Da Farm

7/3/13:

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Friendly, Variety, Accommodating, Fresh

Cons: 

     Hardywood holds a farmers market (Grow RVA Farmers Market) every Wednesday afternoon and I had been meaning to attend for some time before it finally worked out that I could. So, I took a Wednesday (before the date indicated above) and headed over with BN to get a beer and some fresh produce. It, of course, poured the day we decided to go so I didn't bring my camera. But I wasn't about to let a little rain stop me from getting my fresh veggies.

     When we got there only 4 stands were set-up and enduring the rain. We got our beer and stood under the overhang chatting. Suddenly some random dude began discussing the benefits of genetically modified crops (GMC's) with us and a lady next to us. She quickly began to argue him pushing the benefits of heirlooms varieties over lab created garbage. I was 100% on her side because that's the way I look at it. In talking with her we learned that she was the farmer from the stand we were standing next to, Da Farm. As the rain had stopped I chose to peruse her merchandise.

     Da Farm (Da Farm Facebook) is located in Mechanicsville and isn't by any means huge. It's roughly 3 acres, but Cathryn (the farmer) works it with the help of just her family and friends. Cathryn greeted us with a giant smile and a friendly handshake. She talked to BN and I about all of her different varieties of veggies and really dedicated some quality time to us, which I appreciated. She listened as BN and I explained how we fire up the smoker every Sunday and smoke anything that's edible. She told us that she has several varieties of trees on her property and would collect some wood for us to try smoking with. And when we came back the next week, she remained true to her word. She had put together a very nice bundle of peach and grape for us to use.

     Da Farm has a great variety of produce. You can find a great variety of tomatoes, eggplants, radishes and beans (just to name a few things). If you are looking for something in particular, just ask. Cathryn has a ton of stuff she hasn't brought yet still on the farm. Every week I end up picking up several things. I ALWAYS get her blackberries. She thinks they are a bit tart, but I love them. And they are great for cooking with. She also has fresh made jams, pastries and farm-fresh eggs. She also puts together weekly baskets if you need a lot of produce. You can order them on her Facebook page or by calling her. She also does custom baskets if you want specific things (we got one of all salsa making products we could smoke).

     All of Da Farm's produce is so fresh tasting. It also happens to be organic. I have made some excellent meals out of the produce I have gotten. If you don't believe me that it's all delicious, get one of their tomatoes and get one from the grocery store. Eat a slice of each and see which one you like best. I bet Da Farm's tomato wins by miles. And it's all so affordable. Everything is priced to be affordable on any budget.

     Next time you have a little time on a Wednesday afternoon, stop by Hardywood and find Da Farms tent. Browse the amazing selection of products, talk to Cathryn, buy yourself a bag full of goods and then prepare for a farm fresh feast your mouth won't soon forget.

The Best of the Wurst

6/29/13:

Stars: 1.9 out of 5

Pros: Beer, Sausage Craft

Cons: Attendance, Set-up, Sausage Vendors

     We had heard the commercial on the radio and couldn't believe our luck. A sausage and beer fest at Legends Brewery and I didn't have to work? BN and I made plans to be there for 11:50 as it opened at 12. And our past Richmond festival experience has taught us get there early. We were both pretty excited for it, because hell… it’s beers and meat. When the day finally arrived we drove to Legends with empty stomachs and high hopes.

     We got there at 11:50 and found excellent parking. We walked up to the front entrance where they were doing tickets. Unfortunately, they were only doing cash and I didn't have any. The guys pointed us to the nearest ATM which was within walking distance. We walked over, got me some dough and made the trek back arriving about 20 minutes later. So, it’s now 12:10 when we finally got our tickets. BN got an extra beer ticket (which I regret not doing). We walked in and headed right over to the beer tent.

     I was glad to see all of the local breweries there. I appreciate very much how they all support each other instead of trying to destroy each other. When I approached the taps I was instantly torn with indecision. So many good local choices and only one beer ticket, mans worst nightmare. I finally decided on a Center Of The Universe PocaHOPtas as it’s a personal favorite. BN got his beer (I wasn't paying attention to his selection) and we went and sat at a table.

