To start their 2012 tours, Real Richmond Food Tours and More offered their VCU: Alternative Eats tour to a sold out crowd on a bright, crisp Saturday afternoon January 14th.  Maureen and Susan, tour hosts, take ticket holders on a mile and a half walk through Richmond’s culture, architecture, history – and, naturally Richmond’s food scene.  The tours feature at least seven different areas of the city, seven totally different tours. But, even the same tour experienced several times provides a very different perspective by stopping in different eateries along the way.  Tours are rotated so not all areas are available at the same time.

Today’s tour began at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of the Fan, just a block from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus. After a quick briefing about the house, the two guest rooms, and William Miller (the marble carver who built the house in 1869), the group visited the dining room where breakfast is served to guests and the wine room where beverages and hors d’oeuvres are available for guests in the evening as they make their dinner plans.  Pat and Mike explained they began renovations in 1996 (still on-going, an old house is never done!) and opened as an urban inn/bed and breakfast in 2000. Then to the inn’s best feature – the Kitchen, where gourmet breakfasts are prepared for guests!

Real Richmond Food Tour tasted creme caramel at the William Miller House B&B during the VCU: Alternative Eats tour

First Mike had prepared creme caramel!   He explained that this version was a little sweeter than we serve our breakfast guests but it is an alternative for our fresh fruit course. Other options include a lavender panna cotta, surprise yogurt, fruit crepes or any other seasonal offering to feature Virginia’s bounty as a first course. That’s right – it’s just a first course.  After the first course, guests are treated to an entree course served on individual platters.  Real Richmond Food Tours is all about tastes, as they visit 5 or 6 stops along the way – so no entree today!

Mike has been perfecting his sous-vide technique for three years now and decided to spend a few minutes introducing the tour to sous-vide process to the tour.  Sous vide or cooking under pressure is a method of cooking foods in an airtight plastic bag in a water bath at an accurately determined temperature.  The temperature is lower than normally used for cooking, usually around 140 degrees F.  The concept is to cook the item evenly, not overcook the outside. The inside then has the same overall “doneness” and the food stays juicier.  This method is often used for meats and can be used for vegetables, etc.  Eggs come in their own airtight container (their shell) – they don’t need a plastic bag!  Mike offered tour-goers the opportunity to taste one of our fresh from the farm eggs prepared soft-boiled in the sous-vide, served on a toast square.  He was surprised how adventurous this group was; he had many takers. The sous vide technique was introduced to the US mainly through the efforts of Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Napa Valley.  Here in Richmond, Philip Denny, chef at Six Burner, just a few blocks away and also in the Fan, was the first chef in Richmond approved by the health department to use the technique for guests.

Farm Fresh Eggs ready for their Sous Vide bath

Meyer Lemon Sorbet to cleanse the palate between tastes

To cleanse the palate, tour ticket holders were offered a Meyer Lemon sorbet, served on a Chinese spoon, and garnished with a mint leaf from the inn garden.  Next up, guests were offered pecan squares to go as they hit the streets of the  Fan for their next stops.

Miller House Pecan Squares

These tours are so popular that they sell out quickly and you need to plan in advance to purchase your ticket on-line to reserve your spot. It is a wonderful way to experience Richmond up close and personal!

Bed and Breakfast owners, who are members of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia, share their favorite mouthwatering recipes in their new “Virginia Bed & Breakfast Cookbook.”

One of the recipes from the William Miller House included in the 2011 Virginia Bed and Breakfast Cookbook

This collection of recipes includes inn’s signature dishes; breads, muffins, biscuits & biscotti; coffee cakes, scones, granola & parfaits; pancakes and waffles; french toast and bread puddings; breakfast entrees; appetizers & side dishes; soups and salads; luncheon and dinner entrees; fruit  specialties, and desserts!

