ric75

I'm sure you probably know by now, Highwater is open as is yet another new place in Carytown. Some kind of Thai/Cajun fusion from the sound of the name which is eluding me at the moment. There has been an explosion of openings and new restaurant announcements recently. If I had time I'd try to go through and link them all however I have to be hitting the road. Check out Style Weekly for some info on the upcoming Moshi Moshi in Carytown and Granny Wade's in the Slip. With this glut of restaurants I think we REALLY need to start marketing outside of the Richmond area to help ensure these new establishments and our old favorites stay in business. We're really starting to become a serious "Foodie-town" but I'm afraid not enough folks outside of Richmond know this. It's time to embrace that identity and make a serious effort to reach out and grab the tourists interested in visiting a town with a wide selection of quality restaurants.

Everyone's been too busy enjoying the Folk Festival

Is that where they recently tore down those dilapidated row-houses on Belvidere?

I just went through the minutes and didn't see anything about the marina proposal.

Here's a nice little piece from Style on Lulu's, the new restaurant soon to be opening in the Bottom. Looking forward to a little more life on that stretch of 17th Style Weekly - Enter Lulu's

Sounds like that's where they currently have the real estate sign advertising "Imagine your restaurant or business here". That's a nice high profile location there at the curve in the road. Any idea when the city may move forward with the marina plan? Also it looks like they are widening the road right at the county/city line, I'm assuming for an entrance?

Who would intentionally deprive their students of one of America's favorite sports and their school of a major source of income? What an ignorant statement to make. Anyone know the reason behind this?

I guess you could argue that all franchise stores are locally owned representatives of the bigger corporation. Doesn't really change my mind about it though. Not sure about B&J a few years go but I thought someone had mentioned there was a store that lasted only a couple of months. I personally don't remember seeing it.

The other one is the locally owned Bev's. I think you'll find most people aren't too happen with a chain making a direct assault on a local business. I hope either both businesses manage to remain open or Ben and Jerry's fails and has has to either find a new location or leave town with their tails between their legs. Honestly couldn't they at least have found a spot on the West side of Carytown?

Agreed on the name Bubbling burt. My friend actually just texted me and said they are now open. Dueling Aces still has a long ways based on what I've seen as does Goodfellas. I think they may be shooting for an opening next year but the folks I was talking to didn't know for sure. Don't think I'm aware of the spot on Franklin you mentioned though I know one of the buildings there is now occupied by the Democratic Party of Virginia. Haven't visited the new Bistro yet but I see people in there at night on the weekends enjoying some higher end beers.

Any word on when Sam's is going to open in Shockoe Bottom? Was walking around the other weekend and it seems to be getting fairly close to opening. It's going to take up at least 3 storefronts on 17th Street across from the Farmer's Market. Beyond that I don't know too much about it. Seems lots of other vacant spots in the Bottom are seeing some action. Looks like the former location of River City Diner will soon open as Bubbling Restaurant. Papa Ningo's new space looks amazing though they still have ways to go before it's complete. I also visited BPM with some friends. The interior is pretty interesting with neon and video screens everywhere. Still don't quite get the gist of it but it looks ok if glitzy high-tech is your style. Only real issue is that the air ducts piping in the AC were collecting condensed water on them and they were dripping everywhere. The bartender said they'd have that fixed within a few days.

Just wondering if anyone is aware of or has eaten at this new restaurant on 12th St. in the Slip? Down Under Restaurant and Lounge

I think it's only a couple of buildings but add to it the nearby Cold Storage project it will transform that whole area. There was some concern that this project had stalled but apparently things are back on track again

According to John M., there is demo work going on at the Sisson building in Shockoe Bottom. No real details here but he took some photos of the work underway. Definitely good news. In a couple of years that desolate stretch of the Bottom will look a whole lot better. All Things Shockoe - Demo at Sisson

From reading an earlier article it sounds like some higher-ups there had a grudge with the city. Great way to do business... I'm considering finding a new bank now. BOA is not an option. Anyone have other suggestions?

What?!?! Fourth Street Cafe closing at 6pm??? How ridiculous. Where can one go for omelettes after 3am now?

Complete agreement there. The potential for the Boulevard to become a family entertainment destination is there with museums, stadiums, movie theaters, restaurants, and retail all either there already or on the way. It would be nice to see yet another part of the city come into its own.

