FROM MARCH/APRIL 2005 ISSUE

Remember when progressive dinners were the thing? You’d start with drinks at the Davidsons, move on to appetizers at the Allens, main course at the Martins – you get the drift. It was a fun way to keep the atmosphere fresh and the food creative.

However, since the progressive dinner seems to have gone the way of fondue, we offer a twist on the traditional. Instead of driving from house to house, just head to downtown Roanoke where you can stroll from nibble to knosh, and even have room for entertainment in between. As an added bonus, there’ll be no dirty dishes to clean at the end of the night.

Stop #1: Metro!
14 East Campbell Avenue

Conveniently located across from Center in the Square, Metro! is a perfect spot to start. Ease into the evening with one of Metro!’s two dozen martinis.

“We are considered the meeting place for martinis,” says owner and executive chef Andy Schlosser.

Martini Mania. Sample one of Metro!'s 24 different flavors of martinis. PHOTO BY DOUGLAS MILLER

The apple version is the most popular, but there’s a flavor for every palate and disposition, from the Mounds Martini to the DreamCicle, Key Lime to Espresso, and the Marilyn Monroetini for those feeling nostalgic. If you are the type to eat dessert before dinner, go for the chocolate martini.

“We’re told it’s the best in town,” Schlosser declares.
If martinis aren’t your thing, there’s the house beer, Belgium’s Stella Artois.

“We have to drive to Richmond to get it,” Schlosser says. There are other imports and a few domestics on hand as well. Fifteen bottles of wine are available by the glass, changing with the seasons. In addition, there is an extensive menu of bottled wines – red and white French wines, plus Australian, Italian and Spanish offerings. The “J” Pinot Noir, a Russian River Valley, California ’01, is frequently requested.

While you are sipping your spirits, old European movies are projected onto a wall, adding artistic flair to the music booming from upstairs. There is occasional live entertainment and DJs on the weekend. Metro!’s downstairs bar is the first to fill up, but there’s also a smaller bar and lounge area upstairs. If the weather is nice, take advantage of the outdoor seating for a little people-watching before heading to the next destination.

*Bonus Stop: the first Thursday of every month take advantage of Art by Night. The Studios on the Square Gallery, one of the participants, is located at 126 West Campbell between Stop #1 and Stop #2. During Art by Night, downtown art galleries join together to host free openings and receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. Mingle with the artists, enjoy refreshments (if you have room, that is) and relax as you take in Roanoke’s art scene. Should you desire, a bus is available to carry you along Campbell Avenue, stopping at the participating galleries between the Market Square and the Jefferson Center.

Stop #2: Nawab Indian Cuisine
118 Campbell Avenue

Nawab. Indulge yourself with a wide range of exotic appetizers at this perennial Roanoke favorites. PHOTO BY DOUGLAS MILLER

Amble down the block past Market Square to this little taste of India. Since 1998, Nawab has been voted a favorite amongst readers of The Roanoker. Nawab’s peaceful atmosphere and gracious staff ensure a pleasant visit. Here is where you’ll add a little spice to your night, and whet your appetite for the evening ahead. Indian food is very vegetarian-friendly, so those avoiding heavy meat dishes will find plenty to choose from.

First-timers should start with the assorted appetizer tray. Chicken tikka (marinated in yogurt marinade and broiled in the “tandoor,” or clay oven), vegetable tikki and vegetable pakoras (veggies deep fried in flour batter) are served with tamarind chutney. Also on the appetizer menu: the tandoori kabab, with chicken, lamb and fish on mini skewers; the vegetable samosa, spicy potatoes and peas stuffed in turnovers; tikki chole, minced veggie patty on tangy curry; and the dahi papdi chaat, a chilled combo of potatoes, tomatoes and fruits tossed in yogurt.

If soup sounds good, try the mulligatawny (just point to it rather than try to pronounce). This traditional Indian soup is made with lightly spiced puréed lentils and vegetables. A second choice is shorba-e-murgh, which includes seasoned chicken and spinach.

Don’t leave without ordering at least one of Nawab’s breads, all baked in the tandoor. The basic naan is a customary white bread. This is available in garlic, fried and stuffed versions, as well as a sweet option topped with cherries, cashews, almonds and raisins. Order the assorted condiments tray to add extra flavor – featuring mango and onion chutneys, yogurt spread, pickled vegetables, and spices.

Stop #3: Jeffrey’s Grill & Bar
214 Market Street

Hopefully you didn’t eat too much at Nawab, because New Orleans is just around the corner. Cross Campbell and head down Market to Jeffrey’s, a relatively new restaurant that is already turning away crowds.

Jeffrey's. Authentic, made-from-scratch Cajun and Creole dishes are hard to find outside of Louisiana, but Roanoke's got them on the Market. PHOTO BY DOUGLAS MILLER

This is the space formerly occupied by Buddy’s Restaurant, but “just about everything has been replaced,” says owner Jeffrey Fuller. He and his wife Lisa have added new lighting, paint, seating and décor, doing much of the work themselves. The jazz scenes on the wall were painted by an employee.

Fuller, a former sales manager at a car dealership, wanted to give the Star City a taste of something different.

“I’m a big fan of Emeril Lagasse, and we offer something downtown Roanoke didn’t have.”

