[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

While we're on this Tex/Mex subject, what does anybody have to say about the BAJA BEAN CO. in the old Stonewall school building at Lombardy and Main? It's kinda of a neat ambiance (or was when last I was there and it operated under a different name). Nice (and I think) very popular patio.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

hahaha it is until I look at my bank account the next day ....... Chipotle is actually pretty good IMO.... HUGE burritos is basically the menu. Don't even think about leaving room for dessert!

It's basically fast food with a flare, not to mention you can buy imported mexican beer to wash down your monster burrito with. In fact, it was (maybe still is) owned by McDonald's.... I know they were trying to spin it off though. Don't know what happened with that. There are probably about 5 or 6 in Richmond right now.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

it's in a shopping center at the corner of Turner and Hull...not the best shopping center, but that doesn't stop people from as far away as Mechanicsville and the West End from going to Don Jose....

I guess once I'm out of school and have a steady income, I'll be able to enjoy the fancy meals you guys laud. Until then, my Don Jose suits me just fine

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/

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Coupe. What's the address of Don Jose? Or, at least, general location?

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Checkplease, have you been researching the prospects for 1005 East Main Street? What kind of restaurant do you think may occupy the premises? Do you think Jimmy Snead may be involved?

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

I enjoy reading Dana Craig. Today, she gave a B+ rating to CARLTON'S at Robinson and Floyd in The Fan. Formerly it was known as Konsta's (and formerly formerly, it was known as Cavedo's Drug Store where I had my first part-time job as a soda jerk at age 14).

I think Dana writes with wit and perception.

Another of my favorite restaurant critics goes by the name of Davis Morton. Style Weekly trots him out when there's an especial opening.

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?

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

I get back to Richmond only about twice a year, but am fascinated by the growing restaurant scene in my old home town.

Yes, had dinner at IRONHORSE about three years ago and enjoyed it very much. In addition to good food, it's fun watching the trains whiz by just outside the windows along Ashland's main street.

How about DOGWOOD uptown on Main?

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/

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Checkplease, when were you last at LEMAIRE? I haven't been since 2000, but I thought I had read that the menu had been recently "lightened" - more toward nouvelle cuisine. In any case, it's a lovely place for dinner.

Speaking of Acacia, have you tried their SIX BURNER in the Fan?

Sorry to hear about NARA. It's the off-shoot of a Newport News Japanese restaurant. I always liked the Cafe Mandolin space and it always looked clean under that management. I'm not fond of sushi, but I understand that there's another OSAKA at River Road Shopping Center (the new section nearer the river) and that it got good points for sushi and ambiance.

I have been to the bar of KOBE JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE on 13th street in The Slip. Great martinis, and I would have liked to have stayed for dinner, but my date turned up her nose at Japanese fare. They have a Sushi bar and hibachi tables on the lower level.

Now I'm off to check out today's Side Dish column. Is Deveron Timberlake a man or woman? Difficult to tell by name at STYLE WEEKLY. For ages I assumed Brandon Walters was a gentleman only to discover that she's a gentle and brilliant lady! LOL.

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?

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

When you say wasteland netween Fan and Slip, Check, don't forget that Lemaire lies in that territory - arguably one of if not THE best in the area.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Check, do you have any info for us on the former bank building at 1005 East Main? See our discussions about it dated 9/15 and 9/16 (at present on pages 9 and 10, but you can't rely on page numbers for reference, because they fluctuate). There are also pictures of the building a little bit further along in the thread.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Hey! We've had 53 hits since this morning. Vdogg, you ought to find someone to do this kinda thread in HR. Obviously people like to read about dining out in their areas.

Checkplease, what's the name of the restaurant in the old Henry Clay Hotel at the train station in Ashland. Could it be called Patrick Henry Inn since it's near Scotchtown and Hanover Tavern, two of the old guy's haunts?

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/

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Checkplease, in our discussion above of JACQUEOMO'S (pronounced Jocko-mo's), you said that Jimmy News used to be with Patrick Henry Inn. Where is that? Do you possibly mean the former MR. PATRICK HENRY'S which is now ACAPELLA at 23rd and Broad?

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Hey, Checkplease! Thank God you'ver joined us. Please contribute whenever you can.

I wrote a little something on 8/9 (page 5) about Escabar, and mentioned what I knew at the time (8/24 - page 7) about Jacqueomo's and Cha Cha Cantina, but many thanks for bringing us up to date.

Somewhere in all of these pages, I wrote about a new restaurant , with celebrity chef, that is taking over MaMusu's location near Fielden's, Emilio's and Cabo's Corner on West Broad. It's a verrrry unusual name that I cannot remember at the moment (tho it's somewhere in here). Do you know anything about it?

And what do you hear about SENSI in River Lofts at Tobacco Row? I peeked in early September and it looked close to ready. It's the new elegant offspring of FRANCO'S RISTORANTE.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

Checkplease, thank you! Since I live in NYCity and don't get hard copies of the RTD, I read the paper online. Unfortunately, Zack's Table Talk column was a reprint of the previous week's news (dated Sept. 29th) about "eating in October". There must have been some slip up in the online "composing room".

In addition to Dana Craig's piece on the CHESDIN LANDING restaurant, Boz Boshen did a mini review on a new spot with a long winded name - RIBS, ROLLS & CHEESECAKE. It's at 802 West Broad next to Taqueria Loco and is open late. Boz liked it and said he would return in a New York minute.

CHEZ LAFAYETTE, to which I made reference Aug. 11th on page 5 of this thread, is about a year or two old, and if I'm not mistaken, occupies what used to be Lafayette Pharmacy on the street of the same name just below Thos. Jefferson High School. I've not been there, but have read some very nice comments about its French inspired menu. Is it CAFE Lafayette or CHEZ Lafayette? I thought the latter, but guess I'm wrong.

Wish I could read all of Zack's Table Talk story about up-coming Restaurant week. Of the participating restaurants, there are only two that's I've omitted in my commentary - they are GRAFITI GRILL and HONDO'S. I've eaten in both of them, and each is excellent - Grafiti in a fun way and Hondo's in a traditional style. Both are recommended as are all the listed restaurants.

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.

[Richmond Dining-Out scene]

My sources for restaurant news are pretty barren this week. Deveron's Style Weekly column is pretty thin, and Zack's Table Talk in the RTD got booted online and was replaced by his column from the previous week.

I'll see what I can dig up. Meanwhile, how about some contributions from you folks? Brent once in a while has a few pithy comments, including his apetite for the burgers at 4th Street Diner. What do you think of the new Martini and Bubble Bar uptown on Main, Brent? And I still want to know what Bubble Bar and Bubble Tea mean!!!

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