The New Shockoe Bottom

I remember growing up in Shockoe Bottom, located east of downtown along the James River, in my hometown of Richmond, VA.  Before the millennium ages, Shockoe Bottom was the more industrial part of Richmond, where many goods were loaded and unloaded.  Apart from the industrial feel, for me, Shockoe Bottom was like a gregarious countryside Caribbean Island.  Within a five block radius you were surrounded by several small family owned businesses and the largest Farmer’s Market.  There would even be, on rare occasions, a man on a mule or tugging a cow, passing through.  The people of Shockoe Bottom were a community of friends, whom bonded well and supported each other’s businesses. And I remember my Dad’s business, Pacific Seafood Market, located at 19 18^th St. 

 

On a recent trip home (to lend a hand in my mom’s latest entrepreneurial venture) my burning desire led me to revisit Shockoe Bottom, the community which felt like immediate family during my adolescent days.  It’s been over 17 years, since my Daddy, sold his Seafood Market, and that was probably the last time I visited the neighborhood and stepped foot into the market, and boy has a lot changed.

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You Go, Solo, In Miami-oh!

Lately I’ve become the Solo-Traveler, which I love. I’ve been jet-setting on these one-day and weekend getaways. Traveling solo can be a lot of fun. And strange as it may sound, or most of us tend to not believe, it can be pretty safe. I would advise you to do your research, brush up on the culture, the local life, the language, surrounding neighborhoods, and the local attractions, etc. With that being said, here’s my latest one-day getaway excursion to South Beach, Miami, FL. Nestled in the heart of South Beach but a tab bit off the main beat is where you’ll find a quiet and seductive boutique hotel called The Sanctuary. I found the name of the hotel to be quite peculiar…very sacred. I wasn’t sure if I should pray first or kneel down before entering this “holy” ground…I didn’t know if I should be shunned for my persecutions or praised for my persecutions. A sanctuary is a place where one is taken for some sort of wrongdoing. Well if I did wrong and I had to choose a place to be persecuted it would be South Beach’s Sanctuary Hotel.

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Desperados Mexican Restaurant

I used to live in Texas and occasionally I long for Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes that seem to be so hard to come by in my current city. So when my friend suggested we visit her favorite local Mexican restaurant (Desperados) while I was in Dallas, I was more than willing to go along. Margarita lovers should not miss their award winning “La Margarita”. Served on the rocks the mixture of fresh lime juice, Sauza Commerativo, Cointreau and a little something they keep as their secret, it is the kind of drink summers and lazy days were made for. Needless to say they were so tasty we had a few. But they also have sangria for those of you looking for a non tequila drink.

The Tortilla soup is a traditional broth with homemade tortilla strips and vegetables. I have had better tortilla soup but my main dish was enough to make me call this place my new favorite spot. The Desperado Taco is typically served with beef or chicken but tonight’s special was a shrimp version. Two crispy flour tortillas enclose gooey melted cheese and the seasoned shrimp. Combined with pico de gallo and this dish is enough to make you wonder why you ever ate a taco anywhere else. My friend had the fish tacos, a fried catfish taco with cabbage and Desperados signature “mayotle” sauce. Both dishes are served with sopa de frijol and rice.

The thing that I long for most when I am needing a Tex-Mex fix are sopapillas and once again Desperados did not disappoint. Made in house and served with butter and honey they were the perfect conclusion to the meal.

There are two locations for Desperados and if you go to the Texas Fair they always have a booth. They also are located at Texas stadium, so Dallas Cowboy fans and enemies can take advantage of this local establishment while enjoying the game.

Desperados
4818 Greenville Ave @ University
214-363-1850
desperadouno@sbcglobal.net