Richmond: Dining Alone Near Jefferson Hotel
I'll be staying at the Jefferson Hotel (101 W. Franklin) on Thursday night en route from Manhattan to North Carolina, with dog in tow (well, not literally)! I'll be alone, and am looking for a nice place to have dinner where I would (as a woman) feel comfortable dining. Don't mind eating at the bar. I've done a bit of a search of the board, but since I'm not too familiar with the neighborhoods, it's hard to tell what might be close by. Last time (two years ago), I had a lovely dinner at a place that was a very short cab ride away (I'm sure I could have walked, but it was dark and cold), but cannot for the life of me remember the name. It was quite modern looking - maybe slighly industrial - on a corner, lots of large panes of glass and the bar was on the left. I think it was sort of eclectic American fare. But, I digress.
Any type of food - cost not a big concern - a good selection of wines by the glass would be appreciated. I don't want to be too far away in case the dog misbehaves for some reason and I have to return quickly to the hotel. I've also eaten at the bar at the hotel, but would prefer to take the opportunity to try something different.
Thanks so much!
P.S. I've read about Lemaire in the hotel, but don't want to spend THAT much money!
By MMRuth
on Dec 18, 2007 04:38 AM
View »
Video
Hmm ... it looks like Edo's Squid is pretty close by.
Permalink | Reply
Lemaire and TJ's in the hotel are both very good. Acacia is in Carytown, less than a mile away, (west I think) and I've never had a bad meal there. Good wine list, too. I really like Millie's, especially now that the small space is now non-smoking - but not everyone agrees - http://milliesdiner.com/ - that's in the other direction (east?) , probably about a mile and a half. Comfort is close, too - probably 1/2 mile in yet another direction (north) - but I've had a couple of so-so meals there,when I've tried the more adventurous stuff on the menu - stick to the southern basics, and you'll be happy. The wine list is good there, too. http://comfortrestaurant.com/richmond...
I'd probably pick the in this order - Millie's, Acacia, and Comfort, but only because Millie's is more my style of food. Acacia is great food and ambience - kind of like date night - and Comfort falls in between. Acacia is the most impressive.
Permalink | Reply
I didn't like acacia - in mind it suffered from a chef trying to impress people not make great food - the one too many ingredient syndrome. i don't eat downtown a lot but have heard good things about millie's and comfort. edo's squid - but i'm not certain how eating alone there would be. not too far is enoteca sogno, pomegranate euro bistro, avalon in the fan maybe - which might be okay to eat alone. have heard the best new place in richmond is karsen's - in carytown (but still not too far). all worth looking at.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks for both of your suggestions - I'll look into them and will post back about where I end up.
Permalink | Reply
Comfort is in walking distance from The Jefferson and if you want southern fare, not to be missed. I also recommend Millie's, Karsen's (high price point) and Edo's Squid which IMO is the best 'value' in Richmond as far as what you get for your money on a consistent basis. Comfort has a great wine list also. You also may want to consider Sensi on East Cary....good pasta (and all pastas can be served as first course size servings also) and nice seafood, steak and veal also.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks - Comfort sounds like a good call - don't eat much southern food here in NYC and it would be fun to try - especially since I started making fried green tomatoes at home this summer and would be able to compare!
http://www.greenolivemedia.com/comfor...
Permalink | Reply
Quick question - can I go to Comfort in nice jeans, nice boots, sweater etc.? Thanks!
Permalink | Reply
Yes.......it is casual.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks - just packing my overnight bag!
Permalink | Reply
Hey Janet - would you mind emailing me if you have a chance? Email in my profile- couldn't find one on your blog.
Thanks!
Permalink | Reply
I ended up going to Comfort for an early dinner - around 6:30. I sat at the bar and had a wonderful meal. Started with the fried green tomatoes - only ate about half of them, but delicious. I asked the bartender which main course I should try, and he recommended the pork tenderloin, with which I was v. pleased. It was indeed v. tender and had what I think was a maple syrup glaze, but not too sweet. I went with two sides - the loveliest creamy mashed potatoes, and perfectly fried okra. I tend not to like okra when it's slimely, but this okra was divine. I can't for the life of me remember the dessert I had, but it was also very good. I asked the bartender to pick wines for me and was very happy with them. Nice relaxed vibe and a great meal. Thanks to all for your help and recommendations.
