ric75

I'm presuming this is going at the SE corner of Byrd and 10th where a portion of the old Reynold's facility currently sits?

You think this is related? Not sure if Dominion Realty Partners is part of Dominion Resources. http://www.richmond.com/business/local/article_214de9ae-82aa-54de-9bea-7ec4b8c54779.html

Interesting, I guess appearances are deceiving. I was just driving through downtown this morning noting how many buildings are being renovated. Definitely seems like money is being put into the CBD but maybe stats say otherwise.

Yeah I have high hopes for that area. It could definitely become a club destination if the two venues get their timing right. As far as the smoking ban is concerned, Off the Hookah meets the requirements because they have a separately ventilated dining area (downstairs) which allows for the second floor to be the hookah bar/lounge.

Payed them a visit several weeks ago. We had a lot of people and the arrangement on the upper floor (which is the floor you enter on) is not conducive to large groups. This is the floor where 2 large bars are located and where hookah smoking is allowed. Couches, cushions, and small tables are located against the wall, and small 4 person tables are in the middle. The decor is pretty intricate with an ancient Egyptian theme. Service had many issues however as it took forever just to put drink orders in and half the menu items (sushi) were not available yet. I think they may have opened a little before they were ready but hopefully they will work the issues out. The food once it came out was pretty good. They seem to be successful so far in selling themselves as a club and I wish them the best of luck. If you want to dine or smoke a hookah, my recommendation is t get their early while things are relatively peaceful. Downstairs is for dining strictly from my understanding but I did not see the space.

The rise of the blogosphere? In the beginning this and richmondcitywatch were the only places to read and discuss hyper-local news. Now there are many outlets covering this territory thereby potentially diluting readership. I still drop in here almost daily to catch up on news... there are several folks here that have inside information that can't be found elsewhere and burt does an amazing job gathering local news. I don't think this site is going anywhere.

I'm rather partial to that rendering myself. I hope the popularity of riverfront dining motivates the City to finally do something with that abandoned stretch of river between the county line and Tobacco Row. It needs to be a boardwalk with retail, dining, residences, and river access options. As of now it's a fishing spot for about 10 locals.

They are building a nice bar that addresses the street very well... something Relish didn't do unfortunately.

Frankly I hope they do something besides make an ice skating rink there. Talk about a very limited use for a prime piece of real estate. If they do move ahead with it, I hope they can find some other use for it for the other 9 months of the year.

Got my tickets for the evening session. Can't wait! Really happy to see Boulder Brewing will be there as well as Dogfish Head.

I thought this was a cool little piece in today's RTD. Three local chefs are asked about the Richmond restaurant scene, cooking styles, and offer up a favorite recipe. Richmond Times-Dispatch - Three chefs rate Richmond’s restaurant scene

A belated thanks for the compliment varider. While the area you walked is still a work in progress, especially Grace St. and Broad, we have high hopes for it. Edit: I obviously don't check off-topic enough. You did indeed request some restaurant advice! Penny Lane was also an option there. Next time you visit make the hike down to Main St. to try Bank or Cap Ale or maybe venture all the way down to the Slip for a plethora of options. Glad you enjoyed the visit and congrats to ODU. That was a tough game.

Had a great time watching this game yesterday. ODU looked strong in the first game though. This will be an interesting matchup, with both teams getting a win against the other on their home courts this season.

Children's Museum expansion in Short Pump... Local Children’s Museum to open branch in Short Pump

That's my thinking as well. It's an amazing space in a great part of town. I have trouble believing someone won't take over... preferably a Dogfish Head brewpub

You know I won't be surprised if Richbrau reopens Taphouse and the upstairs bar. There's little to no coverage of it besides in River District News and I would think if they were truly closing these areas, they would have made some sort of announcement being such a long-standing restaurant in Richmond. I have a hunch that they are retrofitting for the smoking ban but I could be wrong.

Karri Peifer has the details on several new things going on in the Richmond restaurant scene including the Zuppa/Currant move and an Outer Banks seafood restaurant opening a Stony Point location. Dish: New Restaurants Cometh

I hope they are right on that burt. Timing-wise it certainly does make more sense to wait until the Performing Arts Center is open instead of opening early and potentially struggling to draw folks to an otherwise deserted area. I hope Aurora and the couple other establishments in that stretch benefit from the foot traffic the PAC will bring in.

Ok at risk of making an idiot of myself again I'll post something I think is news here.. a search for the restaurant name came up with nothing on the forums but that doesn't mean anything... All Things Richmond reports a new Cuban restaurant will likely be opening in the Fall. Kenn-Tico will be located near Grace and 2nd Street only a few blocks down from Hilton garden in and by that time, the newly opened Richmond Centerstage. A Little Bit of Havana on Grace Street

Great pictures TBurban! The Carpenter Center (aka Richmond Centerstage) is truly going to be a gem once it's complete. Can't wait for September

Haha you can go ahead and say it... old news! I only bothered checking burt's 7 am post from yesterday. You gotta get up pretty early around here to break any news. 5 am? That's all you KingDog

Richmond BizSense has a piece on the French Bistro coming to the Slip. I'm looking forward to trying it as my Mom grew up in Provence, the region whose cuisine this restaurant will be base around. Richmond BizSense - French bistro coming to the Slip

I unfortunately had too much fun in the Fan the previous night and didn't make it out. For shame I know I'll be looking forward to next years though. I'm certain this is yet another new Richmond tradition. Hope they include some local breweries as well. Has anyone been out to the Red, White, and Brew at 17th Street Farmers Market yet?

Broad Appetit is going to be epic! I should fast for a couple of days before going.

Haha and burt is always complaining about his memory... man I better start loading u point the ginkgo.