To start their 2012 tours, Real Richmond Food Tours and More offered their VCU: Alternative Eats tour to a sold out crowd on a bright, crisp Saturday afternoon January 14th.  Maureen and Susan, tour hosts, take ticket holders on a mile and a half walk through Richmond’s culture, architecture, history – and, naturally Richmond’s food scene.  The tours feature at least seven different areas of the city, seven totally different tours. But, even the same tour experienced several times provides a very different perspective by stopping in different eateries along the way.  Tours are rotated so not all areas are available at the same time.

Today’s tour began at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of the Fan, just a block from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus. After a quick briefing about the house, the two guest rooms, and William Miller (the marble carver who built the house in 1869), the group visited the dining room where breakfast is served to guests and the wine room where beverages and hors d’oeuvres are available for guests in the evening as they make their dinner plans.  Pat and Mike explained they began renovations in 1996 (still on-going, an old house is never done!) and opened as an urban inn/bed and breakfast in 2000. Then to the inn’s best feature – the Kitchen, where gourmet breakfasts are prepared for guests!

Real Richmond Food Tour tasted creme caramel at the William Miller House B&B during the VCU: Alternative Eats tour

First Mike had prepared creme caramel!   He explained that this version was a little sweeter than we serve our breakfast guests but it is an alternative for our fresh fruit course. Other options include a lavender panna cotta, surprise yogurt, fruit crepes or any other seasonal offering to feature Virginia’s bounty as a first course. That’s right – it’s just a first course.  After the first course, guests are treated to an entree course served on individual platters.  Real Richmond Food Tours is all about tastes, as they visit 5 or 6 stops along the way – so no entree today!

Mike has been perfecting his sous-vide technique for three years now and decided to spend a few minutes introducing the tour to sous-vide process to the tour.  Sous vide or cooking under pressure is a method of cooking foods in an airtight plastic bag in a water bath at an accurately determined temperature.  The temperature is lower than normally used for cooking, usually around 140 degrees F.  The concept is to cook the item evenly, not overcook the outside. The inside then has the same overall “doneness” and the food stays juicier.  This method is often used for meats and can be used for vegetables, etc.  Eggs come in their own airtight container (their shell) – they don’t need a plastic bag!  Mike offered tour-goers the opportunity to taste one of our fresh from the farm eggs prepared soft-boiled in the sous-vide, served on a toast square.  He was surprised how adventurous this group was; he had many takers. The sous vide technique was introduced to the US mainly through the efforts of Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Napa Valley.  Here in Richmond, Philip Denny, chef at Six Burner, just a few blocks away and also in the Fan, was the first chef in Richmond approved by the health department to use the technique for guests.

Farm Fresh Eggs ready for their Sous Vide bath

Meyer Lemon Sorbet to cleanse the palate between tastes

To cleanse the palate, tour ticket holders were offered a Meyer Lemon sorbet, served on a Chinese spoon, and garnished with a mint leaf from the inn garden.  Next up, guests were offered pecan squares to go as they hit the streets of the  Fan for their next stops.

Miller House Pecan Squares

These tours are so popular that they sell out quickly and you need to plan in advance to purchase your ticket on-line to reserve your spot. It is a wonderful way to experience Richmond up close and personal!

This year instead of trying to decorate all at once, I decided to attempt decorating in layers instead of trying to do it all at once. The tip worked well for me here at the Fan District’s premier bed and breakfast. Thanksgiving weekend was warm, so I started with outside decorations, get them up wearing short-sleeves is the way to go!

This year may be the last year for this particular garland around our front door – lights are functioning a little quirky so I added some extra to make sure they would be bright all season. A natural wreath with a bright bow greets guests at the front gate and the garland and wreath at the front door reinforce my preference for slightly nontraditional colors: instead of red – use purple and fuschia, instead of green – use lime, and accent it all with bright gold and lights.  Don’t be afraid to experiment.  Of course, we have candles in the windows – but the ones in our guest rooms’ windows turn off at 9 PM so they don’t disturb our guests.

Come right on in! We're ready for the holidays!

