newspaper review of DS1's restaurant !!

13 years ago

This just came out in the local paper. He has been there with his wife since November. This is the first review to come out in the newspaper. There is also a new one on Trip Advisor. We are so pleased.

The News-Gazette Review 2/2/10 The Red Hen Brings Bold, Local Flavors To

Downtown

by Chef M

Nestled in downtown Lexington, you can find a quaint little eatery known as the

Red Hen. Upon first glance, you may not know that the small red brick building

could hold a restaurant that features wonderful creations by an innovative chef

that is proud to bring customers the freshest of foods grown locally in the

Shenandoah Valley. Farm-to-table cuisine is fast growing in the restaurant

trade and the Red Hen has finally brought the concept to Lexington, so I had to

see what they had accomplished.

When I entered the quaint one-room restaurant, my eyes were immediately drawn

to the ornately carved wood rafters and the open kitchen with two chefs. The

menu was simple and the wine list, like its food, featured many local products.

I was already growing in excitement for the upcoming meal. Afer I had finally

decided on the Virginia made Foggy Ridge Sweet Staymen Cider, the server poured

the crisp bubbly cider that had notes of vanilla with a hint of sweetness.

To begin my meal, the chefs prepared their Country Style Local Duck and Pork

Belly Pate. I am always a sucker for good pate and this was a delight to have

in our historic town. The pate was a beautiful combination of the rich duck and

fatty pork belly complimented with Zinfandel poached cranberries, grain mustard

and grilled ciabatta. It was a perfect way to begin the evening as I continued

to sip on my cider. Next, I was delighted with a plate of Sweet Potato Gnocchi.

The perfect balance of the sweet potato in the gnocchi was highlighted by their

bacon-onion jam. It was a tribute to the many ways pork can be manipulated to

elevate a dish. Rounding off the appetizers, a plate of Seared Sea Scallops

with celery root risotto was set in front of me. Well, let's just say, it

didn't sit there long. The fresh scallops were perfectly cooked, keeping the

rich creamy flesh tender and juicy. The celery root added a harmonious bit of

crunch while the lemon emulsion enhanced the flavor of the scallop.

After such appetizing starters, my mouth was watering for more. Typical to my

love of pork and duck, I had the Oven Roasted Maple Leaf Farm Duck Confit and

the Rockbridge County Herb Roasted Pork Loin. The duck was a beautiful creation

that was not overly salty and perfectly combined with stone ground grits and

braised red cabbage, finished off with a cranberry-pomegranate coulis that

completely elevated the dish. The pork, perfectly cooked and tender, had

glistening juice dripping from every slice combined with sweet potato cream,

causing an explosion of flavor across the palate. The chef had paired the pork

loin with my vegetable of the moment, the Brussels sprout. There are many

misconceptions about Brussels sprouts, but cooked properly, such as the Red

Hen's version with pork belly and local chestnuts, they can be a titillating

accompaniment to any dish.

My final dish may scare many, but I implore you to expand your horizons. The

Red Wine Braised Buffalo Creek Ox Tongue Stew was out of this world. Tongue is

delicacy that I enjoy whenever it is offered on the menu and the Red Hen's stew

is a beautiful combination of the tender meat with local vegetables. You won't

regret trying it!

The Red Hen is definitely a restaurant worthy of those featured in Food & Wine

magazine and we are lucky that they are in our wonderful little town. I urge

you to stop in and let the chefs amaze your taste buds.

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Comments (17)

