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Contents
JULY/AUGUST 2015
56
11
First of All
News from Around Town 15
Around Town
Chesterfield County Fair 17
Business
Virginia Physicians for Women 18
Foot Health
Taking Care of Your Feet 21
Dental Health
Virginia Family Dentistry 23
Finance
Summer Vacation 25
Seniors
Cars of Our Lives 26
Leisure
Movable Memories
Flavor 31
In Search of Tacos
35
Patios
Outdoor Dining 39
A Cookbook Review
VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION LEFT: DEREK BENNION/TAZZA KITCHEN / RIGHT: JBL GARDEN ROOMS
Dishing Up Virginia
40
TasteBudz
Dining & Drink News 42
Events
Local Happenings
31
46
Home 46
He Shed, She Shed Shed Your Inhibitions
48
Air Resolutions Lower Utility Costs
Travel 51
Culinary Excursions
Ann Arbor & The Outer Banks 56
Northern Neck
Athens of the New World RichmondNavigator.com 7
JULY/AUGUST 2015
From the Editor
PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER
William J. Davis, Jr.
Sweet Virginia Breezin’
VICE-PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER
Cheryl T. Davis MANAGING EDITOR
Annie Tobey FOOD & TRAVEL EDITOR
Steve Cook ASSISTANT EDITOR
Tammie Wersinger EDITORIAL INTERN
Kate Desmond CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Joey Wharton GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Nora Bollinger, Tara Bouldin-Evans ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Jared Davis ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES
Brian Bellovay, Beverly Montsinger DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Jimmy Davis
S
TUDENTS DOTTED THE LAWN at Westhampton College on the University of Richmond campus – some tossing Frisbees, some coming to and from classes and others stretched out in the warm sunshine. Dorm windows open to let in the fresh air also poured out the sounds of popular music. And in 1978, when I arrived at UR, one of those songs was Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett’s “Sweet Virginia Breeze,” now – finally – our state’s official popular song. I graduated, but Virginia became the home I loved – especially in summertime, when the livin’ is easy. Though some years left me restless, I’ve come to embrace the Richmond region, the commonwealth and our people with my whole heart. The stories we cover in West End’s Best include much of the best of the area, beginning with our “First of All” local news snapshots. In this issue, look for Jody Rathgeb’s suggestions for adding a “she shed” or “he shed” to your yard and Constance Whitney’s look at healthy feet. For food news, Steve Cook dishes out another roundup in his TasteBudz column, plus we explore mouth-watering, palate-pleasing tacos as well as restaurant patios for enjoying the Virginia breeze. The “Chef ’s Secrets” focus this issue, Dishing Up Virginia, provides an informative travelogue as well as delicious recipes. As “Sweet Virginia Breeze” both transports me and roots me, so classic cars appeal to many. Constance Whitney provides a whimsical overview of the call of the wheels, a prelude to our photo gallery of several local collectors and their cars. This month’s travel articles take us to Virginia’s Northern Neck; the food scene in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and three of the best restaurants in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Be sure to check out other articles this month at RichmondNavigator.com and in our River City magazine, including drinks on the patio in “Raising the Bar,” Castleburg Brewery & Taproom, tales and recipes behind Hanover tomatoes and the creation of “Sweet Virginia Breeze.” And if you see a convertible scooting around town, top down, with vanity plates proclaiming VABREZN, you can know that it’s me, basking in the sweet Virginia breeze!
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Rick Bancroft, Derek Bennion, Don Farquar, Michael A. Geissinger, Temple Hill, Rachel Marsh, Edwin Remsberg, Aaron Sutten, Robert Thomas CONTRIBUTORS
Jody Rathgeb, Angela Weight, Constance Whitney ADVERTISING
West End’s Best magazine is published bimonthly by Advertising Concepts, Inc., 6301 Harbourside Drive, Suite 100 Midlothian, VA 23112 P: 804-639-9994 E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com ONLINE / SOCIAL
RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Twitter.com/RVAnavigator All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. A PUBLICATION OF
ALL ARTICLES AND CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINIONS OR THOUGHTS OF WEST END’S BEST MAGAZINE, ADVERTISING CONCEPTS, INC OR THE PUBLISHER. MARKS ADVERTISER-SUPPORTED CONTENT.
Annie Tobey Annie.Tobey@RichmondNavigator.com
ABOUT OUR COVER Children crabbing at The Tides Inn in the Northern Neck. Photo courtesy of The Enhancement Group/ The Tides Inn
RichmondNavigator.com 9
First of All
JULY/AUGUST 2015
A NEW SEASON OF BALLET FOR RICHMONDERS OUR HOMETOWN TROUPE LEFT TOWN ,
taking a four-city tour of China. But they’re back, and ready to share another season of established favorites and new works.
THE 2015-16 SEASON INCLUDES: • Windows, by Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Stoner Winslett, backed by live music from the Richmond Symphony Orchestra • George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, also with live music from the RSO • The Nutcracker, the holiday classic, with 13 performances • Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Artistic Associate and Ballet Master Malcolm Burn – the romantic ballet of the Sergei Prokofiev score will be performed on Valentine’s Day weekend • Fancy Free, by Jerome Robbins • A new ballet from Melissa Barak • Salvatore Aiello’s primal interpretation of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring • An original work by San Francisco-based choreographer Val Caniparoli “I can’t wait for our audiences to see Val Caniparoli’s new work. We have been very successful with his pieces in the past, and with his in-depth knowledge of our company, I hope we will have another signature work to add to our repertory this season,” says Stoner Winslett. “We were also eager to invite Melissa Barak back to Richmond, having seen the arresting results of her 2014 New Works Festival piece, Eos Chasma. From the start, she had great chemistry with our dancers, and it was clear that she embraced the spirit of innovation and collaboration we look for when inviting choreographers to town.” Single tickets will go on sale in early August. Tickets will be available at eTIX.com, by calling 800-514-3849 or through the Richmond Ballet Box Office at 407 E. Canal St. For dates and further details, go to RichmondBallet.com or call 804-344-0906.
HENRICO COUNTY CITIZENS can rest assured that their local fire department is masterfully equipped to handle fire and trauma emergencies. In April, the Congressional Fire Services Institute and Masimo honored the County of Henrico Division of Fire with the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award, for best practices and innovative solutions in the delivery of emergency medical services. The award commended the Henrico fire department for establishing “cooperative relationships with the U.S. Military and Department of Defense that have enabled [it] to gain access to equipment and training used by the military to treat soldiers in combat. Through these efforts, Henrico Fire has improved its trauma care.” Only three fire departments received the 2015 award nationally. And in May, Anthony E. McDowell, chief of the Henrico County Division of Fire, was chosen as the 2015 Career Fire Chief of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs. McDowell joined the department as a firefighter in 1997, later serving as fire lieutenant, fire captain and battalion chief of administration, becoming the chief in 2012. He is founding director of the Virginia Fire Officer Academy, which has trained hundreds of fire service officers. “Henrico County is thrilled that Tony’s excellent public service has been recognized by his peers in the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs,” County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said in a statement. “Henrico enjoys a high quality of life in part because of the work and dedication of the men and women of the Division of Fire. As chief, Tony leads from the front and by example.” The Henrico Division of Fire serves 244 square miles, manages 20 fire stations and a training facility, operates a regional hazardous materials team and provides technical rescue, ground search and water rescue. It responded to more than 43,000 calls for service in fiscal year 2013-14.
RichmondNavigator.com 11
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HENRICO COUNTY, DIVISION OF FIRE
PHOTO: AARON SUTTEN
HENRICO DEPARTMENT IS ON FIRE WITH HONORS
JULY/AUGUST 2015
First of All
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIC ENRIGHT
THE SOUTHERN BELLES
NIC ENRIGHT: THE MAJORS ARE KNOCKING IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 ISSUE of West End’s Best, Nic Enright shared his career aspirations: “I
am going to do everything I can to play professionally,” The Steward School varsity baseball pitcher said. He was well on his way, having earned many awards for his pitching. In the Steward Spartans 2015 season, Enright had a 6-1 record with a 0.79 ERA and 50 strikeouts against just nine walks, leading the team to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division 2 state semifinals. He had been chosen by the Virginia Tech Hokies to enroll as a student and member of the baseball team in the fall of 2015. Then in June 2014, New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson announced that they had selected Enright in the 2015 Major League draft. Enright did not immediately accept the Mets offer. After considering his options, Enright decided to continue his plans to enroll at Virginia Tech. “I’m excited. I told everyone from the beginning it was a win-win, and that’s what it is,” says Enright. “This is a fork in the road, but the destination is the same.” His goal is still to play professional baseball, but he sees the advantage of getting three to four years of college Division I baseball under his belt first. Congratulations, Nic, and best wishes for becoming Central Virginia’s next Justin Verlander!
IN RECENT YEARS, we’ve seen popular musical acts emerge from the Richmond area, including Jason Mraz, Elliott Yamin, D’Angelo and Rayvon Owen. Will The Southern Belles be the next musical talent in the area to achieve stardom? It seems like the local quartet is certainly on its way. The band’s upcoming sophomore album, entitled Close to Sunrise, will be available online and in select stores beginning July 3. The album was recorded and produced by Bryan Walthall at The Legendary Sound of Music Studios in Richmond. Album art was created by local artist and illustrator Leslie Herman (LeslieHerman.com). The Southern Belle’s leading single, “Getaway,” has garnered attention for their forthcoming album with the self-proclaimed “mix of funky Southern psychedelic rock & roll.” The single is available for listening on SoundCloud. Since their inception, The Southern Belles have established roots in the Richmond music scene, performing at The Camel and other local venues. They can be found all over the country this summer at festivals such as The Mad Tea Party Jam, Floyd Fest, Hop Jam, Mantrabash and more. Not the Southern Belles that you’d expect from Gone with the Wind, the band consists of four men: Adrian Ciucci (guitar/vocals), Tommy Booker (keys/vocals), Raphael Katchinoff (drums/vocals) and Andrew Carper (bass/vocals). The quartet seems certain to make waves in the Richmond community and beyond. For more information, check out their website at TheSouthernBellesMusic.com.
RICHMOND GARDEN TRAIL AS SUMMER LINGERS ,
we at West End ’s Best have been searching for new outdoor spaces to explore. In our quest, we stumbled upon the Richmond Garden Trail, a ready-made itinerary of some of the country’s best gardens and green spaces. With a few “garden secrets” along the way, the circuit includes eight sites in the Richmond area, all of which are within 10 miles of each other. There is
no off icial starting point, as you can explore at your leisure. There is always something fresh and intriguing at each beautiful garden, like special holiday displays and fun activities. Many of the sites include convenient designated parking and delicious dining opportunities, among other amenities. The Richmond Garden Trail encourages you to use social media to chronicle your
adventures with the hashtags #RVAgardentrail or #RVAblooms. Included on the Richmond Garden Trail are many local favorites: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont, Agecroft, Virginia Center for Architecture, Capitol Square, The Valentine and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. For more information, visit the Richmond Region Tourism website at VisitRichmondVA.com. RichmondNavigator.com 13
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Around Town
THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FAIR, YESTERDAY & TODAY Starry Nights and Midway Lights
T
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FAIR
HE YEAR WAS 1911. The first transcontinental airplane flight from New York to California took 82 hours and 4 minutes, Proctor and Gamble unveiled Crisco shortening, and the Chesterfield County Fair opened for its first year. Local farmers put on a corn show exhibit so successful that another was scheduled for the following year. Thus began the Chesterfield fair, Oct. 25-26, 1911! The fair’s first president was Sen. John Watkins’ grandfather.
