Times Dispatch Reviews the 821 Cafe

The Richmond Times Dispatch ran a review of the 821 Bakery Cafe today. Here’s a portion: 821 Café’s menu boasts casual fare but plenty of flavor — wraps, croissant sandwiches, subs, burgers, pasta and breakfast (served until 5 p.m.). We tried 821’s signature fried artichoke sub ($7.25), a pork loin sandwich ($6.75) and Fetabello ($10), […]

January 13, 2011; 10:22 AM • by Oregon Hill

The Richmond Times Dispatch ran a review of the 821 Bakery Cafe today. Here’s a portion:

821 Café’s menu boasts casual fare but plenty of flavor — wraps, croissant sandwiches, subs, burgers, pasta and breakfast (served until 5 p.m.).

We tried 821’s signature fried artichoke sub ($7.25), a pork loin sandwich ($6.75) and Fetabello ($10), angel hair pasta topped with portabellas and feta.

The big crusty sub roll held perfectly fried pieces of artichoke, spinach, spicy mustard and plenty of provolone. If you’re tired of most menus’ bland vegetarian options, this simple sub packs plenty of pungency.

Thick-cut slices of roasted pork were gussied up with a boatload of caramelized onions, melted Swiss and a jolt of tangy honey mustard. The flavors were in perfect balance; however, the spongy bun was not. I wouldn’t recommend it if finger-licking good isn’t your style.

The pasta was tasty stuff. Fresh basil, crumbly feta and tons of garlic enhanced the simple toppings: spinach, Parmesan, portabellas and tomatoes. Accompanying garlic bread was so-so, but it did its duty in soaking up the white wine sauce.

821 has long catered to its immediate audience — college kids happy to exist on sandwiches and pasta. But its menu has enough diversity and pizzazz that those not toting textbooks are loyal fans as well, no matter what the address.

Click here for the full review.
Got this from the restaurant’s Facebook page:

…cooking roasted corn and chicken chili w/ fried tortillas. meatball sub w/ roasted garlic and bacon mayo topped with field greens and fried bourbon onions. BBQ Tofu. Tis thirsty thursday yall! check our review in todays Times dispatch and prepare for Fridays tapping of Bells hopslam @ 5 pm!!!

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January 13, 2011 10:22 AM 0