Last night was so fun! I met up with Katharina, a Richmond food blogger and new friend, to have dinner at Ipanema Cafe, a small, local, vegetarian/vegan restaurant with delicious dishes. It’s one of my favorite places to get vegetarian cuisine in Richmond- I’ve mentioned it before on my eat out page. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever ordered anything that I didn’t like! The menu changes pretty often so they don’t have regular paper menus- the daily menu is written on a chalkboard when you walk in. If you’re ever in the area and craving veggie fare I definitely recommend trying Ipanema out.
I was a little late for our date because street parking was horrendous. Katharina was patiently waiting when I arrived. She is just as genuine and sweet as she seems on her blog and I’m so pumped to have found another foodie friend nearby. When I first started blogging I didn’t think there were any other food bloggers in Richmond, but now I’ve found that there are several and I’ve even met a handful of them! Katharina and I had plenty to talk about and chatted all throughout dinner. Speaking of dinner, this is what I ordered:
A Spinach Salad with port poached pears, pecans, cranberries, and gorgonzola
And a bowl of the Thai Carrot Soup
Pardon the photos as the lighting is quite dim at Ipanema. It was funny actually because throughout our meal the lights kept dimming and Katharina and I were joking about it getting more romantic.
Both the salad and soup were scrumptious. I loved the sweet pecans and cranberries in the salad and I’ve always been a fan of pear in salads so this one did not disappoint. I couldn’t figure out what else was in the soup besides the carrots and Thai flavors but Katharina and I think it might have been pureed pumpkin or butternut squash because it was so thick. The texture reminded me of baby food, but delicious baby food nonetheless so I was happy.
Katharina ordered an indian pizza made with nann. She let me trilobite (try a little bite) and it was yummy as well.
Katharina and I planned to meet up again sometime soon (our puppies have to meet another!!) and we also want to go eat more yummy food together again. I can’t wait!
I packed my lunch for work yesterday so that I could go shopping a cute consignment shop on my lunch break. I actually didn’t find anything that was worth purchasing but they get new stuff in all the time so I’ll have to check back again soon. By the way, thanks so much for all the recommendations on places to shop. A lot of them I already knew about and shop at, but there were a few new places that I’ll have to try.
Happy Humpday my friends!
- Brittany
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Trilobite=love it!
SO fabulous that you and Katharina met up – and I love the photos, so don’t apologize about the lighting
“Trilobite” = I love that term!! Too cute, haha.
I was joking with some friends the other day, that once I graduated from the sandwiches (which are also amazing) to the entrees I realized how awesome Ipanema really was. The Sunday brunch that they’ve finally resurrected is also not to be missed. With the addition of the awesome porch they’ve really taken it up a notch.
I totally agree! I love the new patio as well!
I actually have never tried their sandwiches – next time I will!
I like the new header/look! It’s pretty!! Trilobite = haha, I love that term! Glad you guys had a great blogger date
Haven’t been to Ipanema before — thanks for the great review! Is it in the Fan?
Yeah. It’s right near VCU on Grace right past Harrison. If you like vegetarian/vegan foods you must try it out. It’s amazing.
aw a blogger date! so much fun. that soup looks amazing. I’ve been craving soup so much lately, maybe i can find that flavor somewhere! whats your other fav?
Hey Lizzy,
When you say what’s my other fav are meaning soup or restaurants? I like tons of different soups – I actually had Trader Joe’s split pea soup tonight from a can and it was delish. I really like tomato soup as well and minestrone.
OH Brittany!!! It was awesome to finally meet you. I wish I had taken more pictures lol. Next time next time. I wonder where our next adventure will take us. Well… besides the Matilda & Olive playdate. I think when these two puppy powers unite.. Richmond better watch out and prepare to eat its heart out!
beautifulllllll dinner!! and hurray for fun with a bloggie!!
your soup looks and sounds amazing!! I have some of those carton Imagine soups in my pantry and I really need to crack one open!!
i love cranberries and pears in salads tooooooooo
HAPPY THURSDAYYYYYYYY BRITTANY!
Carrot soup sounds so good right now!
Meeting new bloggy friends is always so much fun! I am glad that you girls had a good time. Thai carrot soup sounds so delicious
I am so glad I found your blog – its a daily dose of happy Richmond memories.
The food looks amazing! I love it! Especially those port-poached pears, they look fantastic. I thought they were beets at first, but pears are much better, even though I like beets. Anyways, enough rambling, love your blog and think your posts are adorable!
Yay for shopping!
Your dinner looks great – especially the salad.
I’ve never had carrot soup before, but your soup looked delicious. Cool name for a restaurant, although it sounds more Brazilian than Thai.
That is great that you got a food bloggy friend! Great pics! Looks like you gals had a great time! I used to live in Richmond and remember the joys of parking. grrr. I lived in the downtown area, so there was never any parking. Oh the memories!