Richmonders, raise your schmear! Today, we're diving into the delectable world of Chewy's Bagels, a local gem that's turning heads (and satisfying taste buds) with their hand-crafted sourdough creations. Forget the supermarket sadness, because Chewy's is where every bite is a blissful boing.
Beyond the Bagel: Sure, their bagels are the stars of the show. Hand-rolled, slow-proofed, and kettle-boiled, they boast a crust that's crisp perfection and a chewy interior that's pure flavor magic. From classic everything to adventurous rosemary sea salt, there's a bagel for every mood. But Chewy's doesn't stop there. They've got house-made cream cheeses that'll knock your socks off (think sweet cream and mixed berry!), plus mouthwatering pastries that are the perfect sweet ending. More Than Just Delicious: Chewy's is all about community love. They source their ingredients from local farms, support other Richmond businesses, and are committed to sustainability. Plus, their friendly staff is always happy to chat and recommend the perfect bagel pairing. It's not just a bakery, it's a warm, welcoming space where everyone feels at home. Ready to Dive In? Head to their charming Carytown location and prepare to be amazed. Grab a bagel (or two!), smear on some delicious cream cheese, and savor the unique Chewy's experience. Trust me, your taste buds (and your soul) will thank you. Bonus Tip: Don't miss their Lox Box, a curated selection of bagel-icious goodies perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself, no judgment!). So, Richmonders, what are you waiting for? Get chewin' at Chewy's Bagels! P.S. Share your Chewy's love in the comments below! What's your favorite bagel and cream cheese combo?
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For those of you who follow my Instagram page, it's no secret that I ate myself through Italy. The 20 pounds I gained were totally worth it in the end. However, one of the hardest things I had to decide was which foods and restaurants were my favorite. The quality of the food was what stuck out to me the most. I could eat double the amount there that I could eat in the states without the side effects of bloating or feeling sick. This is what makes Italian food stand out the most and proves the freshness of the ingredients. That's why the decision is so tough...because everything I ate exceeded any standard that I was expecting! I've been so back and forth on my standings, but I think I finally narrowed down what my top restaurants were. 3. C.I.C.A (Amalfi) The third place standing was a close call between the best seafood and the best steak I've ever had, but at the end of the day seafood took the cake. The seafood along the Amalfi Coast was divine and restaurants typically served food that was caught that same day. The clams I had still had seawater inside of them and the octopus was incredibly tender (I mean I ate the head and everything). Although the restaurants were amazing, none of them came close to the street vendor C.I.C.A. Crispy, salty, and fresh seafood served inside these rolled up paper cones. The line was all the way down the main street so I knew this place had to be something special. Once you get to the front all you see are trays of all kinds of different seafood and it smelled like someone found a way to fry a beach. There were only women in the back who had the system down to a science pushing out orders in less than five minutes. I ordered the Cuoppo Cica which consisted of lightly fried sardines, corn dog style shrimp. beer battered fish, Italian "hush puppies," and flaky calamari. A little lemon was placed so you could cut through the fat. Even though it was fried it did not feel heavy. I almost placed this establishment as number one because I am more of a street food guy and it was an out of body experience. 2. Seu Illuminati Pizza (Rome) Most of the trip I mostly tried to stick to classical and more rustic dishes. However, on my last day in Italy I decided to venture off into the unknown. I wanted to finish with pizza and there were hundreds in Rome (I mean they are know for their pizza after all). I stumbled upon Seu Illuminati on Google as I was scrolling away in my tiny hotel room which resembled more of an upscale closet. When I looked at the reservation openings they were booked for the next week entirely. Not expecting much, I called and somehow got a reservation for 7 PM that night. The taxi dropped us off in this remote area of Rome far from all the tourist traps located directly in the city. Graffiti was written all over the walls and there were locals outside waiting for the restaurant to open. The owner lifted these garage style doors and revealed a hidden gem of a pizzeria. Now, I had a lot of good pizza in Italy and each had their pros and cons. The reason I choose this pizza heaven was because of the uniqueness of the menu. They strayed away from the usual margherita and prosciutto. We ordered the Classic Supli, Potato Croquettes, and Curry Chicken as appetizers. Street food style that was elevated ten notches. The outside was crisp from the breadcrumbs and the inside was steamy and gooey and creamy. The Curry Chicken was my personal favorite with a nice blend of curry spices and tender chicken topped with a crema type sauce.