This weekend, December 10 and 11, just happened to be the weekend of the Fan District Association of Richmond’s 49th Annual Holiday House Tour.  Most of the houses were within a short few blocks walk of the William Miller House and we are delighted that guests came from far and wide to enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition that is the sole fundraising event for neighborhood improvement projects. Guests from Easton MD visited tour homes for the third time. The record goes to a mother-daughter team who have been visiting the Fan for eight years now to check out the architecture, the individual interior design, and each homeowner’s interpretation of holiday decorations.

This year Kristen traveled all the way from London, England to spend her annual mother-daughter weekend in the Fan to shop at Carytown’s eclectic shops, to dine at the neighborhood’s bistros, to tour the homes, and to gather over snacks after the tour and compare notes on all the houses we’ve seen. This tour is over for 2011, but house tours are all the rage in Richmond.  We have tours in the Spring for historic Garden Week, as well as in the Fall and around the holidays.

Grapes, feathers, snowflakes, ribbons and bows make a festive wreath for the porch

After the outside layer of decorating was completed, I moved inside the inn to incorporate the wonder and merriment of this festive season. There are three trees (two of them are half-trees due to space considerations), three mantles, and wreaths outside on the blue antique garden gate, on the kitchen door, and on the garage.

Here’s a sampling of what’s inside The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, the Fan District’s oldest bed and breakfast…..

Enjoy and we hope you’ll take advantage of those treasured items from friends and family to decorate your home for the holidays!

Here's what you'll find if you slip out the kitchen door

a jolly happy Santa just hanging around . . .

Santa flying high from the family room ceiling

homemade by Judie .... several years ago

another homemade made by Mom .....

A homemade ornament compliments of Mom

Kitchen Half-Tree with Homemade and food-related ornaments

Family Room Mantle in Blue and Gold - my personal favorite

Garden Room Tree (or half-tree - it's missing its back so it fits better)

Wreath by Janice Hall Nuckolls hung in the dining room on the mirror

The dining room mantle

The parlor mantel decked out with tree and table toppers

The parlor tree features snowflake ornaments crocheted by my Mom in 1999

This garland winds its way up to guest rooms

William F. Fox School, the elementary school, serving the Fan neighborhood, was dedicated in 1911.

Fan's own Fox School Celebrates 100 Years

In honor of its 100th anniversary the school is hosting a Reunion Open House on Sunday, November 6, 2011 between 2 PM and 5 PM. Fox School is located at 2300 Hanover Avenue.  Everyone is invited to the celebration, especially former students, teachers and parents! Photos, autograph books, diplomas, and report cards (some dating to 1911) will be on display. A short program is planned for 3 PM in the auditorium. A slideshow and video will be shown in the school library.  Refreshments will be served in the Fox Cafe in the cafeteria.

The afternoon is sure to be a fun celebration of childhood -  exploring old stompin’ grounds, catching up with former friends and teachers, snacking on refreshments, and reminiscing about the good old days!  So make your plans now and mark the date November 6th on your calendar.  You’re not going to want to miss this!

If you can’t catch one of the Richmond tours during Historic Garden Week, there’s always the Fan Woman’s Club Annual Kitchen and Garden Tour.

Kitchen and Garden Tour in Richmond's historic Fan District May 1 2011 1-6 PM

This year’s theme, Urban Delights, offers a diverse selection of homes and gardens in Richmond’s historic Fan District. Discover how urban homeowners maximize every inch of space both inside and outside their homes. See how each home has been personalized by its owners who focus on blending historic architectural details with the functionality required by modern families.  The tour features homes across the length of the Fan District, from the 1400-block of Grove to the Boulevard.

The Fan Woman’s Club organizes this tour each spring as its primary fundraiser to support its grants to neighborhood non-profit organizations and its neighborhood improvement activities.  The woman’s club has upgraded park facilities with new benches and plantings and funded new period-appropriate street litter receptacles.  Houses are staffed by volunteers and neighborhood businesses sponsor the event.

The Historic Fan District is an 85-block turn of the century (19th to 20th, that is) residential neighborhood, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as the largest intact Victorian neighborhood in the United States. It takes its name from its tree-lined avenues and streets that “fan out” from Monroe Park, adjacent to the academic campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Best described as architecturally diverse, the over 2,300 classic town homes feature bay windows, turrets, high ceilings, parquet oak and pine floors, mahogany woodwork, stained and leaded glass, and varied porch and balcony designs. Most homes are brick or brick and brownstone.