     By this time it was 12:20ish, well into the start in my opinion. Aside from us and the people eating at Legends on their deck, there were 4 other people there. This is a sad turn out. And while we sat there drinking and eating we only saw about 10 other people show up. Not a good sign. I’m really hoping the crowds poured in later, but I have a lot of doubt.

     While we sat there drinking our beer I couldn't help but notice that they were still setting things up as well. They were still getting the band area wired and set. They were still cooking the first batches of sausages. The front gate was still working out some things. It just felt super unorganized. They had all morning to get ready for a noon event, yet they were still setting up 20 minutes into it. I’m hoping there were circumstances I am not aware of that caused such a delay. Otherwise, that’s just poor planning and execution. That being said, the layout was nice and open. There was plenty of room for lines to form without crowding. I appreciate that as that is one of the worst parts of a festival.

     After sitting, chatting and sipping brews for a bit we decided to try some sausage. Our three vendors to choose from were Whole Foods, Sausage Craft and Hillshire Farms. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more vendors. Where was Belmont Butchery? Just saying… I did a walk by of all there vendors before deciding on the only logical course of action, Sausage Craft. Fresh, local homemade sausages are always going to win out for me. They were offering tastes of their Saturday Night Sausage (pork sausage with chili powder and beer), Cerdito (pork sausage with orange zest & garlic) and AmeriKrainer (pork sausage with cheese and cherry peppers). The guy who was giving our samples was very nice. He seemed very knowledgeable as well. As a bonus, for every ticket you gave him he gave you 3 pieces of sausage (one of each) instead of the 1 piece he was supposed to give you. BN and I gave him most of our tickets as we know a good deal when we spot one. Then one of the event people told him how he was supposed to be doing it. C’est la vie. All of Sausage Crafts sausages are fantastic. The Cerdito was my favorite. The orange zest was a nice compliment to the garlic and other spices. I will be getting a package of these as soon as I get a chance.

     After our beer tickets and 4 sausage tickets were gone, we decided it wasn't worth hanging around. We both were incredibly disappointed in this event. We had hoped for so much more. Another Richmond classic. And maybe that was the issue. Maybe we set our hoped too high. Either way, I don’t think either one of us will be in a rush to attend next year.

The Dog Wagon

6/27/13:

Stars: 4.6 out of 5

Pros: Variety, Quality

Cons: Wait-time

     Another Thursday night, which meant we were at Hardywood Craft Brewery for amazing beers and fantastic food trucks. It being summer, I have been on a bit of a hot dog kick. They are the quintessential summer food. The masters of the cook out. The reason for condiments. Just damn good food! So, I decided I was going to try The Dog Wagon (The Dog Wagon) for a pair of hopefully delicious hot dogs. I got in line with JT (BN went with tacos) and we scoured the menu for just the right dogs.

     Food trucks never cease to amaze me for the variety of products they put out of such a small space. All of the variety's of dogs, the different toppings and the buns plus all of the cooking equipment AND the bodies needed to cook them all in a truck. Fascinating… The menu at The Dog Wagon is quite impressive. They have dogs with toppings I would never really ponder like baked beans or cream cheese. They also have different kinds of dogs which I appreciate. I like when I can try something different, like a turkey dog. I love me some options. The Dog Wagon also does fries with various toppings including gravy, cheese curds, vinegar, or chili to name a few. Being all about the dogs, I just decided to go with those. I got the turkey dog, which comes basically dressed with ketchup (which I hate but forgot to ask them to leave off), mustard, relish and diced onion. It’s basic, but getting a places basic dog is the perfect way to judge the quality. I also got the pepper dog which has horseradish, hot & sweet peppers and yellow mustard. JT went with the bean dog (beans, red onion & yellow mustard) and a Reuben (sauerkraut, 1000 island dressing & Swiss cheese). We were both handed a number and we chilled out in line.

