From the 8/24/2011 Free Lance Star
BY KURT RABIN
1. DOUGHNUTS–PAUL’S BAKERY (FREDERICKSBURG)
Sure, Casual Fridays are nice. But even nicer is showing up for work and spotting a few boxes of Paul’s doughnuts perched on the office “calorie counter.” And arguably one of the best places around for all manner of confections is Paul’s Bakery located off Lafayette Boulevard in Spotsylvania County.
2. ICE CREAM–CARL’S (CITY)
Perhaps choosing Carl’s Ice Cream in Fredericksburg as the gold standard of soft serve ice cream is cliche, but come February and all the way until August people can be seen snaking around the retro-looking parlor on Princess Anne Street in downtown. And now Carl’s is an entry in the National Register of Historic Places.
3. BARBECUE–ALLMAN’S (FREDERICKSBURG)
Folks in the ‘Burg have been high on the hog at Allman’s since the shop opened its doors in 1954. Today their signature barbecue sandwich, served pulled or minced, is–like Rolling Rock Beer–“same as it ever was,” deeply satisfying.
4. COFFEE–BLACKSTONE (COLLEGE HEIGHTS)
With their smooth locally roasted brew, Blackstone, a relative upstart in the java biz, inspired “Cheers”–like devotion in their regulars at their original Spotsy location. Now they’ve brought their incredibly rich coffee concoctions to an even wider band of believers with their new Eagle Village location.
5. SODA FOUNTAIN CHERRY COKE–GOOLRICK’S
Nothing makes summer quite so endurable as the first few sips on an ice-cold syrupy Cherry Coke, especially when it’s made to order, the old-fashioned way, at the counter of one of the city’s oldest merchants.
6. BRUNSWICK STEW–SAMMY T’S (DOWNTOWN)
When I moved to the area in the early 1990s I practically lived on this traditional tomato-based Southern favorite that features lima beans, corn and okra, and one or more types of meat. Sammy T’s deliciously smoky version has attracted national media attention, and they wisely keep the recipe a closely guarded secret.
7. KIMCHI–CHOI’S KOREAN KITCHEN (FREDERICKSBURG)
When you order an entree at Choi’s in Central Park, you’ll also be treated to a dizzying array of pungent kimchi side dishes that are sure to get your taste buds working overtime. If you thought kimchi was just about cabbage, you’ve got another think coming.
8. CHURROS–PUEBLO’S (COLLEGE HGHTS)
Finally, a Mexican restaurant that features something besides flan for dessert. Pueblo’s churros, also known as Spanish doughnuts, are essentially long, ridged, pipe-shaped versions of that renowned worldwide treat–fried dough. Here, they’re sprinkled with cinnamon and served with vanilla ice cream. Yummo.
9. NEW YORK STRIP STEAK SANDWICH–WEGMANS SEAFOOD BAR (CELEBRATE VA.)
Oysters: Market Price. Watching the Seafood Bar Chef at Wegmans crumble blue cheese and squirt balsamic glaze on your tender, juicy steak sandwich: Priceless.
10. HUMMINGBIRD CAKE–EILEEN’S BAKERY (CITY)
I’d never heard of this Southern delicacy, a favorite at covered-dish dinners, until I moved south of Washington. But on the rare occasions this moist pineapple-banana-cinnamon-flavored cake makes an appearance in Eileen’s pastry case it commands my full attention.
11. SPRING ROLLS/ EGG ROLLS– 5 MILE INT’L GROCERY (SPOTSY)
This market at Five-Mile Fork is the place for hard-to-find ingredients for all of your Asian cooking needs. And it would be hard to find better spring rolls and crispy egg rolls than the ones they cook up fresh for takeout every weekend.
12. FISH TACOS–SOUP & TACO (CITY)
People who like fish tacos are passionate about their fish tacos. And it’s easy to have strong feelings about the ones they serve at Soup & Taco, also a reliable source for delicious tamales.
13. SUSHI (ESP. TEMPURA SWEET POTATO ROLL)–UMI JAPANESE FINE DINING (COLLEGE HGHTS)
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve sat at the sushi bar at Umi and had a neighboring diner say that you can’t find fresh sushi like this even in Florida or California. Their lunch special sweet potato roll delights with its contrasting textures and flavors.
14. CHEDDAR-JALAPEÑO BURGER–LEE’S RETREAT (SPOTSYLVANIA)
Lee’s Retreat is a restaurant, tucked into a brewery, hidden within a business park. But you won’t have any trouble scoping it out. You can smell the peppery aroma of their scrumptious burgers the moment you make the turn into the Bowman Center.
15. CALAMARI–OLD TOWN GRILL (CITY)
Connoisseurs of calamari agree that the squid at Daniel Battista’s Old Town Grill is a real catch.
Not a seafood lover? Their garlic burgers are also world-class (pictured on D1).
16. SALT FISH W/ CORN CAKES–GRANDMA’S HIDEAWAY (SPOTSY)
Other spots might feature salt fish, but not every day, as Grandma’s proudly advertises. This tasty local delicacy, fried up hard, is perfect for breakfast, lunch or between-meal snacking.
17. SWEET POTATO FRIES W/ SOUR CREAM DIP–THE PUB (SPOTSY)
Even better than beer nuts for accompanying a foamy glass of ale, sweet potato fries are that perfect combination of salty and sweet. And, is it just me or are they just a little less guilt-inducing than plain ol’ French fries?
18. LIMEADE–WALLY’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM (DOWNTOWN)
You know it’s summer when fresh-squeezed limeade is back on the menu at Wally’s. Nothing cuts through the 100-degree heat like lemonade’s subtler, less-heralded sweetly tart sister drink.
19. STEAK SUB–AT T&T DELI (SPOTSY)
This humble little grill, located inside a Gulf service station, relies on word-of-mouth for its advertising. And, word is, their steak sub, loaded with mushrooms and onions, and mounded high with tender beef, is the bomb. Philadelphians, eat your heart out.
20. WOOD-FIRED PIZZA– CASTIGLIA’S (CITY)
This Italian eatery recently underwent a face lift, including the installation of a brick oven for baking authentic Old World pizzas. Not sure if it’s being able to overhear the musical strains of spoken Italian behind the new pizza bar, but their new line of pies sure taste like the real deal.