Hungry Mother. HUNGRY MOTHER.

Alon and Rachel Munzer, have stepped expertly and gracefully from Mom & Pop breakfast/lunch gem, the original Rachel’s Kitchen (RIP), to comfy chic full service bar and dinner. And they are no fools… they’ve got a great team, and they really know how to make earth tones and minimalism work in their favor.

Barry Maiden, a Virginian well-schooled in French cuisine, is a genius for the following three reasons.

1. I worshiped the Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potato Spoonbread and Red-Eye Gravy Jus (I am salivating just from typing that)

2. My hungry mother (seriously, she was there) was blissfully sated by the Cornmeal Catfish with Collard Greens, Cauliflower Grenobloise and Mustard Vinaigrette and…

3. My man gobbled up the Bourbon Braised Pork Shoulder with Creamy Grits.

For all three of us: Love at first bite. And second. And third. Barry-Maiden-Love is cooked into every bite.

John Kessen (I believe he’s manager? Correct me if I’m wrong) may have been nervous on opening night, but his comfortable chit chat and winning smile made us feel quite at ease.

All-in-all, it was a dining experience worth noting: From the familiar-Rachel’s-Kitchen-friendly smiles to the mouthwatering treats to the cookbook pages from “The Virginia Housewife” on the bathroom walls to way-reasonable pricing considering the caliber of the food to the excellent draught selection to the Ball Jar drinking glasses to the cast-iron skillet on the wall.

Good work, Hungry Mother. I am thrilled about our future together.