The tradition continues Aug. 28 through Sept. 5, 2015: Starry Nights and Midway Lights. In 1911, admission was 50 cents for adults and a quarter for children, and membership was a dollar. Today’s admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (60 and above), $5 for children (age 4-12) and free for kids three and under. The Chesterfield fair offers the best value for your buck in Richmond and the surrounding areas to end the summer – shows, exhibits, animals and attractions, with no additional cost for nightly entertainment! Conveniently located, the fair is within a 30-minute drive from surrounding counties and the Tri-Cities – less time than it takes to make a funnel cake. Since 1911, the fair has grown and improved in activities, exhibits, facilities and, especially, popularity. The newly paved fairgrounds provide easy access for strollers and wheelchairs. Free parking is always a plus. Over the years, leading national entertainers have included Porter Wagoner from The Grand Ole
Opry, Grandpa Jones of Hee-Haw, Tom Wopat of The Dukes of Hazzard, Joey Dee and Starliters with “Peppermint Twist” and many others. The 2015 fair features the popular 7 Bridges, voted top Eagles tribute band by Rolling Stone magazine. Nightly performances spotlight some of country music’s most promising musicians, including an evening with Thomas Dale graduate Brittany Marie. Returning crowd favorites include Keith Henderson for his 17th year; Richmond’s oldies, Motown and R&B musicians Flashback Band; Glen Shelton positive country music; and Southland Band, performing classic rock. More music will come from En’ Novation classic R&B and soul band; “Beach Party Night” with The Embers, playing heart and soul and rhythm and blues; and jazz and party music from Klaxton Brown Band. The 2015 Miss Chesterfield County Fair Pageant will give young ladies an opportunity for prize money and Miss Virginia recognition. The 4-H clubs and Senior Idols will show off their talents as well. Anyone, not just Chesterfield County
residents, can enter contests in arts, crafts, flowers, food, photography, quilts and more. New this year is Tumbleweed Crossing, an award-winning, family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, interactive Wild West comedy gunfight stunt show that serves up laughter like a flying bullet, engaging young and old. At John Misita’s K9s in Flight show, trained dogs catch both audience hearts and Frisbees. Friendly Farmers Barn Yard Review presents farm-themed information and entertainment in variety-show style, including comedy, music and magic. There’s plenty more to entertain all ages at this year’s fair: antique tractors and Civil War reenactors; Beach Night; classic cars; bull riding, barrel racing and a sheep-riding contest for the tykes. Back by popular demand are the Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs, Ducks & Goats; Star Dust Circus & Thrill Show; and GXW - Wrestling (Ground Zero). Ready for some fun? See you and your friends at the fair under the Starry Nights and Midway Lights!
THE 2015 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FAIR Aug. 28 – Sept. 5 Corner of Krause & Courthouse Roads, Chesterfield ChesterfieldCountyFair.org and on Facebook 804-768-0148
RichmondNavigator.com 15
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
CONVENIENT NEW LOCATION, SAME STELLAR SERVICES Virginia Physicians for Women
W
in a women’s medical practice? Certainly, convenience is important, with an office in a location that’s easily accessible from your work or home, minimizing the stresses of a long drive and traffic. Undoubtedly, quality and range of care are essential as well. With a new location opening in July 2015 at The Notch at West Creek Medical Park, Virginia Physicians for Women (VPFW) has combined all of these advantages in one expanded office. HAT DO YOU VALUE
Virginia Physicians for Women has been fine-tuning quality since the practice first began in 1973. Currently with 27 physicians and growing, VPFW operates six offices in the Richmond area, including three in the West End. This full-service practice offers a complete spectrum of health care services for women, from adolescence through menopause and beyond, including low-risk and high-risk obstetrics, gynecology, mammography and urogynecology. Physicians and staff provide prevention and early detection, evaluation, treatment and annual exams as well as care for ongoing and urgent problems. “Virginia Physicians for Women prides itself on adhering to four unique core values when it comes to patient care,” says Dr. David Reutinger, president of Virginia Physicians for Women. First, any patient can get a same-day appointment by calling before 10 a.m. on weekdays. Second, patients always see a physician during each appointment. Third, a mother in labor can be assured that her doctor or another physician from the same office will be by her side at delivery 24/7. And fourth, every patient has access to a specialized phone nurse who can answer health-related questions during business hours. In addition, a patient can schedule her annual exam and mammogram in the same day, at the same location. VPFW physicians and staff strive to be sensitive and compassionate with all patients, from a teen’s nervous first visit to a woman’s questions about menopause. They help women with birth control, STDs, PMS, infertility, endometriosis, hormone replacement therapy, osteoporosis, chronic pelvic pain, prenatal and postnatal care and much more. Going the extra mile, the new West Creek location will offer an upscale, spa-like setting, including special touches such as warm robe mammogra-
phy. The office will have three physician pods, screening mammography, ultrasound and lab services. The new office will also be convenient, close to I-64, I-295 and Route 288. “We will be in a position to serve a much larger population of women, centrally located at the crossroads of the far “VIRGINIA PHYSICIANS West End,” says Ronnie Milligan, chief operatFOR WOMEN PRIDES ing officer of Virginia ITSELF ON ADHERING TO Physicians for Women. FOUR UNIQUE CORE VALUES “Patients traveling from Chesterfield County, WHEN IT COMES TO the Charlottesville area, PATIENT CARE.” Glen Allen and points northwest of Richmond can conveniently access the office without having to navigate through the downtown Short Pump traffic.” Currently, Virginia Physicians for Women operates offices in the West End at St. Mary’s Hospital, Henrico Doctors Hospital (Forest campus) and Innsbrook. The Innsbrook location will be moving to the West Creek Medical Park. “We actively evaluated five different sites before we decided on The Notch at West Creek,” Milligan explains. “We wanted to be in a highvolume, high-visibility area that was easily accessible and part of a medical park destination. We feel strongly that we have found that at the Notch at West Creek Medical Park.” Convenience and quality, all in one compassionate package. VPFW.com RichmondNavigator.com 17
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Health
FEET ACCOMPLI: KEEPING YOUR TOOTSIES HEALTHY by
Constance Whitney
L
ET’S STEP BACK A MOMENT and think about our feet. Did you know that
the average person will take over 200 million steps in their lifetime? That’s 110,000 miles – or four times around the world at the equator! And at each of these steps, our feet must handle incredible pressure, bear the entire weight of our body and perform a series of intricate movements to keep us balanced and propel us forward. Our feet can also give us warnings of illness or conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and nerve or circulatory problems. Learning to “read” and take care of our feet, especially during these hot summer months and even more so as we get older, is easy, fairly quick and extremely important!
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, THERE ARE FOUR KEY STEPS TO TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET. 1 1. Examine your feet often – every day if you’re diabetic – for signs of cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails, etc. Not quite flexible enough to see the bottoms of your feet? Use a mirror or ask a friend. Many minor issues can be self-treated, but be sure to let your family doctor take a look at anything more serious. If you have a medical condition (like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, etc.), you may have decreased blood flow to your feet, which can cause scrapes or bruises to become infected more easily. Stay aware! 2 Whenever possible, put your feet up when 2. you’re sitting down to help circulation. Stretch your feet often – two of my favorite stretches are rolling a tennis ball under my foot and picking up pencils with my toes! Foot massages and warm footbaths, in addition to feeling amazing, are also actually good for your feet. Indulge!
18 West End’s Best
3 3. Wear shoes that fit. As every woman who has ever been pregnant knows, your feet change size. The 7.5 you wore last year may now be an 8. And the 8 that you wear in stilettos may be an 8.5 in running shoes. A few good rules to remember: always try on shoes in the late afternoon, when feet tend to swell from the day’s activities; make sure there’s about ½ inch between your big toe and the end of the shoe; and never buy shoes that feel too tight hoping they’ll stretch – they won’t, you’ll end up with blisters and another pair of shoes will be donated to Goodwill! 4 When enjoying the summer activities, re4. member that proper footwear is vital. Though walking barefoot through the sand screams “this is summertime,” in reality it’s not the best option. Neither is going into the James River without river shoes to protect your feet from rocks and other underwater hazards. And always remember to use sunblock on your feet! Sunburned feet are not fun!
Foot problems can signal serious conditions. In addition to traumatic injuries, bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs and corns are just a few of the many foot-related issues that can cause both inconvenience and pain. Many more serious issues, though, are possible as well. If you have persistent pain in your feet, changes in the nails or skin, severe cracking, scaling or peeling of the skin or unexplained or stubborn-to-heal blisters, it’s time to call the doctor. Taking care of our feet so they will carry us through another few million steps needs to remain a priority as we age. After all, we’ve got a chance of making it around the world – again! WEB
THE FOUNDATION OF FOOT HEALTH
D
OCTORS AND RESEARCHERS AGREE that
your feet form the foundation for your entire body, and discomfort can occur in the feet, hips and back due to foot problems. If your feet are not properly balancing your body weight, the skeletal structure can become misaligned, causing disproportionate pressure and pain throughout the body. Arch supports can relieve not only pain in the arch and foot area but also in the knees, hips and back. The key is to have arch supports custom fit to your specific foot and body type. What will work for a narrow, high arch will not be adequate for a wide, flat foot. Due to these variables, individuals suffering from foot or joint pain often are dissatisfied with the generic cushion products found in grocery stores and drugstores. I found this out myself several years ago when foot pain was interrupting my ability to enjoy one of my favorite activities – long-distance running. I tried the various over-the-counter solutions, kept buying running shoes, but still could not get rid of my foot pain. When I came to The Good Feet Store and bought arch supports, I was skeptical. However, in a few weeks my pain was gone, I began to increase my mileage and later that year I finished my first marathon. I came back to The Good Feet Store, bought more product and then (no, I am not making this up) bought the store. In recent weeks I have visited with a Hall-of-Fame basketball player, a pro football player and a runner-up in the Boston Marathon. All of them spoke of how much arch supports had helped them and how they wished they had been f itted with arch supports sooner. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from a good foundation and proper alignment for the body. Custom-fit arch supports can transform your life.
RichmondNavigator.com 19
20 West End’s Best
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Health
A HARD NIGHT’S SLEEP by
Mike Catoggio, D.D.S.
S
you grind your teeth?” “No, doc, not me.” “Well, someone’s been taking some off the top when you’re not looking.” Every day, I see at least one patient who has signs and symptoms of grinding and/or clenching their teeth. Lots of us do it, including me. I frequently catch myself clenching my teeth when focusing intently on a task. It’s typically a subconscious habit that, if you’re lucky enough not to suffer from any jaw pain, will go unnoticed until someone points it out or things start breaking. You may not have realized this, but teeth are not meant to touch. It sounds odd, but think about it. They don’t touch while you speak, smile or rest. Even when you chew, your teeth only have to be close enough to mash food, not necessarily touch. The average person who does not grind will have their teeth touch only about four minutes in an average day. The person who grinds while asleep can have their teeth together for hours at a time. Our bodies aren’t designed to handle that kind of force over extended periods. Most people I treat will be on one of two teams: Team Grinders and Team Clenchers. Team Grinders are those of us who habitually and involuntarily gnash or rub our teeth together, usually during sleep. These folks have flattened molars, short-looking front teeth and chipped or ragged-looking edges. Surprisingly, I don’t often find these people suffering from headaches or muscle pain, but they certainly do a good job at breaking teeth and dental restoraO DO YOU THINK
tions. Don’t let me mislead you, though – more severe symptoms can surely develop over time. Then there’s Team Clenchers, those of us who squeeze our teeth together with tremendous force for minutes to hours at a time. Sometimes we’ll clench during the day but often and with much more intensity at night. These are the folks who will wake up in the morning with headaches and muscle fatigue and will at times need treatment for acute muscle or jaw pain. Both situations can result from and be exacerbated by stress, anger, tension, fear, frustration, a misaligned bite, poor-fitting dental restorations, etc. The most severe symptoms will arise during periods of highest stress, such as a divorce, job change and loss of a loved one. Fortunately, if the damage isn’t too bad, these conditions can be managed with stress reduction techniques, bite adjustments, orthodontics and/ or a simple night guard. Untreated, it can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in dental treatment to rebuild and restore what you once had. If you think you may be clenching or grinding your teeth, don’t fret – we’re here to help.
