Culpeper Hokie

Richmond continues to rake in kudos like this. We must be doing something right! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/26/americas-top-5-cities-to-keep-on-your-radar_n_5811822.html

Looks like some money in the pot for rapid transit in the West Broad St to downtown corridor (ie: "connecting the Willow Lawn area in Henrico County to Rocketts Landing in the East End of Richmond, including Main Street Station") http://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4db8ad2c-e633-46ec-a56f-2f713ea08387

Apparently, Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel's "Bizzare Foods America" greatly enjoyed his weekend sojourn here in Richmond. He had raves for Pasture, Rappahannock and Peter Chang's and Twittered his praises copiously... http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/dish/article_5bae3d20-ed58-11e2-9f74-001a4bcf6878.html

Sorry, Burg, but I'm calling crap on your assertion that suburbanites won't take their families to that part of town. I live out here in the Short Pump area, and I'm actually MORE likely to take my family to a game in Shockoe Bottom than I am to take them to a game on the Boulevard. My kids (girl 14 and boy 12) LOVE to take trips downtown and I LOVE to take them down there. And my wife and I try to get down there as often as we can for date nights, as well. The Shockoe Bottom/Slip area are more of a destination than that desert out on the Boulevard. Although the area is more "clubby" right now, it's only because that's the demographic of who currently goes down there. If there were more families coming down there to visit, the restaurants that are down there now, will certainly begin to offer more of a dual club/family atmosphere, and there would invariably be an influx of new restaurants that would offer the same.

Looks like Virginia Beach is in serious consideration for an NBA team, with several corporations joining in on a potential arena deal. It wouldn't be too hard a stretch to think that if an NBA team DID move to Virginia Beach, they might play a few of their games in Richmond. http://insidebiz.com...rena-deal-works

Drove past the new Buzz and Ned's location in the old Fudruckers site on West Broad. Looks VERY close to opening. Unfortunately, the drive-by set off an involuntary salivation response that almost drowned me. I WILL be frequenting that location...frequently.

I can't understand this Brookings Institute ranking, listing Richmond as the 10th least dynamic metropolitan area in the world. Based on population growth, diversity of industry and building growth, how could it POSSIBLY be ranked lower than MOST of the cities in the Rust Belt? Somebody's gonna need to decipher this thing for me..... http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/the-10-fastest-growing-and-fastest-declining-cities-in-the-world/251602/#slide11

It IS a full service restaurant. They serve small-plate fare similar to tappas restaurants. There are WAY more than 5 tables in that place. The fact that it was packed MUST mean that it's crappy, right? And I'm not sure how many people would really think they could get a seat in a popular new place on a Saturday night in 10 minutes.

I was finally able to visit our friends' - Dennis and Julie Barbaro - new restaurant, Sedona Taphouse ( ) at Westchester Commons in Midlothian. The beer selection, food and service were exceptional! The atmosphere was lively and live entertainment is available many evenings. They have a master selection of over 500 brews, with 50 or more being offered on any given night on a rotational basis (my wife and I helped select some of these so...you're welcome!) The small-plate fare is tasty and varied. Dennis created many of them in his own kitchen. I'd highly recommend the fish tacos. In fact I'd highly recommend several plates of them. 8-]

It was my pleasure to host the owner/founder of Sedona Taphouse, Dennis Barbaro and his lovely wife, Julie, at my home recently. Dennis is a former Partner in both the Bonefish and Outback Steakhouse franchises. His new restaurant will be located in Westchester Commons in Midlothian. His descriptions of the concept, potential menu, microbrew selection and entertainment, convinced me that I will be looking forward to giving it a try as soon as it opens. Dennis tells me he is currently hoping for an early November opening. URL to website:

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Northrop Grumman moved the HQ for one of their many business units to NOVA, but not their entire corporate headquarters.

Had the pleasure of meeting Justin Ayars, creator of a new concept restaurant to be located at 2113 E. Main St.(near Sensi), to be called "2113". He describes it as "Richmond's First Restro-lounge" and will cater to the "Bohemian-chic" crowd. He showed me a number of conceptual drawings as well as some pictures of the current construction progress. Based on his drawings and description of the atmosphere, it definitely sounds like it will be a welcome addition to the Tobacco Row area. He tells me they are looking at a mid to late August opening. He says the web site is still under construction, but some info can be found at the following: http://raisecapital.com/tag/2113--richmond-virginias-first-restro-lounge-13130

Not dumber at all. They just happen to have this little thing called Metro that shuttles tens of thousands of folks from all over the Beltway region into the stadium area. Don't need too much of a parking lot if you can roll right up to the stadium. DC Metro is clean, safe and relatively inexpensive.

