202 Market - Roanoke
I recently had the opportunity to visit 202 Market, a modern-style restaurant and lounge in downtown Roanoke, VA. They use such terms as “5-star” and “world-class” to describe themselves. This pompous attitude is echoed in their decor, artwork, and atmosphere: can such a place exist in the otherwise sleepy town of Roanoke?
Pompous perhaps, but well-deserved, too. This place had an incredibly imaginative menu that when tested with our tasting, won rave reviews across the board.
The waitstaff was not pompous; instead, they were well-trained, honest, and very knowledgeable about the ingredients and dishes. The atmosphere was modern, edgy, comfortable, and whimsical. You imagine that perhaps after a nice visit to the new, modern-designed museum downtown, that you might stroll-over to this vibrant place for delicious snacks, live music, or both.
Something like foamy lobster with green beans in a lukewarm-smear of wasabi-scented whipped potatoes. “Unusual combinations of temperature, spice, and sour are in this dish, amazing” was at least one comment that was echoed across several dishes.
I opted for a smaller duet of plates, from the English pea agnolotti with speck, to the root-vegetable-encrusted lobster bites with sweet, sour, and creamy flavors and textures. Each taste combination was calculated, for sure, but ultimately pleasing, intriguing, and satisfying.
Imagine our delight when a quartet of equally inventive desserts made their way out, from a whole host of flavors like banana, chocolate, saffron, and more covered the gamut from satisfying and familiar to exotic and sublime. Where else will you find desserts that contain Fruity Pebbles, and Dr. Pepper-soaked pop rocks?
All in all, everything was delicious. We enjoyed watching the dinner being made via flat-screen TVs that were connected to in-kitchen cameras. 202 Market just might be world-class. I hope it can stay in Roanoke; it is a destination restaurant that changes its menu often, and promises a variety of entertaining options.
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Jack McDougal
Said this on February 27th, 2008 at 10:07am:I’ve been here twice now, and each visit inspires me to return… the first time I came for drinks and the music; the second, for the food; I look forward to returning again soon when I can get over to Roanoke.