Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Attention, new restaurant seekers!!!

What do you suppose this notice in the RTD Building Permits column (today's edition) portends?

"Riverside Owner LLC, owner; Alliance Contracting Corporate, contractor; 1001 Haxall Point, restaurant, eat-in, $800,000."

Could the old power plant finnaly get a tenant?

How about you Richmonders doing a bit of snooping around?

Edited April 13, 2009 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

The permit says it's for the power plant building... applied for in early 2007 and approved in Feb 2009.

[ric75]

The permit says it's for the power plant building... applied for in early 2007 and approved in Feb 2009.

Jeez.. good to know the City is on the ball with these things. Wonder if the company is still interested in doing something there?

[wrldcoupe4]

I wouldn't assume that it took 2 years because of the city. cB5 restaurant group planned this restaurant back in 2006 and their plans stalled because of their own issues (and later, because of the economy). I'm not even sure if they are still directly involved.

[burt]

Dana Craig's quest for seasonal dining leads her west to MOSAIC CAFE & CATERING.

Tucked into the elegant River Road Shopping Center near The Country Club of Virginia and University of Richmond, MOSAIC offers delicious light fare such as soups, wraps, and pastas.

Here is Dana's 3-star review from today's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-195811/257338/

MOSAIC CAFE AND CATERING

Dana's Rating: 3 Stars.

6229A River Road (River Road Shopping Center.)

Tel. 804/288-5915

Website: http://www.mosaicedibles.com

Noise Level: Average.

Smoke-free.

Tab for two: $34

[burt]

DAVE & BUSTER'S opens in a couple of days at West Broad Village, boys and girls.

But unlike the local Bass Pro Shop which is among that chain's largest, DAVE & BUSTER'S Richmond location is among their smallest operations.

Still, there's plenty to do.

Although some wish it were downtown, a lot of people have been looking forward to this Short Pump area game-room/bar/restaurant.

From today's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/...-220206/259264/

My advice to the "mature" set -- wear ear plugs upon entering this noisy emporium of fun!

Edited April 19, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Richmond BizSense has got it wrong when they state that DAVE & BUSTER'S in Short Pump is one of the firm's largest. In fact, the opposite is true. See Times Dispatch Story on this subject in the posting above.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/17...-broad-village/

[burt]

Dana Craig was not happy at KONA GRILL in Short Pump, but Don Baker in the current Style Weekly rather likes it. Most of his review is about the former (and last) owner of La Petite France who spent 10 weeks in Phoenix training to manage the Richmond version of KONA GRILL which, incidentally is the third most profitable restaurant in the chain.

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmo...9D3430288834D1D

West Broad Village must be a very busy place with Whole Foods, the other trendy market whose name escapes me, Dave & Buster's, KONA GRILL and McCormick & Schmicks on the horizon.

[ric75]

Dana Craig was not happy at KONA GRILL in Short Pump, but Don Baker in the current Style Weekly rather likes it. Most of his review is about the former (and last) owner of La Petite France who spent 10 weeks in Phoenix training to manage the Richmond version of KONA GRILL which, incidentally is the third most profitable restaurant in the chain.

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmo...9D3430288834D1D

West Broad Village must be a very busy place with Whole Foods, the other trendy market whose name escapes me, Dave & Buster's, KONA GRILL and McCormick & Schmicks on the horizon.

Suburban Richmonders are willing to wait hours to dine at the newest chains even though much shorter lines await them at better quality, locally-owned establishments in the City. Wonder what it will take to get them over their fear of every business that's not surrounded by giant parking lots?

[burt]

Look for a second CROAKERS SPOT in May.

The popular Jackson Ward restaurant is answering the call for expansion. The new 60-seat restaurant with a familiar and expanded menu is close to opening in the Manchester Plaza Building on Hull Street and is very near the Manchester Court House.

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Melissa Ruggieri whose Table Talk column appears every Thursday in the RTD is going to check out what's going on at the Power Plant across from BlackFins in Riverside on the James. $800K is a considerable amount to spend on a new restaurant in this economy.

