Short Pump’s The Wine Loft – A Review By The Good Wine Guru

Local Tweep, Snark, and candidate for Mr. Awesomeness 2010, George R. Perry, everyone!  Remember, behind every man is an awesome woman, and Mr. Perry’s awesome woman April is pictured with him below.

In addition to being one of Richmond’s cutest couples, most dynamic twitterers, and social media sweethearts, the Perrys also enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then.  George is actually the Good Wine Guru, so who better to review The Wine Loft than him?  Here begin the words of George…

Just inside the border of Short Pump, across from the Kohls and Best Buy on West Broad Street is a new shopping center – the West Broad Village Community in Short Pump.  Featuring numerous new restaurants, grocers, shopping, and living space, West Broad Village has quickly become home to some of the most popular new spots in Richmond.  One of these is the Wine Loft.

A cross between a casual lounge and an upscale wine bar, the Wine Loft offers atmosphere mixed with great food and drink.  The food offerings aren’t your typical faire, being tailored more towards groups of diners with their tapas style of delivery.  However, any conversation about the Wine Loft must begin, obviously, with their wine selection.

As a regular wine drinker, I am always looking for places that offer a wide selection of wine at a wide range of prices.  Sure, there are nights that I’m willing to spend $50 or more on a bottle of wine, but there are just as many nights that I want to drink a couple of $7 glasses.  The Wine Loft caters to both of my moods.

With wine available both by the glass and bottle, there is something for every palate and pocketbook – red or white, sweet or dry, Old World or New World – and the staff is knowledgeable and willing to help you find something to fit your tastes if you’re not familiar with their offerings.

As for their food selection, they’ve done an excellent job of putting together a menu that allows you to pick what will best compliment your wine, or pick your wine to compliment what you’re eating.  While I’ve yet to have anything that I didn’t enjoy, the Baked Brie en Croute for two (and really more than that) is a must-have any time you go there.

Vanilla infused and topped with spiced pecans and a balsamic reduction and served with sliced baguette – which you’ll need more of and they’re happy to provide – the baked brie is a can’t miss no matter what you’re drinking.  For those looking for something more robust, the oven roasted lamb lollipops, shrimp and blue cheese in puff pastry, and shrimp and lump crab four cheese empanadas are all nothing short of amazing.

The food and drink aside, the Wine Loft itself has set itself up as a great place to spend an evening either for an intimate dinner date or for a casual gathering of friends or co-workers.  Low couches, chairs, and tables abound on both levels (that’s right, it has an upstairs), and a center communal table – raised and lighted – is a great gathering place for groups or couples.

No matter the occasion or the size of the dining party, the Wine Loft is the perfect place to spend an evening and one you’ll want to return to time and again.

The Wine Loft
4035 Whittail Way
Glen Allen, VA  23060
804-368-1768

(located between Kona Grill and Mimi’s Café)

Post sponsored by MaverickLabel.com – providing custom wine labels.

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Historic Jackson Ward – “The Harlem Of The South”

Historic Jackson Ward is one of Richmond, Virginia’s oldest and well-preserved neighborhoods.  Located east of Belvidere, west of Shockoe Bottom, and north of Broad, Jackson Ward is home to some of Richmond’s most beautiful historic buildings, in addition to being the historical center of African-American culture during the early 1900’s.

While Jackson Ward was settled by European immigrants, the neighborhood has been a predominantly black neighborhood, and home to many influential figures over the years.  Maggie Walker, the first African-American woman to run a bank, lived there.  Giles Jackson, the first African-American to practice law before the Supreme Court of Virginia, lived and practiced there.  We get this information, and much more, from a book found in the Virginia Commonwealth University James Branch Cabell Library’s Special Collections titled Jackson Ward Historic District.  While the book focuses mainly on the architecture and political significance of the neighborhood, many other sources refer to Jackson Ward’s rich cultural and artistic heritage – the things that brought the neighborhood to be called “The Harlem of the South.”

The Dementi family made a name for themselves as photographers of the wonders and people of Richmond.  Wayne Dementi and a fellow named Brooks Smith put a book together called Facts and Legends of The Hills of Richmond, which is, in essence, a love story devoted to Richmond.  In it, the authors discuss Jackson Ward, and confirm what many different online sources tell us – that Jackson Ward was THE place to go for young, hip black men and women in the 1920’s.  Just as Harlem was the center for black art and music in 1920’s New York, Jackson Ward was the same for Virginia.

