burt

Hey, John: Welcome to the Urban Planet Richmond forum. Even though Los Angeles is your base, is it safe to assume that you have Richmond connections? Another contributor from California (Santa Monica) visits these pages from time to time -- his name is Calwinston. I, for one, wish he and you would drop in more often (I'm an out-of-towner, too (NYCity.)

Stonebridge, with its new giant-sized Kroger Market, is just across the dividing line between Richmond and Chesterfield County. The big store will get a big boost in likely shoppers when 600 adjacent apartments are completed in 2014. From today's RTD: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/latest-news/apartments-to-be-built-next-to-kroger-marketplace-on-midlothian/article_ad1681b2-64d3-11e2-b60d-0019bb30f31a.html

Tommy, thanks for posting the Biz Sense story with picture about Douglas Development's firm plans for the Central National Bank tower on East Broad between 2nd and 3rd Streets. The John Marshall's 238 units are 95% leased. Miller & Rhoads claims its 133 apartments are fully leased, and the recently completed 150 apartments in the First National Bank building at 9th and Main Streets has already had 55 move-ins. According to certain sources, the 700 Center at 7th and Franklin is still on the 'active' list for conversion to more than 100 residential spaces, and it appears the old 4-story Massey Headquarters at 4th and Main may be in the process of conversion to housing. If all of this plus the 200-unit plan for CNB goes forward, close to 900 downtown apartments will have been carved out of mid-to-high rise office buildings in the past few years.

The University of Richmond toppled Charlotte 81 to 61 last night at The Robins Center before 8,000+ fans. Thursday night in the 9,000+ seat Robins Center, The Spiders, 2-2 in A-10 meet VCU, 4-0. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports, but you can also catch it on Ram Nation channel, http://vcuathletics.com/landing/index. From today's RTD: http://wwda.timesdispatch.com/sports/college/richmond/brothers-scores-points-as-ur-beats-arlotte/article_d16ed466-629d-11e2-b16f-0019bb30f31a.html

13th consecutive win tonight in Pittsburgh. VCU Rams 90 Duquesne Dukes 63 Next Thursday the Rams meet The UR Spiders at Robins Center.

Mayor Jones will deliver his annual State of The City Address Tuesday, January 29th at 6:30PM from the stage of The Carpenter Theatre at 6th and Grace Streets. Admission is free. If you haven't yet dined in the trio of new restaurants in the area, 525 AT THE BERRY BURK at 6th and Grace; PASTURE at 416 East Grace, and RAPPAHANNOCK at Grace and 4th Streets will all be open.

I wish someone would photograph the Landmark (soon to be Altria) Theatre in its current condition -- that is, as Edwin Slipek writes, 'shrouded in scaffolding.' It's a sight to behold with its facade, domes and minarets temporarily reshaped. Here's a story by Slipek from Style Weekly about historic and unique buildings in the city: http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/preservation-marks/Content?oid=1810630

Tomorrow night's game (Saturday) at Duquesne can be heard on RAM RADIO: http://www.bigoldies1073.com/pages/14677236.php

http://www.barclayscenter.com/events/detail/a10-championship

I watched last night's game on http://vcuathletics.com/. I think they televise all home games with their own broadcast crew. The Atlantic 10 Tournament is March 14 - 17 at the brand new Barclays Arena in Brooklyn -- just a subway ride from Manhattan. So I'll be able to see The Rams in person.

The Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond has received the AAA Five Diamond award for the 20th year, and its restaurant, LEMAIRE, retains its 4-Diamond status. Four other Richmond area hotels continue their four-Diamond ratings. From today's RTD: http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/travel/regional/the-jefferson-hotel-receives-aaa-five-diamond-rating-for-th/article_11db9f39-3691-5257-9b53-985083ddd030.html

This Good Life listing of locally owned restaurants catagorized alphabetically by neighborhoods is an invaluable help. It is a great reference source and I try to remember to re-post it from time to time, so here it is again. Note: The list does not include restaurants in the surrounding counties nor chain operations.

What a game.

It's The Rams in OT -- 92 to 86 12th consecutive win!!!!

The above entry, dated May 21st, 2005, was the beginning of this thread about dining out in Richmond. The site has had more than 327,000 'hits' and since Urban Planet is global I have to believe that most of the visitors are not locals. The January 2013 current issue of Richmond Magazine has an excellent story about whether or not Richmond is a 'foodie' town. And I'm pleased to report that the general consensus of professionals in Virginia and elsewhere is that, yes, it is. But it hasn't yet achieved the prominence of the big cities or special places like Charleston.

