Ask Lauren: new in Jackson Ward, a pizza for everyone, and great Mexican

This week Lauren tells us about a new spot for lunch meetings in Jackson Ward, the Great Pizza Pie Compromise, and some delicious Mexican food.

January 17, 2014; 9:36 AM • by Ross Catrow

Now, through the magic of the internet, you too can ask Lauren your myriad food-related questions. Well, technically, you can leave your questions in the comments below, I’ll ask Lauren, and then I’ll let you know what she says. It’s like the three-legged stool of restaurant recommendations.

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I set up business lunches downtown quite a bit, and I feel like I’m hitting the same places over and over and over. Gimme something new to try!

We had the pleasure of grabbing a lunch meeting at Lucy’s the other day, and man!, what a great addition to the Jackson Ward neighborhood. It’s cozy, with plenty of space for meetings of any size—we ended up with six people comfortably accommodated. The food’s great too; there are plenty of veggie options (the meatless meatball sandwich, which sounds dumb, is incredible) and a little of something for everyone. Check it out!

• Lucy’s Restaurant
• 404 N. 2nd Street
• Tuesday – Saturday • 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Sunday • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

I hate meat on my pizza, but my dumb old boyfriend is tired of margherita and veggie pies. It’s gotten to the point where I think we need a neutral, third-party recommendation…

While still technically a veggie pizza, Arianna’s The Kitchen Sink is different enough that it should appeal to most people (dumb old boyfriends included). It’s got a bit of everything: roasted red peppers, pineapple, jalapeños, mozzarella, and mushrooms. And hey, they deliver!

• Arianna’s
• 804.353.6002 (The Fan) • 804.627.0314 (Lakeside)

Mexican food. I need it now.

Just over the Richmond City line on Brook Road sits La Casita—it’s the weird little red house next to the Wendy’s. The inside is equally as weird, with the ceiling covered in a million strands of every type of Christmas light imaginable. The food is steps above your average casual Mexican restaurant, and the kitchen is super willing to make a lot of the menu items vegetarian. Plus they’ve got this magical white sauce to dip your chips in that defies explanation. Go there now!

• La Casita
• 5204 Brook Road

January 17, 2014 9:36 AM 4