quilly
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is a wonderful review. Kudos to your son! You must be so proud! Where is the restaurant located - the review does mention Lexington. I hope it's near you so you can enjoy his cooking often. I wish him continued success - that's a tough business.
folkvictorian
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! What a fantastic review. I bet the restaurant is booming with business! I'll take an order of the Sweet Potato Gnocchi to go, please! Yum!
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You guys are so GREAT ! Yes Cameron if you would like to leave a comment please do. We had 69 tonight and will be full tomorrow night as well since it is Homecoming. Would that we were full each night. The crowds are diminishing as the economy takes a turn downward. We are out in the "country" and therefore subject to all the + and - of that. We had no reservations on Wed AM so DS ordered accordingly...then they all start calling on Friday at 4:30 PM..."can I get a reservation for 11 people at 5:30?". Well that isn't going to cut it...he can't get any food at all after he orders on Tues/Wed. There are still folks that think this is a "Ruby Tuesday" type place. Of course our regulars know that it isn't. TM ....collards are like turnip greens...cooked right they are wonderful although pungent...you will just have to come on down !! THANK YOU again for all the sweet and enthusiastic comments. I will keep you posted as to the SL visit next Friday. c
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stinky-gardener
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sounds outstanding and very interesting. Love the name of the place! It's darling too...look at these pics! Lovely, well-done website! Thanks for sharing, Trailrunner. Your son is obviously a very talented and hard-working man.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Hen...how cute is this?
cooperbailey
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wish it was there when we made several trips to Lexington on the college search 4 years ago! we asked for recommends from the college and with such a write up, I am sure it would have been a top if not the top recommend.
Congrats!
and Lexington is such a great town.
IdaClaire
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a great review, and what a beautiful little restaurant! It looks upscale and cozy/welcoming at the same time!
User
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You guys are sweet. Thank you. We wish we were closer too. We went for New Year's Eve and spent time with them. It is a 9 hr drive from us so we can't get up there too often. So far just the one visit.

quilly: it is the home of VMI and Washington and Lee just 3 hrs South of D.C.

folk: I wish they had " to go" :)

stinky: they sure are both very hard workers. That is pretty much all they think about. He called last night about a hog jowl recipe that he was doing with 11# instead of 50# and wanted my input LOL. I have never ever made cured hog jowls !

sue: wish you could get down there too. It is very different from what the last chef was doing. So far they are really filling up almost every night. They are now offering music some nights and a bar menu and will open at 4 PM for Happy Hour due to demand. Check out the blog ( look under links at bottom of their main page ) and see what they offer and also pics)

jen: they are very upscale but still homey kinds of comfort food with a mediterranean flair to it. He only has 30 seats and the kitchen is TINY...I wish I had taken pics and posted on the kitchen forum :) We can all forget needing lots of big fancy spaces to prepare great cuisine.

I was sorry the reviewer didn't leave room for dessert LOL...my DIL makes amazing things. She is a pastry chef and has a double degree from NECI, where they met,in pastry as well as mngt. She is the manager at the Red Hen and does the desserts and wine list. They are making lots of changes and are really looking forward to warm weather and all the suppliers that live in the area so they can buy virtually everything from local growers. You can see a current menu with desserts and also their blog page on the web site.

Thank you again for looking !! c
Oakley
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How proud you and dh must be! That's the type of restaurant I like to visit, a place where the food is great and I can linger over a good meal.
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
'highlighted by their bacon-onion jam'
That sounds unbelievably good! Bravo to your kids!
maire_cate
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well I just checked out the menu. I think it might be a good thing that you're not closer or you'd have to jog back home to work off some calories. The Menu is really unique and a boon to foodies everywhere.
golddust
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I want to make reservations!! DH and I are always on the hunt for great places to eat. Congratulations to your DS and his wife. Obviously they are very hard workers with great talent. BACON ONION JAM? I'm in!!!
User
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
oakley: thank you it is a nice and cozy place to linger. Great ambience for a very small place. we are really happy for them.

deedee: it is yummy, he seems to have a gift for pairing flavors and textures. Thank You !

maire cate: they lived with us at one time for 4 months and cooked like that every night. I lost weight. It is the thing I mentioned on the " 17 day diet" thread...when it tastes so rich and good and is made with quality products you don't eat so much and are more satisfied. In moderation of course :) We sure do miss them , they were here in this area for 5 years. Thank You !! c
tinam61
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How exciting! Sounds delish . . . . .

tina
kitchendetective
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How fabulous! And I adore Lexington!
User
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
thank you tina ! it is delish !

kitchen: hope you can get to the restaurant...make sure and tell them we " know" each other...they love to hear it ! c
eandhl
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Adorable place with a fabulous menu. Wish I was closer and on your next visit take pictures!!!
cat_mom
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A prize chef with a prize mom!!!!
User
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Holly you are right ! I intended to get pics on New Years but you know how that goes. It is SO SMALL and they were so busy. Next time or I will get DIL to do it.

Cat you are a sweet one ! c

newspaper review of DS1's restaurant !!

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quilly

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newspaper review of DS1's restaurant !!

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