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What's the status of PIE in the Berry Burk building?

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SIX BURNER has put its plan for a restaurant next door to Berry Burk on hold.

Edited April 21, 2009 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

Burt,

speaking of that block of Grace street, Freeman's is having a closing sale. This means we have nearly 2 blocks (and in some respects 3 blocks) of Grace Street entirely vacant. While it may sound depressing, with the right people making decisions, it could present one hell of an opportunity.

[burt]

Burt,

speaking of that block of Grace street, Freeman's is having a closing sale. This means we have nearly 2 blocks (and in some respects 3 blocks) of Grace Street entirely vacant. While it may sound depressing, with the right people making decisions, it could present one hell of an opportunity.

I guess Freeman's is concentrating all its efforts on its White Oak store.

That stretch of East Grace Street between 4th and 6th Streets still has a few tenants, doesn't it? Aurora at the corner of 4th last I heard is still serving light meals during the day and attracting a bar crowd in the evenings.

The reported 24 vacancies in Carytown is not an encouraging sign for downtown activity. Miller & Rhoads apparently is having difficulty finding tenants for its commercial space, and who knows what's happening at The John Marshall?

As you say, Coupe, perhaps someone (or group) with a sense of daring and imagination could transform the coridor.

[burt]

Here's a preview of DAVE & BUSTERS, the new game emporium at West Broad Village near Short Pump. Check out the Slide Show.

From Melissa Ruggieri in today's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-191407/262744/

[burt]

Dana Craig has found a new ristorante Italian way out there in the burbs. If you're familiar with the area, it is located in The Village at Swift Creek. I called to clarify whether or not it's beyond Rte. 288 along the Hull Street Road corridor but the gentleman had such a heavy accent the exact location is still a mystery to me.

It sounds like a place that's worth the trek for townies.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-191407/262746/

Check out the accompanying Slide Show.

DORALDO'S

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

13253 Rittenhouse Road

804/562-0815

Noise Level: Average

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $54

Edited April 23, 2009 by burt

[Shakman]

Dana Craig has found a new ristorante Italian way out there in the burbs. If you're familiar with the area, it is located in The Village at Swift Creek. I called to clarify whether or not it's beyond Rte. 288 along the Hull Street Road corridor but the gentleman had such a heavy accent the exact location is still a mystery to me.

It sounds like a place that's worth the trek for townies.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-191407/262746/

Check out the accompanying Slide Show.

DORALDO'S

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

13253 Rittenhouse Road

804/562-0815

Noise Level: Average

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $54

Doraldo's is located after (SW of) Route 288:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=13...sa=N&tab=wl

Edited April 23, 2009 by Shakman

[wrldcoupe4]

It's located in the large Kroger shopping center just past the main entrance to Brandermill.

[burt]

Dana evaluates the newest of Carytown's Sushi restaurants. It is a snug little place across the street and one block down from The Byrd Theatre. And she gives it three stars!

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-192157/266139/

MOMOTARO SUSHI

Dana Craig's Rating: 3 stars

2803 West Cary Street

Noise Level: Average

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $55

Ceck out the slide show accompanying Dana's review.

[burt]

Does anyone remember Bella Arte on Bellevue Avenue next door to Northside Grill? It closed about a year ago but has reemerged as LA CAVE in Carytown. Bella Arte's fare could best be described as "comme ci, comme ca," and that is exactly what John Haddad says about LA CAVE in his Style Weekly review:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/d...9D3430288834D1D

LA CAVE

2925 W. Cary Street

804/355-3131

Smoke Free

Prices - Moderate

Edited May 13, 2009 by burt

[ric75]

Wow, I guess with so much going on this weekend this slipped under the radar. Finally Vault is opening!

Grand Opening of Vault

[burt]

Wow, I guess with so much going on this weekend this slipped under the radar. Finally Vault is opening!

Grand Opening of Vault

My nephew and his future bride have booked out the entire BANK restaurant as well as VAULT for their rehearsl dinner in late July. So, I was aware of an imminent opening of VAULT.