Chef Mike, from Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast, submitted his recipe for crepes with ham and fontina cheese (a recipe picked up by an on-line blogger a few months ago), his Gluten-free cherry bread (created for guests whose diet was gluten free and who were delighted to have a “bread” option again), cinnamon scones (inspired by a trip to Lancaster County PA), French onion and bacon tart (a treat that is perfect for lunch as well as breakfast), and sunshine yogurt surprise (a first course here at the William Miller House Bed & Breakfast but great for dessert as well).  But, perhaps Mike’s best, most popular, and well-received breakfast recipe is the seared grits cake with poached eggs and chipolte cream sauce that appears on page 237. Mike serves it with sides like bacon or sausage and other accompaniments to round out a hearty gourmet breakfast.  A photo of one of our dishes appears on the cover of the cookbook: poached eggs on asparagus with a boursin sauce, a recipe that appeared in the last edition of the cookbook.

William Miller House Most-Requested recipe: Seared Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs topped with Chipolte Cream Sauce

Even if you have previous editions of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia’s Cookbooks, you need to add this one (2011) to your collection.  Whether you purchase it for yourself or as a gift, you’ll find that the recipes are new and updated, the categories have been expanded, and 65 of Virginia’s bed and breakfast inns from country retreats to historic city homes, like the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, share their secrets. Order from Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia! Or better yet, make a reservation,  visit the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast to purchase a copy. Mike will be happy to sign your cookbook and include at no additional cost his recipe photographed on the cover.

And, if you make a reservation for a stay in one of our fabulous guest rooms, you’ll be treated to our hearty gourmet breakfast featuring fresh, local ingredients in great recipes that bring the flavors of Virginia to your tastebuds!

Every year the holiday season fills up the mailboxes (electronic and old-fashioned snail mail) with invitations from friends to celebrate the season.

One of winter's favorite foods is back in production

Here at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast we have the perfect hostess gift in production already. Our own old-fashioned peppermint bark! We have shared the recipe as well as tips for packing for mailing to family and for wrapping for those being delivered in person. So here it is again — one fabulous food of winter!

Make some for your family and your friends – they’ll enjoy this wonderful treat!

This year instead of trying to decorate all at once, I decided to attempt decorating in layers instead of trying to do it all at once. The tip worked well for me here at the Fan District’s premier bed and breakfast. Thanksgiving weekend was warm, so I started with outside decorations, get them up wearing short-sleeves is the way to go!

This year may be the last year for this particular garland around our front door – lights are functioning a little quirky so I added some extra to make sure they would be bright all season. A natural wreath with a bright bow greets guests at the front gate and the garland and wreath at the front door reinforce my preference for slightly nontraditional colors: instead of red – use purple and fuschia, instead of green – use lime, and accent it all with bright gold and lights.  Don’t be afraid to experiment.  Of course, we have candles in the windows – but the ones in our guest rooms’ windows turn off at 9 PM so they don’t disturb our guests.

Come right on in! We're ready for the holidays!

This weekend, December 10 and 11, just happened to be the weekend of the Fan District Association of Richmond’s 49th Annual Holiday House Tour.  Most of the houses were within a short few blocks walk of the William Miller House and we are delighted that guests came from far and wide to enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition that is the sole fundraising event for neighborhood improvement projects. Guests from Easton MD visited tour homes for the third time. The record goes to a mother-daughter team who have been visiting the Fan for eight years now to check out the architecture, the individual interior design, and each homeowner’s interpretation of holiday decorations.

This year Kristen traveled all the way from London, England to spend her annual mother-daughter weekend in the Fan to shop at Carytown’s eclectic shops, to dine at the neighborhood’s bistros, to tour the homes, and to gather over snacks after the tour and compare notes on all the houses we’ve seen. This tour is over for 2011, but house tours are all the rage in Richmond.  We have tours in the Spring for historic Garden Week, as well as in the Fall and around the holidays.

