Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Judging from this Deveron Timberlake story in the current Style Weekly I think I've lost a quarter.

I predicted several postings above that LEMAIRE, sans table linens and snobby appeal, would never see a 5-Diamond rating again. Deveron's meticulous story on the upcoming July 8th re-opening has convinced me that ritzy dining has changed forever.

Here's Deveron's reassuring story:

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

[burt]

Here's Style Weekly's long and detailed Bar List:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?...217BDD3859955BC

[KingDog]

Some more information on Bouchon, previously mentioned in this forum.

"A new French bistro is in the works for Shockoe Slip will open later this summer. Dubbed Bouchon, the restaurant will dish up Proven

[burt]

Thanks KingDog for posting the Richmond Bizsense story about BOUCHON. Wrldcoupe4 was the first to bring it to our attention.

BOUCHON is in the block of East Cary between THE TOBACCO COMPANY and Shockoe Slip Plaza which is the site of The Martin Agency's headquarters building.

Two blocks east in The Slip at 14th and East Cary, next door to Sine Irish Pub, a new Brasilian Churrascaria is planned. It was announced in a May article in Style Weekly by Deveron Timberlake. Freya Goins and Rolf Lauback are the owners and will offer a $26.99 prix fixe menu. Opening is planned for July, unless there has been a change of plans since Deveron's Short Order story in May.

Edited June 25, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Do you recall that neat and popular spot in Carver called The Corner Bar and Grill:

Well, it has been revived by new owners as LEIGH STREET BAR AND GRILL (note that word "Bar" in the name which would have been an ABC Board taboo a few years ago.)

Comfort food is the name of the game here, but Dana Craig who rates it in today's RTD with 3 stars, found a few more adventurous culinary offerings on the menu.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-185003/276110/

LEIGH STREET BAR AND GRILL

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

1301 West Leigh Street

804/658-0378

Noise Level in the small spot: Average to High

Smoke Free

Tab for two: $38

[burt]

These items caught my eye in Melissa Rugierri's Table Talk column today:

THE PHOENICIAN RESTAURANT at 4401 W. Broad has a Tuesday special from 5 to 9:30PM. A pre-set menu for two includes salads, entrees, shared dessert and a bottle of wine for $45. http://www.thephoenicianrestaurant.com. Reservations suggested - 804/359-5590.

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

Andre Aggasi and Stefi Graf were spotted enjoying cocktails and meals at JULEP'S NEW SOUTHERN CUISINE at the corner of 18th and East Franklin Streets in Shockoe Bottom.

Edited June 28, 2009 by burt

[ric75]

Richmond BizSense has a piece on the French Bistro coming to the Slip. I'm looking forward to trying it as my Mom grew up in Provence, the region whose cuisine this restaurant will be base around.

Richmond BizSense - French bistro coming to the Slip

Edited June 26, 2009 by ric75

[wrldcoupe4]

I'm looking forward to checking this place out...

[burt]

Richmond BizSense has a piece on the French Bistro coming to the Slip. I'm looking forward to trying it as my Mom grew up in Provence, the region whose cuisine this restaurant will be base around.

Richmond BizSense - French bistro coming to the Slip

Ah, oui. KingDog also cited the Richmond Bizsense story about BOUCHON at the top of this page.

Did your Mom teach you any of her native language, rich75?

[ric75]

I'm looking forward to checking this place out...

Haha you can go ahead and say it... old news! I only bothered checking burt's 7 am post from yesterday. You gotta get up pretty early around here to break any news. 5 am? That's all you KingDog

[burt]

ZUPPA, the Shockoe Bottom restaurant which started off in a tiny space on North 18th Street then moved to more commodious quarters in a building at the corner of Franklin and 18th is moving again.

Its new home will be ground level space in the 210 Rock Building at Rocketts Landing.

Other commercial companies also plan moves to Rocketts Landing.

This is from breaking news this afternoon in the RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/loca...-151601/276534/

Is the ZUPPA move the first casualty of abandoned plans for Shockoe Center?