Since graduating among the top of his class from the prestigious Medical College of Virginia/ VCU School of Dentistry, Dr. Catoggio has trained under the tutelage of Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson Jr., a renowned practitioner in the fields of implantology, smile design and full mouth rehabilitation. With a keen eye for the aesthetic, Dr. Catoggio offers a full range of services for those looking for comprehensive dental treatment. Whether it’s a simple filling or a full smile makeover, by offering personalized care, Dr. Catoggio is able to create the exceptional smiles his patients are seeking. Dr. Catoggio is committed to perfecting the art of exceptional dentistry. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association and Richmond Dental Society. By staying current on the latest technology and advances in dentistry, Dr. Catoggio has dedicated himself to serving patients with the highest level of care available.
RichmondNavigator.com 21
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
Finance
SUMMER VACATION by
G. Carl Mahler, Jr, CFP ®
I
’VE JUST COMPLETED A SERIES of presentations to an executive group of a
major corporation. These featured the company’s retirement plans available to employees and my thoughts on current financial markets and what these people needed to do to prepare for retirement. I started my presentation with a quote from the U.S. Department of Commerce: Americans are saving at a rate of 5.3 percent per year towards retirement. I followed with a Federal Reserve survey that showed the average American between the ages of 55-64 has accumulated $104,000 in retirement savings. I slammed the door in their faces by stating an unsourced comment that the average American spends more time planning summer vacation than retirement. A quick scan around the room and I was convinced I was speaking to all the people represented in these quotes. Heads went down. Several grabbed for the safety of staring at the screen of their smartphone. For the duration of my talk I knew I’d get more responses from the crowd if I asked where they planned on vacationing next month than asking how much their personal accumulation goal for retirement was. Unfortunately, this group of well-paid executives is no different from others I see in my daily life as a financial planner. Some time ago the media started writing about the 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring daily. I can assure you, many aren’t doing so willingly as they’re immediately looking for em-
ployment to subsidize their inadequate preparation. Department of Labor surveys show less than five percent retire with any level of financial independence. The rest live off part-time work, family and friends. This is an epidemic and it’s spreading. Over my years in this business, I’ve seen many different situations. I’ve heard about some really great vacations, and then more excuses for why they weren’t able to save more because of all the costs of raising children today. In fact, it’s this lavish spending on our kids that is creating the next epidemic in America. Our kids have no appreciation of what things cost. There’s this entitlement attitude that is being genetically encoded into the next generation that will doom them to failure. There has to be a line drawn in the sand. The work ethic, guts and determination of generations before that made us the greatest country in the world is dying. I wonder if anyone is paying attention to the wakeup call.
The Pinnacle Group An Independent Wealth Management Firm Your Wealth. Your Life. Our Focus. 3748 Winterfield Road Midlothian, VA 23113 804-378-1624 PinnacleGroup.net Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of G. Carl Mahler, Jr. and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. L i k e u s on Facebook to receive daily f inanc ial infor mat ion on your newsfee d. Search: “ T he P innacle Group, An Independent Wealth Management F ir m, RJ F S”
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
Seniors
CLASSIC CARS, LASTING MEMORIES by
Constance Whitney
I
She was fast. She turned heads when I’d whiz by. And yes, she was absolutely tangible proof of my midlife crisis. I was finally out of the “mom-mobile” stage and at a point in my life where I could buy a completely over-the-top, impractical vehicle without considering factors related to child-seat stability and trunk space for strollers. What made her even sweeter, though, was the fact that she was a 40th anniversary model of the classic 1964 Mustang. She was, in all categories, a really great car. When I put her out to pasture earlier this year, replacing her with an even cooler, completely over-the-top, impractical vehicle, I was sad. It was an end of an era: My Mustang Era. CONFESS. I LOVED MY MUSTANG.
How many of life’s milestones, I realized, could be categorized by a car? My 16th birthday: the brilliant blue Maverick – a gift from my parents. My senior prom: a beautiful Chevy Camaro Z28 – though the bucket seats ensured there would be no making out! My first wreck: a 1975 Ford Thunderbird – for the record, not my fault. Growing up, cars were a constant in our lives. Who drove what? Who could borrow what? Could we really fit nine people into a hatchback? My friend Mariellen grew up in the Florida Keys. While “who had what boat” was a more common conversation, the vehicle talk was plentiful as well. “When you live on an island, connected by one road to another island, connected by one road back to civilization,” she tells me, “you tended to make friends with the person whose car could reliably get us to dry land! ” Among her favorites was a 1976 orange Chevy Corvette. “Only two of us could fit in the thing, but boy was it a blast to drive!”
To go back a tad further, I asked my mom her opinion on the cars of her wild teenage years. My mom, who preferred planes to cars and was piloting on her own when she was just 14, remembers the jalopies that plagued the roads back then. “The boys were always cannibalizing other cars to build their own,” she tells me. “In those days, you could get a new two-door Ford with a radio for less than $1,000.” Apparently, a radio in the car was a luxury option at the time. Elvis had a huge impact on the cool factor of cars in those days as well. His Lincolns always had a lot of chrome and whitewall tires. Elvis’ influence was everlasting, as the youth of the day grew into adults. Throughout most of her life, Mom owned Lincoln Town Cars, not only because they were great cars but because of her undying love of Elvis! With the wisdom of age and the power of 20/20 hindsight, my memories of the cars in my teen years are rather clouded by sentiment. Just
GROWING UP, CARS WERE A CONSTANT IN OUR LIVES. WHO DROVE WHAT? WHO COULD BORROW WHAT? COULD WE REALLY FIT NINE PEOPLE INTO A HATCHBACK? like the memories that certain songs evoke, the sight of a GTO, glimmering in the sunlight, brings back memories of a happy time. The vehicles of our youth lacked seatbelts, airbags, navigation systems, seat warmers or guidance alerts. In those days, you had to hold on tight, know how to read a map, wear a sweater and look out your window before you made a lane change! Primitive by the standards of today, the cars of our youth were truly hotties! WEB RichmondNavigator.com 25
MOVABLE MEMORIES photos by
W
Rachel Marsh
HAT IS IT about classic cars that so many find so appealing?
Sometimes it’s the performance – power, a purring engine, speed that was tops for the time. Perhaps it’s the pizzazz, a ritzy connection to fame or wealth. For some, it’s the visual beauty of a sleek, modern or trendy design. And sometimes, the car transports the driver to an earlier, favorite time of life.
On a recent Saturday, we sent a photographer to Cars & Coffee Richmond at Regency Square, a car lovers’ group that meets every other weekend. In this photo feature, you’ll read about the owners’ affinity for their classics and of memories from the year the car came out – like a drive down memory lane! Find out more about Cars & Coffee Richmond on Facebook. Timeline tidbits gleaned from ThePeopleHistory.com.
26 West End’s Best
JULY/AUGUST 2015
’96 TITLE FERRARI GOES F355 HERE BERLINETTA The 1996 model year “was the last of the classic Ferraris before they went to the more modern design,” says Raj Malhotra, “and it’s arguably the best-sounding engine of any Ferrari.”
WHY THIS CAR?
IN THIS YEAR
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, get divorced. In 12 months, the number of Internet host computers goes from 1 million to 10 million. Ebay starts their online auction and shopping website. Average annual income: $36,300 Average cost of a new car: $16,300
’71 MERCEDES TITLE GOES HERE 280SL WHY THIS CAR? “This 1971 was the f irst Mercedes I ever drove,” Will Milby recalls. “When I was 16 years old, my friend’s father got a Mercedes and used to let us drive it all the time. It took me back to my teenage years.” IN THIS YEAR
A new stock market index called the Nasdaq debuts. The U.S. voting age is lowered to 18. The Walt Disney World Resort opens in Florida. National Public Radio (NPR) begins broadcasting. Cassette recorder: $29.88
’69 PONTIAC GTO “It was my first car,” says Scott Tindall of the ’69 Pontiac GTO. “I bought it from my older brother and it was his first car as well. It’s like a time capsule, there are a lot of great memories associated with it, not to mention it’s a blast to drive.”
WHY THIS CAR?
IN THIS YEAR
Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to set foot on the Moon. Gas: 35 cents per gallon Richard Nixon becomes president of the United States. Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock ’n’ roll fans. Jennifer Aniston is born on Feb. 11.
RichmondNavigator.com 27
MOVABLE MEMORIES
’95 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 Harold Singh says that the body style of this car is among “The last of the air-cooled Porsche 911s, the end of an era for the Porsche before they started building them separately, in a more cost-effective way.”
WHY THIS CAR?
IN THIS YEAR
OJ Simpson is found innocent. Dow Jones closes above 5,000 for the first time. American rock band Grateful Dead announces breakup. Toy Story is the first wholly computer-generated film. Average cost of a new car: $15,500
’70 DODGE CHALLENGER RT
’81 DELOREAN DMC-12
“A buddy of mine had it for about 10 years,” says Colin Wharton of his ’70 Challenger. It had been the friend’s brother’s car before he passed away. “He finally wanted to sell it, so he offered it to me – like keeping it in the family. I have a 2012 Challenger as well, and I like having the ‘twins’ 42 years removed.”
WHY THIS CAR?
WHY THIS CAR?
The reasons are sentimental for Leslie Brooks. “It was given to me by my father for Christmas. It’s all original, only 3,000 miles on it. The whole package is what makes it my baby.”
IN THIS YEAR IN THIS YEAR
United States postage stamp: 6 cents Sports Illustrated: 15 cents Lava lamp: $19.95 Paul McCartney announces that the Beatles have disbanded. The first Earth Day is celebrated.
19-inch color TV: $399.95 Researchers find the wreck of the Titanic. Muhammad Ali finally retires, with a career record of 55 wins and 5 defeats. Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales. Sandra Day O’Connor is nominated to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
JULY/AUGUST 2015
’56 CHEVY ORIGINAL 3100 TRUCK ANTIQUE, ORIGINAL BODY, REBUILT “There’s something I’ve always admired about people that restore classic cars,” says Jeff Williams. “My ex-in-laws restore classic trucks and cars. When I learned that [their] oldest son was thinking about selling this truck, it was an opportunity for me to own one.”
WHY THIS TRUCK?
’67 OLDSMOBILE 442 “ ’67 is when I got out of high school,” Buddy Herring says. “The first new car I bought was a ’67 442, but not this same car. I actually wrecked that car with 600 miles on it.” Herring had to wait two years from the time he and his wife first saw this car till the owner decided to sell it. The car has a name, too: Barrie, because “it originally came from Barrie Brothers Oldsmobile in Long Island, New York.”
WHY THIS CAR?
IN THIS YEAR IN THIS YEAR
Movie ticket: $1.25
Rock ’n’ roll dance craze sweeps the world.
The federal minimum wage is increased to $1.40 an hour.
Prince Ranier of Monaco marries Grace Kelly.
The first Rolling Stone magazine is published.
Rocky Marciano retires as the only undefeated heavyweight champion of the world.
Super Bowl I is played, pitting the Green Bay Packers against the Kansas City Chiefs – Packers win 35-10.
Elvis Presley enters the U.S. music charts with “Heartbreak Hotel,” the first of 170 hit singles. My Fair Lady opens on Broadway, starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison.
The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of rock’s most acclaimed albums.
RichmondNavigator.com 29
30 West End’s Best
JULY/AUGUST 2015
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IN SEARCH
OF...
TACOS!