Grapes, feathers, snowflakes, ribbons and bows make a festive wreath for the porch

After the outside layer of decorating was completed, I moved inside the inn to incorporate the wonder and merriment of this festive season. There are three trees (two of them are half-trees due to space considerations), three mantles, and wreaths outside on the blue antique garden gate, on the kitchen door, and on the garage.

Here’s a sampling of what’s inside The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, the Fan District’s oldest bed and breakfast…..

Enjoy and we hope you’ll take advantage of those treasured items from friends and family to decorate your home for the holidays!

Here's what you'll find if you slip out the kitchen door

a jolly happy Santa just hanging around . . .

Santa flying high from the family room ceiling

homemade by Judie .... several years ago

another homemade made by Mom .....

A homemade ornament compliments of Mom

Kitchen Half-Tree with Homemade and food-related ornaments

Family Room Mantle in Blue and Gold - my personal favorite

Garden Room Tree (or half-tree - it's missing its back so it fits better)

Wreath by Janice Hall Nuckolls hung in the dining room on the mirror

The dining room mantle

The parlor mantel decked out with tree and table toppers

The parlor tree features snowflake ornaments crocheted by my Mom in 1999

This garland winds its way up to guest rooms

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens as part of the GardenFest of Lights 2011 was open between 5 PM and 10 PM and pets on leashes were invited.  Morgan, the inn concierge at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, was delighted to visit. This holiday tradition includes more than a half  million lights, botanical decorations, and even trains! The fabulous peacock was there – moved from the lawn where it elegantly perched last year to a new location where its tail formed an archway under which to stroll. Penguins played on the lawn, candy canes, flowers made up lights, and even vegetables made from lights completed the picture.  The conservatory was a-blaze on the hill,  the promenade to access the conservatory was beautifully decorated with blue and white lights. Next Fido event is December 8th, followed by another January 5th. Leashed pets are welcome, a suggested $2 donation for the Richmond SPCA for each pet is recommended.

Morgan, the new concierge at Richmond's premier bed and breakfast, visits Lewis Ginter's GardenFest for Fidos

The magnificent peacock at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Carrots in the Children's Garden at GardenFest of Lights

Even watermelons and mushrooms

Check out the bunnies and the carrier pigeons!

Going to stop by the gift shop at Lewis Ginter and pick up some of these lights! Definitely dramatic!

Morgan and friend in front of the conservatory Christmas Tree

The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, Richmond Virginia’s premier historic Fan District inn, is pleased to announce that a new concierge has been added to inn staff.

Morgan, in the inn office, learning about email!

Innkeepers, Pat and Mike, are pleased to welcome Morgan to their bed and breakfast.  Morgan chose her position as inn concierge over the many options offered to her to take advantage of her friendly disposition, her desire to please, and her love of people.  Morgan is a five-year-old Lhasa Apso mix who will be in charge of porch-sitting and, upon invitation, entertaining guests.  She will be confined to the owner’s quarters generally, but she does love people and will truly enjoy attention from guests should they be inclined. At less than twenty pounds and boundless energy, she is a welcome addition to the inn.  She is adjusting to the bed and breakfast life and is learning about all about Richmond’s great attractions.

So, book a stay at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, meet Morgan, visit Richmond, Virginia’s attractions, and enjoy the urban lifestyle of the historic Fan District: sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Morgan may not be able to tell you where to find the best of the best; but innkeepers, Mike and Pat, can.

Morgan, inn concierge, tries out porch-sitting (before her haircut!)

VDOT, the Virginia Department of Transportation, has embarked on a major road work effort to replace 11 bridges in the Richmond area. In addition, road crews will be making general roadway and under-bridge repairs.  The project is a four-year project but bridge elements are being prefabricated to minimize motorist disruption – however, on occasion I-95 may be reduced to one lane in each direction in off-peak hours and weekends.

You can locate the latest lane closures on VDOT’s website. Before you begin your trip to or through Richmond, you may wish to research alternative routes – just in case! The availability of alternative routes may help eliminate traffic-induced stress and hassles!  Centrally located near downtown Richmond, there are multiple ways to reach the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, so don’t let this road work deter you from a Richmond vacation!

