Millie's Diner - @@@

By all accounts this was a good meal. I tried some new items such as pork cheeks and chess pie. The main I had was a grilled sirloin which was cooked great. The cheesy potatoes were also really good. The pork cheeks tasted like very tender pork chops - just a chunk of meat that was super tender. The pie was pretty sweet, probably too sweet for my taste.

However this was a textbook case of why I don't love restaurant weeks as much as others. They said they only had half of the regular menu and then the 3 course fixed price menu which I guess was ok since it is a small spot, but still somewhat leaving you wondering what else they had. Then I thought the portion was smaller than normal, although I have no comparison. But they have to make money somehow right? Then I got the desert but I would clearly prefer more main. Let alone it's amazing sweetness which I could've done without. Clearly i like savory food more but may just be an outlier.

Anyways the place was pretty good. Small local vibe was cool. Exposed kitchen area and everybody seemed pretty cool. Someplace to check out - perhaps next time with the whole menu.

2603 E Main St
Richmond, VA 23223

La Estancia - @@@

Very close to a 4. Very good, just a touch below Tango in Boston that I really liked. This is a local Argentine restaurant that I really enjoyed. Quite a bit of food too for under $30 so the value is good for the metro DC region.

I ordered the short ribs or asado tira medium rare. They are not melt in your mouth, but rather a bit of chew to them. If you are expecting filet like tenderness, I would not get these. Instead I like them because they taste like beef, are flavorful, and juicy. Served on a scalding hot iron plate, I actually removed one because they were still cooking quickly on the plate. Ate all of them and love the contrast with the large boneless pieces and then the bones individually. Much better than the boneless short ribs I head earlier this week where they were braised. I just like the bone-in grilled flavor better. Sadly forgot to ask for chimichurri but they were good enough that I didn't think of needing it. Would've been interesting to compare though. Also comes with 2 sides which I upgraded to 3 cause I have a problem. "Salad bar" had iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, cucumbers, and onions but also had brocolli (helpful) and a great potato salad which no one could explain what it was called (ensalada Russa aka Russian salad is the best I got from the employees). Cubed potatoes, cubed carrots, and peas in a sweet creamy sauce. Really good. Better than my mashed potatoes which were ordinary. Also fried plantains but not super fried and much more similar to the caramelized plantains that I like. Soft and sweet rather than thin and crispy. I think they call them maduros. Really good and still eating them as my dessert.

All in all really good. Very helpful staff with constant water with lime refills. Soccer reruns playing on tv with El Clasico in 3 days. Try it out if you are in the NoVa area. It's in a strip mall, you will not be sorry.

7810 Lee Hwy, Suite F
Falls Church, VA 22042

Hattie Mae's - @@@@

I tried out another southern restaurant tonight to good results. As luck had it, it was all you can eat fried chicken night. I had to show restraint on ordering

First I did order the cornbread if for nothing else it was $5. That seemed high and was good but not that good. The dark gravy was potlicker gravy which was a thin, runny salty sauce that was slightly flavored and not favored. The real honey in butter was the complete opposite - really good, thick, and flavorful. But then again butter is usually good.

Next got the fried chicken because of course. It was really juicy and the skin was flavored with pepper, pretty crispy and really good to eat. Freshly fried and hot, it was some of the best fried chicken I can remember. The fries were coated so some might now prefer. They were fresh and hot but I thought just ok. The cole slaw was creamy and more minced than usual but still not bad. A little sweet like I like it. The hush puppies were really good but I haven't had hush puppies in years so lack of overall comparison.

I thought the chicken was really good and would get it again. The location is in a cool planned mixed use shopping venue with retail/commercial stuff and is really inviting. Large tvs at the bar and comfortable seating in the dining room. Service was friendly as well. I really enjoyed it and would recommend. Plenty of seating on a Wednesday at 7 pm made it easy to get in and linger in the booths (and eat more chicken)!

1601 Willow Lawn Dr, suite 840
Richmond, VA 23230