COOPER'S HAWK WINERY AND RESTAURANT
AHI TUNA TACOS expects to produce over 300,000 cases of wine in 2015, using wine grapes and fruit from California, Oregon, Washington and Michigan. The wines have won numerous awards since the winery’s 2005 opening. But Cooper’s Hawk extends its culinary skills to food, too. From Wisconsin to Florida, the restaurants present menus that pair each dish with its perfect wine. The Ahi Tuna Tacos wash your palate with the flavors of blackened, seared tuna, mouth-watering citrus slaw, tangy sriracha cream, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro and wasabi cream. This tasty and untraditional dish can be paired with any of their famous wines, delicious sangrias or cocktails, but they recommend the Sauvignon Blanc!
PHOTO: COURTESY OF COOPER'S HAWK
COOPER’S HAWK WINERY
11792 W. Broad St. / 804-461-2244 CHWinery.com
TAZZA KITCHEN
SHRIMP TACOS that rotate frequently, you are sure to discover a mouthwatering favorite. This casual eatery presents a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from local farmers and food artisans, wood-fired cooking, and influences from Southern Italy and Baja California. Tazza’s shrimp taco consists of a house-made dry rub, creamy guacamole, cured cabbage and savory pico de gallo as well as papaya hot sauce made from chili jam, luscious papayas and tasty calabrese chilies. This heavenly taco is sure to please your taste buds!
PHOTO: DEREK BENNION/TAZZA KITCHEN
WITH A VARIETY OF TACO CHOICES
3332 Pump Rd. 804-716-6448 TazzaKitchen.com
MORE ON THE NEXT PAGE RichmondNavigator.com 31
IN SEARCH
OF...
TACOS!
CAPITAL ALE HOUSE
FISH TACOS CAPITAL ALE HOUSE INNSBROOK introduced its exten-
PHOTO: TEMPLE HILL
sive beer list to Short Pump a decade ago, helping feed the growing craft beer movement with its 79 taps and more than 350 bottled beers. You can also enjoy the separate gaming area with pool table, dartboards and other games as well as the eight HD TVs. While beer is the specialty, the menu is vast and appetizing, too. The scrumptious fish tacos begin with grilled rockfish, topped with appetizing cilantro-lime slaw, fresh pineapple salsa and ancho chipotle sauce. Served in fresh tortillas, the exquisite tacos pair perfectly with many ales and lagers. 4024-A Cox Rd. 804-780-ALES CapitalAleHouse.com
RICO'S MEXICAN GRILL
TACOS DE CARNITAS with a smile, Rico’s is sure to be a hit for a family gathering or date night. This family-run restaurant combines its commitment to caring customer service and delicious quality food at budget-pleasing prices, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. To further please your budget, every Thursday is Dollar Taco Day at Rico’s in Glen Allen. For a special taste treat, try the Tacos de Carnitas, three corn tortillas with tender chunks of delicious pork. This magnificent dish is served with beans, Spanish rice, delectable guacamole salad and fresh pico de gallo. Delicious and authentic! PHOTO: TEMPLE HILL
SERVING UP FRESH MEXICAN FOOD
11321 Nuckols Rd. 804-965-6999 RicosMexicanGrill.com
SEE OUR FULL LIST ONLINE AT RICHMONDNAVIGATOR.COM 32 West End’s Best
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Business Directory Restaurant, shopping & entertainment locations plan your next event with catering from kona grill [everyone wins] west broad street village • 804-364-5660 • www.konagrill.com 34 West End’s Best
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
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West End Patio Dining PORTICO MORE THAN JUST a restaurant patio, the outdoor
seating at Portico is like picnicking in a park – with fine cuisine and service to complete the perfect experience! Situated in a quiet natural setting, yet not far from the city, the outdoors is beautifully landscaped with a diversity of trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers. The stacked stone outdoor fireplace and soft nighttime lighting add romance to the elegance. An abundance of seating provides options for many diners to enjoy the Italianinspired cuisine.
PHOTO: RICK BANCROFT
12506 River Rd. PorticoRichmond.com
HONDOS FRESH AIR ,
sunshine and gentle breezes – the spices of the outdoors can season fine cuisine perfectly! At Richmond’s premier chophouse, you can enjoy your outdoor experience while dining on choice steaks, ribs and chops, including cowboy-cut ribeye, filet mignon, porterhouse and Kansas City strip as well as succulent seafood such as twin South African lobster tails, tuna mignon and jumbo Chesapeake lump crab cakes. 4120-B Cox Rd. HONDOSprime.com
PHOTO: ROBERT THOMAS
RichmondNavigator.com 35
West End Patio Dining URBAN TAVERN introduces new American cuisine, created to pair with carefully selected whiskeys, wines, seasonally crafted cocktails and craft beers from their two dozen taps or their bottle list. The creators of The Urban Tavern want their restaurant to be “a destination to linger over lively conversation, playful plates and thoughtful concoctions” – and a patio is the perfect place to accomplish that! With much of the outdoor seating under cover, you can enjoy creative dishes like cumin-spiced lamb sliders or the Po Mi sandwich, perfectly paired for you. THIS RICHMOND GASTROPUB
10498 Ridgefield Pkwy. TheUrbanTavern.com
PHOTO: RICK BANCROFT
ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY THE SPACIOUS PATIO at this Short Pump Town Center restaurant expands your chances to enjoy creative cuisine and freshly brewed beer. Besides sipping and supping in the fresh air, you can enjoy people watching in the courtyard of the outdoor shopping mall. Rock Bottom features made-from-scratch foods and beer brewed right on the premises: approachable house beers like the Kölsch and Sweet Nut Brown; crafty, flavorful beers including IPA and Belgian strong ale; and creative specialty beers such as the Ugly Duckling Imperial Black Citra Ale and Nutella Porter.
PHOTO: ROBERT THOMAS
11800 W. Broad St., Suite 2098 RockBottom.com
36 West End’s Best
ia n i g r i V f O A Taste Virginia craft beers on tap
• Dine outside on our scenic patios • Kitchen is open late until 1 AM
Richmond 623 East Main St Richmond, VA 23219
Innsbrook 4024-A Cox Road Glen Allen, VA 23060
Midlothian 13831 Village Place Dr Midlothian, VA 23114
Also, visit us in Historic Downtown Fredericksburg and Historic Downtown Harrisonburg!
804-780-ALES
|
CapitalAleHouse.com RichmondNavigator.com 37
Spotlights 7 STARS ASIAN CUISINE & LOUNGE Don’t miss 7 Stars when you’re in Short Pump! With a beautiful interior and intricate presentation, 7 Stars boasts great lunch and happy hour specials. Featuring delicious Asian cuisine from Thailand, Japan and China. 11331 W. Broad St. 804-360-1688/1788 7StarsRVA.com
KONA GRILL The whole gang finds plenty to love about Kona Grill: happy hour specials and a festive bar; a more intimate dining area with house favorites like misosaké sea bass, juicy burgers and award-winning sushi; kids’ bento boxes; refreshing cocktails; and more! 11221 W. Broad St. 804-364-5660 KonaGrill.com
THE BOATHOUSE, WEST END Visit The Boathouse’s new dry-dock location in Short Pump Town Center! Delicacies include salads, sandwiches, succulent filets and fresh seafood, sushi, desserts and more. Pair your meal with fine wines, cocktails and beer, including local craft. 11800 W. Broad St. 804-360-7200 BoatHouseRVA.com
IRON HORSE RESTAURANT Situated in the cozy town of Ashland, the Iron Horse Restaurant delivers quality food and service beside the historic railroad tracks. Their seasonal, delicious, moderntraditional menu offers fresh seafood, tender steaks and chef-inspired nightly specials. 100 S. Railroad Ave., Ashland 804-752-6410 IronHorseRestaurant.com 38 West End’s Best
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Flavor
Dishing Up Virginia
The deviled crab from Dishing Up ® Virginia
®
A COMMONWEALTH COOKBOOK REVIEW
by
Annie Tobey
T
was the Thalhimers deviled crab: chunks of fresh crabmeat blended with the perfect touch of spice, inspired by Richmond’s legendary department store of yesteryear. The shellfish was accompanied by tomato pudding (once a stalwart dish on my Grandmother Tobey’s Virginia table), fresh roasted asparagus, and balsamic strawberries with fresh mint. Starr Hill King of Hop Imperial IPA paired perfectly with the spice of the entrée and with its partners. We completed our Virginia-inspired meal with a Wakefield classic: peanut butter silk pie, recipe from the Virginia Diner, the restaurant that has been part of the Suffolk landscape since 1929. The dessert was, as the name promised, silky smooth, a perfect blend of rich, sweet goodness. Though each dish was inspired by the foodways of the commonwealth, the final products came from my own kitchen, guided by recipes in Dishing Up® Virginia: 145 Recipes That Celebrate Colonial Traditions and Contemporary Flavors. The author, Patrick Evans-Hylton, is a food journalist, professionally trained chef, instructor, historian and executive editor of Virginia Wine Lover magazine. His passion for and knowledge of Virginia and her food, history and people permeate the book. The book’s collected recipes hail from throughout the commonwealth, each prefaced with a peek into its Virginia context. I enjoyed creating the deviled crab meal, following Evans-Hylton’s clear instructions, almost as much as I enjoyed eating it. This book, however, communicates much more than just a sample of representative dishes. Like a travelogue, it transports you – in this case, from the coast to the mountains – while introducing you to fascinating people, traditions, crops, restaurants, farms, history and legends all along the way. For example, did you know that the first country-cured ham was sold in Smithfield in the late 1700s? That by eating a cownose ray, you can help save the Bay? That Thomas Jefferson liked deviled eggs? Or that Gordonsville became Fried Chicken Capital of the World in the mid-to-late nineteenth century? Have you met Marcel Desaulniers, Jo Pendergraph, Rick Wasmund, Diane Flynt or Mark Thompson? A love of cooking isn’t a prerequisite for appreciating Dishing Up® Virginia. In perusing its pages, you will digest knowledge and passion of Virginia and her foodways. And perhaps that’s the best recipe of all. WEB HE STAR OF THE MEAL
Recipe from Dishing Up® Virginia ST E W E D BL AC K BE R R I E S Growing wild in brambles along river banks and at the edge of woodlands, blackberries – along with raspberries – are a summertime treat to stumble upon, pick, and enjoy. In addition to being enjoyed right off the vine, they can be used in many ways – in jams and cobblers, as well as stewed. This recipe takes fresh blackberries and cooks them until their juices become syrupy and the berries collapse in on themselves in concentrated goodness. Serve them in a bowl topped with whipped cream, over cream biscuits, or as a topping for ice cream.
1/8 teaspoon salt 1 quart blackberries 1/3 cup water 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons Chambord or other fruit liqueur, optional NOTE: You may use thawed frozen blackberries when fresh berries aren’t available. Makes About 1 Quart
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine the sugar, salt, blackberries, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the juices reduce to a syrup and the berries begin to cook, 10 to 12 minutes. 2. Remove the blackberries from the heat and stir in the Chambord or other fruit liqueur. Serve warm or chill in a covered container in the refrigerator; can be served cold or at room temperature. Leftover fruit will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
RichmondNavigator.com 39
PHOTOS: EDWIN REMSBERG PHOTOGRAPHS
INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup sugar
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Flavor
TasteBudz with
THE LATEST NEWS IN RICHMOND'S FOOD AND DINING SCENE
Steve Cook
The Boathouse docks in Short Pump. Get ready to walk the plank to a Pirate Party in Goochland and, look out, it’s a Feeding Trendzy. If you despise trite puns as much as I do, I apologize. I just had to get them out of my system before we started this exciting edition of TasteBudz.
