Summer Lunches, RVA

Summer lunches thanks to Jamie with his Food Revolution Rainbow Taco and Ellwoods' salad bar, whilst Mrs M took M to Edo Squid for the annual best-teacher-ever summer lunch.

Narrowsburg, New York State

We just loved Narrowsburg, NY State. The anti-fracking capital of the USA. Lunch got very voluble as tables across The Heron's riverside patio filled with folk sharing tales of the latest victory in the battle to prevent the process continuing in the surrounding hills.

There was a fabulous metal bridge across the Delaware, Big Eddy - a glacial whirlpool - and a boat ramp for catching tiddlers and watching the big boys reel in even bigger fish or just float by on rubber rings as the sun set.

I can't resist a Post Office either.

Proper Pie

New to Richmond this month is the aptly named Proper Pie Company. Hailing from New Zealand these guys have a buzzing busy shop and we struck lucky getting window bench seats.

The Cornish Pastie was sold out, but they had warm soup, sausage role, Chicken & Kumara pie (pictured) and Chili Bean (in my tummy). To follow we enjoyed the Mixed Berry Streusel and thorougly recommend the Treacle Tart.

The staff were great, graphics and atmosphere were fantastic and we'll be back for more pie.

We followed the lunch with a walk to the end of East Grace Street for an amazing panoramic view of Downtown and a city information panel describing it all, including the site at the centre of the slave trade - a particularly grim spot known as Devil's Half Acre.

Sunday Lunch, Belle Isle

An English gathering down on the rocks proved to be a slightly fraught but delightful take on the Sunday lunch. There were herb marinaded roasts for the intolerant one, the vegetarian and the more liberal; plus brownies, raspberries and watermelon for treats or mains, depending on your ability to sneak off and consume at speed.

G&Ts and eminently drinkable white wine aside, we relaxed into the afternoon sunshine, whilst the youngest napped, the eldest swam and the rest of us gazed on.

Billy's Bread

I love my bread and have become addicted to what turns out to be a Fan area legendary loaf.

The loaf is the size of a large bloomer, pointy-ended and crusty. Inside it is firm and chewey and not too white, not at all sweetened and something between ciabatta and a French baguette. The ingredients printed on the paper bag list Rye Flour, but not yeast.

Apparently Billy, or his partner, bakes the bread. He learned his craft from a Vermont based Frenchman in 1999, but there's no bakery. I think the bread comes from a Wonka style facility somewhere.

Church Hill, Richmond

So finally the view that brings the pastural Thames to our new Richmond at Church Hill. In brisk sunshine we raced across Libby Park, clambered up the steepest slope, and built a fairy tipi in the neighbouring Chimborazo Park - the site of the largest Civil War hospital that treated 76,000 confederate troops with a 20% mortality rate i.e. 152, 000 died!!!

Sustenance in the form of wholesome burgers from the Hill Cafe, previously frequented by Daniel Day-Lewis... 

J found an amazing sidewalk nativity.

NB: Civil War 1861-65

Coppola's Deli, S Colonial Avenue, Richmond

This is the new comfort food. Forget the tuna melt - the house special is a Cheese Steak sub with 100% beef steak, grilled onions, hot & sweet peppers, covered with provolone cheese, mustard and ketchup (I refrain from this element) on a freshly baked roll. More child friendly is a shared turkey and tomato roll with an organic "Adam and Eve" apple juice box. The staff are a delightful mix of the old-hand Italian and the kind-student variety.

Coppola's Deli

Carrot Tree Kitchens, Jamestown near Williamsburg VA

A great luncheon on the road with a colonial twist, thanks to the historically significant location. On the menu was the Colonial Gardners' burger with an awesome sun-dried tomato mayonnaise; Spinach Artichoke Dip, allegedly made famous during surrender negotiations when commissioners agreed to combine French artichokes with British spinach and its namesake 'carrot' cake cupcakes.

Carrot Tree Kitchens