Last week I had the opportunity to attend a media dinner at my local Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.  I’d never been to Fleming’s, though I’d always heard good things about it, and so I jumped at the chance to sample their food and wine selection.  It was amazing.  A seven course meal with wine pairings left me impressed to say the least.  So, since I had such a great time, I figured I’d share my thoughts on the meal and of course the wine that I got to sample.

We started off the dinner with Fleming’s Stoli Bombshell.  This is essentially a raspberry cosmo, though really so much more.  I don’t usually go for variations on a martini, but I do have to admit this was tasty, and 100% of the sales of the cocktail go to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.  It’s a good cause and one worth supporting while having a drink.

On to the food and wine.  Our first plate was the Lump Crab Louis Wraps paired with a 2007 Sanford Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County.  The lettuce wraps were incredibly tasty, and the wine was a perfect pairing.  Light in the glass with just a touch of oak on the finish, this is definitely a great pick at Chardonnay for those that don’t typically like oaked Chardonnay but are with friends that do.

Next was the Salmon Nicoise Salad paired with the 2008 Conundrum.  The food was amazing, the salmon perfectly cooked, and the truffled deviled eggs on the plate were life-altering.  I could seriously eat them by the handful.  I’d never had Conundrum before, though I hear people rave about it.  I can see why.  I know they don’t reveal what the blend is each year, but the floral notes and citrus notes I got reminded me of Viognier, Vidal Blanc, and Seyval.  A great wine pairing for just about any seafood dish.

Our next appetizer was the Roasted Mushroom Ravioli paired with the 2007 Shug Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast.  What a heady mixture of earthy flavors, both from the ravioli, and from the Pinot.  The mix of portobello and shiitake mushrooms were amazing when paired with the dark fruit and earth notes of the Shug Pinot Noir.  This may have been one of my favorite pairings of the evening.

Next up was a Peppercorn steak with Fleming’s proprietary F17 steak sauce on the side, paired with the 2006 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.  Bold meets bold.  The peppercorn crusting on the steak made me envious and jealous of my inability to do the same thing at home, and the Faust held it’s own against the steak.  Big flavors of fruit with notes of vanilla and cedar worked with the steak without being overwhelmed by it.

The rest of our meal was enjoyed with the Faust, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share some details of those dishes.  After the peppercorn steak we got to try some items off of Fleming’s Fall Prix Fixe menu.  The Veal Ossu Bucco and Oysters Rockefeller were spectacular.  The Osso Bucco just fell off the bone, and the sambucca-laced spinach (something I didn’t think I would like) and shaved parmesan on the oysters made them a great appetizer.

Finally we got to dessert, a trio of Creme Brulees, featuring Vanilla, Banana, and Chocolate.  I don’t usually go for chocolate anything, but the chocolate creme brulee was amazing, especially with some of the Faust I still had in my glass.  The banana was easily my favorite of the trio, and one I would happily order by itself.

I can’t thank Fleming’s enough for inviting me to this dinner, and I do recommend going and checking out their new fall menu items if you have a Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar near you.  Thanks to the staff for an amazing dinner and I look forward to returning soon for dinner with my wife.

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My wife and I had been meaning to dine their for quite a while, and finally we did last week.  We were greeted soon after entering and walked up to the counter to order our food and a bottle of wine.  The man waiting on us offered to put our bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in a bucket of ice to keep it cold (which we accepted) and invited us to choose a place to sit as he would bring our food out to us.

The atmosphere in Verde is what I love – there are a couple of high tops with chairs, a couple of tables with booths and chairs, and then a pair of very comfortable arms chairs and a couch with tables that are perfect for enjoying your meal, some wine, and the company you’re with.  We chose the two arm chairs.

Our food was soon delivered and it was delicious.  I chose their Italian Panini and my wife chose the Chicken Pesto one.  Each was freshly pressed and warm when brought out to us.  The only ones in the restaurant at for dinner (I assume they get more business at lunch than dinner), we were able to enjoy our meal and each other’s company in peace.

The menu at Verde isn’t huge, but it does have a wide range of foods that should appeal to most tastes.  Their wine selection is very impressive and they have wine available by the bottle or the glass, or to be taken with you, as well as small selection of beer.