At the east end of the Fan, close to Monroe Park, sits a unique clapboard residence on a large corner lot.  Completed before the area gained popularity in 1869, on a parcel purchased in 1862, it is now Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast known for its hearty gourmet breakfasts. A stay in our urban inn is a better way to stay: to experience the Fan neighborhood like a local, to dine in neighborhood eateries, and to enjoy live theater, neighborhood entertainment and nearby museums and attractions.

Easter Sunday brings out that Richmond favorite Easter on Parade.  Not a parade like you would normally expect, where bands and marchers march up the parade route! NO! Here in Richmond Virginia we do it a little differently; you’ll find bands and acts stationary on peoples’ porches along Monument Avenue. Parade go-ers parade up and down Monument Avenue taking part in all the festivities. Instead of an Easter Parade, we call it Easter on Parade – and it’s FREE!.

Monument Avenue's Easter on Parade April 24

Parade site is located on Monument Avenue between Allen and Davis Avenues, between the Robert E Lee and Jefferson Davis monuments.

It’s one of the most beloved of Richmond traditions. Each year more than 25,000 people converge on the four-block site to celebrate the arrival of spring and the beauty of Monument Avenue, taking this once-a-year opportunity to stroll in the streets with cars absent and removed. Music, arts, crafts, children’s activities, food, balloon artistry, a petting zoo, and of course, people and pet watching are all part of the celebration. This is a parade for all Richmonders and visitors to Richmond to come out and participate! Wear a hat or even an entire costume! There’s a hat contest so you better start making yours now.

If you happen to be in town for Easter, take part in this event and remember that the Fan district’s premier bed and breakfast inn is located just a short stroll – a few blocks – from Allen and Monument, giving you the perfect spot to stay and enjoy Easter in Virginia’s capitol city. The William Miller House is known for its hearty gourmet breakfast and it would be a great way to start your day with a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast to power a stroll up and down Monument Avenue!

Legendary rocker Neil Young comes to Richmond’s Landmark Theater on Sunday April 17 as part of his Spring Solo Tour.

Neil Young at the Landmark in Richmond April 17

Young will include songs from his currently acclaimed album, Le Noise, as well as his classic material in both acoustic and electric settings.  Neil recently won his second-ever Grammy for “Best Rock Song” for “Angry World,” a track from Le Noise, which was nominated for Best Rock Album. Neil Young has invited British folk legend Bert Jansch as support for his appearance here in Richmond. Tickets are available from TicketMaster .

Neil Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Young began performing as a solo artist in Canada in 1960, before moving to California in 1966, where he co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield along with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, and later joined Crosby, Stills & Nash as a fourth member in 1969. He then forged a successful and acclaimed solo career, releasing his first album in 1968; his career has since spanned over 40 years and 34 studio albums, with a continual and uncompromising exploration of musical styles. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website describes Young as “one of rock and roll’s greatest songwriters and performers”. He has been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice: first as a solo artist in 1995, and second as a member of Buffalo Springfield in 1997.

Saturday night 5-members of the Fan Woman’s Club and their spouses enjoyed a visit from Top Chef: All-Star winner Richard Blais albeit vicariously through Chef Mike Rohde. Mike says “All of the credit goes to Richard who created the dish, however, there were some challenges along the way.”  I actually had to make some modifications to the recipe, unfortunately the Black Cod or Sable fish was not up to par, so I had to substitute Chilean Sea Bass or Patagonian Toothfish, also a fish with a high oil content that could stand up the the recipe and take to brining.  Preparation began with the Mustard Caviar, which turn out to be beyond belief and will surely find its way into more of my dishes.

I was somewhat indecisive about the recipe that I was going to prepare for the Fan Woman’s Club Progressive Dinner, and annual event in Richmond’s Historic Fan District in Richmond, Virginia.  I have been a long-time followers of both Top Chef and Richard Blais’ career and have learned a great deal from his two TV shows were he use science or molecular gastronomy to challenge stand methodology.