WHERE DO YOU FIND SEVERAL ANCHORS BUT NO BOATS? at Short Pump Town Center, there is a boathouse. The Boathouse Restaurant opened in June. I asked owner Kevin Healey, who has seemingly had a monopoly on the best water views offered by any restaurants in the region, why he decided to take his third Boathouse to the mall. “You just can’t overlook the fact that 700,000 people visit Short Pump Town Center mall every month,” he says. Residents in the Short Pump area will no doubt welcome the third Boathouse. “Credit card statistics,” Kevin says, “tell us that the Short Pump ZIP code is very supportive of The Boathouse brand.” Some noticeable differences between this and his Sunday Park Boathouse in Brandermill as well as the Rocketts Landing location will be the addition of a sushi bar and a display oyster bar. In fact, while this will be a waterless Boathouse, so to speak, there will be quite an emphasis on seafood. Kevin tells me that Executive Chef Robert Nelson has previously owned restaurants in the Boston area and on Nantucket Island. “Robert has a rich background in seafood and loves to keep his food fresh and local,” he says. Kevin, who has been in the restaurant business for nearly 40 years, took over Sunday’s Restaurant & Tavern on the lake in Brandermill back in 1988. In 2006, he purchased the business and rebranded it as “The Boathouse.” His new Boathouse features an open kitchen, indoor and patio dining, and “a very cool private dining room,” he says. BoatHouseRVA.com
PHOTO: ZACH WINGOLD
WHILE THERE AREN’T ANY BOATS
PARTY LIKE A PIRATE I promise to do an entire blurb on the upcoming Pirate Party at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery without saying anything as predictably trite as, “Arrrrr you ready for a good time?” I have you pegged as someone who has a disdain for such horrid puns. This year there’s so much fun that the folks out on the beer farm are spreading it out over two weekends, July 11 and 18. I guess you could say they’re doublooning the festivities. Last year’s party was so enjoyable that those who attended got hooked. So this is your chance to dress like a pirate and enjoy two versions of Lickinghole Creek’s Quadrupel ale. On July 11, they’ll be featuring the Batchelor’s Delight rum-barrel-aged version and the following week, the new Coconut Delight rum-barrel ale. I could say “Yo ho ho” to a bottle of rum-barrel-aged myself. For more details on the event, check out Lickinghole Creek’s Facebook page. LickingholeCreek.com ALTHOUGH IT’S A CHALLENGE ,
40 West End’s Best
PHOTO: STEVE COOK
THE GREAT GROCERY WAR HEATS UP entire metro area and grocery stores? It seems as if I’m hearing about a new grocery store in the works every day. As you drive down West Broad, past Short Pump Town Center, you can see the new Wegmans beginning to spring up out of the ground. Several international markets have opened around the city recently, and now comes word that the West End is getting yet another ALDI. With two ALDI grocery stores recently opened in the area and several others already under construction, ALDI has announced even further expansion into the area. The popular discount grocer is planning to convert a portion of the space currently occupied by Burlington at Horsepen and Broad. If my calculations are correct, that will make three ALDI stores within about a five-mile radius. Jeff Baehr, vice president of ALDI’s Frederick division, says that there’s no additional information to share about the expansion at this time, but he does tell us, “Since entering the Richmond market just under a month ago, we’ve been warmly received by the community and look forward to bringing the ALDI brand promise of high-quality grocery items at impossibly low prices to Henrico and Mechanicsville.” WHAT’S WITH THE
WHAT’S NEW ON THE SHELVES WITH THIS ISSUE of TasteBudz, we introduce a new feature, Feeding Trendzy. On our retired radio show, The Flave, author Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos* would keep us updated on the latest trends in the food world. We asked Kelly to share some of her most recent discoveries.
With the unofficial start of summer and barbecue season in full swing, the following 2015 food trends have underlying themes of healthy, sweet and hot-hot-hot elements. No matter what you grill or what kind of sandwich you’re stacking, these additions and flavorings will have your guests begging for the secret ingredient. (Psst: You don’t have to tell them it came from a jar … we won’t tell!)
GREEN MOUNTAIN MUSTARD:
FEEDING TRENDZY
*Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos is the author and editor of the upcoming cookbook series Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style , a collection of inimitable recipes inspired by the southern Greek island of Karpathos and perfected by a woman with culinary vision – Kelly’s mom, affectionately known as “Kukla” (meaning “ doll”). The heart of this cookbook, website and blog is the passing on of cherished customs and traditional culinary history to the next generation in a fun and engaging way.
KEEP UP WITH KELLY:
Facebook: KuklasKouzinaCB Instagram: @kuklaskouzina YouTube: Kuklas Kouzina
These mustards seriously rock! They cover everything from mild (but flavorful) Golden Grain (maple wholegrain) to fire-extinguisher-hot Ragin’ Rooster (sriracha mustard) and Barn Burner (red habanero mustard). My faves are Deli Dirt (everything-bagel mustard) and Keg Stand (wholegrain beer mustard). BuyMustard.com; also available at Southern Season, 2250 Staples Mill Rd.
MUSASHI FOODS:
THE SPICE LAB:
Mayo just got spicy with this brand’s Japanese Spicy Mayo (originally used as just a sushi condiment, the heat coming from red Serrano chilies) and Midori Sriracha (made with green Serrano chilies) – no trans fats or cholesterol, low in fat and sugar. MusashiFoods.com; also available at Christmas Tree Shops, 9819 W. Broad St.
Their gourmet salts and spices are wonderful. Trending this year is their hot and spicy Sriracha Sea Salt made from sunripened chilies and candied Bacon Rubs in four blends (Country Style Pepper, New Orleans Cajun, Caribbean Island Jerk, and Asian Sesame Sweet & Spicy). Just rub on your thick-cut store-bought bacon and bake for a sweet-hot caramelized treat. So easy and so good! Shop.TheSpiceLab.com
Remember, if you have any food, beverage or restaurant news, share it with us at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com
RichmondNavigator.com 41
JULY/AUGUST 2015
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COURTESY OF SPORTS BACKERS
To-Do List
AUGUST 1
Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival Rocketts Landing Rally your coworkers, friends and family for Richmond’s newest spectacle on water – dragon boating! Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer and one steersperson race 500 meters up the river in 40-foot canoes rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. SportsBackers.org
AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 5
AUGUST 15
The Chesterfield fair offers the best value for your buck in Richmond and the surrounding areas to end the summer – shows, exhibits, animals and attractions, with no additional cost for nightly entertainment! ChesterfieldCountyFair.org
Wear your best tiara or your scariest pirate outfit for a meet and greet with Captain Graybeard and story time with the lovely princess. C-Mor.org
Chesterfield County Fair Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
AUGUST 16
RVA Brew-B-Q Festival 17th Street Farmers’ Market The RVA Brew-B-Q Festival brings together the best barbecue and craft beer in Richmond. An amazing array of central Virginia’s most loved barbecue producers and all Richmond area craft breweries will be on hand plus live, local music and an expanded produce and crafts marketplace. Enrichmond.org 42 West End’s Best
Pirate & Princess Day Children’s Museum of Richmond Central, 2626 W. Broad St.
JULY 11
Richmond Pet Expo Richmond Raceway Complex Bring your pooch, bird, or even your lizard to this free and exciting event for all pet lovers. Pet-friendly exhibitors, live demos in obedience training, care and activism, giveaways and more fun for the whole family await at this annual expo. RichmondPetExpo.com
COURTESY OF THE CAPITAL ALE HOUSE NATIONAL BEER EXPO
AUGUST 7-9
The Shack Up The Broadberry & The Camel The Shack Up is a two-day music festival hosted by The Shack Band, The Broadberry and The Camel featuring three stages, food and live music. Facebook.com/TheShackUp
AUGUST 11-13
James River Camp Henricus Historical Park Children ages 9-12 will discover the environmental features of the historic James River as 17th-century Virginia Indians and the Colonial settlers would have encountered it. Henricus.org
AUGUST 22
JULY 16-18
Dive into creativity at this art showcase! See artists at work, check out original creations in the student art exhibit, and get your feet wet by completing an original project to take home. HenricoRecAndParks.com
The Capital Ale House National Beer Expo celebrates the continuing drive of American craft brewing entrepreneurs to make unique beers that offer extraordinary flavors and complexity. Premium events will give attendees opportunities to taste the astounding quality of American craft beer while enjoying Richmond’s culinary, brewing and cultural excellence. NationalBeerExpo.com
Art Splash! Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
Capital Ale House National Beer Expo Multiple Locations
AUGUST 22 COURTESY OF SPORTS BACKERS
Anthem Moonlight Ride Sports Backers Stadium Howl at the moon and celebrate the joy of cycling. Featuring a Full Moon (17-mile) course and a Half Moon (8-mile) option, Moonlight Ride has something for everyone. Enjoy a free concert and a complimentary soft drink or Sierra Nevada beer after the race. SportsBackers.org
AUGUST 2
JULY 24
Dar Williams, an American singer-songwriter specializing in pop folk, is a frequent performer at folk festivals and has toured with such artists as Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, The Nields and more. TinPanRVA.com
What better way to cool down on a hot July evening? Enjoy tours of the historic ClarkePalmore House, taste watermelon and finish the evening with the featured flick Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. HenricoRecAndParks.com
Dar Williams The Tin Pan
Cool Fun and Flicks Clarke-Palmore House Museum
JULY 29
The Diggity Dudes Henrico Theatre The Diggity Dudes play hip music for kids and their equally hip parents. Interactive skits, audience participation and a lighthearted comedic twist turn their show into an experience. HenricoRecAndParks.com
AUGUST 18
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Altria Theater Frankie Valli, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century. Thanks to the success of Jersey Boys, classic songs such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man” are all the rage again. AltriaTheater.com
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COURTESY OF DIGITAL MEDIA HOUSE
JULY 17 & AUGUST 21
Summer Concert Series Short Pump Town Center The 11th annual Short Pump Town Center Summer Concert Series will host free concerts on July 17 and August 21 beginning at 6 p.m. in the newly renovated main plaza. Enjoy food trucks and wine tastings benefiting the Evelyn D. Reinhart House from 5:30 – 8 p.m. ShortPumpMall.com
AUGUST 31
Music and Movie Night in the Park Dorey Park Enjoy a night out in the park, including both a concert and a movie. Henrico Concert Band will start the night with music from your favorite movies and television shows. An outdoor showing of the movie Up will close out the evening. HenricoRecAndParks.com
AUGUST 7-8 AUGUST 6-9
10th Annual Filipino Festival Henrico’s Our Lady of Lourdes Church
The highly anticipated Richmond Jazz Festival is back for its sixth year in the River City with another star-studded lineup. The annual festival brings together thousands of music lovers from across the country for four days in jazz paradise with a spectacle of world-renowned artists. The festival will take place multiple at locations throughout Richmond, including Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The Hippodrome Theater and, of course, the massive grounds at Maymont. JazzAtMaymont.com
Virginia’s largest Filipino festival rolls into town with over 6,000 lumpias, 6,000 barbecue kebobs, 4,000 empanadas, 2,000 turons and a million smiles. Live dance bands, hands-on crafts and games for children, specialty vendors, health screenings and more will be available for free while you visit the Philippines without leaving Virginia. FilipinoFestival.org
Richmond Jazz Festival Maymont
Wizard World Comic Con Greater Richmond Convention Center
AUGUST 9
Carytown Watermelon Festival Carytown Over 3,000 watermelons, 80 musicians and hundreds of exhibitors will line Carytown for one of the largest one-day festivals in the state of Virginia. Facebook.com/CarytownWatermelonFestival
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Join tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the best in pop culture. Wizard World Comic Con brings it all – movies, comics, toys, video gaming, graphic novels, original art, anime, manga and much more! WizardWorld.com
AUGUST 23
BUGSTOCK: A ’60s VW Happening! Twin Hickory Park Let’s go retro and return to the 1960s! Enjoy a groovy afternoon of tie-dye, flower power and Volkswagen bugs and buses. Enjoy 60s family fun, music and games, and more. Food trucks will be on site to refresh the palate. HenricoRecAndParks.com
COURTESY OF WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON
JULY 31-AUGUST 2
RICHMOND
FLYING SQUIRRELS
WORLD SERIES NIGHT JULY 21ST - 7:05 PM
JOE PANIK “TALKING PANIK BUTTON” WORLD SERIES TROPHY
JOE PANIK TALKING “PANIK BUTTON” GIVEAWAY (1ST 1,500 FANS). POSE FOR PICTURES WITH THE 2014 GIANTS WORLD SERIES TROPHY PROUD AFFILIATE OF THE 2010, 2012 & 2014 WORLD CHAMPIONS
SQUIRRELSBASEBALL.COM/TICKETS
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
HE SHED, SHE SHED: OUTDOOR RETREATS FOR ALL Jody Rathgeb
Y
OU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE a boat to Bermuda or a plane to St. Paul to get away from it all … just take a few steps into your own backyard. There, leaving behind the “man cave” and “Mom’s room,” is the garden shed, given a makeover to become the “she shed” … or “he shed.” The trend began in England, where urbanites are provided with small plots of land, called allotments, for gardening. Gradually, sheds on allotments for storing tools underwent a transition – some folks who wanted to share a pint after their work began adding bars, tables and kegs to their sheds, pushing aside the rakes and shovels. The “pub shed” was born. As the idea crossed the Atlantic, women began to take over the garden shed for other purposes, leading to the she shed. And since good ideas are gender-neutral, there’s the he shed. The repurposed sheds are both fun and a source of important privacy. Charlie Field, an architect who lives in the Union Hill neighborhood of Richmond, says, “A little bit of privacy is critical … away from the spouse, the clients and everyone.” Field went a bit beyond the he shed when he began building a two-story structure near his home for his woodworking shop. His wife, Stacey Moulds, has been promised the downstairs for her own interests when the building, which they call “the compound,” is completed. Looking more at the fun side of the project, she is eager to decorate “with girly stuff ” and sees the idea of the she shed as a bit of nostalgia. “It’s almost going back to childhood, when you had a playhouse.” Interested in a “you shed”? To start, you need the structure. This can be an in-place garden shed, built from DIY plans or purchased from your local building supply store. Another way to begin is to restore or repurpose an existing outbuilding such as an outgrown treehouse, chicken coop or dog run. The treatment is where the fun begins. Here are some ideas to put you in motion: 46 West End’s Best
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF JML GARDEN ROOMS/JMLGARDENROOMS.CO.UK
by
SHOW YOUR STYLE
FOLLOW YOUR BLISS
Have you always wanted to live in a fairy-tale cabin in the woods? Or a Tudor manor? The she shed is your opportunity. Exterior embellishments can create a Victorian tearoom, Japanese pagoda, medieval castle or tiki hut. Even science f iction isn’t out of the question. Think about a he shed that starts as a small Quonset hut.