     My only deduction from the 5 star rating happened while we waited in line, but I didn't think it a big enough con to list it above. First, there were a lot of people waiting for hot dogs, which is great. Means that people like the product which is a positive thing. But when the lady was yelling out completed order numbers she was super quiet and thus people didn't know their food was ready. This led to a back-up in the window. Don’t be afraid to yell that stuff out ma’am. Get yourself a bullhorn if need be. Keep the people moving and you get you .4 stars back.

     The hot dogs were served hot right off the grill. They were seated in a nice fluffy roll and covered liberally with toppings. The turkey dog was fantastic. It was so basic with such a nice flavor to it. I truly appreciate a place that executes the basics perfectly. It means they care about their foundation products just as much as their more exciting foods. The pepper dog was extraordinary! It was the horseradish gave a nice bite while the hot peppers provided the heat. The sweet peppers were subtle in providing their sweetness, but it did not go unnoticed. It was an excellent flavor combination. I also got a bit of JT’s Ruben hot dog. I really liked it because I didn't feel like any one flavor overwhelmed the other. There was just the right amount of sauerkraut and dressing to hot dog and cheese. It was a touch messy thought so grab extra napkins. I didn't get to try the bean dog so I can’t offer my thoughts here. Looked decent, but I don’t know for sure.

     The Dog Wagon puts out a very good product. They really help capture the essence of summer time with a twist. If you happen to be out and see them, stop on over. You’ll wait a hot minute for your food, but it will be worth the time in the end.

Travels of the Taste Buds- Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, VA

6/22/13:

Stars: 3.9 out of 5

Pros: Décor, Staff, Beer, Dog-Friendly

Cons: Food

     After our hike of St. Mary’s Falls (St. Mary's Falls Blog Post) we felt we deserved a beer. Where to go? Not being familiar with the area I turned to my trusted source for locating VA breweries, Local Suds (Local Suds). Their amazing little app revealed to us that we weren't far from what is quickly becoming a top 5 favorite brewery for me, Devils Backbone Brewing Company (Devils Backbone). We were just over the Blue Ridge Parkway from their Base Camp location so we all decided that was where we would soothe our parched throats and get a touch of grub to help keep skin and bones together.

     It took us a minute, due to GPS being a poor co-pilot, for us to find Devils Backbone Base Camp. The outside fits in wonderfully with the surrounding mountains in which it sits. The views all round are beautiful. Base Camp has a very rustic look to it. River stone combines nicely with large windows and exposed wood beams to provide a pleasing look. We also noted the young hop plants that line the front walk as you head in, setting the mood.

     We were greeted by a very friendly hostess who was quick to accommodate our request to sit outside. As she led us to our table I noted that the décor fit with the outside appearance perfectly. Devils Backbone perfectly captured the feel of a base camp both inside and out. The inside is all local sourced exposed wood with tin and local sourced stone in evidence. Everywhere you turn there is a stuffed and mounted piece of wildlife. My favorite was the stuffed black bear that is in a perpetual state of climbing a log over the hostess station. Just gives a great ambiance to the whole experience.

     We were seated outside at a nice big table and left with a slew of beer and food menus. First things first of course, choose your beer. Once you have a beverage in hand it makes food selection so much easier. I decided to go with something new (for me), the Scratch #97. It’s a Session Black Rye IPA. It had a nice little bite to it and I appreciated the subtle hint of black peppercorns. I was a big fan and hope I can find it in bottle at the store. I also had a Vienna Lager, a Devils Backbone staple. Another favorite of mine from their library of hits. My neighbor, BN, got one of these as well. He took once sip and then promptly spilled it all over the table and ground. The staff was quick to react, which was great. One came out with a rag and wiped everything up while a second one brought out a freshie. It was nicely handled with a smile and efficiency, which was very nice to see.

