Richmond Dining-Out scene

[wrldcoupe4]

According to a sign in the window, Bouchon French Bistro is "under construction" in the former Pomegranate space in Shockoe Slip.

[ric75]

According to a sign in the window, Bouchon French Bistro is "under construction" in the former Pomegranate space in Shockoe Slip.

Hmm I forgot where but I had read of a Brazilian Churascarria coming to the Slip so I assumed it would be there. Sounds like several spots will be filling in. I think both styles would be a welcome addition to the Slip.

[CommRE]

Scroll on up. Burt mentions that it will be on the same block as Sine where the salon was located.

[ric75]

Scroll on up. Burt mentions that it will be on the same block as Sine where the salon was located.

Haha and burt is always complaining about his memory... man I better start loading u point the ginkgo.

[CommRE]

Burt's posts are always packed with good info - easy to overlook one nugget.

[burt]

According to a sign in the window, Bouchon French Bistro is "under construction" in the former Pomegranate space in Shockoe Slip.

Do we know whether or not BOUCHON FRENCH BISTRO is locally owned?

[wrldcoupe4]

Yes, it is not affiliated with any chain.

[burt]

I'm posting Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column from today's RTD because it's full of goodies.

For instance, LEMAIRE in The Jefferson has been completely redesigned and will re-open with its new look and same name about the end of June. Earlier reports hinted that the name LEMAIRE might disappear under the renovation, but not so says a source at The Jefferson.

And check out some of the participants in BROAD APPETIT which will spread along 3 blocks of West Broad Street for its second year on Sunday, June 7th (a couple of days after June's First Friday Art Walk.)

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-182310/270215/

Edited May 28, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Is Dana Craig loosely tossing around 4-star reviews lately? Today, she has printed another in her review column in the RTD.

And it sounds like a winner!

COAST, it's called, and occupies the premises originally known as du Jour and more recently Escobar near the Westhampton Theater on Grove Avenue.

Owner Gary York who runs a neat trattoria and wine bar at 2043 West Broad is the owner of COAST, and while seafood is emphasized, he offers other options on the menu under the supervision of Chef Andy de Grange who has credentials from several well-known local restaurants.

This is one place I intend to patronize on my next trip to Richmond.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-182102/270191/

COAST

Dana's rating: 4-Stars

5806 Grove Avenue

804/288-8466

http://www.coastrva.com

Noise level: Average

Smoke-free

Tab for two: $97

Edited May 28, 2009 by burt

[ric75]

I'm posting Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column from today's RTD because it's full of goodies.

For instance, LEMAIRE in The Jefferson has been completely redesigned and will re-open with its new look and same name about the end of June. Earlier reports hinted that the name LEMAIRE might disappear under the renovation, but not so says a source at The Jefferson.

And check out some of the participants in BROAD APPETIT which will spread along 3 blocks of West Broad Street for its second year on Sunday, June 7th (a couple of days after June's First Friday Art Walk.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-182310/270215/

Broad Appetit is going to be epic! I should fast for a couple of days before going.

[burt]

Virginia's liquor laws may be slightly changed, if anyone can make sense of this richmondbizsense story:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/05/12...hated-45-ratio/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This February story in Brick by Aaron Kremer may make the situation a bit clearer.

By the way, Roxy Cafe which is referrenced in the story is just west of Harrison on Main Street.

http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/featu...cle/food_fight/

Edited May 29, 2009 by burt

[burt]

I've been hearing some excellent reports about ACACIA at 2601 West Cary Street. Have any of you visited the new-ish upscale restaurant that was formerly in an old church further up in Carytown? It's now at the corner of Robinson and Cary near the old streetcar barns.

[TBurban]

Ok guys..

A casual/very semi-formal restaurant with a wide variety of food options for a graduation dinner, any recommendations? Price range doesn't matter, neither does the location (but preferably in the metro area). As of now, the party size is peaking over 20, so a place that can accomodate that many is a plus.

Ideas being tossed around..

Islamorada Fish Company

Tobacco Company

Your choice(s) don't need to have 'Company' in the restaurant name

Date of dinner is June 13th

Please help! All options are open

[burt]

Ok guys..

A casual/very semi-formal restaurant with a wide variety of food options for a graduation dinner, any recommendations? Price range doesn't matter, neither does the location (but preferably in the metro area). As of now, the party size is peaking over 20, so a place that can accomodate that many is a plus.

Ideas being tossed around..

Islamorada Fish Company

Tobacco Company

Your choice(s) don't need to have 'Company' in the restaurant name

Date of dinner is June 13th

Please help! All options are open

Tommy, how about BANK at 1005 East Main Street? I have relatives who have booked the entire place (including, I think, the underground dance club called VAULT) for a wedding rehearsal dinner on July 24. They have 125 people in the party for cocktails and full sit-down dinner plus dancing after in VAULT. But the cost is like $10K. I suspect most of your attendees which number so far 20 will be under drinking age, so price would be considerably less.

Also, check out The Renaissance which used to be run by our contributor whose name I have forgotten (Beatty?). It's in the Romanesque building at Adams and Broad.

Another suggestion would be The Colony Club in the smartly redone town house on the north side of Franklin Street between Foushee and Adams Streets.

Also, check out CHEZ FOUSHEE at Foushee and West Grace Streets.

[burt]

Dana Craig has a review today in the RTD about a nostalgic place in my memory. It is now called GUS' BAR AND GRILL. Prior to that it was known as OUT OF BOUNDS. But even earlier, it was owned and operated by a Greek couple and called simply TOMMY'S where you could get a damned good lunch of Tenderlois tips or fried seafood for less than ten bucks. Alas, both Tommy and his wife have gone to glory.

