Xtra’s Café- Bringing something extra to Carytown (yeah, I went there!)

If you haven’t been to Xtra’s Café at 3322-B W. Cary St. near the beginning of Carytown, then you are definitely behind the times and missing out.  The new restaurant and bar opened above Bangles N Beads in mid September.

You can tell that the bar is unique from the get-go when you have to immediately walk upstairs upon entering.  At the top you’ll find an open dining space to your right and the bar area to your left with another dining area.  At the end of the dining area to your right is a wall of windows.  Outside is the balcony, the only second story eating area in Carytown.  With bright décor and good natural light during the day, the whole restaurant oozes with relaxed class.

The food is a creative take on bar favorites and American cuisine, with a focus on “California cuisine”.  It’s moderately priced at $10-$15 an entree with easily affordable, well portioned appetizers.  The hummus and Canadian cheese fries are excellent starters.  The salads all look delicious, as well as the unique pizzas.  The sandwich selection excited me and I settle on the French dip, which was very good. And all the desserts are made from scratch!  We had double chocolate bread pudding, and while it was my first time trying bread pudding (no judgments!) and I can’t compare it to anything, I assure you, it was damn good bread pudding.

Drinks are what you’d expect at any bar- decently priced, well made liquor drinks, wine, and beer.  They also have a drink of the day to go with their soups and desserts of the day.  And let’s not forget their nightly happy hour and specials, like $5 appetizer night, 80’s night and couples night.  For more info on those, check out the Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Richmond-VA/Xtras-Cafe/143602305674603?v=info
and their new website:  http://www.xtrascafe.com

Delicious food at affordable prices, drink specials, positive ambiance, a nice staff, a balcony for viewing the traffic of Carytown…what’s not to like about Xtra’s???  Besides descending the staircase after a night (or brunch) of drinking maybe…

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (Soup of the Day)

Hummus appetizer

French Dip Sandwich with a side salad

 Owner Xtra Moore and our waitress singing happy birthday to our embarrassed friend.