Permalink | Reply
glad it was good - hope you had a nice trip.
Permalink | Reply
Was it the banana pudding creme brulee? That's one of the best desserts in town. The okra is great. We usually get a basket of it for our appetizer. Dh loves the pork tenderloin also. I have a hard time straying from the fried catfish...yum. Glad you had a good meal.
Permalink | Reply
It wasn't the creme brulee - checked the online menu to try to jog my memory, but didn't see desserts. Thanks for the recommendation!
Permalink | Reply
Well, instead of starting a new thread, I'm just going to add to this one. I'm making my annual trek next week and will be in Richmond next Friday night. So, should I try Millies this time? Acacia? Prefer to stay away from Italian since I cook so much of it at home, but am pretty much open to other ideas/new places, with the same caveats as in my original post!
Thanks you ... MMR
Edit: Oh, and the hotel has a little shuttle bus that will take me to and fro, so I don't need to worry about that, but still don't want to be too far from the hotel.
Permalink | Reply
Millies is great & the Jefferson shuttle bus works well, they drop you off & then pick you up within minutes after your call to them.
Remember no reservations for 1 at Milles, it starts to be full by 6:30 pm. There is the option of sitting at the bar if you so desire however it tends to be very cramped in this room with people waiting for a table
Enjoy
Permalink | Reply
Thanks - maybe I'll try to time my trip to get there early enough to have dinner at 6pm. I've used that shuttle before and it really does work well. Any favorites at Millie's?
Permalink | Reply
Everything I have ever had there is very, very good. The specials change frequently.
The service is excellent and I really enjoy the laid back atmosphere.
Permalink | Reply
Everyone should try Millie's :-) And Acacia is now closed (they are supposed to be reopening in a new location but last I saw it seemed like there was still more to do).
Permalink | Reply
Thanks all. I went to Millie's, sat at the bar and had a wonderful dinner. I should have reported about it earlier so that I could remember the details better, but I started with an excellent vodka gimlet, then had lobster stuffed ravioli in a lovely broth, salmon for the main course, and the creme brulee, which was pretty much perfect. Had a nice white wine - maybe a Pinot Gris? - with my meal. I loved watching the chefs cook in the little kitchen in the window, and had a nice chat with them about Kitchen Arts & Letters in NYC. I also had a quite good Southern breakfast at the buffet at LeMaire at the Jefferson in the morning - breakfast for two came with my room package. I enjoyed the biscuits, passed on the grits, loved the sausage.
Permalink | Reply
next time don't pass - the grits at the jefferson are yummy! :) glad you enjoyed it.
Permalink | Reply
Unfortunately, I just don't like grits (or polenta, etc.) - it's a texture isse!
Permalink | Reply
oh no offense - i pretty much presumed that or you would have eaten them. but for anyone else out there reading. they make some of the best i've ever had. of course i love grits. i swear you'd have thought i'd been born a southerner! :)
Permalink | Reply
None taken!
Permalink | Reply
I am so glad you got to Millie's :-)
Permalink | Reply
2009 query! I'll be in town the night of the 21st - Have been to Comfort and Millie's Diner - enjoyed both, but particularly Millie's. All criteria in my OP still apply.
Permalink | Reply
Oh - and another query - used bookstores that might have a good selection of cookbooks. Thanks!
Permalink | Reply
first off, they've redone lemaire and it's not THAT much money anymore and supposedly lovely. haven't been but have really heard great things.
lulu's is owned by the millie's people and is fun. would be a cab ride.
Permalink | Reply
Definitely check out the new Lemaire. We love it. It's now business casual, great bar, terrific menu. I'll repeat my Sensi recommendation....lovely bar and great staff and food. You could eat at the bar with no problem. It would be a short cab ride.
Permalink | Reply
LOVE sensi too just thought it might be pricey. but it is fabulous and eating at the bar there is nice.
Permalink | Reply
I just looked at the menu at Lemaire after making the hotel reservation. It looks really interesting - I gather that you've been? Do you think I'd be okay eating alone there?
Permalink | Reply
i JUST went last week and had some super yummy things - and drinks! you would definitely be okay eating alone there especially at the bar.
Permalink | Reply
You will be fine eating alone there. I've been twice and am going again on Friday night. They have a great bar.
Permalink | Reply
Thank you both. This way I can use the $25 gift certificate that comes with my room rate.
Permalink | Reply