GUS'S BAR AND GRILL comes in with a two-star rating from Dana.

Side note: When I lived in Richmond the ABC board did not allow the word "Bar" in the name of a restaurant. I think that is a recent ABC relaxation because I've noticed it with some frequency of late.

GUS'S BAR AND GRILL

Dana's rating: 2-Stars

2701 West Broad Street (at the corner of Mulberry across from the Children's Museum)

804/612-9275

Noise Level: Average to high

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $41

[sniffink]

Dana Craig has a review today in the RTD about a nostalgic place in my memory. It is now called GUS' BAR AND GRILL. Prior to that it was known as OUT OF BOUNDS. But even earlier, it was owned and operated by a Greek couple and called simply TOMMY'S where you could get a damned good lunch of Tenderlois tips or fried seafood for less than ten bucks. Alas, both Tommy and his wife have gone to glory.

GUS'S BAR AND GRILL comes in with a two-star rating from Dana.

Side note: When I lived in Richmond the ABC board did not allow the word "Bar" in the name of a restaurant. I think that is a recent ABC relaxation because I've noticed it with some frequency of late.

GUS'S BAR AND GRILL

Dana's rating: 2-Stars

2701 West Broad Street (at the corner of Mulberry across from the Children's Museum)

804/612-9275

Noise Level: Average to high

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $41

Hello, everyone. I have actually been to Gus' twice and, for a "sports bar" type of place, the food is really good. It's smoke free and clean. I plan to frequent it more than I ever did OOB.

[wrldcoupe4]

Tommy, how about BANK at 1005 East Main Street? I have relatives who have booked the entire place (including, I think, the underground dance club called VAULT) for a wedding rehearsal dinner on July 24. They have 125 people in the party for cocktails and full sit-down dinner plus dancing after in VAULT. But the cost is like $10K. I suspect most of your attendees which number so far 20 will be under drinking age, so price would be considerably less.

Also, check out The Renaissance which used to be run by our contributor whose name I have forgotten (Beatty?). It's in the Romanesque building at Adams and Broad.

Another suggestion would be The Colony Club in the smartly redone town house on the north side of Franklin Street between Foushee and Adams Streets.

Also, check out CHEZ FOUSHEE at Foushee and West Grace Streets.

I bet you could reserve the entire loft/balcony at Bank for your party.

[TBurban]

Thanks guys, Im going to look into it tomorrow afteroon.

[burt]

Lou Llovio has a story with slideshow in today's RTD about the July re-opening of LEMAIRE in The Jefferson.

If indeed LEMAIRE enjoyed AAA's 5-diamond ratings in the past, I'll bet a quarter they'll never see them again. You won't have to worry about wearing a jacket anymore to dine at the linen-less tables.

IMO, they're overdoing the alligator theme.

PS: This is a quarter I'd love to lose!

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/...-220002/272665/

Edited June 9, 2009 by burt

[burt]

18,000 turned out to sample Bon Apetit treats along three downtown blocks of West Broad Street Sunday.

It would have been nice if Jeremy Slayton had directed his photographer to cover more than bug eating in his slideshow.

Were you among the throng, ric75?

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/loca...-215803/272497/

Edited June 9, 2009 by burt

[jbjust]

I was there. Was great to walk down a packed Broad Street.

[ric75]

18,000 turned out to sample Bon Apetit treats along three downtown blocks of West Broad Street Sunday.

It would have been nice if Jeremy Slayton had directed his photographer to cover more than bug eating in his slideshow.

Were you among the throng, ric75?

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/loca...-215803/272497/

I unfortunately had too much fun in the Fan the previous night and didn't make it out. For shame I know I'll be looking forward to next years though. I'm certain this is yet another new Richmond tradition. Hope they include some local breweries as well. Has anyone been out to the Red, White, and Brew at 17th Street Farmers Market yet?

[burt]

Dana Craig is getting a bit of flack because of her review of a fast food pizza/pasta chain restaurant in West Broad Village.

Unlike some, I'm not opposed to chain operations and if they are significant such as Kona Grill and McCormick & Schmicks, which supposedly is coming soon to WBV, I look forward to critical appraisal.

Anyway, Dana went to and rather liked LEDO PIZZA & PASTA located between Whole Foods and Kona Grill in West Broad Village. Here's her review complete with reader reactions so you can see what all the fuss is about:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-185205/273031/

LEDO PIZZA & PASTA

Dana's rating: 2 and a half stars

4030 Gathering Place (in WBV)

804/364-9770

http://www.ledopizza.com

Noise level: average

Smoke-free

Tab for two: $29

Edited June 11, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Melissa Ruggieri has some tips for entertaining Pop this Sunday in today's Table Talk Column:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-181608/274380/

[burt]

Folks who reside near Salisbury, Westchester Commons and Powhatan have a new dining option on Winterfield Road near the interchange of Routes 288 and 711. Already there is a golf club (the name of which escapes me) in the area which has a pretty decent restaurant as well as previously reviewed Mediterraneo.

Dana Craig of the RTD tells us today, with three and a half star raves, about WILD GINGER in this new shopping center just across the Chesterfield line in Powhatan off Huguenot Trail.

Here is Dana's review with slideshow:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-181404/274365/

WILD GINGER

Dana's rating: 3 and 1/2 Stars

3734 Winterfield Road

804/378-4988

http://www.wildgingerva.com

Noise Level: High

Smoke-free

Tab for two: $77

Edited June 18, 2009 by burt