I know I'm an old-timer but I simply cannot warm to Richmiond dot com's new format. At first glance it makes one feel he has to subscribe.

Is there any blog or local publication that consistently publishes reviews of shows at

The Nat and other venues around Richmond?

[burt]

BACCHUS is one of those places which has intrigued me over the years.

If I recall correctly, the tiny space was a nabe beer bar until a famous restaurater named Chris Gibbs brought it to the attention of Richmond culinary afficianados under a name other than BACCHUS. Gibbs was #2 in Shockoe Slip after Sam Miller's. His chic place, now occupied by Peiking, had a Fitzgeraldian name which escapes my 81-year old brain. Gibbs also turned a diner called The Mirror at Broad and Harrison into a sought after dining spot.

Wonder what happened to Chris?

On a couple of working trips to Richmond, I patronized BACCHUS, savored every delicious bite and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is truly miniscule with an open kitchen and a raised dining area in the back of the room, and it's pricey. But warning to non-smokers! Though restricted to the busy bar and the lump at the rear of the room, that's bare to no protection.

Dana Craig likes it as much as I. Here's her review from Thursday's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-192205/267487/

BACCHUS

Dana's rating: three-and-a-half STARS

In The Fan at 2 North Meadow Street (although the entry is an angled door at the Main Street corner.)

804/355-9919

website: http://www.bacchusonmain.com

Noise level: Average to High

Smoking: Yes and No.

Tab for Two: $74

Edited May 16, 2009 by burt

[D_C]

Wow! That's a blast from the past! I can remember having many a dinner and mind-eraser at the Mirror. Chris was a magician. A good friend of mine and I would have the blackened NY strip and frog legs. Chris always seemed to nail it every time.

I would like to know what he is up to as well.

[burt]

Style's Deveron Timberlake has some upbeat local restaurant news. I enjoy reading Deveron's columns as well as restaurant reviews by Don Baker, John Haddad, and especially Joe Cates. But I don't recall reading anything except negativity concerning potential downtown developments, so have learned to shun those writers.

Anyway, Deveron's news is that a Texas de Brasil type churrascaria is coming to the former Slip Salon next to Sine at 1331 East Cary Street in Shockoe Slip (at the southwest corner of 14th and Cary.) Freya Goins and Rolf Laubach will run the place and offer full table service of grilled meats and sides with fried pineapple for dessert. Prix fixe at $26.99. Watch for gaucho pants in The Slip in July.

And Empress Michelle Williams and her minions will bring new life to the former Karsen's at 3411 West Cary Street. HARD SHELL, EUROPA, HILL CAFE, DeLUXE and MICHELLE'S AT HANOVER TAVERN are among Richmond Restaurant Group's holdings. Old Karsen's will be known as WATER GRILL and will have an upstairs lounge and bar, an interior water feature and a banquet room seating 50 guests -- not to mention the famous Karsen's patio. Opening in June.

SHACKLEFORD'S, in additon to its Far West End and Williamsburg locations will expand in June to the corner of Courthouse Road and Midlothian Tpk with a modified version of its giant menu.

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Does anyone have info on the progress of PIE in the old Berry Burk building? I would guess that Mo Roman plans an opening to coincide with the Sepember launching of Richmond CenterStage and The Carpenter Theatre in mid September.

And what about the old POMMEGRANATE location in the middle of The Slip?

Edited May 20, 2009 by burt

[burt]

It's one of those rare weeks when Richmond's two major publications review the same restaurant. Both are raves. In fact, our friend Dana Craig of the RTD passes out one of her rare 4-star appraisals.

Here is her review of CAFE GUTENBERG:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-193808/268879/

CAFE GUTENBERG

Dana's rating 4 STARS

1700 East Main Street

804/497-5000

website: http://www.cafegutenberg.com

Noise level: Average

Smoke-free

Tab for two: $52

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And here are Joe Cates' comments from the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmo...9D3430288834D1D

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Edited May 21, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Has anyone checked out VAULT, the new dance club below BANK at 1005 East Main Street?

There have been some pretty snazzy comments in a few publications.