DrewHaslett

Sometimes it takes a while to walk four blocks. While having opened more than a year ago, last night was my first visit to Sven Shine, at 1319 W. Main St (under The Lost Sock laundermat). The only items available were the wood oven pizza and that was perfect. Being less than adventuresome (it was Tuesday, after all), I ordered the Italian sausage personal pizza. The sausage was homemade with tarragon in place of the fennel I have had before. The mozzarella was excellent and the experience was very good. At the moment it is a beer and wine ABC license. Imports for $3, domestic for $2. This weekend the owner / chef Mitchell will be serving Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA for $8. Don't get cold feet over the price, you'll probably only need one -- it's 20% beer. On weekends there is a more extensive menu, including entrees that range to $20. After my first experience, I will make it a point to go when the entrees are being served.

dscott - Drew lives in Richmond in the Fan.

DScott - I can't compare Amici's and La Grotta because I have not been to the latter. Amici's is Northern Italian cuisine. When you order a rack of lamb, you get all seven ribs. As for outdoors, for booze at least, Baja Bean is hard to beat. The atmosphere is great and the drinks are potent. When the crepe myrtles are in bloom, it is very colorful. Good place for people watching. On a previous topic, super markets are super markets. We don't have good butcher shops and exotic produce stands because Richmonders do not support them. Anderson Seafood is closed which was one of my favorites. Stonewall is the only butcher shop left I know. I just returned from Florida and had reason to visit Publix, Winn - Dixie and Harris Teeter in upscale areas. I expected more and better produce considering its proximity to the Everglades produce. You could have been in Kroger or Ukrops, they all looked the same. The only redemption is Lobel's has an 800 number and will ship over night. The green market at duPont Circle on Sunday mornings is very good; I am waiting for the Williamsburg market to open.

Without mentioning all the great places above, I would like to add several to the list. In some cases I have not been lately but have had very good food and sevice in the past. The Track on West Cary, opposite the Byrd Theatre Amici's on West Cary, about 5 blocks west of the Byrd The Dining Room in the Berkely Hotel, 12th and East Cary La Petitte France behind Athemn Blue Cross, just off Thalbro St.

Recently I was talking to a rancher from west of Richmond who supplies some products to Ellwood Thompson's. I asked him if he participated in the Green Market at duPont Circle and he replied that he didn't have time due to the market in Williamsburg As I remember the discussion, it is on the weekend and is in the restored area. Does anyone have any more details?