Yeesh, a million square feet? If the city decides to go in this direction I hope they make sure this development fits into the urban fabric of the area and doesn't look like that Lowe's on Broad. Leave the strip malls and gigantic surface lots to the folks in the burbs. I'm assuming this is an either or situation right? Either a sports/entertainment complex or a million square feet of big-box retail?

Thanks for your perspective cityhopper. I'm a young(ish), single professional myself and I'm surprised you find cost of living an issue here but I guess it all depends on what part of town you live in. The unfortunate souls to the north of us would scoff at the notion that this is an expensive city to live in. The apartments and townhouses in the West End are notorious for being over-priced though considering how far you have to drive to get into the city. Downtown apartments can be semi-pricey though often many utilities and amenities are included and nightlife and culture are right outside of your door. Of the cities you named Philly would be the only one of interest to me. Guess I prefer cities with a bit of history and character to them. Raleigh is drawing young folks by the truckload because of the high-tech jobs offered by the research triangle but the city itself while nice leaves a bit to be desired, at least from my experiences. Don't know a thing about Charlotte except that there are lots of "new" buildings there. A personal turn off for me I hope you keep us posted on your experiences here and in future cities and if I may ask, what part of town do you live in and what areas do you like to frequent?

That's quite an undertaking. Really looking forward to reading the final report If you have the time and stomach space, add Maldini's to the Southside list. It's off of Forest Hill across the street from O'Toole's.

Wilder wanted to build a stadium at the Fulton Gas Works site but that fell through. Issues included traffic, parking, and the general NIMBYness of Church Hill residents. Pretty much the same issues that killed the Shockoe Bottom proposal. Of course add to that the fact that the site is a brownfield and there are too many hurdles to build there though in theory, I agree with the premise of trying to fill that gap. I was actually for the Shockoe Bottom proposal if the numbers added up, but that was mainly because of all the other construction and infill that was to be associated with the development. Personally I don't think one ballpark will be the savior of downtown nor of the Braves and I hate to see millions in taxpayer dollars go towards a franchise/business that should be able to support itself. Personally, I'd like to know how much public money has gone to the Braves compared to the Kickers and what the city has gotten back financially as a result of its investment.

I think this stadium argument has become ridiculous. Personally I'd call for a divorce and throw money towards a team that plays a sport with a future, the Richmond Kickers for example. They play at U of R stadium and manage 2-3,000 per game. It's arguably a far worse venue than the Diamond. For a long while when people went to watch Virginia Tech play football, the vast majority were sitting on metal bleachers and the amenities were nothing to brag about yet they sold out pretty much ever game. This isn't about the stadium, it's about a sport that is probably on its last legs and a city with too many other things to do besides watch a slow ball game. If you want to put public money towards a sport make it soccer. It's only a matter of time before it explodes. We've been seeing the momentum building for years now. How about we try being ahead of the curve instead of behind it for a change?

That's actually been there for a while now. It's coming from the roof of Velvet. Whoever runs it is making a pretty big effort to market it. Unfortunately I think the reason the building next to it has remained vacant so long is because noo ne wants to move in next to the strip club. Too bad since it's such a prominent corner. How was the Buddy Guy show?

That's right coupe. Per another poster either here or at rcw, they will have DJ's spinning music and videos simultaneously. Not sure how that will work though in talking to a friend they knew of clubs where DJ's spun music based on what was playing on the video monitors. May be something along that line but I guess we'll find out soon. Glad to see the Main St. stretch of Shockoe Bottom getting some attention. Can't wait will all of these new places are open to see how things change down there. I still view the Bottom as a keystone piece to downtown's resurgence. With it being between Tobacco Row/Rockett's Landing and the cbd I don't see how it can stay in limbo too much longer. Still hoping to hear of a comprehensive plan from the city regarding new sidewalks and resurfaced streets in conjunction with burying utility lines

Was out in Shockoe Bottom Friday night.. a few observations. BPM has a neon sign and some plasma TV's displaying music videos in the front windows. Looks like they are doing a good job of hyping things up. It appears that work is going on inside the former location of River City Diner. Newspapers are in the window though I don't see any current permits there. Looks like the building on the corner of 17th and Main, formerly Medley's, is close to being renovated but it appears it will only be a few apartments there and won't contribute much to nightlife. I had heard that a church owned the property and after glancing at the permits in the window it appears this is true. They are called Kingdom Developments LLC. That's about it for now. Any word on when the Plaza will be completed?