checkplease

Baja Bean does have a great patio when it's warm (something Richmond doesn't have enough of, I'd say), but my experience with the food has been awful. I'd go for a margarita with friends after work, but as far as dinner is concerned, I've had too many bad meals.

Ah, fast food burritos. So many to choose from. Chipotle is slowly taking over, not only Richmond, but the world. However, my favorites are Baja Fresh (newly opened out at Short Pump) and Qdoba (the first fast food burrito joint to hit Richmond in Chesterfield Towne Center). And for you, Burt, you can go to www.bajafresh.com or www.qdoba.com. To jump to the complete opposite side of the dining world, I heard a rumor that 1 North Belmont, the schwanky French place, is closing. It's located across the street from the Belmont Library a block outside of Carytown in a building that I believe has been a curse for every restaurant that has occupied it. Burt, www.1northbelmont.com I've only eaten there once, and I could have purchased a month's worth of groceries for the price of the check for two. However, it was amazing food. It left me wondering if the location (far from the downtown hotels that keep restaurants like Morton's in business) would end up killing it. It has received high praise across the board, but when I drove by there today, it looked closed.

Oh please! Cielito Lindo is not expensive at all! In fact, their $3 margarita happy hour and a basket of chips suits me just fine. Check out the website: http://www.cielitolindomexicanrestaurant.com/

I'd like to know where Don Jose is as well. It's been recommended to me (as a Mexican food lover). For some reason I think there are several locations (?) Speaking of Mexican, has anyone tried Cielito Lindo on Forest Hill Avenue? I think it's been open about a year. Good enchiladas with verde sauce. Yum.

No, I haven't heard anything about it! I asked some of my friends who share my restaurant obsession, but they didn't know either. Periodically, I read the business licenses in Metro Business. You can get a jump on new openings that way. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Enjoyed your listing of restaurants that have been around since 1979. It's nice to know that Richmond supports local establishments. Speaking of long-lasting restaurants, do you know what happened to Sal Frederico's? It closed this summer with no explanation other than "vacation" and never reopened.

I've always enjoyed Davis Morton's reviews, so I was surprised to see his return to writing recently. I thought he had stopped writing for Style. It seems most restaurants in town proudly display his assessments. Does anyone know if he plans to continue writing?

Watching the trains whiz by on the porch of the Henry Clay Inn (about a block down from the Ironhorse) is also quite nice. I just ate at Dogwood Grille about 2 weeks ago, and it was heavenly. And the menu has quite a sense of humor (seared tuna is described as lounging in a pool of sauce, etc). Roger Lord, one of the owners, helped open Meridian 42 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I had the pleasure of dining at Meridian over Labor Day. That place easily smokes many of the restaurants in Richmond as far as creative cuisine, top-notch (yet not at all pretenious) service and wonderful atmosphere. Check out the website: http://www.meridian42.com/

Hey Burt, I last went to Lemaire last year, and yes, it has been "lightened" to more nouvelle cuisine. But, I still found it too heavy. I had a peanut soup, which was quite good, but so rich, I thought I might have a heart attack after! I have been to Six Burner several times and been disappointed. I assumed since Dale Reitzer was behind it, it would be a laid-back version of Acacia, but the food was not worthy, in my opinion. Dale, apparently, just got out of Six Burner to concentrate on Acacia. He sold the place to a lawyer (not sure who) but the chef remains. Osaka is absolutely wonderful. I had a great dinner there. I was with people who are not sushi fans, and Osaka's other entrees and steaks were equally as impressive as their sushi, in both taste and presentation. I highly recommend it to anyone. I thought Kobe was too much "big city" snobbery. The hibachi was nothing noteworthy and the sushi rolls were measely compared to my hole-in-the-wall favorite, Akida, right off Broad near Julians. Deveron Timberlake, I believe, is a woman. She always has very imformative Side Dish columns. I'm off to try the Ironhorse in Ashland for the first time this weekend. I've heard so many great things, that I can't believe it's taken me this long to try it out. Have you ever been? How often do you make it back to Richmond to try the restaurants?

