nhughes

The Bubble Bar (don't remember the exact name) is open in the old RIVER CITY DINER space on Main Street. It was opened by a former partner from ALADDIN EXPRESS at Laurel and Broad near VCU. It is a Mediterranean hookah bar/restaurant, rather than Moroccan (unlike COUS COUS, which is decidedly Moroccan). If you are referring to the spot to the right of BIG DADDY'S, then you're talking about GOODFELLAS. There is an empty space to the left that isn't slated for anything that I'm aware of. GOODFELLAS is still on, and it has been moving along nicely. You can already see the completion on the facade and the deck. PAPA NINGO is still on for the larger spot, and I'm helping them get someone in to take over their current location (no secret, since they are just moving next door). The construction on the larger spot has been delayed due to unforeseen delays from the city, as usual with any project I have ever heard of in the city. There is a space at 1717 East Franklin Street that I am leasing out for a client. You'll see my sign on it if you go down there. It's a fully equipped, high-end sushi restaurant right now. No telling what will go in there at this point, although I have some groups working on Asian-fusion concepts that are the most likely candidates at the moment. This space is right beside JULEP'S, and has a beautiful wooden facade. I had taken note of it a few years ago, even before I knew the owner of the building. I'll let you know what's going in there once we have someone firm, and they give me permission to let it out there.

DEUCES WILD was set to go where MOONDANCE/WILDCATS was on 17th Street. The dueling piano bar has been put on hold for the time being.

I had seen the news about Rainbow Donuts having to close some time ago. When I recently went by and saw they were still open, I thought maybe whatever deal was forcing them out had fallen through. Given that they were closed when I noticed the closed McD's, I guess my timeframe was all screwed up. I didn't realize the closing was due to McD's expanding, though...

I tried to stop by that same McD's last week (or maybe the week before..) and there were signs up in the windows that indicated they were remodeling. I didn't realize they were tearing it down, though!

I love the idea of doing it, but considering my ties to the restaurant community I wouldn't exactly be impartial. I may be able to use an alias, and review places that aren't clients....like you said, the free meals alone would be a nice perk! Now, if you need my input on any ongoing things in the restaurant scene, I'd be happy to help.

SOLD! to Douglas Jemal for $415,000 (with 10% buyer's premium the final price was $456,500). http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/busines...12-15-0065.html

Here are a couple of new openings for you, as gathered from local blogs: LITTLE MEXICO, 1328 West Cary Street -- replacing RIO GRANDE, opened a couple of weeks ago DELUX, 2229 West Main Street -- The Restaurant Group's newest spot, supposedly opening this Saturday

Not off-hand, but I'll try to make a point to drive by when I'm in the area (or see if I can recruit my fiance to go by, since she drives near there for work). There are quite a few small restaurants in Jackson Ward that you don't ever hear about.

I'm surprised that CHINA PANDA at the corner of Park Ave & N Sheppard St didn't get a mention. From what I understand from some veggie friends of mine, it has a cult-like following in the vegetarian and vegan community.

Is there a thread for celebrity sightings in Richmond? Not that it would get a lot of activity, but it may be interesting to be able to look back and see who's been here.

I believe there is one located on West Broad Street near the TJ Maxx Shopping Center, in the same center as ZORBA'S. There is probably one on Southside somewhere, but the West End location is the only one that pops to mind immediately.

Gourmet burgers. Expensive for burgers, but they do make a point to differentiate themselves. I've enjoyed it when I've gone. ------------------------------------------------------------------ On another note, I noticed that MANILA MANILA in West Broad Commons (corner of Tuckernuck Rd and W Broad St) has been replaced with a Caribbean restaurant called FANTASY ISLAND CAFE & GRILL. There is a sign outside saying that they are now open.

Now THAT would be cool. There is so much going on with the performing arts in Richmond, but I feel like I only hear about the live music.

The issue with credit card tips is not that a certain amount is deducted, but how easily tracked it is by the IRS. Cash is nice because there is no paper trail. -- Not that I ever reported anything but my full tip earnings, of course. I haven't heard anything about credit card processing fees being deducted from the tip, but anything is possible.

Interesting. I just read a blog that blasted Zeus Gallery for their inept performance on Monday. Goes to show you that you can't judge a restaurant from just one experience. Even the blogger that wrote the post was saying that they normally love Zeus. I'm glad to hear they got their act together, especially during such a good week for publicity! blog blasting Zeus (not my blog, btw)

Whoops! Thanks for the correction!

The RTD announced this morning that POSITIVE VIBE CAFE on Huguenot Road received the New Freedom Initiative Award from the Secretary of Labor. Congrats!! I don't know, burt. I'll keep my eyes open when I go through there next.

I heard a rumor that it would be another Giavos project, but I didn't quite believe that he would tackle a new project so soon after launching KITCHEN 64. I always underestimate the pain threshold of restaurant owners, though...

I have an update for everyone on the old Ritz at 700 North Sheppard Street, corner of Park and Sheppard. Arianna's Grill opened up last Wednesday. We went there for lunch, and had a taste of almost everything on the menu. INCREDIBLE! Nothing we had was bad, or even mediocre. It's from the same family (even if a different offshoot from the family) that owns and runs PICCOLA'S and MARY ANGELA'S. ....hmm, I can't post the scanned image of the menu for some reason, but you can find it on my blog -- http://rvabusiness.typepad.com/rvabusiness...r-ritz-loc.html If it's not cool that I posted the link, then someone please help me get the images posted here! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Restaurant Week, 10/22/07-10/28/07 Prix-fixe 3-course meal for $25.07 Here is the list, straight from the CVFB website with links added for you to click through to each restaurant's website (when available): Acacia, 354-6060 Amici , 353-4700 Bacchus, 355-9919 Cabo's Corner Bistro , 355-1144 Europa , 643-0911 Hondos at Innsbrook , 968-4323 Juleps, 377-3968 La Grotta , 644-2466 Michelle's at Hanover Tavern , 537-5250 Millie's Diner , 643-5512 Rowland Fine Dining , 257-9885 Sam Miller's, 644-5465 Six Burner , 353-4060 The Hard Shell, 643-2333 The Hill Cafe , 648-0360 The Track, 359-4781 TJ's in the Jefferson , 788-8000 Twenty-Seven , 780-0086 Zed Cafe , 261-5656 Zeus Gallery Cafe, 359-3219

I'd be interested to hear details. I don't know anything about it.

Yeah, that's the only thing I know about it. I remember going to Silver Diner when I was visiting friends that were living in NoVA quite some time back.

Thanks for the confirmation, burt! Glad to hear my memory still has its shining moments.

I believe this is the site that the RTD reported on this morning as where the new Silver Dollar Diner will be. I left the paper at home and couldn't find the article online, so I couldn't confirm the info. I do remember them saying it was in front of where the 7-Eleven is now, so it sounds like the right spot.

There are quite a few local banks, actually. I'm sure I don't have an exhaustive list here but: River City Bank First Market Bank (as burt suggested) First Capital Bank Provident Bank Bank of Richmond Bank of Goochland Bank of Powhatan Millenium Bank I think Provident has branches in MD, too, so I don't know if that qualifies. The others are small, hometown banks, I believe.

Papa Lou Pizza is at the corner of Brook and Parham, in the shopping center with the Big Lots. The pizza they are known for is their Greek Pizza, with feta, spinach, diced tomatoes, mozzarella, and black olives.