To Dine or Not To Dine: Xtra's Cafe

Xtra's Cafe is a new gem in the heart of Carytown that offers a great variety of dishes in a fun and slightly retro atmosphere.

Xtra's just opened on Cary Street in September and has since done an excellent job of filling a niche for eclectic American dining with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options as well.

Brand spanking new, Xtra's Cafe is a fun spot for families, dates or groups of friends.

The restaurant is named after the co-owner and daughter in the father-daughter proprietary pair, Xtra Moore.

The same family owns the bead retailer on the first floor, above which Xtra's Cafe is nicely situated.

The upbeat ambiance and assorted menu are what have Xtra's Cafe named one of the 15 restaurants to look out for in 2011 by Richmond Magazine.

The zig-zag tile floor and the brightly patterned booths are just the beginning of Xtra's interesting vibe.

There is a full-service bar with a serpentine shape that spans almost the entirety of the main dining room.

There is also a second and slightly smaller dining area and outdoor patio with space heaters to allow for outdoor dining during the winter months.

The colorful decor complements the colorful menu that the timely waitstaff is happy to serve.

On the menu, the distinctive appetizers are sure to catch your eye. The savory creme brulee is a delicious twist on cheese fondue with a sugar crust served with crostini and tart Granny Smith apple slices.

The hummus sampler is made special by incorporating the hummus of the day, which in my case was roasted red pepper hummus.

The salads are big and full of diverse ingredients that can be topped with chicken, shrimp, steak, portobello mushrooms or grilled tofu, and served with a choice of nine unique dressings including roasted pineapple vinaigrette, creamy gorgonzola and honey-lemon dijon.

Another star of the entree menu is the White Knight pizza with roasted garlic cream, mozzarella, feta and basil.

Another member of my table enjoyed a Thai green curry rice topped with jumbo shrimp that was a daily special.

The rest of the menu consists of various sandwiches, wraps and paninis, and more creative pizzas like the Italian Battalion with marinara, bell peppers, red onions and sundried tomatoes.

There are several large pasta dishes and entrees of pecan-sage chicken roulade, New York strip steak and shrimp creole.

There truly is something for everyone on the menu. The New York strip steak is the most expensive item on the menu clocking in at $19.

All sandwiches and pizzas are less than $10 and appetizers are $8 or less.

These prices, accompanied by permanent weekly specials, make Xtra's not only delicious, but also a good deal.

Open Tuesday through Sunday until 2 a.m. and accepting all major credit cards, Xtra's Cafe is certainly worth checking out.

The week starts with half-off wine on Tuesdays followed by $10 bottles of bubbly on Wednesdays, ladies' night on Thursdays, 80s night on Fridays, $2 desserts on Saturdays and finishing up the weekend with Industry Night on Sundays.

What is Industry Night you ask? Swing by Xtra's Cafe in Carytown and find out.