Blue Talon - Williamsburg, VA

Having spent 4 wonderful years of College in Williamsburg, going back is like going home. And what better than a cozy French bistro with true comfort food and warm colors to welcome you home? I've eaten at Blue Talon several times for brunch and lunch, but somehow had never made it for dinner. So, on a recent trip to Williamsburg we decided to go for dinner and found we were just as pleased as we had been by their daytime offerings.

For starters, there are several great options, including those for the more adventurous like frog legs, which may I say were delicious. They are lightly pan-fried and served with an incredible version of a sweet-hot sauce. I decided to go for something a little less exotic called raclette, which actually refers to the name of the cheese not the dish. Raclette is a semi-firm cows milk cheese that is good for melting. At the Blue Talon they melt it and serve it over potato wedges. It wasn't the best thing I've had a Blue Talon, and it wasn't really unique either. Next time I'll opt for trying the ever favorite escargot.

For entrees I decided to go with the true comfort French food: crepes. These were a grown-up version with a creamy mushroom-chicken filling, flavored with herbs-de-Provence and finished with asparagus and parmesan. They were so rich, creamy and full of flavor. My husband had a gnocchi topped with clams, shrimp and scallops that had a nice light sauce. The gnocchi were so light and delicate, which is perfect next to mild shellfish and seafood. Another great option they serve as a side and at lunch, is the mac and cheese. I didn't have it on this visit, but have before and it is so delicious!

If you're heading down to Williamsburg over the holidays (great shopping at the outlets, great culture along Duke of Gloucester aka DOG Street), be sure to check out Blue Talon for a cozy and delicious meal! Oh and make your free reservation at OpenTable.com ... a favorite website of mine that Charlottesville eateries have yet to tap!

Voila! - Restuarant Week #2

For dining experience number 2 of restaurant week I headed to Voila! with my husband and in-laws. Somehow we had yet to experience this wonderful little French bistro-esque place, but luckily Restaurant week remedied that! The atmosphere inside the restaurant is really quaint yet hip at the same time. The decor varies from a Korean robe to impressionist art work, showing the varied international fusion to which the restaurant claims its name.

Before our meal came out the chef had prepared an amuse bouche, which is always a nice little treat. This time it was cucumber topped with smoked salmon and some type of creme based sauce. It was just enough to tempt my palate.

For my appetizer I had the Fromage de Chevre en Croute, or chevre cheese wrapped in puff pastry drizzled with strawberry sauce. It was delicious, but as my husband pointed out, more of a dessert than an appetizer due to its rich creaminess. My husband had the ceviche which was amazing though. The lime juices cooked the tuna and scallops just the right amount and the scallops and the cilantro paired with it brought a fresh taste.

For the entree I had seabass en papillote, or seabass on top of julienne vegetables baked in parchment paper. The seabass was wonderful and extremely moist, partially due to its being cooked in the parchment paper. My husband had the veal, which though I am not typically a veal eater, it was well done (not temperature of course) and extremely well paired with the forest mushrooms and sauce.

For dessert I had the creme brulee, perhaps my favorite dessert, that was excellent. It can't be a French inspired restaurant without amazing creme brulee in my personal opinion! The cheesecake and apple tart were also delicious.

Overall, well worth a visit outside of restaurant week to see the full menu!

Food: 4 forks
Cost: $$$ (for restaurant week)
Atmosphere: 2 thumbs up