BE ENTERTAINING
Turn your shed into an art studio, yoga retreat or wine/beer-making center. Accessorize to meet your needs, such as adding a small refrigerator, installing a kiln or making bookshelves for a reading room. Jeffrey Klaren of Colonial Heights expanded a hobby – making custom golf clubs – into a post-retirement business that operated from his golf-themed shed.
JUST RELAX
Outfit a pub shed with a kegerator and proper bar equipment and find a theme for your décor: 1950s diner? Clubby English pub? Cool cabana? Or, if the shed will be your sports haven, don’t forget the big-screen television and comfy seating.
A naptime shed requires a real bed and soothing atmosphere: think of white-noise machines and plenty of f luffy pillows. Or make your own mini-spa supplied with aromatic lotions, nail colors and perhaps a tanning bed.
ARE THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING? START PLANNING! AND REMEMBER A FEW ADDITIONAL TIPS: • You’re dealing with a small space, so no matter what you choose as a décor or theme, think hard about your VIP – very important piece. Build your ideas around that centerpiece, whether it’s a bed, an easy chair, a worktable or a bar.
opens for storage or a hamper basket that can also be used as a side table. For creative pursuits, consider covering one wall in chalkboard paint for jotting down beer recipes, sketching a project or writing inspirational messages.
• For more space savings, choose other items that have dual purpose, such as a hassock that
• Color is important and will set the tone for your shed. Think about how pastels are cool,
soothing and feminine; blues and greens bring coziness; bright colors, like yellow and red, energize; and earth tones say, “Hi, guy.” • Above all, have fun and let your personality shine through. “Shed” your inhibitions! WEB
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JULY/AUGUST 2015
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LOWER YOUR UTILITY COSTS AND IMPROVE AIR QUALITY WITH AIR RESOLUTIONS by
Angela Weight
A
COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, my husband and I forked out a few thousand
bucks on a new, more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning unit. We were hoping it would lower our ridiculously high utility bills and do a better job cooling our house this summer. Though the unit has a high Energy Star rating, it hasn’t solved our problems like we’d hoped. My neighbor, probably tired of hearing me complain about our electric bills, suggested I talk to the guys at Air Resolutions. “They’ll take a good look at your whole house and how everything interacts as a system. Your ductwork, crawl space, attic, humidity in the air – they inspect everything.” I called Air Resolutions and spoke to Charlie Martin. He and coowner Chris Joyner have been solving IT’S AMAZING HOW ALL energ y eff iciency THOSE THINGS YOU DON’T and air quality issues for Richmond SEE CAN HAVE SUCH AN homeow ners for IMPACT ON YOUR over a decade. And COMFORT AND HEALTH. they received an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau for excellent customer service. According to Charlie, the HVAC unit is just one piece of our home’s entire “comfort” system. Ductwork that isn’t sealed properly can leak out as much as 45 percent of the air circulating inside the average home. That “good air” is replaced by outside air seeping in from a damp crawl space or a dusty attic, areas that are breeding grounds for molds and allergens. “When your ducts, crawl space and attic are sealed properly, the inside ‘conditioned air’ isn’t able to escape through invisible cracks,” notes Charlie. 48 West End’s Best
“This enables your insulation and HVAC systems to work more efficiently. That, in turn, lowers your utility bills because you’re not trying to heat or cool the whole outdoors.” This could explain our astronomical utility costs and my constant stuffy nose. He told me that they recently did some work for a local family. The mom and kids were constantly sick, dealing with allergies and congestion. “We came in and did a whole house system evaluation and made several recommendations. We replaced their air duct system and their allergy symptoms cleared up immediately.” It’s amazing how all those things you don’t see can have such an impact on your comfort and health. The professionals at Air Resolutions begin each project with a visual inspection of the home to reveal the sources of air leakage, dust, allergens and humidity. Then they’ll recommend solutions that homeowners can take in steps, as their budgets allow. Some services Air Resolutions provides are energy audits, insulation, air sealing, duct cleaning, sealing, whole duct replacement and moisture control through vapor barrier installation or crawl space encapsulation and drainage systems. As more people realize the importance of clean air and energy efficiency, they’re contacting Air Resolutions to perform comprehensive home energy audits, even incorporating these audits into the home inspection process before buying a house. Now that’s smart! As for my home’s utility costs and air quality issues, we’ll see what the guys at Air Resolutions find when they come out tomorrow. Set up your own consultation and free estimate by visiting www.airresolutions.com or calling 804-887-0229.
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Discover celebrated historic places, diverse local cuisine, and unique shops as Lynchburg is the perfect place to stay while exploring Central Virginia!
50 West End’s Best
TRAVEL
culinary travel
CULINARY TRAVEL L
Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Courtesy of Ann Arbor CVB
IVING IN THE metro Richmond area is exceptional practice for culinary travel. Here you can cut your teeth on top restaurants, featuring farm-to-table
dining, international cuisine, trendy preparations and more. The downside is that Richmond might just spoil you. After all, we’ve been recognized by Saveur magazine as the “next great American food city” and U.S. News & World Report as one of the “8 Under-the-Radar Foodie Cities.” However, if you do your homework, choosing other well-curated foodie cities and restaurants, you can eat and drink your way happily through your next trip. We’re here to help you choose wisely, highlighting two worthy destinations and their culinary delights.
POP FOODIE CULTURE IN ANN ARBOR by
Annie Tobey
WITH MORE THAN 250 RESTAURANTS,
Ann Arbor, Michigan, will satiate your hunger. If it’s ethnic cuisine you’re craving, you’ll find that here. Farm to table? You bet. Culinary pop history? Yep. Craft beer, wine and fine spirits? Plenty of that. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options? At nearly every restaurant.
Taste the World In this University of Michigan town, your palate can explore the globe. Ayse Uras opened her restaurant in 1993, highlighting traditional Turkish home cooking
using fresh, locally grown ingredients. Turkish fare shares dishes with Greek cuisine, like stuffed grape leaves and moussaka. Memorable for me at Ayse’s Turkish Café were the spicy bulgur köfte, toasted Turkish noodles with feta and walnuts; and a sweet treat, burma. AysesTurkishCafe.com Though the spicy Ethiopian food provides sufficient reason to return to The Blue Nile, I’d go back simply for the experience: dining with friends from shared platters, with meat and vegetable stews served atop injera, a large, flat piece of sourdough bread that becomes your fork. With each bite, tear off a piece of injera and use it to scoop the stew. No utensils needed. BlueNileMI.com Chef and co-owner Paul Strózynski at Amadeus doesn’t have customers, he says, just guests and friends. And the food coming out of his kitchen indeed tastes like he’s serving fam-
ily back in his Warsaw home, from the Barszcz beet soup and fresh dill garnishes to the Polish poppy seed cake. Although each bite of Central European fare tickled my exploring taste buds, I especially recommend the Amadeus Placek appetizer (potato pancake with smoked salmon and dill sauce), pierogies, and buttered noodles with chicken paprikash (shredded chicken stewed with sweet bell peppers and paprika in a whitewine cream sauce). AmadeusRestaurant.com Casual Frita Batidos starts with Cuban-inspired street food and adds eclectic variations by owner and French-trained chef Eve Aronoff. The fritas – traditional Cuban burgers made from spicy chorizo (black bean, chicken, fish and beef also available) – come topped with shoestring fries and served on a soft egg bun. Other inspired toppings include cilantro-lime RichmondNavigator.com 51
TRAVEL
culinary travel
Ethiopian food at The Blue Nile
Sidewalk cafés on Main Street in Ann Arbor
PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE: COURTESY OF ANN ARBOR CVB
Patrons at Vinology
slaw, avocados and egg. The Batidos are must-haves, too: creamy tropical milkshakes such as coconut cream, lime and hibiscus. The extensive menu inspires customers to return for more. FritaBatidos.com Although Italian seems so ubiquitous as to not be ethnic, you’ll want to try Mani Osteria & Bar for its take on Mediterranean food, artisanal wood-oven pizzas and pasta, hospitality and presentation. “Mani” means handmade in Italian, and you’ll see and taste the care their chefs put into the food. ManiOsteria.com
A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business.
