travel

Dining Outside the Home: El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Richmond, Indiana 

Dining Outside the Home: El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Richmond, Indiana! One foot in the door and it is apparent a celebration of Mexican heritage, culture, and pride exists on Cinco de Mayo. Between the lively mariachi music and the clink of margarita glasses as big as fishbowls, the atmosphere is hypnotic. Spicy aromas envelope the crowd in south-of-the-border savory dishes. Hardworking employees pass by with sizzling hot plates carefully stacked all the way up their arms without missing a beat. Lively conversation bubbles in our midst as we make our way to a treasured vantage point of activity, celebration, feasting, and of course the classic jumbo margarita. Olé! 

Dining Outside the Home: The Merchant House in Greenville, Ohio

Dining Outside the Home: The Merchant House in Greenville, Ohio! Centuries ago in the town where the famed sharp-shooter Annie Oakley lived, an 1880s merchant building was the hub of all activity providing supplies and groceries for its patrons. Today that historical building still stands and has been transformed into the town’s newest eatery, The Merchant House. Much of the building’s character has been a labor of love. Decorative tin tiles adorn the ceiling, majestic architectural columns divide seating areas, and antique brick walls boldly offset black and white murals. The menu features smoked barbecue, deep dish pizzas, specialty salads, two-handed sandwiches, gourmet desserts, and local craft beers. Farm-to-table ingredients are a plus. For casual family dining and live entertainment, The Merchant House is spot on. 

Dining Outside the Home: Olde Richmond Inn in Richmond, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: Olde Richmond Inn in Richmond, Indiana! Dining al fresco is a luxury impossible to ignore, especially when the sky is blue and the sunbeams are warm. Colorful umbrellas beckon guests to sit awhile and enjoy the international specialties of the house skillfully prepared by the master chef. Every course becomes an unique discovery of the palate through the catering skills of the Molina Family. Is it any wonder this popular restaurant has been voted “Worth the Drive” by Indianapolis Monthly Magazine?! Located in the Old Richmond Historic District, this 1894 home-turned-restaurant is a landmark destination worth experiencing. 

Bloody Mary, Virgin or Not

The world’s most complex cocktail, the Bloody Mary, seems to be a favorite no matter how you serve it up. Get creative. Go spicy. Check out the ingredients in your refrigerator for a “conversation starter” at your next informal gathering. Anything goes! Don’t forget to season the rim of the glass with a smoked sea salt for extra flavor. Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar creates a hands-on experience everyone is sure to remember. This little number is the specialty of the house at Fat Tuna Grill and Oyster Bar in Williamsburg, Virginia. Gotta love the ultimate shrimp cocktail garnish!

Dining Outside the Home: Le Yaca French Restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia 

Dining Outside the Home: Le Yaca French Restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia. White linens, soft candlelight, a warm fireplace, and fresh flowers. Mais, oui! Every table is placed to make one feel as though it’s a private dining experience. The wine list alone is a sweeping journey across the French countryside. Roasted Leg of Lamb is a weekly ritual bathed in natural herbs over an open fire. And yet, the light and elegant Soufflé au Grand Marnier dessert, with its tantalizing crown of fluffy sweetness, punctuates the evening as a Troisième Course. Pamper your stomach; indulge your appetite in greatness. 

Dining Outside the Home: Fat Tuna Grill and Oyster House in Williamsburg, Virginia 

Dining Outside the Home: Fat Tuna Grill and Oyster House in Williamsburg, Virginia. It’s not often Oysters Rockefeller jumps off the menu in a seafood restaurant. The fact that it’s a “Starter” item gives the customer an opportunity to pair it with an order of Crispy Fried Calamari or Coconut Shrimp as well. The appetizers did not disappoint in this “Farm to Table and Sea to Table” setting. The portions were generous and artistically arranged with tasty garnishments. The complementary hush puppies and corn muffins were truly addictive. Would I return for another meal? Absolutely! As a seafood-lover, I intend to work my way through the menu. Eventually I may have one of their fabulous desserts. 

Williamsburg Pottery in Williamsburg, Virginia Goes On and On

Williamsburg Pottery is an endless shopping mecca for bargain hunters. No kidding. If you love a treasure hunt, check out this top tourist destination for everything under the sun…and more. The world-famous salt glaze pottery is their claim-to-fame. But don’t stop there. Hundreds of outdoor accents from colorful banners to cement garden embellishments add character and distinction to any area. Then comb over the interior decor including framed art, Oriental rugs, candles, glassware, bedding, and silk floral arrangements. Don’t miss the gourmet kitchen marketplace on your way out for specialty foods, international wines, and local favorites. Indulge yourself. 

Dining Outside the Home: Blue Talon Bistro in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia 

Dining Outside the Home: Blue Talon Bistro in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. If you’re looking for the charm of a neighborhood bistro with a French twist, this corner bistro in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg fits the bill. The French Onion Gratinee has the power to transport you to the French countryside with its rich cheesy onion broth. But save room for more. Make the meal a dining experience by enjoying every course over a nice glass of Bordeaux. Linger awhile. Absorb the atmosphere. Inhale the aromas. And most certainly try the dessert. Bon Appétit!

Dining Outside the Home: Plaza Azteca in Williamsburg, Virginia 

Dining Outside the Home: Plaza Azteca in Williamsburg, Virginia! Rich flavors originating in Jalisco, Mexico came across the U.S. to the East Coast over twenty years ago. Now customers come to Plaza Azteca expecting table side guacamole prepared fresh before their eyes. If you’re looking for ordinary, forget it. The grill is working overtime serving up everything from stuffed pineapple to sizzling fajitas. The biggest challenge is breaking away from the usual choices to sample something truly new and amazing.