last week. I had the lunch special which included the usual choices of soup, spring roll and rice.  My egg drop soup was fine, nothing special.  Spring roll was cold(prob made a ton in advance since I'm sure they anticipated a huge crowd-place was packed when we left) and the fried rice was pretty bland.  My choice of fish filet w/ bok choy was good, just didn't have the depth of flavor I yearned for, dang it!  I'll give them a couple weeks to get it together and go back for a 2nd chance. C+, 17 points
Dot's Back Inn-2nd visit with the fam to the neat little hole in the wall on Northside, had a great meal on the previous visit.  Place was packed at 5:45, geeze and I thought we were early Sat night eaters! Got the combo soup(chicken and mushroom) and grilled cheese. Nice flavors in the homemade soup, tasted like something grandma made.  The skimpy grilled cheese had maybe 1 slice of cheese and the bacon was ALL fat, gross.  Showed the waitress and she brought a whole plate of bacon to pick from. Tomato was mealy.  Figured you couldn't go wrong with a grilled cheese.  Oh well, it's a cool little spot, will shoot for breakfast next time. B-, 12 points
The Trellis, W'burg- Robin and I went to take her smarty, sweet, cute W&M son(and gfriend) to lunch. Yum! Had the combo, if you haven't noticed by now, I LOVE SOUP & CHOCOLATE! The New England Chowder was top notch, even had 2 clams in the shell in the soup for presentation. Lot's of chunks of good stuff!  The turkey sandwich was fab, tasted like the bread came straight from the farmer's market out front. The cucumber/onion salad was the perfect side, wanted to bottle the light sweet/tangy dressing. Of course had to get their famous Death by Chocolate,  it was good but doesn't compare to Richmond's own Shydigz( their salted caramel chocolate layer cake is out of this world! B+, 23 points

County Seat/Powhatan, Ruby Tuesday/Ashland, Pescados/Midlothian

Couldn't get in to the new hotspot Portico on River so trucked up to Powhatan to the County Seat.  Let me tell you, the people(employees and diners) were so nice I'd go back just to hang out! We were greeted by everyone!  The food was pretty good to boot.  I had the Rappahannock Fried Oyster plate with mac and cheese and zucchini, all good home cookin'.  Also snagged some tilapia & crab cake from husbands seafood platter.  The crab cake was better than most I've had lately, not full of a lot of junk! Had chocolate chess pie and buttermilk pie for dessert, shared with son.  Good thing I had my yearly blood work the day before! B/B+, a heck of a lot of points
Ruby Tuesday, hadn't been in years.  Went to lunch with my 95 year old friend who lives across the street.  I was pleasantly surprised! Got the Veggie Trio, 3 sides and unlimited salad bar.  My veggies were creamy mashed cauliflower, roasted spaghetti squash and grilled zucchini-all fab and the salad bar(which I usually avoid since I'm a bit of a germ freak) was very tidy with lots of choices, love those pumpernickel croutons and cold peas.  The garlic cheese biscuits that they bring for all were way better than Red Lobsters. B+ 12 points
Pecados- man the salsa and those sugar dusted tortillas rock, each table gets a basket. I got the tilapia tacos(good but once you have tacos from the local Boka truck, nothing compares).  The grilled zucchini was a little firm for my taste, coconut black beans ok, more cilantro please.  The Fisherman's chowder was really good and had some of sons calamari, tasty and the addition of pickled onions, oh boy. 22 points, also B/B+