Fantastic finds and foodie favorites. If you’ve discovered a treasure you like to share, let us know!
These recipes from one of our favorite magazines are simple yet sublime. They also look to be easy enough for Peg to handle, and we do have a slow cooker. We therefore decided to post them here not only to share, but to make sure Peg can quickly find them again. :o)
We haven’t been to downtown Norfolk for quite some time. On a recent excursion of rediscovery, we were directed to a new taste treasure that will definitely stay on our list of reasons to return more often: The Grilled Cheese Bistro.
We happen to like grilled cheese sandwiches, and if you do too, the only problem you’ll have with the menu is choosing just one from the unique variations available. And it had better be just one, unless you are a competition eater, as the sandwiches are quite generous. I ordered a smoked salmon and Brie creation that just about melted in my mouth. Russell W., being a braver and bolder foodie, went with a black truffle mac & cheese combo that could satisfy the cheesiest of cheeseheads. The cheese on both was perfectly melted and toasty, and the bread – that key component of any sandwich – was simply delicious. The menu is great fun to peruse, so we won’t include any further spoilers other than the chimichurri fries, which are just about over the top. A single side order is plenty to share with a friend (or two).
Speaking of sharing, be ready to share space as well – GCB is a bistro by design as well as name. The space is modest and seating is tight, but if you’re the gregarious type you may well find yourself striking up new friendships, especially if you sit at the bar, as we did. This was not by choice, as on a Saturday evening there was a line to get in and we were glad to take whatever spots became available, but the cheerfully social atmosphere inside made sitting anywhere an enjoyable experience. The Grilled Cheese Bistro is a friendly place, and it attracts a friendly crowd. Warning: crowd IS the operative word here. This is not an ideal spot for an intimate dialogue, and if you are already part of a trio or larger, you may wait longer than the 15 minutes we did to get seated.
The footprint of the GCB may be modest, but its décor is as snappy and pleasing as a high end pair of dress shoes, and at the same time as comfortable as a pair of favorite house slippers. As befits a bistro, it has a European flavor, with a streamlined, modern accent. Thick candles on the bar and tables lit after sundown add to the congenial ambiance. All in all, the Grilled Cheese Bistro is a great place to drop in, sit down, and strike up a conversation, with a one-of-a-kind menu that is a conversation starter in and of itself. If you haven’t discovered it already, we recommend checking it out. You’ll likely be happily chatting with fellow grilled-cheese fans before you even get in the door.
Website: The Grilled Cheese Bistro.
It’s with a mixture of happiness and sorrow that we bid farewell to one of our favorite dining spots, Yanni’s Casual Greek Restaurant. Happiness because the owners, John “Yanni” and Rita, will be able to enjoy a retirement richly deserved and long overdue; sorrow because Yanni’s has been to us so much more than just a place for fabulous food, and we will miss the warm, wonderful people and the serene, welcoming atmosphere they all made possible. We clearly aren’t the only Yanni’s patrons who feel this way. During our last visits there, it seemed every person who came through the door had the same heartfelt message for John and Rita: “We are so happy for you, but we will miss you so much!” We were amazed by the turnout of “Yanni’s Graduates”, former staff members, who returned over this past weekend to work at Yanni’s one last time. It was a deeply moving tribute that spoke volumes about the kind of establishment John and Rita built and the environment they nurtured.
As the song says “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”. Paradise will not be paved over for a parking lot, and we certainly wish the new operators success, but there’s no denying a beautiful and beloved era has come to a close. We join the many other fans of Yanni’s in thanking the “Yanni’s Family” – all of them – for the great meals, great times, and wonderful memories.
Ompah!
As some may know, Russell W. Harris is more than just a good cook. He is a great cook, so much so that he has been asked to chef at many events, and offered more than one restaurateur opportunity. It has followed that he is often asked for his opinion of local eateries, from pick-up counters to the highest levels of five star dining. He also gets queried about the best places to find everything from nuclear-hot sauces to fresh vegetables. We will be posting some of those opinions and recommendations here, so be watching for updates to Russell W’s Culinary Corner.
Please note, these are not formal consumer reviews, nor are we affiliated with any venue discussed. We just like good food, and would like to share our more noteworthy experiences – as well as being able to put the answers to repeated questions in one place!
We also just might post if Russell W. is making chili, both when and where, so if you are a chili lover, you should really be watching. :o)
The Land Rover 