A Tasty Business
Sample the Spirits
No foodie visit to Ann Arbor would be complete without a stop at Zingerman’s: Bakehouse, Creamery, Mail Order, Roadhouse, ZingTrain or any of the 14 in the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. The original shop, a deli, was founded in 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig. Not only did the sandwich and specialty food store grow, but as the founders nurtured their employees, several opened new food-related companies under the Zingerman’s umbrella. So while you’re visiting any of these pop-foodculture shops, you can gorge on meticulously produced and picked food and on entrepreneurial theory, as in their three-part book series, Zingerman’s Guide to Good Leading:
The first structure built in the village of “Annarbour” in 1824 was a tavern. Today, Ann Arbor has more multi-tap bars per capita than any other Michigan city. The city’s craft beer consumption is more than 13 percent, twice the national average. Ashley’s multi-tap pub, founded in 1983 in a grand 1913 building, helped kickstart the city’s appreciation for craft beer. The bar serves a range of beer styles from 72 taps, nitro taps, hand-pumped ales and more than 90 bottles. And with the many renowned Michigan breweries, the local taps are tops. Ashley’s also serves wine, cocktails, 60 single malt scotch whiskeys, and plenty of tasty pub grub. Ashleys.com To go straight to the source, hop around the
52 West End’s Best
Treat Yourself Looking to splurge? Mélange Bistro presents a medley of eclectic and eccentric food and spirits, like duck confit over nachos, American buffalo chicken sushi, and New England barramundi in smoked jalapeño sea salt and paprika, served on saffron rock shrimp rice and drizzled in chimichurri. MelangeBistro.com
area breweries, including Original Gravity, Grizzly Peak, Wolverine State, Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery. Chic and fun, Vinology wine bar, creatively decorated in a historic building, was established by father-daughter team John and Kristin Jonna. Your experience may be as much an education as a sensory pleasure. Besides the dining and beverage menu, you can choose from wine f lights, focused food and wine pairings, wine dinners and classes. Vinology offers entrées in half portions – perfect for creating more pairing possibilities. For a variety of classic and creative cocktails in an intimate setting, Ann Arbor has The Last Word. Or head to Isalita Mexican Cantina for their well-curated list of tequila, mezcal, rum and whiskey plus cocktails both imaginative and traditional.
Between Meals A r t a f icionados w i l l appreciate that American Style ranked Ann Arbor as one of the top 25 arts destinations in the U.S. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy recreational activities including golf ing, hiking, boating or cycling and catch a University of Michigan ballgame. And shoppers can f ind a variety of unique stores downtown. Since, unfortunately, we can’t eat 24/7!
Kimball's Kitchen at the Sanderling Resort. Courtesy of the Sanderling Resort
DISCOVERING THE CULINARY TREASURES ON THE OUTER BANKS
Tuna ceviche from Café Pamlico. Courtesy of Café Pamlico
to be a great culinary Mecca. On numerous annual family vacations, my dining had almost totally been limited to preparing meals in our rental home. When we did choose a local restaurant, generally we ordered through a clown’s mouth and took the meal home in a bag. One of the most pleasant surprises of my visit last October was discovering the many excellent restaurants, including three that I’m still raving about and longing to revisit.
philosophy: “All progress is made as a result of unreasonable people.” Delicately balancing an insistence on excellence with a laid-back, Hatteras-style casualness, Steve has brought something very unique to the island. The service, the presentation, the food – all are world class indeed. As is true of many of the finest chefs, Will Canny has the knack of taking simple and making it simply fantastic. Obviously, the menu is going to offer exceptional fare from the sea, but the char-grilled filet, prepared in a Cognac and green pepper sauce, was one of my favorite dishes. We told Steve how impressed we were with our server, Jen. “Mention her on TripAdvisor,” he advised. “We reward our servers who get positive reviews.” Okay, Jen. Here’s another one.
Café Pamlico
The Blue Point
“This place comes as close to perfection as one could hope for.” That’s what I wrote on TripAdvisor last fall following my visit to Café Pamlico. Perhaps I was overtaken by the moment, the experience or the ambiance; or perhaps it was the gorgeous sunset, which, apparently, is a nightly occurrence over the Pamlico Sound. But, in retrospect, I’d have to say that I wasn’t gilding any lilies. Steve Nelson, owner of both the Inn on Pamlico Sound and the adjacent café, says when he first spoke of his plans to open a boutique hotel and a world-class restaurant, friends told him, “You’ll never make it on Hatteras Island.” But Steve was operating on a personal
Although I have only very recently come to appreciate the OBX for its exceptional dining, that’s not to say great restaurants are totally new to the region. In fact, over 25 years ago, two high school buddies from Norfolk, Virginia – John Powers and Sam McGann – brought fine dining to the little town of Duck. Some may have thought at the time that Duck was not ready for such a restaurant. But within weeks, locals and tourists alike were queuing up to enjoy the fare. Two-hour waits for dinner were not uncommon. Today, Duck is much more well known, and the same could be said for The Blue Point. The restaurant has evolved through the years, includ-
by
Steve Cook
I’D NEVER CONSIDERED THE OUTER BANKS
ing enlarging space to accommodate the crowds. While friends had often recommended The Blue Point, I hadn’t been there. I was aware of its reputation, but the restaurant outdid those accolades. Our party of four created our own seafood fest by selecting the trout, flounder and crab cakes. However, our server, Chris, who was impeccable every step of the way, suggested we also try the lump crab entrée. While every dish was excellent, his suggestion was the hit of the evening. It’s rare to find a place that gets it all right – food, service, atmosphere – but The Blue Point has it down to an art.
Kimball's Kitchen The folks at Kimball’s Kitchen, the premier restaurant at the gorgeous Sanderling Resort, have a knack for combining all of the elements of fine dining and serving them up in a non-stuffy atmosphere. It’s hard to describe how perfectly our server, Lisa, cared for our every need, even offering great suggestions and advice when asked. She even laughed at my jokes. Since closing for the season last fall, the Sanderling has brought in Chef Marty Pollock to serve as the new food and beverage director. And, from what I hear, that’s even further elevated one of the Outer Bank’s most fantastic restaurants. The menu continues with its local focus but has also introduced Kobe beef and a daily oyster menu. Even if the OBX weather is not cooperating, a trip to the area for the food alone is well worth the drive. WEB RichmondNavigator.com 53
WE SHOULD TOTALLY HANG OUT. HORSING AROUND IN VIRGINIA It’s no accident that Secretariat, perhaps the greatest racing horse in American history, was from Virginia. Equine appreciation is still very much a part of the Commonwealth. Here are 5 fun ways to participate: The Moonlight Games: Twilight Polo at Great Meadows on Saturdays through Sept. 19. GreatMeadow.org Virginia Horse Center’s comprehensive calendar of events, inc. horse shows & competitions, mounted map and orienteering, Baroque equestrian games, barrel racing and much more. HorseCenter.org Trail riding in the beautiful Shenandoah National Park, with 1 & 2½-hour tours from Skyland Resort Stables. NPS.gov/Shen
Discover a city unlike any other. 800.800.2202 VisitHampton.com
EASY-DRIVE EVENTS SUMMERTIME SHAKESPEARE, Augusta County Three plays by the bard throughout the season: Antony & Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Winter’s Tale. AmericanShakespeareCenter.com
PURCELLVILLE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL, Loudoun County Local wine, food, crafts and music. Make a weekend and enjoy beautiful Loudoun County. July 18. PurcellvilleWineAndFood.com
FLOYD FEST 14: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, Floyd County One of Virginia’s most diverse, well-respected music events: dozens of bands, outdoor adventures, kids’ and teen events, camping, workshops and more. July 22-26. FloydFest.com VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL, Abingdon Antiques market, juried arts and crafts show, music, historical reenactments, fine art and photography competitions, creative writing workshops, home and garden tours, guided nature hikes, and kids’ activities. July 31-Aug. 9. VAHighlandsFestival.org 4TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA CRAFT BREWERS FEST, Nelson County Beer from Virginia’s over-100 craft breweries, plus the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup awards. Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows, Aug. 22. VACraftBrewersFest.com
All-inclusive horseback riding vacation packages and hourly or day trail rides at Shangrila Guest Ranch in southern Virginia. ShangrilaGuestRanch.com Chincoteague Pony Swim, the roundup of wild ponies made famous by Misty of Chincoteague. Chincoteague.com
TRAVEL
northern neck
KEEPING IT REAL IN THE NORTHERN NECK by
Steve Cook
I
T WAS ONCE KNOWN as the Athens of the New World because of the wealthy, somewhataristocratic landowners who lived within its boundaries. As the birthplace of three of the first five presidents of the United States and of many of the nation’s founding fathers, it’s also been called the cradle of American democracy. In 1608, Capt. John Smith wrote, “Heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation.” Smith was referring to the northernmost of the three peninsulas or “necks” that lie on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, an area we know as the Northern Neck. The region lies south of the Potomac River and north of the Rappahannock. Come Friday afternoon, Richmonders by the thousands head out to the “Rivah.” Most Northern Neck destinations are a 90-minute drive or less from the metro area, which makes it a practical getaway destination for anyone who enjoys history, the water, great seafood and relaxation. However, to our grandparents just a few generations back, before there were any bridges connecting the Northern Neck to the rest of civilization, Richmonders rarely, if ever, visited the region. “In actuality, the Northern Neck had more of a connection with Baltimore,” explains Jean Ward, a volunteer at the Steamboat Era Museum in Irvington. Speaking of an era that ran from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Ward says, “We used the bay and the water as our highway. There
56 West End’s Best
Most Northern Neck destinations are a 90-minute drive or less from the metro area, which makes it a practical getaway destination for anyone who enjoys history, the water, great seafood and relaxation.
were no real roads that didn’t turn to mush. You could travel by horseback or by water and most people chose the water.” An overnight trip from Baltimore to Irvington and other ports along the Rappahannock could run around a dollar or so, and that included a stateroom and your meals. By contrast, a horseback ride between Richmond and the peninsula could take up to four days. For that reason, says Lisa Hull, tourism coordinator with the Northern Neck Economic Planning Commission, much of the fashion, the art, even the furniture found in the homes of residents of the Northern Neck reflected the culture of Baltimore. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, it might be difficult to understand the quality of life that exists in the Northern Neck: a quieter, simpler life. Obviously, a trip to the region is not exactly a Somewhere in Time experience. However, Ward says that the spirit of community does still prevail. “We were an island for a long, long time, with no trains, buses or cars. People depended on nature, on the water and on each other. Things were not available [here] that were available in the city. You learned to trust each other more, to be more interconnected.” “There is a certain genuineness to the people in the Northern Neck,” says Hull. Gordon Slatford, general manager at the Tides Inn in Irvington, agrees. Slatford, a native of London, England, has been managing the beautiful Irvington resort for about 10 years. He speaks of the locals as “keeping it real.” And as for non-natives
RichmondNavigator.com 57
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ENHANCEMENT GROUP/THE TIDES INN
TRAVEL
northern neck
PHOTO: MICHAEL A. GEISSINGER
who’ve moved in (come-heres, in the local lingo), he says they come because they, too, are attracted to the genuine neighborliness of the folks. Slatford, who has been in restaurant and hotel management for over 40 years, seems to be a natural fit for the area. His goal is to keep the experiences of guests at the inn as real as the Northern Neck itself. He acknowledges that he doesn’t want to describe the experience as a trip back in time. “We have all the bells and whistles here,” he says, referring to the ultra 21st-century luxury most of us have come to expect in a world-class resort, so bountifully delivered at the Tides Inn. Rather, he says, “We’re trying to rekindle an atmosphere where the people [on the staff] really care for you; a true spirit, not a plastic imitation.” In reflecting on his demographics, Slatford says, “I want to create the environment where parents can play with their children.” To that end, the Tides Inn offers such amenities as Frisbee golf and kayaks large enough to accommodate a parent and a couple of kids. In fact, all non-motorized watercraft are offered free of charge for guests’ use. “If we make the kids happy, the parents are happy,” says Slatford. “Everything is beautiful.” Family fun is just one component of the Tides Inn experience. Couples seeking a romantic weekend getaway and corporate executives on a weekend retreat appreciate an environment that accommodates their needs.
Making good use of the merroir and terroir, Flynn specializes in incorporating local produce to create his amazing culinary delights. The she crab soup was probably the best I’ve ever had.
