checkplease

Hey Burt, I went to TARRANT'S CAFE last night for yet another great meal. I love that place. I remember you all discussing the expansion plans, so I talked to the one of the waiters. He said they are already working on the space next door, getting it ready with a new kitchen and dining area. They plan to close for a short time to knock a hole in the wall between the two spaces and tear out the existing kitchen (that box-like partition that currently takes up half the restaurant). The waiter said it should be complete in about two months. I also got to chat with the owner. Really cool guy. I think his name is Ted. He confirmed the expansion and seemed really excited (and somewhat surprised) at how well the cafe was doing. If I hear anything else, I'll let you know. Does anyone know when KITCHEN 64 on Boulevard is going to open? The sign is up, the lights are on and the patio is complete. It looks ready to me.

I hope so...but I hope not! I want to go there tonight, but I'm worried about too many people being there. It's weird when the two papers cover the same place in the same week. Could be good and bad for the restaurant.

Cates couldn't have said it better. The new Zuppa is the best. I'm glad to see two young, talented chefs making the most of their talents. Go get the grilled cheese. Delish.

Hey Burt, Bleu Bistro's been open for a while. Impressive considering that space is bad luck for restaurants. I believe the several restaurants located there previously tanked rather quickly. Here's the website: Bleu Bistro

Does anyone know what's going on with the NORTHSIDE GRILL (?) on Bellevue, near Belle Arte? I've heard rumors about a restaurant by that name opening for months, but last I heard there were building permits posted but no real progress. Just curious. I have no idea what type of food, etc. but it'd be great to have another restaurant in Northside. Speaking of progress, it looks like KITCHEN 64 on Boulevard in what used to Zippy Baba's is coming along nicely. I heard it was supposed to open in November, but that obviously wasn't the case. A nice outdoor patio has been built and it looks like the interior is well underway.

Question for nhughes: You mentioned you're in the business of selling restaurant, so maybe you can answer my question. A friend just mentioned that RIO GRANDE CAFE in Stony Point Mall closed. I was suprised because every time I've been, it's seemed busy. Apparently there wasn't much notice as they were training a new hostess last weekend. I've heard restaurant sales at Stony Point have been suffering, but I didn't think restaurants were closing. Any leads you might have would be much appreciated.

Great idea, Burt. And I like your idea about compiling brief descriptions and critics' ratings rather than creating an Urban Planet rating system. Like you said, everyone should give Richmond restaurants a try and decide for themselves. And then, come back to this thread and post your dining experience. I can't wait!

Because Burt has called me out, I'll throw my guess in. I think it's AVALON on Main Street between Robinson and Boulevard. The interior used to be more understated (black and white pictures, neutral tones, lost of dark wood), but I heard that the owner's wife (?) has a knack for interior design and redid the place. Last time I went, the dining area had completely changed: red and cream walls, bright paintings, lots of plants. I think the table pictured is the one on the far left when you enter the dining room from the bar. The wood booths still line the wall. I don't know this band, but I know Avalon attracts the music/band crowd later in the evening when it switches from dinner to bar. It's a great place to grab a drink: wonderful microbrew selection, good choice of top shelf bourbons and a decent wine list. Plus, they just swtiched their menu to tapas after long-time chef Q Derks left. Alex Lira, of Europa, is there now. www.avalonrestaurant.com If you check out the menu, each offering includes two prices. I've been told the regulars are having a hard time adjusting to the swtich from entrees to tapas, so they are offering everything in either portion for now.

That's what I was thinking. Nonetheless, it indicates that the people that like Corner Bar & Grill and Old City Bar are dedicated fans. I think that says a lot. Sensi and Bank may have a lot of crowds but maybe they don't provide as personalized experiences as the smaller places. Either way, I agree. The paper should do more polls. It's fun to see what other people think. Hey, I voted for Da Lat but they're near the bottom.

And this one.... RTD: Carytown Seafood

Had to weigh in on the seafood subject, as I could exist on nothing but scallops for the rest of my life. dklee, I completely agree with you about trying to find a good seafood restaurant in town. What's up? There are plenty of wonderful seafood entrees at other restaurants not exclusively serving seafood (Patina Grill, Rowland), but none are solely "fish houses." Shackleford's was good for a while but not these days. Crab Louie's is good, but for me it's a drive. Why is finding good seafood so hard? I miss Limani. TBurban, speaking of bad seafood, Carytown Seafood at Innsbrook (in my humble opinion) is atrocious. Half of what we got was inedible. I was shocked considering I get fish from the actual Carytown market quite often. If you go, I'd love to hear what you think. I left pining for Red Lobster. Does anyone have any seafood restaurant secrets they'd like to share? I need a regular spot to kill my cravings.

For some reason I remember hearing (or maybe reading in the paper) that the franchise owner of the Short Pump McAllister's closed the restaurant because the rent was getting too high, not because of lack of business. Don't quote me on this, but I think it was very sudden and even some of the employees were surprised.

