When I entered Brock’s Riverside Grill in search of their Awesome Eats, it was a bit dark, intimate and cozy. Restaurant owner Leo Lapointe walked me past the long bar and dining areas, through a hallway and around an elevator through double doors which leads me outdoors to an oasis on the river.

Immediately the vibe and mood changed. I felt as if I left the frenzied pace of life on the other side of those doors. Groups of people at the tables were enjoying the weather, the river, the cocktails and easy conversations. The large covered patio with the view of the railroad bridge over the flowing Rappahannock River was indeed the perfect setting in which to feast. 

I am going to tell you to do something your mother told you never to do: eat your entire dessert or there’ll be no dinner.  What?  Yes, start your dining experience off with Brock’s belly-busting Ho-Ho- desert. Two reasons why I say this: you probably would be too full from dinner to order it and your taste buds will have already had a hearty workout and this deserves their undivided attention.  

The delicious dessert is made with Mascarpone (Italian cream), flourless chocolate cake, chocolate ganache shell topped with real whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar.  This is a true Awesome Eats. These are no ordinary Ho-Ho’s mind you—they are about 100 times bigger, better and more bodacious than the ones in a 10-pack box we ate as kids. Dive in and don’t look back! Bad day?  Head to Brock’s for a Ho Ho.  Celebrating? Head to Brock’s for a Ho Ho.  Starting a diet?  Head to Brock’s for a Ho Ho.  Breaking your diet?  I think you know what to do.

Now, I did save a little room to try what Brock’s considers to be their Food Network worthy Awesome Eats. Starting with a rich and savory homemade beef and veal stock, the French Onion Soup was one cup of crazy good. Topped with a thick wedge of bread and melted Provolone cheese that had been under the broiler just long enough to toast the edges, sealing in all of the flavor and heat.  A perfect package waiting to be opened and enjoyed, and it was.

Dining next to the water it seemed natural that sweet maple-coated hickory-smoked bacon-hugging medium-sized sea scallops (that were cooked to perfection) would appear. Cooking bacon past the flabby stage without over-cooking the tender scallops can be tricky, but they nailed it. The three components on their own are rich: maple syrup, bacon, and succulent sweet sea scallops. Combined together and grilled over a fire elevates the sweetness and richness, yet another example why you should eat your Ho-Ho first.

Brock’s has a passion for bringing Fredericksburg great seafood and the Mahi Mahi topped with fresh Mango salsa proved it. Diced sweet purple onions, green cilantro, and bright-orange colored mango cascaded over a thick, white-fleshed fish that was a feast for the eyes. The citrus sauce around the base of the dish contained just enough lime juice to contrast with the sweetness of the fresh mango and complement—not overpower—the mild flavor of the Mahi Mahi. The side of sweet potato puree topped with raw brown sugar, butter, and a hint of cinnamon was not overly sweet like the casseroles you eat on the holidays.

The piece de resistance was a beautiful hand-cut nice ounce Black Angus filet smothered with a brown-butter sauce made with three different kinds of wild mushrooms. Seared on the outside to seal in the juices, and pink all the way through, every bite was fork-tender and cut like butter.  As any steak lover knows, getting a truly perfect steak in a restaurant is rare (pun intended). But not at Brock’s.

Brock’s RIverside Grill is located at 503 Sophia St. in downtown Fredericksburg.  When you go, tell them you have come for their Ho-Ho’s and their Awesome Eats as seen in Fredericksburg Patch.