In no particular order, here are some of the delicious things I have been eating lately. And by lately, I mean September on...
Comfort. Boneless spare ribs with orange barbecue glaze, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and a side of brussels sprouts. Bang-o-rang, Peter!!!

Besty's (Bin 22). Wheat bagel with sun dried tomato cream cheese, and their hot chai tea is amazing. Perfect sunday brunch.
The O'Henry Lounge. Tea and snacks served in the lobby of this beautiful hotel.
Black Sheep. Nuevos Rancheros. Minus the tortilla, this dish is my fave. For anyone from another city (other than those on the West coast) who say that Richmond sucks, I would argue that our eateries beat the crap out of yours. So there.
Tarrants (on Broad near the galleries). Veggie omelet with home fries and fresh fruit. Go back for their dinner. Especially if you like seafood. Anything they bake in parchment paper is delicious. They have really good pizza, too. (or so, I hear).
And a newcomer to Richmond. Stronghill. (across from Buzz and Neds on Blvd.) Awesome dessert-chocolate torte. I didn't take a picture yet of their home-made banana bread ice cream, but it is amazing.
Michael had the escolar. Sorry for the blurry picture. But, yes those are onion rings on top.
I ordered the cornish game hen over collard greens and a belgian waffle. Honey drizzled over top. Perfection. Too much to eat in one sitting. Good for breakfast the next day, though.
Frog legs. So weird to see this half-frog on a plate with garnish. It was presented very nicely, though. People who like frog may enjoy this dish. Overall, Stonghill-two thumbs up and an awesome destination for drinks and a cool hang-out spot. They have a lounge area in the back with couches. Not to mention, it is bike-riding distance for me and Michael. Okay people, go eat some great food!!! Here are some suggestions.

1. Stronghill
2. Cafe Rustica
3. Black Sheep
4. Siam Paragon
5. Tarrants
6. Mezzanine (tell me how it is, I haven't been there yet)
7. Zed's Cafe (same as above)
8. Bacchus
9. Sushi o
10. Carytown Sushi (not on a weekend, UR crowd and West enders)

Cheers!

So I Missed Fall...sorry

While at Silver Diner the other night, I was harassed for not having updated this beloved blog in quite some time. I apologize. However, to my defense, I have been quite swamped with other things/priorities/activities. Here are a few of them. And I have missed being able to reminisce about the fun I have everyday as I decide what to post for you all to enjoy. So, enjoy ...
Michael had a piece selected for the Weatherspoon Museum's Art on Paper show, so we made an appearance in Greensborough and found this humble little hotel-The O'Henry. Absolutely beautiful. Ladies, make your boo take you here. Custom made beds, tea and roses everywhere, and the whole place embodies southern hospitality. As you can imagine, Michael and I fit right in...
Sleeping. My bedtime is now around 10:00 pm. Just so you know. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to Michael (and George and Quinn) Happy birthday to you. VCU Masters of Education Program. That's all that needs to be said.
Yay!!!! Field Trips with my rad class. They are awesome. Seriously. Quirky, sarcastic, and age-appropriate. We went to Jamestown and to the James River and to Tredagar Iron Works and...
Bottom's Up where they all had three slices of pizza and soda with several packets of sugar dumped into it. I told you, they are geniuses. Michael even loves them. And you know that takes a lot. They call him Dad. Weirdos.
Main attraction. Ramp construction in the backyard. Good times for all. Girls whose significant others will be over here all the time: PLEASE COME BALANCE THE RATIO. I would love to hang out with you.
Autumn love. Chance and Sassafras. They were made for each other.
Mark. Keeps you on your toes.

Goodbye Summer

So, Summer flew by. When we got back from LA, our first friends to see were the lovely Nikki and her main squeeze Cappy. We went to our dependable Cafe Rustica. Above-Cornmeal crusted Trout w/asparagus and tomato salsa. It was a nice Welcome Back Dinner.
The next night we went to Sushi-O. Above- Unagi-don (broiled eel over rice with Japanese pickles). Sooooooooo good. No leftovers. That's how you know it is awesome.
For dessert at Sushi-O, we had the sampler. Above-petite pound cakes with assorted toppings and liqueur dipping sauces. Michael wouldn't wait for me to take a picture.
And my new favorite sandwich. Norwood Cottage Bread w/hummus, microgreens and tomatoes. The bread can be bought at Richmond's really nice Farmer's Market. South of the James @Forest Hill Park on Saturday mornings. If you go, look for me and Cappy. Maybe Nikki. Michael will be sleeping for sure. Farewell summer.

Hello Friends. It won't happen again. (part 1)

