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64: A Place To Be

Good food, good prices and a fun place to eat at Kitchen 64

Kent Jennings Brockwell

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Michelle Stuchell
Richmond.com
Friday, October 26, 2007

The Northside is hoppin' and Kitchen 64 fits right in. Open since May 15, Kitchen 64 has become one of the neighborhood's places to be.

Its outdoor patio and extended bar (soon to be covered for winter use), apple green avonite bar, brushed nickel ceiling fans, glass pendant lights, black and white tile floor and Ed Trask artwork create a retro diner feel but is appealing to a motley crew. Just stop by and you'll see a business crowd, moms out with kids, young professionals and locals in for a $4 glass of house Chardonnay or Merlot on "Wine Down Wednesday" or margaritas on "Tequila Tuesday."

Kitchen 64 has done a great job of appealing to many. Just look at the menu. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, dogs, pastas, pizzas and entrees for the simple palate but more refined and all reasonably priced. Whether you want traditional Wings ($6.95) or Roasted Red Pepper & Fresh Mozzarella ($7.95), the Southern Fried Chicken Salad ($8.95) or Lamb with Spinach and Greens ($10.95), Grilled Cheese ($4.25) or Filet Mignon topped with Crabmeat ($22), Kitchen 64 can satisfy all cravings.

Or maybe you want to try one of the drink specials, like a $2 domestic beer from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or a $4 Mojito on "Mojito Monday." Don't forget Saturday and Sunday brunch, which features $11 mimosa pitchers. By the way, the brunch menu will be changing in about a month, along with new Trask artwork on the outside of the building.

We began our meal with the Boulevard Minis ($6.95), which are three mini burgers served over homemade sweet potato fries. The fries were perfectly done, with some pieces crispy and some soft pieces, all of which seemed to melt in my mouth and kept me reaching for more. The mini burgers were a little larger than I had anticipated, but I found that was the standard for fare at Kitchen 64. Let me clear that up – larger in diameter but the meat was appropriately thin for an appetizer. Served with a few real Kosher pickle slices (I could have used more), it satisfied my burger craving.

The Crab Cake Bruschetta ($8.95) was just as large. Either one of the appetizers could have been my meal. Even though the menu described two mini crab cakes, we were served three lump crab cakes with very little filler and large pieces of toasted baguette (instead of the advertised toasted pita points) smothered with fresh diced tomatoes, onions, basil and a sprinkling of thinly grated parmesan. Though a little heavy on the bread, the bruschetta and crab cakes were delectable.

Our entrees came shortly thereafter. I had the Greek Salad ($7.95, available with grilled or blackened fish, chicken or steak for $3 extra). A mound of feta covered the iceberg lettuce, tomato wedges, sliced cucumbers, kalamata olives, thinly sliced red onions and pepperoncinis, all of which was dressed in tantalizing Greek vinaigrette. Even though I loved it, I could not finish it because it was simply too much.

The Fish of the Day Sandwich ($7.95) was nothing to write home about. A non-descript grilled piece of Mahi Mahi topped with a dull aioli mayonnaise was sandwiched in an oversized bun. The homemade French fries didn't compare to the sweet potato version. I'll pass on that one next time.

On the other hand, the Fish Tacos ($13.95, available in chicken) were worth it. Three corn tortillas came with pieces of grilled mahi topped with a citrus, mango and cilantro salsa and were served with a heaping portion of satisfying black beans and rice. The mahi in the tacos was much better than the sandwich. Unfortunately, I could not find the avocado cream, which would have crowned the taco experience.

As in typical Kitchen 64 fashion, there was no shortage of desserts to choose from. We chose the seasonal Pumpkin Cheesecake ($4) and the Death By Chocolate ($4). Amazingly enough, the deserts were not gargantuan as expected. The Pumpkin Cheesecake, served with fresh whipped cream and sprinkled with walnuts, was too heavy on the sugar and spice, which overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the cream cheese. If I had not known better, I would have thought it was a dense pumpkin pie.

The Death By Chocolate didn't meet my expectations either. The dark chocolate ganache layered between the moist but subtle chocolate cake was more like sugary fudge instead of a rich sumptuous chocolate. I didn't waste my calories.

But the desserts won't stop me from going back to Kitchen 64. The good food, reasonable prices, and fun atmosphere will ensure that this place stays around for some time.

Kitchen 64
3336 North Boulevard
(804) 358-0064
www.kitchen64.com
Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - midnight
Saturday - Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - midnight, Brunch served until 3 p.m.

6 comments.

Jessica
6/10/2008 at 4:14:33 PM

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I just don't get the buzz over this place. Is Kitchen 64 paying off the reviewers? Am I the only one who has received lousy service the past 4 times I've gone? The hostess takes FOREVER to clear tables which causes the wait to be seated to be even longer. Honestly, their food is good and that's why I've given them so many chances. But until they take some of that money that they are clearly raking in to hire a busboy to clear tables faster they are going to still be sub par for me. I have stood waiting for a half an hour to be seated, all the while staring directly at empty tables, just waiting to be cleared. And the hostess walks right past the tables like she is taking an afternoon stroll in the park. Are they purposefully not clearing and seating people so they look busier from the outside? C'mon Kitchen 64. You have hungry people waiting. Step it up a little!

Jessica
6/10/2008 at 4:13:33 PM

I just don't get the buzz over this place. Am I the only one who has received lousy service the past 4 times I've gone? The hostess takes FOREVER to clear tables which causes the wait to be seated to be even longer. Honestly, their food is good and that's why I've given them so many chances. But until they take some of that money that they are clearly raking in to hire a busboy to clear tables faster they are going to still be sub par for me. I have stood waiting for a half an hour to be seated, all the while staring directly at empty tables, just waiting to be cleared. And the hostess walks right past the tables like she is taking an afternoon stroll in the park. Are they purposefully not clearing and seating people so they look busier from the outside? C'mon Kitchen 64. You have hungry people waiting. Step it up a little!

Muffy - Email this User
3/15/2008 at 5:08:41 PM

Tried this restaurant. 30 minutes after placing order, still no food...and no waitress. And it wasn't busy since a number of parties with 4 or more people were seated and served their food after we placed our order. This is the best Richmond has to offer?? Can't wait to move back North.

Luvs to eat - Email this User
3/1/2008 at 3:24:03 PM

Not a fan of this place. The food is nothing to write good about. They are obviously trying to keep it cheap by buying cheap ingredients and/or pre-processed foodstuffs with little redeeming value. Personally, I'd rather stay home & feed my kids something tasty than have them grow up thinking this kind of food is acceptable in a restaurant. I'm talking about the pizza.

T Jones - Email this User
2/8/2008 at 10:40:59 AM

The northside (and Mechanicsville) is so desperate for non chain restaurants that I keep giving Kitchen 64 a try. Unfortunately I am consistently disappointed. Yes, the atmosphere is great and the non smoking is a bonus, but the food is definetely lacking. The portions are obscenely huge and the once saving grace, the fresh sweet potato fries, appear to have been switched to the frozen variety. Why?

Kathy Putnam
12/10/2007 at 4:03:15 PM

Kitchen 64 was wonderful & reasonable. I would recommend you try another new Richmond restaurant....Fantasy Island Cafe & Grille in Tuckernuck Square? formerly Manila Manila (9047 West Broad St, Richmond, VA 23294). Wonderful Caribbean fare!!! Two thumbs up.

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