     While we sipped our beverages (some with a touch more caution) we got down to the serious business of victuals. With a younger member at the table, it was decided that a giant pretzel, called The Deutsch Twist, would be ordered as an appetizer to help ward off hungers cruel grasp. It is a German pretzel brushed with butter and salt. It is served with a spicy mustard. Then a variety of dishes were selected off the menu. There were several burgers, me included, a pulled pork sandwich and an enchilada platter.

     Our food arrived in a fairly timely fashion with the pretzel, of course, arriving first. It was massive, I will give them that. And the coating on it was very tasty. But what won this dish over for me was the spicy mustard. It was like jalapenos married honey mustard and had a delightful child. Then came the food food. I ordered a burger with dill Havarti, smoke jalapenos and house-cured thick-cut bacon on it. Rare as humanly possible, like the gods intended it to be. I will say they were pretty close with the doneness of my burger. I can always go rarer, but this was nice and red in the center. Sadly, I was a little disappointed from there. The cheese was lost in the flavor of the meat and the heat from the peppers. That was 100% my fault as I did not think ahead to flavor balance. The jalapenos could have smoked for much much longer. They were all heat (which I like) and no smoke (which was sad). The bacon also wasn't a show stealer. It just lacked that extra punch to bring it to the next level. I just felt like my burger lacked a touch. The other burgers were received fairly well. The pulled pork was stated as having “been cooked in the oven because it lacked the smoke flavor one expects if done over a pit”. But, the meat was tender and juicy, which is a large positive. And the enchilada platter got a half-hearted review. The corn muffins were quickly devoured, but the enchiladas themselves made it to a take-home container. They just seemed “a jumble of flavor. I just hoped for more”. So, over all food took a mixed review. Not bad, but not great. But, being a glass half full guy, it could have been way worse.

     As we were eating our food we began to notice a few dogs on the back deck. They were just chilling out, minding their own business. That’s when we realized that the patio/deck was dog friendly. One of our group members had 2 in the car, so she brought them on out. It is really great to see a place cater to our 4 legged friends. Being a dog owner myself, I appreciate when I can bring her someplace with me instead of leaving her at home. Granted, I didn't have mine with me, but I now know for the future. Kudos to the forward thinkers at Devils Backbone.

     Devils Backbone turned out to be just the beer we needed after a long day hiking. The décor is fun and the staff is super friendly. If you find yourself in the area of Devils Backbone Base Camp, make sure you stop in for a pint or 3. You will surely not be disappointed.

Going Outside Of Richmond- St. Mary's Falls in Raphine, VA

6/22/13:

Stars: 4.1 out of 5

Pros: Difficulty, Destination

Cons: Parking Lot, Trail Maintenance

     My neighbor, BN, asked me if I wanted to go on a day hike with him and a couple of his friends. They were going on what promised to be a beautiful Saturday to a place called St. Mary’s Falls (St. Mary's Falls), which I believe is also known as St. Mary’s Wilderness, out off of I-64 past Charlottesville. They were leaving at 7:30am. Well, I only worked 9pm Friday night to 6am Saturday morning and sleep is WAY overrated, so why the hell not? I was in. I got off work, packed me some peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and strapped on my hiking sneakers. I was ready to go!

     We met up with his friends at a park & ride off of 64. Our party consisted of CE (our fearless & bold leader), AE (his lovely wife), S (the rugged trail master), (S’s awesome 8 year old son) and BN & myself (the most debonair S.O.B’s you’ll ever meet). We were accompanied by C & A’s 2 dogs. Quite the party with a diverse range of experience and fitness. Being such a wide swatch of people I am able to provide a lot of different insights. It also made for a very wide range of hiking conversation, which I appreciated. We condensed down from 3 cars to 2 and  headed out. I slept most, if not all of the 1.5 hour drive, so for me it was very nice. I can’t actually comment on what it was in reality though. I have driven that stretch of 64 plenty of times in my travels back to Blacksburg and I personally find it to be an easy drive.  You will have to judge that for yourself though.

     The parking lot and trail head are located at the end of a long dirt road. The parking lot is long, but quite narrow, especially when people park along the edge behind you. I recommend you get there early in the morning and back into your parking spot. We had quite a bit of trouble getting our SUV out when we were ready to leave. An extra 3 feet in width would have made this parking lot so much easier to navigate. I feel like at this point though, it is how it will always be so get there early and park smart.