Anyone got a critique of Infuzion? Sounds very interesting. Infuzion Ice Bar

Let's just say, I've been talking to some folks in a very tall building. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I agree. Coliseums and stadiums belong downtown. They help solidify a city's identity. They need to be downtown and in close proximity to each other in order to help build critical mass.

No, I couldn't stay at that place any longer. VERY negative corporate culture. I'm back in the job hunt. I believe they are moving by the end of this month.

I thought I had read that the Downtown Expressway Smart Tag booths were the 2nd or 3rd most used in the entire state. That doesn't necessarily directly correlate to total traffic count, but it's still a good indicator that the highway is heavily used.

Anyone got a review for Cedars Mediterranian Cafe at Franklin & 7th? Looks interesting. Deal or no deal?

I saw a notice for an Va. ABC license request pasted in the window of the newly gutted and rennovated power plant building down by Riverfront. Peeked inside, and it's still just a giant open, unfinished space. However, I assume if an ABC license is being requested, construction would be close behind. What's going in there, I wonder? Restaurant/bar(s)? Will it be subdivided and made into something like a restaurant/entertainment court, or will there just be one big tennant? Sorry, it's probably been discussed in detail on here before, but my short attention span and laziness preclude my doing a detailed search. Thanks!

I'll be moving to the new N/G building in July. So what the heck is out there? Are there any restaurants or retail within a short hop, or is it a virtual desert? I was very happy to be back in downtown Richmond after 2.5 years in Reston but, alas, it seems as though my reacquaintance with downtown will be short lived.

I ate there back in the summer, and I'd have to agree that it was not as good as my previous visits. The food was good, but it just didn't seem to have that same pizzaz that I was used to. My biggest beef however was, indeed, the surliness of the staff. It seemed that about 90% of them were very sullen Russian kids who apparently have no concept of customer service. In previous visits, the staff had been wonderfully attentive and friendly. Not so for this visit. My wife and I usually like to linger and have some extra wine. On this trip, we just couldn't wait to get the check and leave.

Yes, I'm in that building (Old Chesterfield Cigarette factory - built 1922, remodled 1978). I am, indeed, part of the group that will be moving out to Chesterfield. That will be quite a haul from my home in the Short Pump area, but it sure beats the heck out of that Reston commute. I will definitely miss downtown when we move out this summer. I'm not sure how many NG folks will remain downtown, but I believe the bulk of both the VITA and NG folks will be moving out to Chesterfield. Note to 'coupe: I know all the obvious establishments like Padow's, SunTrust cafeteria, Wall Street Deli, Capitol Ale House, Penny Lane and that little Mexican restaurant on 5th, but I'd welcome any suggestions. I want to try to hit as many places as I can before we have to move out of downtown.

I think I witnessed some of this marketing first hand just the other day. I've got a new job with Northrop Grumman downtown (thank God to be out of Sprint and Reston!!!) I went out for a walk to see, firsthand, how downtown was shaping up, and was walking up past the new courthouse toward the Sixth Street Market Food Court (or whatever they're calling it these days). Just as I crossed over Broad at the vicinity of 6th and Broad, there was some sharkey looking guy making a glowing pitch to some other sharkey, Euro-looking folks. They appeared to be a couple, and when the woman spoke, her accent sounded distinctly French. Or....it could have been a couple of Canadian tourists looking for their lost car, for all I know. At any rate, it had been about 4 years since I had set foot in the food court (last time I was in there, 6th Street Market was still standing). Boy, was it N-A-S-T-Y looking in there. Nonetheless, there still seemed to be a good number of people grabbing a bite of lunch. Man, oh man, that place would look TONS better if they'd just do some cursory upkeep, like paint, clean the floors and fix the lighting. I mean, how much money would that cost???? Anyhow, great to be back downtown and out of the Northern Virginia rat race. Viva downtown!!

Yes! I remember that place. I ate there once when I was visiting Richmond back around 1976. I believe it was called "Top of the Tower" or something like that. Thanks for the memory jog.