Well, it turns out you were right about Mr. Patrick Henry's, Burt. I just picked up Style and there is a note in Side Dish about Jacqueomo's opening. It mentions chef Jimmy News and the sous chef Adam I had referenced before. Oh! I would never discredit the Jefferson's dining. Honestly though, Lemaire is much too rich for my liking...rich in the sense of heavy sauces, not monetary value! I definitely agree that it is one of the finer restaurants in town with the best chefs around, but I personally enjoy lighter dishes. Acacia is much more my style. I'm not sure if any of you like sushi, but I found Style's review of Nara (in the former Cafe Mandolin space) very interesting. I ate there shortly after it opened (yes, when I say enjoy lighter dishes I do mean sushi as well). It was absolutely atrocious! I am pretty open-minded when it comes to restaurants, but this place was just plain filthy...definitely a quality I don't look for when enjoying raw fish. I vowed never to go back there again, and I was curious what the reviewers would have to say about it. Ugh.

I saw the photo of the building you're talking about back in the earlier post. I'm not sure about this one. I'll ask around and see what I can find out. This stretch of downtown needs some more restaurants! Capital Ale House is about all that's there, and I definitely consider their beer better than their food. Seems like that area is the wasteland between the restaurant-rich Fan and Slip.

I don't think the restaurant at the Henry Clay Inn has an actual name. In fact, I don't think many people even know it's there. Most people think of wedding receptions when they hear Henry Clay Inn rather than a Friday night date. However, I have eaten at their restaurant several times and have not been disappointed. The entrees are not complicated, just simple and tasty. If you can dine there in the warmer months, I suggest reserving a seat on the big wraparound porch. Here's the link to their website (with menus) below. http://www.henryclayinn.com/

Hmm, you could be right. I got a fax at work about a function being held at Jacqueomo's. It said Mr. News was formerly with Patrick Henry Inn. I'm thinking it must be the Acappella space because I'm unsure of anything else with a similar name. Another bit of info on Jacqueomo's: the sous chef from the Hardshell will be moving over there. His name is Adam, so I've heard. I don't have a last name.

Burt, I think you're talking about Enoteca Sogno, the new restaurant opening in Ma Musu's old space. It's supposed to serve "European" cuisine and have an extensive wine bar with French and Italian cheeses. Gary York is the one opening it. An old Table Talk listed him as a former chef at Edo's Squid, but a correction ran later than he was a server there. Because I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a decent wine bar in town (there seem to be so many martini bars now but no wine bars...), I called a few weeks ago. I assume the man who answered the phone was Mr. York. He said he was hoping to open by the beginning of October but he is battling with ABC permits right now. He did not sound happy. As for Sensi, I know it should be opening any day now. A recent "who's who" article in the paper described some sort of gala (a fundraiser? I can't remember) catered by Sensi. The article said Sensi hoped to open mid-October. Do you know anything about a new restaurant planned for the Adams and Broad area? I think Style had a small write-up on it not long ago. It's a joint venture between La Grotta's chef/owner, sous chef, headwaiter, and Amici's chef/owner. I remember the name is something to do with the address.

Hey Burt, thanks for the tips on Cafe Lafayette. I called to get the menu for Restaurant Week and they are serving their "signature" hooch cake with pumpkin ice cream. I've heard rave reviews as well, so I think I'll check it out. Other buzz around town: Cha Cha's Cantina (the latest from the people that own HardShell, Europa, Lucky Lounge, etc.) opened on Monday in the former home of Rivah Bistro in the Slip. A friend said it was pretty good, especially considering she went the first week and didn't experience any "newly opened" growing pains. Check it out: www.chachascantina.com Jacqueomo's, the New Oreleans-inspired place in the old Awful Arthur's space in the Bottom, supposedly had a soft opening last weekend. I haven't been by to see if it's actually open, but I'm curious. The chef, Jimmy News, used to be with the Patrick Henry Inn. And, Escabar, the new Mediterranean/Martini bar at Libbie and Grove, should be opening any day now. There's an "opening soon" sign in the window, and the interior looks ready to go with tables and hip decor. The chef used to be over at the Trick Dog Cafe in Irvington. Can't wait to try this one out.

Oooh, you missed a good Table Talk then. I hope you got to read it. It's Restaurant Week Oct. 24-30, my favorite week of the year. Here are the participating restaurants: Acacia, 3325 W. Cary St., (804) 354-6060 Amici Ristorante, 3343 W. Cary St., (804) 353-4700 Bacchus, 2 N. Meadow St., (804) 355-9919 Cabo's Corner Bistro, 2053 W. Broad St., (804) 355-1144 Caf