     The trail head is marked with a giant board that provides all sorts of information, like what to do if you encounter bears (don’t attempt to snuggle with them). The trail to the waterfall isn't terribly long, I want to say 2.75 miles. It follows a stream/river for almost the entire time. You veer away from it briefly, but it’s never very far away. The trail starts out pretty easy. We hit a nasty smelling muddy section about 15 minutes in and it was the first of many. Granted, it had monsooned almost every day for the entire week so that was to be expected. I found the trail to be fairly challenging. It certainly isn't the type of trail you want to do if you are just expecting a nice stroll through the woods. There are several sections where you are gingerly stepping on the edge of a drop-off. Not a big one mind you, but 5 to 10 feet high. Enough of a fall onto rocks that if you slipped off, you would be painfully aware of it. There are also several river crossings. Not the kind with a bridge or stepping stones, but the kind where you just walk across the river. If you intend to stay dry when you hike, this is not the one for you. I suggest you wear either good supportive water-shoes or a pair of sneakers you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. You can wear hiking boots, but the trail isn't that difficult that you really need them. I did just fine in my sneakers.

     All that being said, I was very disappointed in the maintenance  of this trail. Maybe I’m just spoiled by all the hiking I've done in the Adirondacks of NY and the Blue Ridge Mts. around Blacksburg. Those trails all seem to be constantly maintained and updated. This trail looks like someone started, but just gave up. One part of the trail collapsed into the river back during the torrential rains from a hurricane years ago. No effort has been made to reconstruct that part of the trail. Instead, they just added a river crossing, a 30 foot trail and then another river crossing. There are also plenty of blown down trees that haven’t been cleared off the path. Not a big deal for the adults, but a bit of a struggle for the 8 year old. It makes me wish that the government would reform the Civilian Conservation Corps so that they could maintain and expand all these trails. But that is a wish if I've ever made one…

     The goal of this hike is, of course, the waterfall. It certainly isn't massive, but it’s really pretty. It dumps down into a very deep swimming hole. There are 2 little cliffs that are very accessible if you are one of the brave that wants to jump down into the pool. I am not, but C and S both did it. The water is… well, freezing is truly the only word to describe it. It isn't bad once you get in, which is the hardest part. If you climb above the falls via the path to the left there is a second swimming area up there. That is where S convinced his son to jump in twice, like a little gangster. He was pretty gutsy for a little guy. Kudos to him. The dogs really enjoyed the water too. They were able to keep up with us the whole hike. I don’t think that would have been the case if they had been leashed though as there is just too much stuff to climb over and around. So, if your dog has a tendency to bolt away if not on the leash, not a good hike for them.

     The walk back to the car seems way longer then the hike up because you are tired. It’s where  had the most trouble. But getting back to the car and changing out of our wet shoes and socks (BRING DRY SPARES) was an amazing feeling. I slept most of the way home (I had to work that night too so leave me be) so I once again can’t comment on the drive. Sorry folks.

     If you are looking to spend the day out of Richmond proper and want to challenge yourself then head to St. Mary’s Falls. The hike is nice, the swimming is fun and there are lots of breweries & wineries on the way back home to quench your thirst (see my next post).

City Dogs

6/17/13:

Stars: 4.3 out of 5

Pros: Selection, Specials, Food, Price

Cons: Atmosphere

     There are some days where you just crave certain foods. Maybe it’s a nice steak or a fresh made deli sandwich. For me, it tends to be the good old hot dog. I prefer something with a snappy skin and a variety of available toppings. Sometimes, this is not as easy to come by as one would hope. Not all cities have a dirty water dog vendor on every corner like New York City. Thankfully though, Richmond does have a brick and mortar hot dog stand, City Dogs (City Dogs Facebook). So, I called my co-worker, DM, up and we agreed to meet for lunch. To say my anticipation was great might be an understatement.