Hey Burt, I'm here. I frequently pop in and read up on all the latest news, but I haven't had anything monumental to report. But, now that there are so many new contributors, I feel the need to say hello again. Welcome, dining_out, dklee and other new contributors. Recommendations: I've been to Cous Cous several times over the last month or two, and for the most part, I've found it pretty enjoyable. Seems some nights the food is a little off, but for newcomers to town (especially from DC), it's a pretty hip spot to check out. It's definitely no Marakesh (in DC), but the vibe is cool. I also recommend Rowland on Main Street in the Fan if you're looking for fine dining with a laid back atmosphere. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Comfort is a great spot (one of my favorites), but has anyone been across the street to Popkin Tavern yet? A friend told me it was very "TGIFridays" with plastic baskets lined with paper. Not what I was expecting to hear, I guess. I can't wait to try DD33 based on what everyone is saying. I checked out their menu online and it seems great. Based on the above reviews, I need to go.

Finally made it to BANK for dinner. I'd previously been for drinks a few times. Decent wine list, great atmosphere, just got a little too crowded around the bar late on Friday. Based on the big nightlife, I didn't have high hopes for dinner, although the menu looked good. I was completely wrong. Dinner was quite good, and I was amazed at the relatively low prices (most entrees upper teens) for the style of food and ambiance. Definitely didn't feel like I was in Richmond. I think it's a great addition to the city's growing cosmopolitan atmsophere. With restaurants like Sensi, Bank and Can Can, I'm starting to think of Richmond as a "big city."

The Bank does sound fabulous. I've only been there for drinks and can't wait to return for food. It's just a shame that Ms. Stuchell has a very shallow grasp on the history of many cuisines. Her descriptions of several key ingredients are inaccurate. Not to mention poor grammar and spelling. A restaurant at this level deserves to be written about by someone who better understands its skill.

The new restaurant is called DURO, and it's all pasta. The name is based on the grain used to make pasta. I drove by and the interior looks the same but there's a new sign. Has anyone tried it?

It's been updated...Pesados is this week. Yum. So good and it seems no one knows of it.

I came across an interesting Carytown update when I was reading www.rvablogs.com. Limani closed as of Saturday and is reoopening on Monday under a new name and concept. The following is copied from the blog, Seven Hills Chronicle: http://chronicleofthesevenhills.blogspot.com/ Chef Boyardee April 16th, 2006 The following was transcribed directly from a glossy, tri-fold press pamphlet for a new restaurant opening in Carytown. "It is time to say goodbye to Limani Fish Grill. We have had a great run for 6 years now, served some amazing fish, close to 300 different. We have met some fantastic people, served some very important people. We have never taken for granted how lucky we were to continuously have your support. We never got bored or complacent. We stayed strong when bigger, flashier cookie cutter restaurants opened around us. We are closing our doors because over the last year, gas prices have driven the cost of alot of our products too high. Fish specifically has become too expensive for us to continue bringing in. We could buy cheaper, lesser quality fish, but my passion will not allow me to do that. We have always been able to stand proud with what we do. Again thank you for your support over the years, we could not have done it without you. Our last day will be Saturday, April 15th...but wait till you see what happens on the 18th !!!!!!! DURO 'A Unique Pasta Experience' I would like to introduce our new restaurant. Duro. It will open on April 18th in the same spot as Limani Fish Grill. I've spent months pouring over different concepts and ideas & I always choose what I am passionate about. I love pasta! I love to eat at Amici's, La Grotta, Mom Siam's and I usually end up ordering some sort of pasta dish. I do have to say, I love these restaurants and I have no desire to take business away from them. You won't find those kinds of pasta dishes here. We are going to have fun with our food, different cuts, stuffings, sauces and presentations. We are going to make a lot of our pastas here in our kitchen. Pair amazing meats, with stunning sauces. You'll love it!! What is 'Duro'? Duro is an Italian word for 'hard' the gluten that is in pasta flour is harder than gluten in regular flour, thats why it doesn't fall apart when you boil it. It also gives it that firm texture. Semolina flour is used for pasta, and the Italians call that flour Duro. We will still have some of the fish that made us famous, but look for other meats as well. We hope for the same success that Limani had, we promise to still strive for excellence, and we will remain passionate about food always!!! Thank you and we look forward to seeing you again in Duro!!!! Chef Matthew Tlusty

I completely agree. I had very high hopes for Twenty-Seven. I thought it would be a great draw to encourage more people to stay downtown or try out First Fridays. And I think that's why I was so severely disappointed by my dinner visits. Yes, it's relatively new, but coming from experienced restauranteurs, I would expect much more scrutiny in hiring properly trained servers and cooks. I thought it was just a bad night the first time I went. Sadly, my second dinner was worse. Many friends have told me similar stories. While we were there, it was clear we weren't the only ones miffed by poor service and subpar food. The people next to us were given a second glass of wine in the same glass, complete with the woman's lipstick marks still on the rim. And their desserts were served without silverware. At least 15 minutes went by before they were able to track down a server for a spoon. You can't charge those prices and not deliver.

