checkplease

You're right. I've heard it stays packed, although I haven't been by there since my dinner. Friends have said it's hard to get a table these days. The conflicting reports are interesting. People are people, regardless of their profession, and some like things others don't. I don't think Escabar is a failure. Perhaps, the reviewer has certain tastes he/she favors more than others. Who knows. For every person that loves a restaurant, there's going to be at least one out there that has the completely opposite opinion. That's why Richmond is so lucky to have a wealth of varied restaurants, espeically for not being a "big city."

Style Weekly came out tonight, and they reviewed Escabar. I'm not sure if you remember my crazy rambling after my dinner at Escabar, but suffice to say, I loved it. Style's reviewer was completely bored by it. I'm always intrigued when my opinion of a restaurant differs almost 180 degrees from someone else's. By no means do I discredit the reviewer's thoughts, but it's so crazy because I feel like he/she was in a different restaurant than I was. But, it looks like he/she didn't eat any of the dishes I tried, and I didn't eat any of the dishes he/she did. I know restaurants have on and off nights, but still. I feel like I've lost my mind.

Yes, you are right. I think I heard she was at Limani after the Kitchen Table's unfortunate end. She's young, and I believe she's had quite a hand in giving Helen's new life. Like I said, Helen's was packed AND the crowd was so diverse. Last time I was there (a year ago maybe), it was practically dead, environment felt so sterile and the crowd was stodgy. I hope things continue on the upswing for Helen's. So many great local chefs have spent time there, so I was worried when it seemed to be losing its appeal.

Hey Burt, I'm still here. Just haven't eaten anywhere thrilling lately, and I haven't learned any new restaurant gossip to contribute. I guess that's what happens in the madness of the holidays. Now that the holidays are over, I ready to put my eating out shoes back on and make up for lost time. I did have drinks at Helen's the other night, on the corner of Main and Robinson. It was absolutely packed and with such an interesting mix of the younger and older crowd. The dishes coming off the line looked wonderful but we were only there for a short time.

Ok, I don't mean to downplay the big NYC dining scene, but I just got back from my first visit to Escabar. All I can say is "yes, yes and yes." I was so pleased! Service: knowledgeable but so down to earth. Atmosphere: minimalist but incredibly hip for the Libbie/Grove area (I felt like I should be in a bigger city or at least the Slip). Food: oh my god, yes. If you are a seafood fan, run. That is the speciality. It has been quite some time since I have been so pleased with an overall dining experience. That's all I can say. I loved it.

TWENTYSEVEN, at Adams and Broad, had its soft opening last night. It's offical opening is Monday. Yeah for downtown! City Limit, in the former home of Potter's Pub in the Village shopping center, is set to open in January. It will serve American regional cuisine. That's what I've learned today.

Last time I visited Trick Dog, I signed up for their email updates. Bill Westbrook sent an email last week explaining that the ABC laws don't allow one person to hold two licenses: one for the restaurant, and one for his winery. He said he planned to close in January in hopes of selling it to another owner. He noted if all goes as planned, it will reopen in March. Let's keep our fingers crossed. But, has anyone tried Escabar yet? I heard the chef there used to be the chef at Trick Dog. I believe his name is Jeff Johnson, but I could be wrong. Hey Bankrupt, you've been to Sensi several times already? Wow, I thought it just opened. If you don't mind, I'd love you to elaborate on your experience. There's been so much talk of "when will it open when will it open," I assume it has high expectations to live up to. Isn't it affiliated with the Franco's people? What's the menu like? I need to swing by.

Get thee to this week's Side Dish in Style (I know the secret boxes that deliver the paper on Tuesday night). The bank building mystery is solved. Mo Roman, of Roman Development I assume, is opening a place called Mo's. The huge bar and fancy decor is already in place, and it's set to open in January.

I am also a huge fan of Davis Morton. If he likes it, I know it's good. I read his review of Caribbean Mingles and I agreed with his assessment of the food. I've eaten there twice, both times for dinner. The food was unique for Richmond, and everything I sampled (jerk chicken, tilapia, callaloo) was extremely flavorful. It's interesting you bring up his lack of comments on the atmosphere and service. Those are what turned me off during my visits. The depressing lighting and horrid service ruined the experience. Maybe it's improved since I've been.