     We went to the City Dogs location on W. Main St. as it was central to both our houses. There is also a location downtown on Cary St. for those who work down that way. The layout of City Dogs is pretty basic. Not a lot of decorations on the walls. Nothing pretentious or fancy in regards to place. It’s perfect for what it is. But I will say that when I walked in I was fairly surprised how quiet it was in there for lunch time. I think there were only 4 other people in there when I arrived, 2 of which were obnoxious college students. Which leads me to my only minor complaint/food for thought on my experience here. City Dogs is pretty much a college restaurant. I forgot that, which meant that I didn't mentally prepare myself to deal with 21 year old dudes that think being annoying is funny. It’s not fellas… you just look like an uneducated slack-jawed turd. Just letting you know. So, if you are going to City Dogs, just keep in mind it caters to college. Certainly nothing wrong with that, I just wasn't prepared.

     I sat down at the bar. The waitress brought me a glass of water and a menu. She let me know the special today was $5 for any dog and a brew. I accept this deal. But I also knew 1 hot dog wasn't going to do it so I set about checking out the menu while I waited for DM. The menu is fairly impressive. There are all sorts of dogs with a slew of different toppings. There are also burgers, steak sandwiches, pulled pork and fries for those seeking something different. As I was browsing, DM showed up. We both ordered a beer and put our orders in. I went with the Sante Fe Dog (salsa, cheese, jalapenos, guac & tortilla chips), the Carolina Dog (coleslaw & pulled pork) and a Richmond Original (chili, onions & mustard). DM got a Carolina Dog and Louisville Stag Dog (mustard & sauteed onions cooked in Jim Beam Red Stag) plus a side of chili cheese fries. Now for the waiting game.

     As we waited I looked at all of the specials for the week. City Dogs does some excellent specials and they are different at each location. At the W. Main St. location, for example, $1 RVA dogs are on Tuesdays while it’s Mondays at the Cary St. location. Like I said before, the Monday special was $5 for a draft and any dog. As most dogs are $3.29, this is a nice little deal. That makes your beer only $1.71. Not bad for draft craft beer. Wednesday is $3 burgers and $3 drafts. Thursday is $1 sliders and extended happy hour. All excellent specials and I appreciate the variety.

     Our food came out fairly quickly. I mean, it’s hot dogs, so it shouldn't really take that long. I started with the Richmond Original (RVA Dog). It was excellent. The skin on the dog was snappy and the roll was warm & soft. There were plenty of diced onions and chili. I added a bit more mustard, but an excellent dog. I then decided to delve into the Carolina Dog. I had never had a hot dog with coleslaw on it until I moved to the South. Now I can’t stop! I LOVE it. This dog was good for the coleslaw alone. I thought the pulled pork was fine, but I would have been good without it. I decided to end with the Sante Fe Dog because of the jalapenos. I was not disappointed either because they brought the heat perfectly. I feel like the tortilla chips were a nice bit of crunch. The only issue was I lost the flavor of guacamole in this dog. Not that I missed it, just saying. All three dogs were amazing in their own right and I would certainly get them again. DM also enjoyed his dogs. He really enjoyed the flavor that the Red Stag brought to his Louisville dog. He said the onions themselves could have made a sandwich. We also split the chili cheese fries, which were a giant portion. They fries were a bit floppy, but they held the chili and cheese well without getting overly soggy.

     After the waitress cleared our plates she dropped off our bills, as you would expect. What I didn't expect was how low my bill was. It was under $12. For 3 hot dogs and a local craft beer! Now to me, a $3 average per item is decent. And seeing as I was full, I was happy. I am saying this knowing that I have possibly been blinded by my love of hot dogs, but I don’t apologize.

     If you find yourself in need of a quality dog, please hit up City Dog. Their prices are good, the staff friendly and the hot dogs are fantastic. Remember that they cater to college kids, but some nights you just have to deal with that in order to eat a great meal. I’m a big fan City Dog. I’ll be back, I promise you that.