'Goodness' is right when talking Vintage Tavern

By Vicki Friedman
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 11, 2010

SUFFOLK

Southern Goodness never tasted so good.

The appealing sampler from Vintage Tavern, a rustic restaurant at the entrance of Governor's Pointe, is a wonderful way to start your meal.

Dinner entrees range from the Route 17 Roasted Pig Plate to Rabbit Pot Pie (a special the night we were there), but for starters the eye-catcher on the menu is the one billed as A Taste of Southern Goodness.

The platter includes shaved Surry ham, thin-sliced Tavern sausage, olive oil biscuits, deviled eggs, a tasty Ricotta spread and house strawberry jam. The plate comes either for two ($12) or four ($18).

One bite into the luscious deviled egg and this much is true: It might be the best deviled egg you've tasted. No one ingredient overpowers, but a subtle kick and hint of smokiness stem from just a touch of ham in the mix.

Choices are hard: a biscuit apiece, and do you go salty or sweet inside?

Pile in the Surry ham and you have yourself an old-fashioned ham biscuit that's delish.

But then, the strawberry jam is also tempting on top of a biscuit. Like everything else - minus the ham, of course - the jam is made on the premises. Its consistency is thinner than you'd expect, making it more like a sauce actually. But the fresh flavor makes you wish for a whole bowl of biscuits.

(A hint: Before the appetizer arrives, you receive a dinner roll and a piece of corn bread. Hold on to the roll to use with the jam.)

The slices of sausage amp up the spice quotient. The sausage and ham work well together and conjure up images of a breakfast feast. Finish things off with the creamiest form of Ricotta you'll ever taste. It's so light and luscious it almost melts on your tongue.

Many restaurants skimp on the appetizer, but Southern Goodness is more than a taste. You'll wish for more only because it's such an enticing plateful of flavor that melds together nicely while you await the next course.

Vintage Tavern's Tavern Bites and Entrees menu (Courtesy Vintage Tavern)

Vicki L. Friedman, 477-6874, VickiL120@cox.net

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