While Harlem had The Cotton Club, The Stork Club, and the Silver Slipper; Richmond had Happy Land, Top Hat, and Shorties.  Jackson Ward saw many famous acts perform at these clubs.  Cab Calloway performed in town.  So did Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, among many others.  Robinson was actually a Richmond native who got his start dancing local bars in Jackson Ward and other neighborhoods in Richmond.  He became famous all over the United States, appearing in plays and films.

Other Richmond natives that contributed to the cultural boom of the 1920’s were the members of Roy Johnson’s Happy Pals.  A swing orchestra, they were 10 Richmond natives – Jackson Ward natives, in fact, who beat out Duke Ellington’s orchestra in a 1929 New York band contest.  You can hear their music on Jazz compilations or you can buy their songs on Amazon.com.

Today Jackson Ward is home to wonderful restaurants, grassroots art galleries, and many artists and homeowners who are dedicated to revitalizing one of Richmond’s finest neighborhoods.  One woman, Jenni Mennella, wrote about a tour she took of Richmond in 2002 – the point of which was to visit some sites in Richmond that are key to understanding Virginia’s African-American culture.  In addition to seeing many of the historical sites, she also ate at Croaker’s (one of Jackson Ward’s fine eateries) on 2^nd and Leigh, and heard Jackson’s Ward’s own Soul Fantastic perform.

While Soul Fantastic might not be around anymore, you can still eat at Croaker’s, and you can check out events and exhibits at Jackson Ward’s own Gallery 5, 1708 Gallery, Quirk Gallery, and more.  Make sure to visit the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.  Other restaurants to visit are Comfort, Tarrant’s Café, and Nick’s Market.  Jackson Ward is not only full of a rich history and bearer of an even richer legacy, but it also a hub of cultural activity and great entertainment in Richmond, Virginia.

Article by EM Downing Johnson

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Cous Cous – A VCU-Area Gem

Cous Cous – 900 W. Franklin St. Richmond, VA 23220

Cous Cous, a self-proclaimed Mediterranean/Moroccan style restaurant situated extremely close to VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, is absolutely deserving of the hype it received when it first opened in July of 2006.

Richmond restaurant whiz kids John Yamashita, Jason Henry, and Alex Copeland snapped up the former Chuggers bar on the first floor of the Chesterfield Apartment building right on VCU campus and turned it into one of the best places to go for pseudo-authentic Mediterranean and Moroccan food and killer ambience.

Why say “pseudo-authentic”, you ask?  Mainly because most reviews say that the food is not 100% authentic – but to this Richmond foodie the food was 100% to die for – and was authentic enough for me.

The décor is beautiful – high ceilings made of stamped tin, ambient lighting, rich jewel tone accents – and despite the restaurant’s central location, it serves as a cool, delicious-smelling oasis in a hub of activity.

Things to try on your first trip (and bring your appetite, because this is a lot of food):

• Curry Platas – Think French fries, but think sweet and salty, crispy yet tender, addictive French fries with a dusting of curry seasoning and curry sauce for dipping.  I guarantee that once you’ve tried them, you’ll crave them.  Often.
• Manchego Fritters – Melty, decadent balls of cheesy goodness.  The size and shape of hush puppies, these are served with a mango coulis that blends so well with the taste of the cheese that you’ll think you’ve died and gone to cheesy heaven.
• Gambas – Shrimp and artichoke hearts in a gorgonzola caper sauce.  Outrageous.
• Smoked Salmon – Tender smoked salmon folded top fresh potato cakes, smothered in a caper/dill/horseradish concoction that sets your taste buds aglow with complex and subtle flavor.

The dishes are served “Familia Meze”, so it’s not a huge serving.  They recommend that you order three or four dishes per couple for a full meal.  Of course, if you’re still hungry I suggest you go ahead and order a Pita meal.  You have your choice of chicken or pork for your meat, or you can go veggie and get your pita with falafel (some of the best I’ve ever had).  You also have your choice of hummus, tabbouleh, or babaghanoush.  I say go ahead and splurge and get the garlic hummus PLUS the tabbouleh.  Roll it all up in the soft, fluffy pita they give you and nosh.  You’ll be full for weeks.

For your drinking pleasure, Cous Cous offers many different kinds of tea, plus coffee, espresso, and cappuccino.  Or you could choose from their extensive menu of wine and spirits.

Cous Cous is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Richmond that will be near the VCU campus.  Take the time to go, sit down, and have a truly wonderful meal in a great little spot.

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