While I have become a BIG sous vide cook, I thought I would keep my dish a bit on the simple side, although I doubt that many of the diners here will be taking on any of Richard’s dishes.

I had finally settled on braising either beef or pork, but was not sure of what.  It was only last week that I watched the final episode of Top Chef: All-Stars and when I saw the dish Pork Belly, Black Cod Cutlet, Bone Marrow, Beets, Brussels Sprouts & Kumquat.  I figured Richard is from new York so if Richard can do it I should be able to do it as well after all its in the water in NY.  Its a great dish and I would highly recommend any serious cook to give it a try.

Richard, if your ever in Richmond Virginia stop by so I can say thanks, for myself and the other diners!

Here is a link to my final version of the dish.

Richard Blais winning dish on Top Chef: All-Stars

First Friday Artwalk is here again in Richmond; and today, Friday April 1, many galleries in the historic Fan District are featuring opening receptions this evening.

Artemis Gallery at 1601 W Main Street is opening “Wired Realities,” wire sculptures by Guy Barnard and Bob Early with a reception from 5 to 10 Pm. Exhibition continues through May 5, 2011.

At Brazier Studio, the gallery  at 1516 W Main Street operated by Loryn Brazier, Fan District resident, “Turn on the Light” featuring new paintings by Anne Blair Brown and gallery artists opens with a reception from 6-8 PM tonight.

Ginger Levit atelier en ville at 1519 W Main Street is hosting an opening reception tonight between 5:30 and 8:30 PM for “Rites of Spring: Leafy Landscapes of Virginia” – Sheila Holland’s large acrylics on canvas.

Glave Kocen Gallery at 1620 W Main Street is hosting a opening reception tonight between 6 and 9 for “180 Degrees of Color” featuring work by Rob Browning and Steve Griffin.  Exhibition will continue through April 29.

Laura Loe Paintings open 6-8 Pm at 2513 W Main Street.

Main Art Gallery at 1537 W Main Street will host an opening reception between 7 and 9 PM tonight for “Fly Around” featuring art by Laura Pharis.  Works will continue on display through April 30.

Page Bond Gallery, also operated by a Fan District resident, will host Ryan McGinness with an artist talk at 6:30 PM, and a reception for the opening of “Art HIstory is Not Linear” 7Pm to 9PM at 1625 W Main Street.

At 1514 W Main Street, Reynolds Gallery will host an opening reception for “Corpora Delecti” glass and wire sculptures by Jack Wax and paintings by Heide Trepanier “Ether.” Reception 7-9PM. Exhibition continues through May 14.

Uptown Gallery at 1305 W Main Street will host an opening reception between 5 and 9 PM for the watercolors produced by the artists of the James River Art League.

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond will host an artist’s talk by Leslie Wayne at 5 PM at 1812 W Main Street and an opening reception 6-8PM for “Leslie Wayne: recent Work.”

These openings and receptions are, of course, in addition to First Friday  Art Walk along Broad Street. Art venues abound in Richmond, and art lovers are warmly welcomed! And, don’t forget that the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is featuring the only east coast appearance of “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris.”  So make it an art-filled weekend with wandering galleries Friday evening, watching the Monument Avenue 10K Saturday morning, touring with Real Richmond Food Tours and More Saturday afternoon, cheering on VCU’s Rams in the FInal Four Saturday evening at a neighborhood eatery , and a visit to VMFA for Picasso on Sunday before it ends on May 15th.  It will make a powerful, fun-filled weekend.  Y’all come!

Information provided by the innkeepers of The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast, located in the heart of the historic Fan District

If you happen to be in Richmond Virginia next weekend, either visiting or living here, there are a host of special happenings to keep you busy.

Of course, on February 19th, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opens the only east coast stop for the widely-acclaimed international tour  of “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris.”  Works from each of the artist’s major periods are represented in the exhibition including many from his personal collection.  This is clearly a once-in-lifetime opportunity to view world-class art right here in Richmond Virginia. Tickets are free for VMFA members, $20 for adults. The exhibition extends until May 15th, 2011. It’s bound to be popular so make your plans and get your tickets now!

To the Museum and Back Bus begins its Saturday run from Boulevard to downtown museums and attractions.  There’s more detail in an earlier post.

