Category Archives: Restaurant Reviews

So as per my earlier blog, Sunday’s food adventure was a bittersweet foray into mediocrity. The company was awesome, of course, as I had a ton of fun catching up with Becky. However, ambivalency ruled the wineries. I considered the day a culinary wash.

That is, until, I had dinner.

I had heard about Barefoot B&G Seafood from a friend of mine. She lives in the area, and told me the food was great. Becky and I were hungry and somewhat near Fredericksburg, so I whipped out the trusty iPhone and GPS’d it to 1017 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, VA.

An hour or so later, we pulled into the back parking lot of a very bright building. For some reason, I had been expecting an unassuming storefront in a strip mall or something. No, this was a pretty loud, stand alone building just off Sophia Street, around the corner and down the way from whatever college is down there. (I think it’s Mary Washington but it’s too late at night to fact check.)

As you walk into Barefoot, the first thing that meets you is a fish monger. Turns out, the place is a combo restaurant and fish counter! You can either pick up a filet to take home or chill out at one of the six or so tables in the room to the left, which ever floats your boat. (Ha! Boat! And I was at a seafood restaurant! It’s funny.) Becky and I saddled up to the bar and immediately the bartender, Diana, set us up with our drink orders and menus.

I loved the small town, unassuming atmosphere of the restaurant. Again, I had been expecting something with cloth table linens, maybe a candle or two—something more along the lines of what I’m used to living so close to DC. Around here it seems only the good seafood places are expensive as hell and with a dress code. Barefoot is the type of restaurant you can imagine members of the local VFW spending lazy afternoons, talking about the good ol’ days.

The prices were neither super cheap nor exorbitant. I mean, grilled salmon is going to be more expensive than a basic burger, so, duh. Becky had never had alligator before, and I love the stuff, so I ordered an appetizer of fried alligator and andouille sausage.

Oh sweet Jesus. These things were amazing. I can not for the life of me tell you the exact recipe with all the herbs and spices, but basically the gator and the sausage had been mixed together, formed into a small nugget-like thing, then fried. Add in the remoulade sauce on the side, and I was in deep fried Creole heaven!

For an entrée, I splurged and got the fried oysters. I know, I know, that’s a lot of fried food for one day. But I justify it by saying that I’d barely lunch at all, and it was just so damn good. The oysters came out with a side of steak fries, hush puppies, and something they called ‘crabby corn,’ which turned out to be tender steamed corn on the cob with a light dusting of Old Bay seasoning. The oysters were absolutely to die for. Even a day later, when I reheated the leftovers, they were excellent. You know when you take a bite of something so good that you don’t want to brush your teeth afterwards so you can keep the taste in your mouth for as long as possible? Yeah. it was like that.

We mentioned to Diana that we had been on a wine tour that day. She immediately brought forth several bottles of local Virginia wine, and offered suggestions for what to try in the future. Even though we definitely weren’t drinking anymore, she continued to talk to us and made us feel incredibly welcome during the whole meal. I had no problem balancing my conversation with Becky and Diana—as a waitress/bartender, she was neither standoffish nor over involved in our conversation. As a one time waitress, I know that’s a tricky balance to hit, so kudos to her!

Becky ordered a grilled salmon filet with the same sides. I didn’t get a chance to taste it, but it looked absolutely beautiful. She ended up taking most of hers home with her as well. The portions were huge!

The dessert menu looked fabulous, but after all that wine and fried food, I was spent. I paid the bill and drove home a very satisfied customer.

And then sunk into a food coma the minute I opened the studio door.

End verdict: I’m now a huge fan and would totally go there again. Two big thumbs up!