Here's what I have on Sensi. It's open! SENSI: 2222 E. Cary Street Contemporary Italian utilizing fresh local ingredients. Upscale casual dining with entrees from $16.95-$32.95. Open for Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm Bar & Lounge Open: Mon-Sat 4:30pm-12am 648-3463 Secured complimentary parking available at the corner of 24th & E. Cary Street; Also Valet Parking available Thursday-Saturday

Hey Burt Unfortunately, I didn't eat anywhere new this weekend, just my old favorite the Hill Cafe. It does me right every time. I'll give a better update next time I discover something new. All that's on my mind right now is my mother's fabulous stuffing. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Sorry, guys, I like to think I'm up on the Richmond restaurant scene, but you've got me on this one. We're talking about the old bank building, right? Last I heard Jimmy Snead was trying to figure out what to do after the restaurant at the Wynn in Las Vegas didn't pan out. And who's Charlie? He is another contributor?

Oooh, rumors! Where'd you hear that? I've heard so many people wondering what the heck happened. It closed for vacation and never reopened. No sign, no nothing.

I'm dropping in with my French taste. I've eaten at Lemaire once, and I found it too rich. Extremely good, but I wanted to pass out at the end of the meal. 1 North Belmont is absolutely incredible in every way (pampered service, creative interpretations of classic dishes), but it's out of my price range to frequent as much as I'd like. Can Can has finally calmed down, and I enjoy going there for the liveliness. In the beginning, I couldn't stand the crowds. Both lunch and dinner are quite good and the prices are reasonable considering the atmosphere. Never been to Racine's (sweetbreads aren't my thing) or La Petite.

I know! People were crazy with the quart-buying. We didn't know this but 1 pm was the time they started allowing people to buy quarts. We already happened to be in line to buy, so we got ONE and then they ran out. It was so frenzied...insane. For those who went, did anyone try the stew from Seven Hills Market? They are a small gourmet market on Forest Hill Avenue, family-owned and run. They do gourmet take-out and catering (www.sevenhillsmarket.com), such as crab cakes, wonderful peanut butter pie, etc. This was the first year they were at the stew festival and I thought their version was wonderful. It was much thinner and broth-like than the traditional recipe but it was the best.

Well, Burt, I have been among the "arty crowd" in past First Fridays, but not this week. I was up on Broad near Adams for a meeting the other day, and I saw Twentyseven (that's what the sign in the window says). But, I had originally heard the name was supposed to be Windows 27. It looked like it's going to be pretty schwanky! I don't know about the Popkins building. What's going in there? When I do got to First Fridays, I always end up at Comfort. I absolutely LOVE their fried green tomatoes and banana pudding (more like banana creme brulee). I was reading Metro Business today in the TD, and I saw that Sensi has gotten their business license which means it must be opening very soon. I'll have to investigate. That's been in the works for some time now. I was at the Brunswick Stew Festival this weekend as well (yum!), and on the way back to the car, we passed a new bakery on Main called Cobblestone Bakery. They serve upscale sandwiches, wonderful looking pastries and cakes, and fancy breakfast (all day). I think they close around 5ish each day. Has anyone tried it?

Sorry to stray from heavy metal conversations (I do love some Poison every now and again). Has anyone eaten at Halfway House, halfway between Richmond and Petersburg? I've heard mixed things: love it or it's way too expensive for boring food. Just curious.

Bacchus was pretty good last night, although a friend informed me that many of their noteworthy menu items were not included on the Restaurant Week menu, mainly their white pizza (which she loves). The only disappointment was that every entree came with the same sides: garlic mashed potatoes and a medley of veggies. I was impressed by the number of choices though: at least 12 appetizers/salads, 8 entrees and 3 desserts. Many other restaurants participating in RW offer 2 choices in each category. I had seared rare ahi tuna with wasabi and soy vinaigrette...insanely good, especially considering Bacchus is mostly Italian. Another highlight was sauteed calamari with olive oil, lemon, white wine and tons of garlic. Chocolate peanut butter pie for dessert...perfect.

