Good Times

We went to Little Venice the other night to celebrate the better-half’s birthday (he’s a solstice baby) and enjoyed a wonderful meal.

We started with cocktails and I had a slightly goofy moment when the waiter asked me what vodka I’d like in my vodka tonic. I looked at the better-half and asked “what’s that stuff I like?” He answered, “SKYY” (the stuff I’ve been drinking for years but am a big old goof and can never remember the name–usually I just bumble around mumbling about the blue bottle).

We ordered the calamari and it was faintly breaded and served with a lemon wedge and marinara. The calamari were delicious just with the lemon but the marinara was also delicious and very fresh. While we were eating the appetizer, the owner came by to say hello. The restaurant definitely has its neighborhood regulars and it was a nice touch to have the owner stop by to our table and we’re hardly regulars.

The house salads were just standard iceberg lettuce with decent dressings, but the main courses were pretty damn good. The better-half got pollo saltimbocca and I got a special, flounder almondine. Both were served with green beans and roasted potatoes. The better-half’s plate could have been placed back on the shelf it was so clean when he finished. I ate more than three-quarters of my dish but decided to stop so there’d be room for dessert.

There was a very nice name for the dessert we ordered, but I can’t remember it. It was a chocolate creme caramel and it was really delicious–chocolately and caramelly. While we were waiting for the dessert, the owner came back around to our table with two large shot glasses filled with a milky liquid. I asked him if he was giving us a glass of milk and he said “No, limoncello creme. It’s like liquid viagra–good luck to the both of you.” I haven’t been comped a drink in years and this was an excellent drink to remind me how nice it is to have a drink on the house.

If you find yourself in Richmond, make your way to Little Venice. I’ve only been there twice but both times have been impressive.