The only complaint that I can levy against Verde is that all of their food is served in to-go style packaging as opposed to plates when you’re dining in.  I don’t know if this will change, but I suspsect it’s because they offer delivery service and most of their diners are workers on their lunch just running in to grab something to take back to the office.

If you’re in the West End of Richmond and looking for something like Panera but not Panera, I really do recommend Verde.  I’ve only been once, but I’m already planning my next trip there.  Check out their selection online at:  http://www.verdefreshfood.com .

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1. The Melting Pot – Restaurant Review
2. Si Tapas Richmond – Restaurant Review

First of all, if you don’t have a Melting Pot in your area, I feel sorry for you.  For those unfamiliar with The Melting Pot, it is a fondue restaurant with a wine list that borders on the ridiculous (at least for a restaurant outside of Vegas).  My wife and I visited The Melting Pot in Richmond, Virginia for our one year wedding anniversary and while I’ve never had bad service there, this time we had service that was nothing short of amazing.

Megan, our waitress, was great in not pushing anything on us, being present without being a nuisance, and for getting a pair of free glasses of 20 year old Port (after trying to get us champagne) for our anniversary, which happened to fall on Father’s Day this year.

The meal itself was spectacular, with chicken, pork, lobster, shrimp, sirloin, and filet mignon being on the menu.  This was preceded by salad and a cheese fondue of Wiscosin cheese, only to be followed by a chocolate fondue of white chocolate and amaretto (flambe’ no less).

I’m not the pickiest diner simply because I’ve worked in restaurants and I know what a rough job it can be, but the melting pot in Richmond continued their trend of delivering on amazing meals, amazing wine (we had the Horon Vineyards Cabenert Franc), and service that is to brag about.

If you have a Melting Pot in your area and you haven’t gone, go visit it as soon as possible (it’s not cheap, I won’t lie to you.  About $100 for a couple), and if you’re ever in the Richmond area, visit the one off of Gaskins Road, they do a great job.

Find the Melting Pot nearest you.  http://www.themeltingpot.com .

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We had mad reservations, but upon arriving (on a Wednesday evening), it was clear that we probably wouldn’t have needed them.  We were quickly seated in the small dining room (it seats probably 20-30 people at most), and joined by our waiter who asked us if we’d ever been before.  We already knew what wine we wanted (a 2007 Gouguenheim Malbec), so he soon returned with the wine and two glasses of water.

As the name implies, Si Tapas specializes in tapas, an appetizer style meal where you order multiple small offerings to create an entire meal.  None of their tapas are made ahead of time, which means that you’re food is always hot and made to order.

My wife and I ordered their Polenta Fries, Pork Empanadas (a choice we had enjoyed before), Cheese Fondue (a selection they had offered before, but had changed slightly since our last visit), and Cumin Dusted Scallops (another selection offered before, but with a new twist).

The entire meal was delicious.  Everything was hot and perfectly cooked and plated.  When we ran out of bread for the fondue, we didn’t have to ask for any, our waiter just made sure we did in fact want some more and then brought some to us an no extra charge, and the wine was a perfect compliment to everything.

Our final bill for four tapas and a bottle of wine was around $63, not something I’d want to pay every night for a meal, but certainly something that’s worth indulging in for special occasions.  The homey atmosphere makes going there even more enjoyable, and is perfect for visiting with friends, family, or with a special someone.  Their wine selection isn’t huge and does lean towards the Spanish in selection, but there should be something there for every taste, and it pairs well with the food that they offer.

Whether you live in Richmond or you’re just visiting, Si Tapas is definitely worth a visit.  You’ll enjoy the food, you’ll enjoy the wine, and you’ll enjoy the atmostphere for what is sure to be a delicious meal.

About Si Tapas

Si Tapas features two floors, with a dining room downstairs and a bar/lounge area upstairs that offers beer, wine, and liquor.  Their tapas selection is great for every type of taste, and the atmosphere is acceptable for dates, family gatheries, or a meeting with friends.  Dress is casual to business casual.  To make reservations or view their menu, visit Si Tapas online at:  http://www.sitapas.com/richmond

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