After eating the apps, I knew this place meant business. I also forgot to mention this place had an 80 euro tasting menu. Have you ever been to a pizza place that served a seven course tasting menu? Probably not. Anyways, the star of the show finally reached our table. We ordered two different pizzas: the Vignarola (green peas cream, crunchy pork cheek, roasted artichokes, fava bean cream, crunchy onion, and grated pecorino) and the Pesto (green beans, pesto cream, oven roasted potatoes, garlic cream, parmesan chips, pine-nuts, and basil). I know what you're thinking, those toppings don't sound the most appetizing. However, the worked together in perfect harmony. There were so many textures in my mouth it was like a literal orchestra. The crust started with a crunch that quickly turned into a satisfying chew. I couldn't end our trip on a more beautiful note. Did I mention you can order dessert pizza by the slice? I obviously had to order one of each despite what my waistline was telling me. 1. Casa Mele (Positano)
Even though I said the seafood was an out of body experience on the Amalfi Coast, this restaurant was an out of this world trip for my taste buds. The best way to find the best restaurants, in my opinion, are from taxi drivers. They usually grow up in that area their whole life and know the best food around. As we were driving from Naples to Positano, I asked what his favorite restaurants were. Right off the bat he said Casa Mele hands down. So, of course, I had to try it. We almost didn't go because it was about a 30 minute walk consisting of almost 400 stairs from our hotel. I beyond stoked that we talked ourselves into it because it was totally worth the trip there and back. It's located at the end of the main strip away from the craziness in the center. There is no outdoor seating and the restaurant displays an open kitchen concept, which I love and it's like watching a live TV show. It was dead quiet inside with faint music playing in the background. We were also lucky to get a table right in front of the kitchen (Alyssa wasn't a fan because I was completely distracted the whole time). The chefs would look up and smile and wave at you which made the experience even more personable, but a the same time they were laser focused on what they were preparing. The waiters also shared the same demeanor. Already the ambiance was perfect. I ordered the six part tasting menu while Alyssa ordered a spaghetti dish with a variety of tomatoes and fresh veggies. I know I mentioned I typically like street food more than fine dining, but this experience was something else. Each meal was crafted with utmost precision and the timing was impeccable. They would make sure you were done eating each course without rushing you before they started making the next. The meal started off with a fried eggplant bite with a salsa verde underneath. Perfect. The next was a steak tartare with parmesan balls and multiple sauces. Perfect. Then a prawn and lemon risotto. Perfect. Followed by fusili and pesto with a tuna tartare. You guessed it...Perfect. Then charred squid with bread crumbs. Peerrrfffeecctt. Close to last but not yet, Iberico pork with demiglace and potatoes. So...frickin...perfect. Lastly an assortment of desserts consisting of a white chocolate lemon and pineapple sorbet. I'm more of a savory guy so not perfect, but DELICIOUS. I couldn't help but make noises the whole time because each course got better and better. I was experiencing different parts of Italy with each course. Each part of each course was cooked to perfection and was riddled with textures and flavors. I couldn't leave before giving my compliments to the chef who smiled and gave his thanks. A culinary experience I will never forget. Other than exploring supermarkets for new cereal flavors, my favorite activity after a deployment is to catch up on eating copious amounts of amazing food. My unit received orders to deploy to Graffenwoehr, Germany following Russia announcing going to war with Ukraine. Don't get me wrong, it was a great opportunity for my career and we accomplished a lot in the 6 months we were there, but I couldn't stop dreaming about the delicious food waiting for me at home. So, naturally, the first thing Alyssa and I did was plan a trip to The Cliffhouse in Ogunquit, ME after I got back. We were looking for somewhere more tropical at first, but it doesn't help when both of you are procrastinators and wait until the last minute. However, it turned out to be one of my favorite trips of all time because of the great Northeastern cuisine. My friends give me a hard time because I constantly talk about Maine and how beautiful everything in the state is: the people, the scenery, and the food. Now, this is a food blog, so I'll stick to talking about the food. Maine is most well known for their fresh lobster, and for good reason. The lobster is sweet almost like a scallop and fresh to the point where it was probably caught that morning. So, you have this perfect lobster meat, but what they do with it is absolutely incredible. I had it two ways when I was up in Ogunquit: on a pizza and in a lobster roll. Cornerstone Artisinal Pizza is located right outside of Perkins Cove and serves everything from pizza (obviously), meatballs, salads, and sandwiches. There are fire pits outside and the vibe represents the inner fancy pizza lovers that lives within us all with dim lights and a wood interior. The Lobster Pizza just happened to be the special that night and I had to try it. I know it sounds a little weird to some, but what is a lobster pizza other than a lobster roll served on a flat bun? That is exactly how it tasted. The lobster was sweet, the mayo drizzle was decadent, and the spring onions added the perfect amount of bite. The crust was thin and allowed the lobster to sing. The only complaint was from Alyssa because it smelled "fishy," but she thinks everything smells so don't take that critique to heart. That was the first meal we had and it was a perfect start to a perfect vacation.
Now, my favorite food destinations are the hole in the wall mom and pop shops. Why? The food is never made exactly the same, but just as delicious. The customer service is real, whether it's overly polite or short and to the point. There are no rules or regulations: it is unadulterated food and service. Footbridge Lobster is located down the street from Cornerstone and located within Perkins Cove nestled between all the cute "Hallmark" shops. It's a small shack mainly ran by one man that you can tell was a Mainer through and through. You walk up to the window and there is really only one item you can order: a lobster roll with a side of Cape Cod Kettle Chips and a Moxy soda. What's so special about that? Look at the picture! There was so much lobster I could barely fit my mouth around it! With a mixture of freshly caught tail and claw meat, you can order this beautiful creation three different ways: cold with mayo, warm with melted butter, or a combination of the two. I got the tourist order and got it with mayo. Took less than 2 minutes to make and it was served with a side of lemon. When I say it was the best lobster roll I have ever had, I mean it. So sweet and so simple, but the combination of the fisherman making it and the simplicity of it all makes it admirable. Grab a roll and sit next to the water for an undeniably serene experience. From a fantastic fancy preparation to the beautifully basic, Ogunquit knows how to prepare their lobster. I promise it is not just the hype that Maine has the best lobster. These two establishments set the tone for the rest of the trip and made me feel like I was experiencing Maine right. |
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