Sometimes I find Style a little harsh or nit-picky; however I could not agree with Mr. Cates more. He nailed it with his critique of Twenty-Seven. In a nutshell: mediocre service and poorly executed dishes with price tags that don't come close to sanity. Yes, the decor and dining area are quite elegant, but when you're eating cold food and trying to flag down a waiter for wine you asked for 30 minutes ago? I think not. I'd rather go to Olive Garden. At least I know the unlimited salad and breadsticks are going to taste exactly the same as the last time I was there...and for a heck of a lot cheaper.

Now, I'm not meaning to say negative things about Can Can because I usually enjoy it there, but it is by no means an original concept. Maybe for Richmond, but not for New York City. Not only is the decor exactly the same as Balthazar but even the design of the websites are similar. http://www.balthazarny.com/splash.html www.cancanbrasserie.com

My god, how could I have forgotten about Mamma 'Zu and Edo's Squid. Edo's has a little more "refined" atmosphere (but not quite) and they take reservations, but Mamma 'Zu is the nitty gritty. Your skin will be infused in the most luscious aroma of garlic for weeks to come after just a few minutes in there. I will put up with servers smacking me around for food that good. And speaking of forgetting about good places...ACACIA in Carytown. I had Valentine's Day dinner there and it left me speechless. The service is down to a science (perfectly leisurely but completely accomodating) and the food never ever disappoints. The best part is the prix fixe menu they have on weekdays (www.acaciarestaurant.com) and half price wine night on Tuesday. LIMANI, just down from Acacia and across from Can Can, has exotic seafood if you're into fish. There's always something surprising on the menu.

Richmond has an insanely good amount of diverse restaurants for not being known as an "it" city. I am a chain hater and self-proclaimed foodie myself, so I hope you don't mind me weighing in with my favorites. The downtown Marriott is near the Convention Center, right? That strip of town has finally gotten a few good restaurants: COMFORT (upscale Southern comfort food, banana pudding creme brulee, braised rabbit, etc.) and the new TWENTYSEVEN (upscale Italian/Mediterranean). I've only been to Twentyseven for drinks but I have heard only great things about the food. Good atmosphere for low-key drinks too. The NILE is a hole in the wall joint that serves great Eithiopian food, near VCU not far from Comfort and Twentyseven. Best French places I've tried: CAN CAN in Carytown (www.cancanbrasserie.com), but you have to be up for the boistrous atmosphere. Not a cozy, intimate spot. More "seen and be seen" but the food and wine list are very good. RACINE is more the intimate, French roots food place with a very laid back atmosphere. The maitre d' there will definitely show you a good time. Best Meditteranean: POMEGRANATE (by far one of the best restaurants in town) located in Shockoe Slip (www.pomegranate-eurobistro.com) and EUROPA (Slip, mentioned by someone else as good tapas and downstairs lounge). Check out the menu at www.europarichmond.com. Best upscale eclectic: ROWLAND (in the Fan) is absolutely amazing. Great vibe, great place to get a drink and very inventive cuisine (macadamia encrusted mahi, crispy duck, spring roll of the day). ESCABAR at Libbie and Grove (more in the suburbs) also has great French coastal seafood dishes although I've heard the meat entrees aren't so great. Best ethnic: KUBA KUBA (Cuban food in the Fan) ranges from Cuban sandwiches to upscale speicals and everything on the menu is great. Small so you will probably have to wait. PAPANINGO in Shockoe Bottom I've heard has good Jamaican/Caribbean food but I haven't been. Don't be fooled by the MARTINI KITCHEN if you're looking for a good martini. Everything about that place is awful. Terrible food and overpriced weak drinks. Hope this helps. Love to hear your report after you visit.

Don't know much about that area of town but I did come across this: http://www.chesdinrestaurant.com Could this be what you're talking about or is it something newer? The Chesdin Restaurant has been around for about ten years, I think.

Hey Burt, Coincidentally, I can answer two of your questions in one post. My latest dining experience was at the Old City Bar, formerly City Bar and Chophouse in the old YMCA building. The interior is the same (wonderful, cozy, Old South elegance) but the food is much improved from City Bar and Chophouse. It was some time ago that I ate at City Bar and Chophouse, and I remember being incredibly bored by the entrees. I'm fine with tradtional steak and seafood, but this was lackluster and expensive. The Old City Bar is owned by someone different, so you can see a definite improvement in the menu, although it's still traditional steak and seafood entrees. The prices are still high, but I felt the quality of the entrees and the atmosphere made them worth it. Plus, our server was right-on: knew the menu very well but stayed away, giving us time to enjoy a long dinner. I have not been to Sensi yet, but all I've heard are rave reviews about the food. I'm itching to try it out. Now a question for all. Has anyone been to Wabi Sabi in Petersburg? Burt, you mentioned in a previous post they are doing quite well.