William F. Fox School, the elementary school, serving the Fan neighborhood, was dedicated in 1911.

Fan's own Fox School Celebrates 100 Years

In honor of its 100th anniversary the school is hosting a Reunion Open House on Sunday, November 6, 2011 between 2 PM and 5 PM. Fox School is located at 2300 Hanover Avenue.  Everyone is invited to the celebration, especially former students, teachers and parents! Photos, autograph books, diplomas, and report cards (some dating to 1911) will be on display. A short program is planned for 3 PM in the auditorium. A slideshow and video will be shown in the school library.  Refreshments will be served in the Fox Cafe in the cafeteria.

The afternoon is sure to be a fun celebration of childhood -  exploring old stompin’ grounds, catching up with former friends and teachers, snacking on refreshments, and reminiscing about the good old days!  So make your plans now and mark the date November 6th on your calendar.  You’re not going to want to miss this!

This weekend, October 28th and 29th, the Richmond International Wine Excursion kicks off a world-class culinary adventure combining both international and locally-sourced wine with cuisine featuring a global flair.

Richmond International Wine Excursion October 28 and October 29 at Historic Tredegar on teh banks of teh James River

This first annual event will take place at Historic Tredegar, where large, temperature-controlled tents will be in place. Tredegar, of course, is on the banks of the James River and the weather forecast is projecting a beautiful, crisp autumn day.  More than 250 wines representing 12 countries and 100 of the best wineries will be poured by representatives of the wineries who will share their expertise and knowledge. Each attendee will receive a beautiful Riedel crystal wine glass as a souvenir.  There’s even a Locavore Luncheon – a feast of sumptuous, locally-sourced cuisine paired with selected wines.

Whether you take in one event or more, various ticket packages are available. Tickets. For a full schedule of the events and to plan your day, check Schedule. The event opens at 6 PM on Friday, closes at 10 PM, and re-opens on Saturday at noon and runs until 10 PM. What can be better than wine, food, and a beautiful fall day along the James River?

As part of the Banner Series of Lectures, The Virginia Historical Society will present Dr. Adrian Wheat’s assessment of the practice of medicine on particularly on the Confederate side of the Civil War. The lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26th at 7 PM and will be repeated on Thursday, October 28th at noon. The lecture will be delivered at the Virginia Historical Society, 428 N Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia.  Dr. Wheat will describe the medical practices of science in the 1860′s including care on the battlefield, transporting patients to hospitals, and the role of sanitation.  MASH, as depicted in the television series of the same name, actually took place 100 years later! Take medical  science backward 100 years, eliminate what we learned in that 100 years, and what do we have left? Dr. Adrian Wheat’s lecture will fill in the details!

Reservations are not normally required and an admission fee for non-members applies to the Banner Series.  INFO.  While you’re at the Historical Society, don’t miss the free exhibition “An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia,” the stories of everyday Virginians and their experiences during the Civil War.

Save time to drive east from the Historical Society to visit the National Park Service Chimborazo Visitor Center and Medical Museum, located at 3215 East Broad Street. The museum is housed in a 20th century building located on the site of the historic largest and most organized Civil War hospital. It took its name from Chimborazo Hill upon which it perched – at one time housing around 4000 patients and, during 3 and half years, almost 75,000 wounded and sick were treated at Chimborazo. The museum, operated by the National Park Service, is open daily from 9 to 5 and provides insight into the workings of the hospital, Dr. Samuel Moore,  Dr. James McCaw who operated the hospital like a small city, other Richmond hospitals, and of course, the practice of medicine in the 1860′s.

Planning a visit to Richmond, Virginia? These are the type of inn-sider tips, innkeepers at Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast are ready to share.  Make a reservation today – you’ll be in the middle of it all and you’ll be treated to a hearty gourmet breakfast to stick to your ribs while you embark on your sight-seeing adventures!