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Upscale European Dining
Azzurro Restaurant
6221 River Road / 282-1509
Broad-based Italian, offering pizzas, fish, meats, and pastas
Dish recommendation
Risotto du jour
Bistro R Restaurant
10190 W. Broad Street / 747-9484
Offering French bistro classics, such as escargots and mussels.
Dish recommendation
Crab and artichoke stuffed veal chop
La Petite France
2912 Maywill Street / 353-8729
Classic French cuisine in an upscale, elegant setting
Dish recommendation
Chef Paul’s signature dish for 33 years, sautŽed English dover sole with almond effilŽes and citronelle brown butter
Casual European Dining
Carini Italian Restaurant
3718 Williamsburg Road / 222-0715
Specializing in Italian Food and Pizza
Dish recommendation
Specialty Pizza
Pasta Luna
8902 W. Broad Street / 762-9029
Family-style Northern Italian dining, serving great pastas
Dish recommendation
Rigatoni a la vodka
Rare Olde Times
10602 Patterson Ave / 750-1346
Irish Family Dining
Dish recommendation
Corned beef and cabbage
Trak’s Greek-Italian Restaurant
9115 Quioccasin Road / 740-1700
Family-run Greek and Italian dining
Dish recommendation
Gyro platter
Zorba’s
9068 W. Broad Street / 270-6026
Offering traditional Greek dishes, including dolmades and spanakopita
Dish recommendation
Chicken souvlaki sandwich
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Barbeque
We hesitated even to enter into this category. The subject of barbeque is a holy discussion: Memphis, Kansas City, or North Carolina style? Tomato or vinegar based? Sweet or spicy? Marriages have ended, friendships cast aside, feuds begun over how best to cook and serve the pig. Sooner defame their god than their barbeque. With charity for all and malice toward none, we humbly throw our hat into the ring. In the Far West End of Henrico County, tucked in a little shopping center on Patterson Avenue you will find Alexander’s Barbeque, the best barbeque in the Richmond area. This familyrun establishment serves the best Virginia-style pulled BBQ (both pork and chicken) you will find. With affordable prices, lots of sides, and a cozy atmosphere, Alexander’s is a treat not to be missed. You can’t go wrong with the “Super Q,” a side of onion rings, baked beans, and a large sweet tea. It is what God intended when he fashioned the pig. If there is any event, picnic, or tailgate you have coming up, be sure to have Alexander’s either cater or supply the food for you.
Alexander’s Barbeque Westbriar Dr, Richmond / (804) 740-3135
Meat
This category is a slam dunk. While there are many excellent steak houses in town, and lots of places you can indulge your inner-carnivore, none can rival Ipanema Grill. This Brazilian Churrascaria takes its meat seriously. There is only one thing to order: the Rodizio. Your server will take your drink order (get a caipirinhia but let someone else drive) and put a sign on your table that lets other servers know you are ready for meat. They will come to the table slicing an array of different meats off of long skewers that have been slow-roasted for hours. Among your options are Brazilian sausages, beef tenderloin, flank steak (our favorite), pork tenderloin, chicken, sirloin strips, and turkey wrapped in bacon. The white meats are marinated overnight in a mixture of garlic, salt and lime juice.Most of the red meats are seasoned with sea salt only. Eat what you want, as long as you want and as much as you want.
Ipanema Grill 12379 Gayton Road, Richmond / (804) 740-9083
Italian
It’s nice to be surprised, and, like several other restaurants on the list, all three of these surprises are unassumingly located in strip malls. In the far west end of Henrico County is our first surprise. Frank’s West Pizzeria Italian Restaurant is that rare blend of family- centered atmosphere and extremely good food. The dish to try is Frank’s Special Mussels Appetizer. Steamed in a delicate marinara sauce, you will want more bread to soak up the delicious broth.
Mama Cucina’s doesn’t look like much from the outside. It doesn’t look like much from the inside. Atmosphere: none. But when Anthony shouts out your order and the food comes to the table, you’ll remember that the reason you are eating out is the food, not the paintings on the wall. Try the Angel Hair pasta with Red Clam Sauce. Truly, it’s the finest in town. Also of note in the category is a quiet little restaurant on Henrico’s Northside, tucked into a shopping center at the intersection of Parham Rd. and Route 1. Bella Luna is a great neighborhood spot serving terrific food. Frequently confused with its larger, chain cousin Pasta Luna (it’s not unusual to get people who arrive at Bella Luna having made reservations at Pasta Luna) Bella Luna serves up an array of
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