Dana Craig has long been a devotee of Chef Philip Denny's culinary art and she has followed him from the former Six Burner to AZIZA'S ON MAIN. Here is her three and a half Star review from today's RTD: http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/weekend/dining-out-aziza-s-on-main/article_0fdec3c3-1b69-5349-a2bc-13671ef1a493.html AZIZA'S ON MAIN Dana's rating: 3 1/2 Stars 2110 EAST Main Street (in the Tobacco Row area) 804/344-1523 Noise level: Average Tab for two: $52 Be sure to click 'Related Galleries' in the review, but don't try the website because it doesn't work.

While the Hilton Garden Inn is doing well and all 133 apartments are leased, I'm really excited that the Miller & Rhoads building is finally getting a commercial tenant. Liberty Mutual, I'm guessing, will go into the ground floor corner space at 6th and Broad. And negotiations are on-going for an additional 8,500 s/f of commercial space in the building (I have heard that Peter Chang Cafe seriously considered the large vacant corner of 5th and Grace, but sources say he walked away from signing.) I think Urban Outfitters would be a great tenant for M&R, but they probably have a clause in their Short Pump Town Center lease prohibiting it. Also, it's predicted in the story that downtown's population will reach 12,500 by next year. The National Theatre and Richmond CenterStage are not mentioned in the story, but both started bringing hordes of people downtown before the restaurants opened.

The 9PM time slot allows for national TV coverage. I'm going to watch here in NYCity. PS: UR lost to Baylor last night.

The previous two postings (me yesterday and RVA today) are enough to give conficting thrills and chills. On one hand, at least 220 investors are seriously interested in Central Virginia expanson, while the second story about lease expirations on downtown business towers dampens enthusiasm. If McGuire Wood builds a skyscraper on the much-discussed plot, the Richmond Biz Sense story hints that it would simply shuffle tenants from one building to another and leave lots of vacant space (up to 30%) downtown...not to mention the allure of the suburbs. Will some of those 220 potential investors seek downtown locations? Let's look on the bright side.

Karri Peifer has done more research about MAX'S TAVERN and reports that the Belgian themed restaurant hopes to open at 305 Brook Road in May. When I was in Richmond over the holidays I peeked through the windows of MAX'S. The building itself is at interesting angles and should make for an unusual interior on two levels. From Richmond dot com: http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/article_09338ed3-bd1e-57d8-8df0-f0f49c311ca3.html PS: I also dropped into SAISON at the corner of West Marshal and Adams Streets (about half a block north of MAX'S) and chatted with one of the owners. The restaurant (formerly known as Marshall Street Cafe) has been the recipient of some nice words in Imbibe Magazine about the cafe's beer selections.

After being enthralled by the Chihuly Glass Exhibit on the lower level of VMFA, whiz up in the glass elevator to the top floor and order a Chihuly-inspired cocktali at the bar in AMUSE. Our friend Karri Peifer did just that and tells us all about it in this video from Richmond dot com: http://www.richmond.com/arts-entertainment/video_cd90e400-5f42-11e2-b7f5-001a4bcf6878.html The Toulouse Lautrec model behind the bar moonlights as a can can dancer on the bar at CAN CAN in Carytown. (Just kidding. .) .

Business Investment prospects, especially foreign, are looking good for the Richmond region. 55 percent of 413 prospects are considering the region for investments. Some have already committed and a few have signed leases. From today's RTD: http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/economy/economic-developers-see-growth-in-foreign-prospects/article_213a2274-5192-57f5-bfc8-0d1d54d4dc35.html

It's good to see cooperation between the city and Chesterfield on the Hull Street Road proposals. Maybe it's the beginning of a new relationship.

There are 4 floors of apartments above CASA DEL BARCO on the ground level of The Italianate Building as well as many new apartments in several other nearby renovated buildings at the complex called The Locks. Music, such as a Mariachi band, could be annoying to residents. I understand the Mexican restaurant has not yet decided on an entertainment policy, but I note on their facebook page that very attractive acoustic absorbing ceiling panels have just been installed. Take a look. https://www.facebook.com/CasaDelBarco#!/photo.php?fbid=10151414906866410&set=a.10151414901271410.536476.60786351409&type=1&theater

The food scene is heating up on Church Hill. DUTCH & COMPANY opened last night (01/15/13) at the northwest corner of 27th and Marshall Streets. One of the chefs has had experience at Acacia and the other at Aziza. From chpn: http://chpn.net/news/2013/01/15/dutch-co-is-now-open_25744/