Here come da judge: Broad Appétit showcases Richmond eats

On Sunday, June 3 the Hook had a chance to sample the signature dishes of 62 Richmond restaurants that were participating in Broad Appétit, the 5th annual gathering of restaurants, eateries, wineries, and breweries (our own Starr Hill and Devils Backbone were there) who set up tents along West Broad Street to showcase their goodies.

Richmond Magazine editor Susan Winiecki asked us to judge signature entrees for the restaurants. While that might seem like a joy, you try eating two or three bits of different dishes from 62 different restaurants in a few hours. A reporter felt food drunk on the drive back to Charlottesville. Still, it was worth finding the gems. The winner was Spoon's seared dayboat scallop with charred corn, bacon lardon, and tomato marmalade. The runner up was Sticky Rice's pork belly steam buns.