ANNE BRALY: Virginia’s Southside Cafe is one of the most charming eateries on the Southside. Ever since opening in the former Galleries Cafe adjacent to Galleries on the Southside, people have been flooding in for lunch. Even on a Monday, a traditional slow day for restaurants, the place was packed. I loved seeing co-owner and chef Virginia Cofer. One of the day’s specials was fresh beet salad, one of the best salads I’ve had. And I’m not a huge fan of beets, so I ordered a half salad and wish I’d ordered the complete one. Instead, I had as my entree the Cobb salad, a beautiful plate filled with lettuces, blue cheese crumbles, bacon bits, avocado, egg and onion. And the raspberry-balsamic vinaigrette was outstanding, as expected. It was so good I had to ask for just a little more so I could eat my way through this gorgeous mix of greens.
HOLLY LEBER: I am a huge fan of beets, but they can be easily ruined. Virginia’s salad is a great example of beets done right. The mix of greens with roasted caramelized beets, cooked onions, asparagus and blue cheese made for a fine marriage of flavor and texture.
For the main course, I had the tofu-stuffed portabello, a great hearty but healthy meal for anyone of the herbivore persuasion. A large mushroom cap stuffed with a mix of tofu, spinach and cheese, the entree was served with a side of roast vegetables and rice. The portabello itself wasn’t the best one I’ve ever had; I prefer mine a bit juicier, but the filling and the combination of flavor was tasty. Everything was well-seasoned but not overwhelmingly so. You can tell that Ms. Cofer puts a lot of thought into her dishes. I just wish we’d had room for dessert. I heard something about lemon bread pudding. That’s right, all you carbophobes — lemon bread pudding.
ANNE: Oh trust me, my friend, it’s good. I think pastry chef and co-owner Denise Ware has a hand in making that. Any sweet she touches is beyond belief. But back to Ms. Cofer and back to the beginning of our meal. Each diner is met with a small bowl of her incredible homemade pimento cheese and bread from Niedlov’s. A very tasty beginning to any meal from Virginia’s. Next time, try the shrimp tacos. They’re worth sidetracking from your diet just once.
And I love what Ms. Cofer and her partners have done with the place. The restaurant is as charming as the food is delectable.
HOLLY: And the people are lovely as well. An adorably decorated establishment loses its charm when you feel like the staff can’t wait to usher you out and flip the table over to the next person. Here we were welcomed as friends. Of course, that tends to happen in a family establishment, where many of Ms. Cofer’s family members stopped in for lunch while we were there.
Speaking of family members, my mother keeps saying she’s going to come visit me soon. Perhaps I can further entice her with the promise of a good meal at Virginia’s Southside.
And, you know, a guilt trip. We’ll save room for dessert.