The decor is very casual. I think the building used to be a small market. It's one small room, all tables (no booths), with bookcases filled with books lining the walls. The front wall is all windows (from the old store) and the back is lined by a deli case filled with wine bottles. I think the floor is black & white linoleum. The menu is on a chalkboard, but the wine list was quite extensive. Mostly bottles. I would have preferred more by the glass choices (those were very limited). The servers were so friendly and casual...wearing jeans and aprons. But the food (as I mentioned) was top-notch. The atmosphere fits the neighborhood location. There's no bar, so I don't recall seeing anyone drinking liquor. The place was filled when we got there (8 pm) but thinned out by the time we left (9:45ish). The waiter mentioned many tables had just turned over. Very small, as I mentioned, so "filled" isn't exactly a lot of people. I liked the small crowd. I hope I can keep it "my little secret." I'll be heading to Bacchus tomorrow night, another first for me. The chef is apparently not limiting the menu. Diners will be able to choose anything for the Restaurant Week price. I've very excited!

Argh, I have to admit, I don't like potato salad or deviled eggs! Naturally, I have a bias against Sallie Bell's, however, I'll agree, the cupcakes are amazing. If you're considering boxed lunches for the working crowd, I recommend A Moveable Feast. They have the most delicious carrot cake...served in Saran Wrap! Ha. The iciing is the perfect combination of sugar and cream cheese. I love it! On more exciting fronts, I just got back from Cafe Lafayette for Restaurant Week. Incredible! I love the fact that you're driving through a cute little neighborhood and all of a sudden you're standing in front of what looks like a dry cleaner. But then, you receive an incredible meal! I had saffron-fennel soup with Prince Edward Island mussels to start. Creamy but light, flavorful yet not too rich. Eastern Shore crab cakes with sweet corn and Virginia ham for an entree. Heaven...a little heavy on filler but the corn/ham combo more than made up for it. And then the signature bourbon-pecan "Hooch Cake" (heavy on the bourbon!) with pumpkin ice cream for dessert. Divine! They'll serve it with egg nog ice cream in the coming weeks. My dining companinon had pan-roased oysters with spinach, bacon and cream, Bistro steak with truffle-mushroom demi-glace and the most decadent white chocolate mousse, served in a creme brulee dish with dark chocolate spiral on top. And to think! I had never been there before. And added bonus was a completely friendly staff. We talked about our cats until we were the last people in the place. Wonderful. My new "must try" restaurant for Richmond (even though it's been around for a while).

Yes, rumors can be so damaging for restaurants. I feel terrible for passing one along...I just wanted to find out if it was true! You brought up Chapel Hill, NC. Have you been there before? I lived there for four years and really enjoyed it. It's a small college town that has its own personality outside of UNC. Carrboro, the small town practically connected to Chapel Hill on the west, has a wonderful restaurant called Crook's Corner. If you blink, you'll miss it but they make the most wonderful shrimp and grits. It's a nice restaurant with quality chefs but very laid back and casual.

So rumor mills are evil things! I emailed the chef of 1 North Belmont through the restaurant's website to find out what was going on. He said they are celebrating their one year anniversary Oct. 29 and hope to celebrate many more. Rumors of closing are simply not true. Thanks goodness!

So, this is what I heard: Stella's husband (?) is ill and she doesn't want to run the restaurant anymore. A former pastry chef (no idea who) in town has purchased the restaurant but plans to change it. This is what my friend told me who goes to P.T. Hastings all the time. They provide the seafood for Stella's. I don't know why the Giavos continue running it. They have the magic touch with restaurants (Kuba Kuba, Sidewalk Cafe, 3 Monkeys). Gossip! I wish I knew when Stella's was where Edo's is now. I haven't lived in Richmond that long. I've also never been to the Village Cafe. I didn't realize it had so much history. Sad that it got publicity after the Taylor Behl case.

The only thing I know about Legal Seafood is that the one in Reagan National airport in DC seems overpriced for sitting halfway out in the terminal. I haven't actually eaten at one though. I have heard another terrible rumor! Stella's is closing supposedly! I need to find out more, but it's a Fan classic...and Davis Morton just talked it up in Style.