The Steamboat Museum
58 West End’s Best
“As long as we don’t go too crazy one way or another, all [guests] can blend in together.” That was certainly the atmosphere I experienced during a recent stay at the Tides Inn. It wasn’t just the kids who gathered around the fire pit at dusk for s’mores. I just had to be sure I’d wiped away my marshmallow mustache before my wife and I enjoyed a fantastic meal at the Chesapeake Club restaurant. Executive Chef T.V. Flynn has held forth in the kitchen for nearly 15 years. Making good use of the merroir and terroir, Flynn specializes in incorporating local produce to create his amazing culinary delights. The she crab soup was probably the best I’ve ever had. Guests at the Tides Inn can grab a bicycle and head about two blocks into Irvington. There’s not a lot of nightlife, and I mean that in the best possible way. Lounging around the resort, by the pool or on the patio as I sipped a refreshing beverage was all the excitement I really wanted. However, I did peddle over to the aforementioned Steamboat Era Museum. The folks there have done a remarkable job capturing the essence of that simpler era. “This is not a museum about steamboats,” cautions Randy Graham, the treasurer of the board at the museum. “It’s a museum about the steamboat era” – an era, Graham says, that holds a very romantic appeal. “We try to tell the story about this period of time,” Graham continues. “It’s still part of the culture and the makeup of the Northern Neck.” I’ve visited small town museums on previous travel assignments. Many such museums are often staffed with very passionate people, bless their hearts, who are very passionate about a lot of things that to an outsider just do not inspire much passion. That’s not the case at the Steamboat Era Museum. Through a variety of dynamic exhibits, model replicas, oral histories and more, the folks at the museum really do bring that era to life. “The thing that I often hear visitors say,” Graham tells me, “is that they had no idea they would find a Smithsonian-quality museum tucked away in a small village like Irvington.” There are other worthwhile attractions around Irvington and throughout the entire region, but let’s get back to the Tides Inn. There’s a lounge chair by the pool calling my name. Or maybe I’m hearing one of the servers at the poolside bar asking me what delightful concoction I’d like next. As I get back to the important business of relaxation, I’m reflecting on a comment Slatford made
IF YOU GO: TOP & BOTTOM RIGHT RIGHT:PHOTOS: COURTESY THEOFENHANCEMENT THE TIDES INN;GROUP/THE BOTTOM LEFT: TIDES VIRGINIA INN / TOURISM BOTTOM LEFT: CORPORATION VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION
Regional overview NorthernNeck.org Lodging, dining & activities at the Tides Inn TidesInn.com
OTHER DINING OPTIONS: Nate’s Trick Dog Café
Merging river relaxation with upscale dining. NatesTrickDogCafe.com Northern Neck Burger
For hand-crafted, wood-grilled artisan burgers with creative toppings. NNBurger.com Merroir
The Croxton oyster restaurant that preceded Richmond’s Rappahannock Restaurant (just across the Rappahannock River). RROysters.com
Arial view of the Tides Inn
Car Wash Café She crab soup at the Tides Inn
A popular Kilmarnock sandwich shop voted Best Place for Lunch in the Eastern Region. Facebook.com/CarWashCafe Hope and Glory Inn
Elegant farm-to-table and boat-to-table dining in a charming boutique hotel. HopeAndGlory.com
ATTRACTIONS: Steamboat Era Museum
Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster
A taste of Northern Neck history. SteamboatEraMuseum.org
earlier in the day: “It’s not the big glitzy things that make the experience, it’s the silly little things.” Isn’t that the truth! Just the day before, Chef Flynn had plucked a stevia leaf from one of the herb gardens on the grounds (they grow most of the herbs they use in the kitchen and bar) and handed it to me to chew. I knew stevia was a sweetener, but I always thought it was one of those chemical compounds. Instead it’s a delightfully sweet leaf. I wish I’d had stevia around as a kid, when my mother had scolded me to eat my greens. It really is the simple things that we remember the most. That’s why I want to head back to the
Northern Neck in the near future and see more of the region. There truly is a genuineness about the people and the region. Even after I’ve returned to the realities of life in the (fairly) big city, I’ve tried to remember the importance of embracing the simplicity. The Northern Neck seems to capture that simpler, gentler era folks are always harkening back to. Was it ever really there to begin with? I’m not going to even venture a guess. But, from my vantage point, I can only encourage you to personally discover the Northern Neck – then you can decide for yourself if they truly are keeping it real. WEB
Christ Church
One of the oldest and best-preserved of Virginia’s parish churches. ChristChurch1735.org Premier Sailing School
Offering personalized instruction in a safe, friendly and fun environment. Located at the Tides Inn. PremierSailing.com
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PHOTO: MICHAEL A. GEISSINGER
WARNING Cell phone may drop in water. (On purpose.)
4TH ANNUAL IRVINGTON CRAB FESTIVAL CRABS, BARBECUE ,
hot dogs, wine and beer, with music by Jumbo Lump Daddy & the Backfin Boys, plus crab pickin’ under a big tent in front of the Steamboat Era Museum – are all part of the festival. • August 8 at Irvington Town Commons. • Gates open at 4 p.m. and crabs available at 5 p.m. • Tickets are $40 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under. (Ticket price subject to increase as of July 1, based on crab availability.) SteamboatEraMuseum.org or 804-438-6888
Ann M Meekins.com
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High Bank townhouse on the Rappahannock River, $499,000
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Myer Creek off Corrotoman River Davis Creek/Mobjack Bay, 2.52 home&cottage furnished $650,000 acres plus $759,000
History and romance meet between the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay … come stay in one of our historic inns and enjoy days filled with secluded beaches, wine and heritage trails, quaint towns, and pristine nature.
www.NorthernNeck.org
Rappahannock River, Brandon Point, home, garage/cottage panoramic views, protected shoreline $699,000
Ann Meekins Realtors - 26 Steamboat Road, P O Box 676, Irvington, VA 22480
CARTERS CREEK
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The Northern Neck of Virginia where memories are made
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Exclusive Normandy Country Home, 4 BR/3 BA/3 Half Baths, 5,835± S.F., 1.4± Waterfront Acres, Dock with 7’± MLW, 2 boat lifts, www.NormandyOnCartersCreek.com, $1,995,000
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Boaters “Prime” Location, 4 BR/3 BA/1 Half Bath, 4600± S.F., 2.2± Acres, Dock with 6’± MLW, 880± ft. shoreline, www.VisitCompassPoint.com, $1,595,000
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Coastal Cottage Compound, 5 BR/4 BA, 2649± S.F., Guest House, Guest Garage Quarters, 2.27± Acres, 372 ft. shoreline, Dock, 3 boat lifts, Visit www.VisitHarveysCreek.com, $815,000
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Tucker Point, Circa 1887, Meticulously and thoughtfully renovated, 3450± S.F., 4 BR/2 BA, 3.61 Acres, 1451 ft. shoreline, large Dock, www.HistoricTuckerPoint.com, $698,000
• WINNER • RichmondNavigator.com 61
Exceptional Waterfront Properties Merry Point on Hills Creek Merry Point, Virginia
Remarkable Waterfront Estate with over 13 Acres on Hills Creek and the Corrotoman River. Featuring a tree-lined driveway, edged with two Ponds, an Orchard and a fenced Garden, this 4401 sq ft home is paradise! Offering 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full and 1 Half Baths, First Floor Master Suite, an Observatory with Panoramic Water Views and much more! Multiple Waterside Patios, Infinity Pool, Wooded Pathways, Protected Deep Water Dock & Stunning Views! Your Private Park Estate Awaits! Offered at $1,395,000
www.merrypointvirginia.com
Shelly Point on the York River Gloucester, Virginia
Sand Beach, Wide River Views & Luxury Living! This low-country waterfront home with shore lines along the York River & Cedar Bush Creek is the ideal river retreat! Boasting over 4844 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms & 1 powder room, this river home offers water views from every room! Great Room with Open Floor Plan Ideal for Entertaining, Family Room and Sun Room all with Deck access. Spacious Master Suite w/ Private Waterside Balcony. Enjoy Sunrises and Sunsets over the water! Offered at $1,245,000
www.shellypointvirginia.com
Long Cove on Indian Creek
White Stone, Virginia
Waterfront home with views to the Chesapeake Bay. Offering an open floor plan, this 2853 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 4 full & 1 half baths home features a Great Room with wall of windows, first floor Master Suite & two additional Bedroom Suites, spacious Screen Porch and wide water views from every room. Spacious patio looks out to Indian Creek to the Chesapeake Bay. Wide open views, yet lovely tree-line for enjoying waterside shade. Dock w/ 6’+/- MLW, boat lift, two jet ski lifts and floating dock. Offered at $849,000
www.longcoveonindiancreek.com
Muskreek off the Rappahannock River White Stone, Virginia
Splendid Home on Exceptional 2.31 Acre Waterfront Point along the shores of Mosquito Creek. Boasting 3077 Sq Ft, this 4 bedroom home offers water views from most every room. Master Suite with Vaulted Ceiling & 2 additional Waterview Bedroom Suites. Creek & Living Rooms with stone fireplaces! Screened Porch with Stunning Views! Privacy abounds with water surrounding this ideal private point. Dock with over 5’ MLW. Over 880’ of Protected Shoreline, just off the Rappahannock River. Offered at $785,000
www.muskreekvirginia.com
TRAVIS POWELL R E A L 62 West End’s Best
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Serving Home Buyers and Sellers In the Northern Neck, Chesapeake Bay and Richmond Regions
Northern Neck and Chesapeake Bay
Hardings Wharf on Dividing Creek
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Located along the shores of Dividing Creek on 2.2 park-like, private acres, this 3084 sq. ft. river oasis is just off the Chesapeake Bay! Main House features 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full and 1 Half Baths, an open floor plan, exquisite attention to detail with modern accents and stunning water views! 1 Bedroom Guest Apartment above 2-Car Garage with balcony & wide water views. Waterside Pool & patio, Dock with two boat lifts, jet ski lift, mooring slip & buoy, 6’ MLW and private boat ramp! Splendid Views! Offered at $1,350,000
www.hardingswharfvirginia.com
Bay View on Indian Creek
White Stone, Virginia
Views, Views & More Views! Splendid estate property featuring 24.5 acres on Indian Creek and the Chesapeake Bay with abundant privacy, sand beach, fresh water pond, trails, mature trees and much more! Two Story, 4 bedroom waterfront home with stunning panoramic views and waterside porch. Over 681’ of waterfrontage! Great potential for private, estate sized family compound. Rip rap and pier site to good water depth. Great views! Just minutes to Shopping, Restaurants & Golf! Offered at $875,000
www.bayviewvirginia.com
West Bay on Indian Creek
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Lovely townhome located minutes to the Indian Creek Yacht & County Club and the Chesapeake Bay with splendid water views. This spacious 3 Bedroom, 3.1 Bath home with open floor plan boasts 1st floor Master Suite, custom Kitchen, Great Room with built-in cabinetry & fp. Two upper level Bedroom Suites and open sitting area with balcony views. Outstanding water views from 1st & 2nd level Creek Rooms. Community Pool & Dock with private boat slip, steps from your waterside patio. Offered at $685,000
www.westbayonindiancreek.com
Berryville Shores by the Piankatank
Deltaville, Virginia
Charming log cottage with lovely water views of the Piankatank River in neighborhood of Berryville Shores just minutes to Fishing Bay. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath with spacious loft has open floor plan that enjoys cathedral ceiling great room, spacious kitchen with plenty of cabinetry and countertops. wide screen porch with fantastic views and sunsets. Fenced rear yard with large storage shed & carport. Enjoy the river at this quaint retreat with boat marinas at either end of the neighborhood. Offered at $269,000
www.travispowellrealestate.com
Travis Powell, Associate Broker 804.512.2086 travis@pleasantlife.com www.travispowellrealestate.com
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