Archive for April, 2009

Apr29

Julie/Julia

I so loved this book when it came out. I’ll be seeing this movie.

Continue Reading »

Filed in: Banter

Apr22

Le Yaca - Williamsburg

I had the pleasure this week at dining at Le Yaca, a French restaurant located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It’s located in a shopping center, and while it was pretty empty at night (the shopping center), Le Yaca is alive and well. I’ve eaten lunch here a number of years ago, enjoying some delicious crab crèpes. For […]

Continue Reading »

Filed in: French Restaurant Review


Apr19

Chicken and Potatoes

A scrumptious dinner can be had with not a lot of fuss, should you decide to take the advice of one radio host, Mrs. Lynne Rosetto Kasper. This evening I made her chicken with tarragon and buttered leeks (absolutely a real treasure) and her almond-topped turmeric potatoes. Every bite was heaven. From the lemony-tarragon herbed notes […]

Continue Reading »

Filed in: In the Kitchen

Apr19

Mama Cucina

Mama Cucina is located at 4028 Cox Rd in Glen Allen, VA in the “Shoppes of Innsbrook.” I’ve probably been there now 7-9 times, and my last trip pretty-much summed up my experience with them over the years. Each visit has been surprisingly consistent. MC seems like a place you might dress-up for, but it is […]

Continue Reading »

Filed in: Italian Restaurant Review


Apr12

Easter Brunch

Crab Omelette Beat eggs with a few teaspoons of water and white pepper together, and add to a nonstick pan with melted butter. Create an omelette. No not scramble the eggs, let them come up to heat slowly by shaking the pan. Add minced red peppers, and when eggs are set, lump crab meat, salt, and grated […]

Continue Reading »

Filed in: In the Kitchen



About Messy Cuisine

What is Messy Cuisine?

Several years ago, friends and I decided to produce our own cooking show. What might we call it? The Messy Chef was born, a moniker inspired by my own mother’s description of my abilities in the kitchen. “You might cook well, but you sure are messy.”

Messy Cuisine is a website dedicated to restaurant reviews and future online video productions of The Messy Chef. I hope to find ways to make the site more interactive for visitors.

How do I see all the restaurants you have reviewed?

Under the navigation section, choose Category > Restaurant Reviews and the page that is displayed will show all reviews in alphabetical order.

Is Messy Cuisine a business?

No, a pasttime and a passion.

Messy Cuisine Logo

Who designed the logo for Messy Cuisine? I did. It was produced using Adobe Illustrator. It’s adapted from the typeface PMN Caecilia.

Tell me more about the Restaurant Reviews…

Unlike the NY Times, or other well-established locations, the reviews I write may be based on one or more visits, but sometimes it is just one. Typically, I’ll cover the best and worst points. I usually mention what I had, and make comments too on the service and the atmosphere of the restaurant. The ratings I assign are not derived from some complex rubric, but are a genealized, overall reaction to my meal at the particular restaurant. I do not discriminate on price: cheap eats can earn a top rating, just the same as an expensive restaurant. I think price and formality, however, can affect your choice when dining, so I’ve begun to use a 3-tiered indicator for price to guide your choices.

About the Chef

Not a chef, really… a gourmet, or simply an enthusiast for good things in life. I have shared reviews of places I eat online for over 6 years. I typically go out a lot, due to convenience and a desire to try new things. At home, I gravitate towards Italian cuisine, but also French technique and simple dishes and dinners. My baking skills aren’t great, but I do love a good pie or croissant.

Show Models

Probably my favorite TV program for cooking is TV Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, for its style and content. We’re also inspired by NBC’s hit comedy show, The Office, and have attempted some take-offs on that filming style and charactature.

The Blog

The blog is powered by WordPress, the open source blog engine. I evaluted several content management systems (CMS) when beginning, but I was most familiar with this and its templating system.

Where else do you recommend I learn about good food online?

I really like a number of food blogs, which I link to up above in the main navigation area, a blogroll, so to speak. I also have included a link below to Vaynerchuck’s Wine Library TV.

WLTV