There’s this really neat new website called My Roanoke Story that I just discovered. It “is a collaborative effort to highlight the amazing diversity of Roanokers and the talent pool of the Roanoke Valley” and features stories about the people who live, work, and play in the Roanoke Valley. Check it out. You may just find my story there…
Ever get that itch for some great sushi? No? Neither did I really until I tried Wasabi’s. This quaint little restaurant features some of the best selections of sushi and sashimi that I’ve every had the pleasure of throwing down my gullet. Rebecca and I took the boy and her parents out for dinner the other night. Her folks aren’t exactly the regular clientèle of a place like Wasabi’s, but they are adventurous, so they went along with our invitation to dinner.
The dinner was started with some very nice Miso soup, and a nice green salad with Wasabi’s own ginger dressing and was enjoyed by all. The in-laws ordered the Stir Fried Beef and they both enjoyed their main courses.
The boy was quite adventurous on this particular evening and ordered Tako, which is octopus, and the Ika, or calamari, salad. He cleaned his plate of the Tako, but didn’t quite finish the Ika salad. He did take it to go, however.
Rebecca ordered her favorite, California Roll, along with Sweet Potato Tempura Roll which she now claims is her new favorite. It was the first time that she had tried it, and I had a piece and it was very good.
She also beat me into ordering one of my favorites, the Sumo Roll, which is a grilled tuna, tempura fried roll covered in a special sauce. Additionally she ate a bit of Cody’s Tako and found she much enjoyed the flavor, despite its strange texture.
I was left to order my other favorite, the Electric Eel, a combination of eel, cream cheese, and jalapeño which I always enjoy. I then ordered the Samurai Roll, spicy tuna wrapped in cucumber, as a replacement to the Sumo that I had planned on ordering.
We all had saved a bit of room for dessert, so it was time to stuff ourselves a bit. The guys all ordered the tempura fried bananas, while Rebecca had ordered the Lechee ice cream. After experiencing a spoonful, her mother decided to get her own dish as well. That has to be a ringing endorsement of how good that particular dish was if I ever heard one. Over all the evening went spectacularly, the boy and in-laws enjoyed a great dinner, and Rebecca and I were able to try some new dishes and step away from our favorites a bit as well. If you like sushi, or are just looking to be adventurous in your culinary experiences, I would highly recommend you drop on by.
Wasabi’s is located at 214 Market Street in downtown Roanoke and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30am - 3pm for lunch and from 5pm - 10pm for dinner. You can make reservations by calling (540) 904 - MAKI.
202 Market is hosting two special artists for Mardi Gras 2008. Celebrate on Friday, February 1st with Eric Lindell and on Saturday, February 2nd withSway Katz. They’re claiming it will be “a party the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else.”
You can also enjoy Open Mic Nights every Tuesday at 202 Market. Listeners can experience some of this area’s hidden talent…
And on Wednesday nights, musicians can bring their instruments and rock out with singer/ guitarist Hoppie Vaughn at Electric Open Jam. 202 is the place to experience DJ’s Diego, Mateo, Quest Entertainment’s DJs and DJ Dance. Their completely distinct sounds ensure that there is something for every listener!
The lunch specials for Blues BBQ Co. this week are as follows:
Monday, January 28th - Fried Chicken Club-w/ ham, lettuce, tomato, mayo-choice of side, drink $8.95
Tuesday, January 29th - Savannah Style Pulled Pork-choice of side, drink $8.95
Wednesday, January 30th - Chopped Brisket BBQ-choice of side, drink $8.95
Thursday, January 31st - Fried Green Tomato BLT w/provolone-choice of side, drink $8.95
Friday, February 1st - Crab Cake Sandwich w/homemade tartar sauce-choice of side, drink $10.95
Don’t forget, downtown delivery is now free with the purchase of $15 or more.
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You can also catch the following entertainment this week:
Tuesday, January 29th - ACOUSTIC ENDEAVORS (no cover) a fantastic bluegrass band that will
really amaze you!
Thursday, January 31st - GUY”S NIGHT… We all know what ladies night is, but how about a Guy’s
Night!! $2.00 in-house specials, $5.00 appetizers, Action Movies, and great
company…
Friday , February 1st - JACK WAYNE & THE BLUE NOTES (no cover) a group of young Roanoke musicians
that can really play!
Saturday, February 2nd - DYER & ZANNIE (no cover) come check it out…
SUPERBOWL SUNDAY - February 3rd -
Come on down and watch your favorite team on the big screen! There will be
in-house specials and $5.00 appetizers. We will be rooting for the Giants so
anyone wearing Giants attire will receive 10% off of their food purchase.
(Dine-in only)
VALENTINE’S DAY – Thursday, February 14th -
The Blues BBQ Valentine’s Day dinner includes a 5 course meal for $25.00 per
person. Reservations can be made for 5 p.m., 7 p.m., or 9 p.m. MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS TODAY!