The Modlin Center for the Arts hosts Amanda Pabyan, acclaimed Soprano on February 18 at 7:30 PM. Amanda Pabyan has received glowing reviews from “Opera News” and “The New York Times.” As a soloist and chamber singer, she has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Symphony, Boston Baroque, and the American Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center.  A real treat for opera fans!

Richmond Shakespeare: presents “Romeo and Juliet” at the Gottwald Playhouse Richmond’s CenterStage on Thursday, February 17, Friday February 18, and Saturday, February 19th. Tickets to this classic tale of star-crossed lovers are available, just in case you forgot Valentine’s Day and want to get back into good standing with your Valentine! See a review here!

CNN’s own Anderson Cooper, Emmy-award winning correspondent, who has covered major news events around the world, just back from Egypt, will speak at The Richmond Forum on  Saturday evening February 19th, and, due to overwhelming demand, at a special matinee presentation on Sunday, February 20th. His topic: “a 360-Degree Look At World Events.” Information and Tickets. The Richmond Forum is a 501 (c) (3) educational organization dedicated to bringing leaders from around the world to Richmond’s stage to expand horizons, to stimulate conversation, and to inspire our community. Anderson Cooper will speak at Richmond’s Landmark Theater.

Real Richmond Food Tours & More will be navigating the culture and cuisine of the Virginia Commonwealth University/Fan area in a tour called Alternative Eats on Saturday, February 19th. Tickets! This 1.5 mile walking tour will feature the Victorian architecture of the Fan Historic District and samples of food from some of the neighborhood eateries – and maybe even a behind the scenes peek into the folks who run the kitchen.

There’s no reason to sit at home — there is just too much to see and do…..

The Grace Street Theater at 934 West Grace Street in the heart of VCU’s Monroe Park campus is the site of the VCU Southern Film Festival.

2nd Annual VCU Southern Film Festival February 24 - 26

Lovers of classic films and great works of southern literature are in for a super treat.

The series starts at 6PM on Thursday, February 24th, with a book reading and signing by Charles Shields of “Mockingbird: An Intimate Portrait of Harper Lee.”  This event takes place at one of Richmond’s favorite independent bookstores, Fountain Book Store at 1312 East Cary Street in Richmond’s Historic Shockoe Slip.

Friday opens at 4PM with the 1979 film “Wise Blood.”  This film examines the Southern gothic world of religion through obsessed preacher Hazel Motes, founder of the Church Without Christ. The film is based on the novel by Flannery O’Connor and will be featured at the Grace Street Theater.

At 7 PM, “In This Our Life,” a 1942 film based on Ellen Glasgow’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, portrays family betrayal and racial tension in the south.  Olivia de Havilland and Bette Davis perform as rival sisters and won accolades for their performances.  This is the first Hollywood film to portray African-Americans as intelligent characters in a non-menial role.

On Saturday, February 26th, the Grace Street Theater opens at 10AM, with “The Story of Temple Drake,” based on the novel by William Faulkner, depicting Temple Drake, young woman who embodies Southern decadence, as well as its demise.

At 1 PM, “The Color Purple,” the 1985 film based on Alice Walker’s novel describes the bonding of black women in early 20th century Georgia. Performances by Whoopie Goldberg, Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey make this a “must-see.”

The 1951 film “A Streetcar Named Desire” with Vivian Leigh and Marlon Brando begins at 4PM. It is based on the prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, won four Academy Awards and launched Williams as one of the South’s literary lions.

Between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM, Charles Shields will again sign his book “Mockingbird: An Intimate Portrait of Harper Lee” but this time at VCU Barnes and Noble at 1111 West Broad, just around the block from the Grace Street Theater.

At  7 PM, the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird” will conclude the festival. Charles Shields will discuss how the screenplay evolved from the novel. Mary Badham, the actress who played Scout, will discuss her experience on the set of the film.

All in all, the VCU Southern Film Festival is bound to be a February highlight, an event not to miss.  Best of all, all events are FREE and open to the public.

And, if you happen to visit Richmond, Virginia, your innkeepers at the premier B&B in the historic Fan District, hope you’ll reserve one of our guest rooms so you can be right in the middle of it all!