So, Michael and I took Ashley and George's honeymoon to LA. We went to see our best buddies in the City of Angels and it was a wonderful and relaxing vacation. We took a lot of pictures and had a lot of fun. Here are some highlights of the trip.
The Gold Room. We ended up here after we left a scary Mexican bar($2 margaritas!!) where some girls were trying to fight each other. Then they were trying to fight Caitlin because she asked one of them not to stick her ass in my face. Apparently, we were asking too much. Tequila makes people crazy I tell you. Anyways, the Gold Room was actually beautiful. The area above the bar was painted glow-in-the-dark like a galaxy, and the little booths all around the bar were enclosed with twinkling lights above each one. Will ordered more tequila and two pints of beer for us all for our first round. Again, tequila makes people crazy.
Stella Im Hultberg show. I never know what to say about her because her work is amazing to me. And she was my inspiration for the food blog. She is an amazing artist and loves food. A woman after my own heart.
Michael and I ate like vegetarians for the most part while we were in LA. It is so much more convenient. Seriously Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants on every block. We ate at this place, Bulan Thai, three times in five days. Above- Garlic Asparagus w/ veggie chicken. Bang-a-rang!
I love this dog. Vito...if you had teeth, I would have checked you in another bag for $25 more to bring you home with me. Here we are at Dave and Will's friend's loft/office space. RZO. It was super nice with an awesome view of the city. I will find some pics of the view and post them later.
Please do not be disgusted. Even though I was. Michael ate five of these. Long story short. Lady camps out between two dive bars near D&W's house. She has a make-shift grill with bacon-wrapped hot dogs and grilled onions soaking in grease. The scent wafts to each bar. Vulnerable drunks wander out of the bars, order these delicacies, the old lady soaks a bun in the grease, smothers ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard on them and makes an easy $3.00. Michael had 2 in one night. Yum.
Sweet ass taco/burrito truck. Hand made to order corn tortillas, hand painted truck. What more could you ask for? Oh, and if you are ever lucky enough to come visit our house, ask us to play the incredible CD that Dave bought for us from the young kid taking the orders. It will change your life.
El Matador Beach. Malibu. I can't talk about this. It is making me depressed to be sitting in humid Richmond.
Michael in the pool.
Yes, that says ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL and this young man is carrying a little girls terry cloth pool bag. While at the Raging Waters Waterpark in San Dimas, we witnessed some of the most amazing/inspiring tattoos in the world. I just lied.
Bronson Caves. Home of the original Batman Cave. There is also a cool ditch to skate if you are so inclined. There is a sleeping dinosaur there. It was hot, and also had a bad infestation of killer bees. LA, we will be back...sooner than later.

Hello Friends. It won't happen again. (part 2)

You're so vain. You probably think this post is about you. But actually, it is about the beautiful Biskey wedding. George, you looked wonderful, but Ashley, you stole the show (see below). Breathtaking. Amazing food. Somehow, no pictures were taken of the spread. We were too busy getting wasted and eating it all. In short, the mashed potato and salmon stations were my favorite, but the very close runner up was the chocolate fountain with assorted dipping items.
James, your best-man speech was very well done. Kathy, yours was very moving. As you can see, you brought some people to tears. I don't know where they found this young lady at, but the feller next to her seems to have taken a liking to her.
The scary girl battles the Maid of Honor. Scary girl wins, but not before Erin bites her in the crotch. Well played, ladies. It was hilarious to see you all drunken wrestling. Classy.
Amazing. Congratulations you two. I love you both.

August Is Here

Where did July go? Actually, where did the entire summer go? August is officially upon us, but this month, too, is already planned out and does not include many free days. In spite of the craziness that summer brings, I like to find quiet moments to enjoy delicious comfort foods and to have nice relaxing evenings with my good pals.
Above- Grilled terriyaki salmon with rice and paprika grilled corn.
Above- Upside down apple walnut cake w/ vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle. (Tarrants on Broad St.)Happy Birthday, Cappy!!! On Saturday, Richmond's #1 dental student/star triathlete was super-stoked when a bunch of us surprise partied him. Thanks to our wonderful hostess, "Cool Nikki." Michael and I made Cappy (and Napoleon) awesome birthday boy crowns.
Cappy's delcious birthday spread- Chick-fil-a nuggets, Tuna steaks over greens, feta and cheddar mac-n-cheese, carrot and cucmber salad, swedish meatballs, guacamole, and garlic hummus. And, Billy... I knew you wouldn't be able to finish it all. Wuss.
Yea!!!!! Strawberry Cheesecake for dessert!
Napoleon had a blast.
We were all told to bring Cappy something homemade for a birthday present. Since I surround myself with amazing artistic friends, Cappy got some sweet gifts.
Above- an original George Biskey.
Above- an awesome Ashley Hines (soon to be Biskey) print.Above- Handmade sculptures: teeth, a weiner dog, mohawked character, and a mini stolen Cappy bike. Yes, you jerk who stole his bike, we will find you. Just wait...Great Party, Nikki!

Laundry Day

Alright, alright. I will update my blog. People, in the future...please be patient. Things have been busy in the life of Brionna, as you will see below.

Summer School is officially over. Hooray! Please observe the creative genius that is my fourth (and fifth) graders during our unit on Greece. Television will be the death of any future creativity in youth. I swear by that. My students cannot draw something out of their own imagination. It is either copied straight from a book, or it is a tennis shoe. Seriously. If I see another Air Force One or some other Nike/Bape designed shoe, I will vomit. But, below, I was at least pleased to not see any corporate logos or Sponge Bobs on the Grecian urns that they decorated. Well done class.
This past Sunday, the Old 97's came to good ol' Toad's Place to put on an awesome show. Later that night, Mickael got to drool over Rhett as we interviewed him for the next issue of RVA. It was actually pretty disgusting. I am not exaggerating when I say that drool was running down Mickael's chin and his palms were sweaty. I think his nipples were hard, too. He needs to get over this man crush.
So, the part of the blog that I am getting a lot of positive response to is about my food postings. I must admit, they are my favorite part, too.
Above- Chocolate Torte from Cous Cous. By the way, Cous Cous makes the most bangin' coffee, too. My cup of coffee went perfectly with the light, soft dessert.
If you are walking down the street and get a whiff of a car that smells like Bath and Body Works, or the Yankee Candle Store, tell them that they lost their auto fragrances near ADA Gallery. This person is clearly putting a spin on the massive-collection-of-keychains phase that we all went through.

Quinn, while you are out getting stung by jelly fish, I am being a lazy ass at Mickael's boss' pool. In case you can't tell, it is salt water and slate lined. I know, disgusting, right?
Me at the disgusting pool. Wondering what to eat for lunch.

Above- Lunch. Turkey sandwich w/ Cheddar cheese, Duke's Mayo, and tomatoes. Funyuns, salt and vinegar chips, and cucumbers on the side. So delicious.

The boo bear waiting for something to fall.