Rebecca and I decided to have a date night this past Friday. Date nights are fun because we usually like to try something new that this wonderful city has to offer, especially something in the downtown area. This date night we decided on Blue 5. Upon first entering the restaurant, the ambiance is outstanding. We were seated at a booth in the back of the restaurant which provided for quite a bit of privacy, which we both enjoyed. We started the evening with drinks, and a couple of appetizers. The first appetizer really wasn’t designed to be, but our wonderful waitress accommodated our request to split the fairly large portioned Caesar salad. Next up we had the Beef Skewers, which were just out of this world. Very tender, just enough spice with a little kick, but not hot enough that you are reaching for your glass. Rebecca described them simply as “Oh my god” and I would have to agree. However, the main courses were somewhat of a disappointment. I had ordered the Ella Burger, which had piqued my interest due to it’s combination of mushroom and Gouda. I had ordered the burger done medium, and it came out pretty much well done. Strike One. Along with the burger I had ordered their sweet potato fries. While they were cut like fries, they were far from fries in the classic sense. A pile of mushy strings would be the best way to describe them. Srike Two. Rebecca ordered the Penne Cuervo, which is described as lime chicken with a combination of peppers and cream over penne pasta. It was truly a bland and boring dish, reminiscent more of something you’d order at a large chain like TGI Fridays, only at twice the cost. Strike Three. We had originally intended to stay for the entertainment that was performing that night, but after experiencing some truly lousy main courses at such high prices, we had enough of Blue 5 and continued date night elsewhere. It would take something fairly special I think for me to give them a second chance at this point, because as most folks know, first impressions are everything. In our case, Blue 5 left us shaking our heads wondering what all the excitement is about.
I love sugar scrubs. Unfortunately, my husband does not. His complaint? They leave the tub slippery. The solution? My brand new line of Cream Sugar Scrubs! My Cream Sugar Scrubs won’t leave your tub slippery. Nor will they leave your skin feeling greasy or oily making them suitable for all skin types. They lightly moisturize while exfoliating for softer, smoother skin. What’s more, they’re made from the highest quality, natural ingredients. Only the color and scent are artificial. And boy oh boy do they smell delicious! Choose from the following scents: Pink Sugar (Aquolina Type), Lemon Verbena (pictured above), Blackberry Vanilla, and Raspberry Vanilla. Look for them downtown at the Roanoke Farmer’s Market as well as online in my shop.
Select soaps in my shop are now half off! Regular $4.50 each, these soaps are now just $2.25 each. Plus, for a limited time you’ll also receive a free bar of Vanilla Buttercream Soap with the purchase of any five items - including sale. Choose from Strawberry Champagne, Raspberry Lemonade, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Orange Clove, Banana & Oatmeal, White Zinfandel, Iced Green Tea, White Tea, and Lively Fruit & Floral. Sale prices good online only. Supplies are very limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. Shop now to take advantage of this offer.
What are your favorite scents of summer, most especially, scents you’d like to enjoy in a bar of handmade soap? Leave a comment with up to three of your favorite scents over at SoapDeliNews.com and you’re entered to Win a FREE BAR of my new Strawberry Preserves Soap (coming soon.) Prize valued at $4.50. Contest is open to US and Canadian residents age 18 and over. Limit one entry per person. Void in Puerto Rico and Quebec. Contest ends March 15, 2008 at midnight EST. One winner will be drawn at random on or around March 16, 2008 and notified via email. Shipping information will be requested at that time. Enter now.
I currently have a batch of my new Strawberry Preserves soap curing. The scent is a delicious blend of strawberries and sweet syrup and smells almost edible. It’s filled with ground oatmeal and poppy seeds for exfoliation. Each bar weighs at least 4 oz. and will be available for sale on the Roanoke Farmer’s Market in February. Like all of my other soaps, this one is also rich in moisturizing oils and butters for happier, healthier skin. It’s perfect for both cleansing and shaving due to its thick, creamy lather. So be sure to keep an eye for it!
You may also be interested in Old Favorites Making a Comeback and Online Exclusive Sales.
Some of my favorite breakfast sausage is actually locally made in Axton, VA by Sandy River Pork. I love their hot sausage!
Family owned by Walter and Yvonne Rieck, Sandy River Pork has been in the pork business for 27 years. They pride themselves on the way they raise their livestock, in an all natural open environment allowing for both grain and grass feeding. Their meat is free of hormones, steroids, artificial growth stimulants, drugs or antibiotics. Stop by the Roanoke Farmer’s Market on Saturdays to try a free sausage sample or to purchase their products.
You can also read more about their products or order online at SandyRiverPork.com.
Once you’ve bought your sausage, try one of these tasty recipes:
Sausage and Rice Casserole Recipe
Breakfast Sausage Enchiladas
Spicy Sausage Breakfast Bake
Pancake and Sausage Casserole
Sausage Gravy