Chef Mike Elkins specializes in Cajun/Creole cooking and worked at New Orleans’ famed Café du Monde. “Everything is authentic and made from scratch,” says Fuller. Fuller uses his own recipes for the restaurant’s steaks and crabcakes. He is especially proud of the latter. “We’ve had people come in and say they’ve eaten at places throughout the country, and ours is the best.” Fuller believes the secret is little filler and jumbo lump crabmeat (“no backfin”). Jeffrey’s orders 50 pounds of crab a week.

On Friday nights, customers can choose the fresh catch – tilapia, sea bass, salmon or red snapper. There are traditional Louisiana classics: crawfish etoufée, shrimp Creole, bayou fried catfish, gumbo, jambalaya, and classic red beans and rice. “We soak those beans – they aren’t out of a can,” emphasizes Fuller.

If steak sounds good, try the Blue Filet, an eight-ounce serving filled with crumbled bleu cheese. The Bourbon Street Filet is grilled and topped with burgundy mushrooms and crabmeat. The steaks are aged 21 days and sent overnight from a Chicago stockyard twice a week.

Elkins is creative with his vegetables of the day, and uses downtown market vendors when possible. Selections may include a Caribbean combo of sweet potatoes, peppers and black beans, fresh corn pudding or broccoli soufflé.

Jeffrey’s also features live jazz and blues music on Friday and Saturday nights.

*Bonus Stop: Let’s admit it – your stomach needs a break before dessert and a nightcap. A few steps away is Mill Mountain Theatre, where you can get a couple hours’ respite and a top-quality production. Love, madness and intrigue will rule the stage in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” appearing ’til mid-March. For a much softer show, and memories of a favorite childhood tale, there’s “The Velveteen Rabbit,” a musical based on Margery Williams’ classic book. It’s at MMT through mid-April.

Stop #4: Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea
112 Campbell Avenue

All right, now it’s time for dessert. Back to Campbell Avenue for caffeine and cake.

“This is the only place you can go downtown on a Friday or Saturday night that isn’t a bar,” says manager Jeff Farmer.

Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea draws people of all ages. “From 16 to 65,” Farmer states.

The coffee and dessert shop is a popular post-dinner stop.

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. Great atmosphere and delicious, inexpensive desserts can be found at this popular downtown hang-out spot. PHOTO BY DOUGLAS MILLER

“This is where people wind down their evening,” notes Farmer. “They’ll have dinner elsewhere and then dessert here.” An added bonus, he says, is that dessert runs a little cheaper. “In restaurants dessert is five or six dollars, but here it’s $3.75 for cakes and pies.” The eatery does a tremendous amount of to-go orders, too. Farmer estimates 75 percent of Mill Mountain’s business is take-out. “A lot of people get dessert and go home.”

Those who do hang around sometimes play chess or nurse a cup of joe. “If someone buys coffee and sits around a couple hours, I’m okay with that.”

The chocolate torte cake is a preferred delicacy, followed by the New York cheesecake and tiramisu. There are always an assortment of pies – caramel pecan brownie pie, caramel apple pie and other fruity selections in spring and summer. Carrot cake and chocolate lava cake are often on hand, along with scones, biscotti, muffins and brownies. You can pair your dessert with the classic Mill Mountain Blend coffee or jazz things up with a cappuccino, latte, mocha or espresso. There are also Italian sodas and a wide assortment of teas. The coffees and teas are also available by the pound, to help you wake up after a long evening of food and drink.

Last stop: Music, Dancing and a nightcap
Awful Arthur’s 108 Campbell Avenue
Corned Beef & Co. 107 Jefferson Street
Dolce 16 West Campbell Avenue
Green Dolphin Grille 127 Campbell Avenue

You’re not ready for bed yet, are you? Top off the night with a little dancing, a smidge of song and perhaps a toddy or two.

Awful Arthur’s has recently doubled its space downtown, expanding to include room for pool tables, darts, a big screen television and a stage area for bands. Draft beers are their specialty – they have more than 20 on tap. The restaurant’s low-key environment is a great place to catch up with friends, enjoy their raw bar, or watch a sporting event.

For an urbane, upscale environment, go to Dolce, a new restaurant in the downtown area. The restaurant’s interior decor looks like it was taken from the set of “Sex and the City” and the food is just as sophisticated. On weekends they have a small jazz band playing during dinner and later in the evening a DJ spins top 40 dance tunes. In keeping with their swanky vibe, Dolce’s most popular drink is their classic martini.

Corned Beef & Co. has been a popular night spot for 20 years. With a stage for live entertainment, a banquet room, separate bar and restaurant areas, shuffleboard, video games and championship pool tables, there is plenty to do for all personalities. During the warmer months rooftop deck seating is available. They also have live music, comedy acts, DJs and karaoke on a regular basis. Call for a schedule of live entertainment.

The Green Dolphin Grille is completely packed most weekends. This popular venue features live music, a great atmosphere and a diverse mix of customers. The restaurant features live music six nights a week, with all different styles of music. Thursday nights are open mic nights, open to any and all musicians, and is a great way to check out the wide array of musical talent in the valley.

Paradox, a popular market area bar and nightclub is closed for renovations until late spring, early summer according to their website. Eventually, there will be four different venues – bistro, game room, dining room and upstairs night club. Paradox is also expanding its kitchen, allowing for a menu expansion as well.

If you and your dinner companions have had enough eating, drinking, dancing and discussion for one night, head home.

Then again, the Texas Tavern is open all night....