metalman

We used to have Mc. &Schmicks. It left and was replaced with Legal Seafood last year.

ORF had a float in the Norfolk Grand Illumination Parade yesterday: it was cute. Sorry, didn’t get a picture of it.

I stepped in to a new coffee house yesterday. Colattao in Independence Plaza (corner of Indi. & Haywood). Real cool vibes, a good cup of coffee and crossiant sandwich. Spoke to the owner and her son. Nice people. Apparently they just left their normal jobs to open this family run business. They went to Colombia to find the farm they wanted to source their beans from. So it’s Colombian farm to coffee house directly. Forget Starbucks, support local. The only bummer is that they close at 4. So weekdays will be hard for me to enjoy. They are closed on Monday’s. Best of luck to them. It looks like a great start for a new business.

I read Baobabs post as pure sarcasm, but maybe that’s just me?

There was a similar concept planned then denied about 10 years ago on a similar plot across the street on Granby a block or so up. Can anyone who remembers dig that rendering up?

The Chrysler museum is building out their Perry Glass Studio addition. Snapped a couple pics while there yesterday. Elevator shaft is up on the opposite side, not shown.

Was at the Chrysler Museum yesterday. They’re still workin’ at it.

That was me. Yea, I get it. That was more Iike a “huh.”, not a “huh?”. It’s probably easier to slip going slowly that fast., I’d imagine. Taking that line for the first time last weekend-you’re right super slow going through that tunnel. Hell…slow going going through DC in general.- pas the Spy museum and GSA building and such. We’re taking it again in August. Crossing fingers.

Just an idea- We have the North American NATO HQ. Brussels, Belgium has the European HQ. Why not an int’l flight between the NATO cities. I’d take that!

I’m wondering if it derailed at a switch track not full engaged?

Oh no! There was a delay in Pennsylvania while we were still in VA when we left. Thankfully it was fixed along the way and we weren’t delayed by it. Something about an incident with the overhead lines in Philly.

I just took Amtrak for the first time. Left for NYC on Thursday at 6am and got back on Sunday at 9pm. About 8 1/2hrs each way. We are a family of 4. Loved it! Pretty relaxing, no stress compared to drive esp. on the Jersey Tnpk, and in the city. No wear and tear on the car, exorbitant parking fees, etc. It probably took another 2hrs compared to driving, maybe 1 when you factor in food, bathroom, and gas stops. The food car wasn’t terrible either. Being an end-of-the-line stop, I was impress with the amount of people using it. I’d guesstimate about 60 people got on Thursday morning at 6am, and 80-100 people got off Sunday evening at 9pm. We’re gonna use it again. I hope they make a Norfolk to Roanoke route. I’d like that.

I didn’t take pics, but it looks massive from Harrison Opera House.

Yea….just “some” house in Charlottesville. Hmmmm

MontiCHello is how it should be pronounced. It’s Italian.

Beautiful place out there.

I am excited to go there! I am surprised how much they were allowed to build that patio on to the plaza!

I said the same thing last week when I went. And Mezah is open now. I’m just riffing here but- They invested in renovation, they are keeping their spaces full. They are keeping there store selection relevant and varied in price and clientele, and type of retail provided. Mix of entertainment, clothes, products, food, indoor/outdoor. A relative sense of safety-they have quite a visual presence of mall security, part time paid VBPD/deputies on foot, mall security vehicles driving around with their orange and green lights, On duty VBPD around. There have been some incidents that have occurred there over the years, but, I feel the difference is that I see and hear that they address it, investigate it, take care of it, and management and surround store owners have made some changes to deter indicente from happening again. People relatively feel safe so they go. It’s clean and inviting, so it’s nice. The area is full of many choices for people to spend their money and they do. Success!!!

Am I correct in seeing that there is zero retail/restaurant/cafe/office space in these buildings in SPQ?

I’m just in Virginia Beach so my home and my general forum isn’t too far away. We made it up last Friday in 1 1/2hrs flat. Great timing when there’s no tunnel traffic. We had a great time. A much bigger urban core than i thought. I love the beautiful rows of old/historic homes and businesses we passed in in Monroe and Downtown. We stay in a old brownstone near the Jefferson Hotel which was amazing looking!!! Absolutely gorgeous. Reminds me of a Richmond’s version of Virginia Beach’s Cavalier Hotel. Not that they look alike…just the old beautiful architectural famous hotel. While we were their, we went to church at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The seat of the Catholic diocese. I’ve only been there once before…again absolutely gorgeous. I tried to walk around the Capitol but with all that renovation going on there I couldn’t squeeze in around there. Next time. A co-worker told me to try some pulled pork nachos at Iron and wood out in Scott’s Addition. We found time to get out there before leaving. It was very good . The pulled pork did not disappoint. I noticed quite a number of closed/derelict shops along Broad St. Id think with it being the main drag, city council or real estate owners would give some priority to filling in those businesses and cleaning up some of that graffiti and store frontage. It’s an easy drive from the Beach. There’s certainly more to explore for us there. We’ll be back.

Hey all, Me and my fam. Just visited Richmond last weekend for GalaxyCon. Great time, good AirBB in Monroe Ward, walkable to the con. Great restaurants we found in Wong Gonzales (killer tacos), Secret Sandwich Society, an ok slice in Valentino’s pizza. Went to the Poe museum and St. John’s Church (Site Patrick Henry…you know). Great breakfast burritos at Liberty Pub out there. I do have one honest question that left me puzzled when I was there. Why is there so much dog crap on the sidewalks and the landscaping medians around the sidewalks. Up and around Grace st, Monroe, etc. I noticed not only the dog crap, some more fresh, some crusty and very old; but people walking there dogs, letting them crap on the side wall or up in the landscaping without picking it up. Is that a thing?

What’s new in City View? Edit-Scratch that. Just saw the thread.

Nice! I certainly know who Fatty Arbuckle is. Thanks.

Ate at Orion’s Roof last weekend. Noticed Arbuckle’s in Embassy Suites. What is it? Just a hotel restaurant or is it known in other circles of the country? Orion’s had spectacular views and a really good whole red snapper!

Forgot to update if you care. Black Rifle (what looks like a soft opening) opened this past Tuesday! Very nice cafe with a bit retail section, drive thru. I already have had the roasts on tap so I had a Christmas latte called “Yippee-ka-yay”. https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/pages/virginia-beach-retail