Recommendations while in Richmond...

The Strawberry Street Café and 81 warm sunny skies, the Wedding was lovely. But before the Wedding some sight seeing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yummmmmmmmmmmm the VEGETARIAN BEAN BURGERBlack and white beans blended with spices and lightly sautéed…a healthy alternativeToppings for Burgers Topped with sautéed mushrooms and Provolone!

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WOW

~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Sweetie enjoyed the FRENCH DIP ~Thinly sliced sirloin on a bakery fresh croissant with cheddar cheese and au jus for dipping.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let me tell you about the dessert, it was amazing! CHOCOLATE WALNUT PIE alamode ~Homemade pie loaded with chocolate and walnuts, prepared with a flaky crust. Served warm, topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

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My Sweetie had the CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKEWarm homemade chocolate cake with a soft truffle on the inside. Served with vanilla bean ice cream. Topped with chocolate ganache.

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ganache [Ganache (pronounced [gəˈnɑʃ], "guh-NAHSH") is a French word (literally translated as "fool") for a mixture of chocolate and dairy (milk, butter, heavy cream, etc). Ganache is used as an icing or filling for pastries, filled chocolates, chocolate truffles, and other desserts. Its origins date to around 1850, possibly invented in Switzerland or in France.[1]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ganache is normally made by boiling heavy cream, then pouring it over chopped (bitter) chocolate. The mixture is stirred or blended until smooth. Ganache can be enhanced with liqueurs or extracts.Depending on the intended usage of the ganache, the proportions of chocolate to cream can vary. Typically, a ganache is equal parts chocolate and cream; this is used for filling cakes. For a chocolate truffle base, a ratio of 2:1 (chocolate to cream) is used. For making a glaze, the ratio is 3:1.] And whipped cream.

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For the FIRST TIME EVER I REALLY heard him say I am “chocolated” out. As I live and breathe he DID say this!

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~ Inside the restaurant~~~ The wait staff were Excellent! Intricate stained glass, rich woodwork, antique mirrors, fresh flowers and candles on every table all give the Cafe a sense of coziness and intimacy. On each wall is a chalkboard created by artist members of the restaurant staff who change their work seasonally.

~~~~~~~ Recently, Strawberry Street Café experienced national recognition on the game show Jeopardy.

~~~~~~~ Host Alex Trebec read the answer: The Strawberry Street Café in this Virginia capitalis famous for its bathtub salad bar, to which thequestion was: What is Richmond?

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I located this recipe from Epicurious

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Chocolate-walnut pie

~~~~~~ Nathalie Dupree's Comfortable Entertaining September 1998 Nathalie Dupree

~~~~~~~~~~ This is a variation of a classic pecan pie recipe with the addition of chocolate. It’s a bit hedonistic. It is very easy to assemble, but it takes 45 to 50 minutes to bake. Servings: Makes 8 servings

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Ingredients 4 ounces semisweet chocolate

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust made from Basic Pie Pastry

3 large eggs,

lightly beaten

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted and allowed to cool

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups broken walnuts

Garnish (optional)Whipped cream

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Preparation:

~~~~~~~ Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a heavy pot on low heat.

Pour it evenly into the unbaked pie shell.

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, and vanilla well.

Stir in the walnuts.

Pour the mixture into the chocolate-lined pie shell and bake until the filling is set, 45 to 50 minutes.

Remove to a rack and let cool.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ The pie may be made ahead several days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Serve with whipped cream if desired.

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AHEAD is a good thing goodness

Thanksgiving is approaching!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PS~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Mountaineers beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a count of 38-13.

Hard day for us, no access to a televised version to the game, no radio feed, BUT limited access after we left the reception from the travel PC.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~Whooooooooo Hoooooooooooooo!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Also never fear, I had a “softened” outfit on with muted Blue and gold…even for the wedding, Dressier for sure, BUT I had to do it. Silly MOI!