Edited June 26, 2009 by burt

[burt]

All you chain lovers will be thrilled to know that STARBUCK'S is opening another downtown store . Like the one in the Omni Hotel this one in The Marriott will be a full-service shop with a separate entrance.

But take heart; The new sports bar with outdoor seating at The Marriott is not part of a chain. It is called T-MILLER'S and expects to receive guests mid-August. The name honors the two department stores which used to be across Broad Street - Thalhimers and Miller & Rhoads.

From Lou Llovio's Bizz Buzz Blog in today's RTD:

http://www.mytimesdispatch.com/index.php/biz_buzz/index/

Edited June 29, 2009 by burt

[burt]

As Melissa Ruggieri points out in her Table Talk column today, there's plenty of Mexican food in midtown around the VCU campus.

From her column in today's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-185408/277418/

[burt]

Dana Craig passes out another three-and-a-half star review.

TASTEBUDS AMERICAN BISTRO which started out a few years ago as a 4-table, mostly gourmet take-out has moved to larger quarters next door. This Northside gem serves up some very fine victuals.

I can never remember the correct spelling of "Bellevue" but the resturant is in that neighborhood.

Here's Dana's full review in today's RTD:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-185408/277418/

TASTEBUDS AMERICAN BISTRO

Dana's rating: 3 1/2 Stars

4019 MacArthur Avenue

804/261-6544

(there is no website, but Dana has added a well-scored slideshow.)

Noise Level: Average

Smoke-free

Tab for two: $42

[burt]

Our contributor, crashvt03, reports in the Rumors thread that top-of-the-line SHULA'S STEAK HOUSE is scheduled for Short Pump, but no actual address is given. There is a SHULA'S 2 in The Sheraton West Hotel.

Has anyone any up-to-date information on MC CORMICK & SCHMICKS which long ago promised a location in West Broad Villge?

Here's the Shula website that crashvt3 found in a Delta Airlines magazine:

http://www.donshula.com

Edited July 7, 2009 by burt

[burt]

Contributor evanf reports in the Rumors thread that SHULA'S STEAKHOUSE will be in the brand new Hilton Short Pump Conference Center at Town Center West.

Town Center West is immediately west of Short Pump Town Center on West Broad Street and has a connecting road to SPTC.

I was unsuccessful in bringing evanf's two posted websites over here, but they are quite interesting with renderings and information on the new Hilton. Go to evenf's posting in the Rumors thread to access them.

Edited July 7, 2009 by burt

[TBurban]

Here ya go, Burt:

They are locating at the new Hilton Conference Center & Spa in Towne Center West. I just remember reading about it a few weeks ago. Here are two links that talk about it.

http://www.hotelplanner.com/Hotels/53687/R...West-Blvd-23233

http://www.shaminhotels.com/_files/docs/hi...pa_richmond.pdf

Not sure about McCormick & Schmicks.. WBV is all over the place lately. HomeGoods was supposed to be one of the last stores to open, and REI was supposed to open earlier on; REI is still under construction, and HomeGoods already has a sign on the marquee. I've completely lost track on this project. Ill try and send an email out tomorrow morning.

On the bright side.. there was activity on site of The Corner at Short Pump at Lauderdale and Broad this afternoon. Looked like it was just site maintenance, but at least it shows investors haven't bailed.

[burt]

LEMAIRE in the Jefferson Hotel had a "soft" re-opening to introduce its new cuisine as well as the new informality. Here are some pictures from Richmond dot. com:

http://www2.richmond.com/galleries/2009/ju...he-new-lemaire/

[burt]

I wonder if Melissa Ruggieri got her information about SHULA'S from postings on this site by crashvt03, evanf, TBurban and myself. Anyway, she leads off her Table Talk column in today's RTD with all you'll need to know about the proposed upscale Steakhouse in the new Hilton Hotel at Town Center West.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertain...-174607/278792/

Edited July 9, 2009 by burt

[burt]

RTD's restaurant critic, Dana Craig, squeezes out two stars for the attractive locally owned family seafood restaurant at 13923 Hull Street Road called OCEAN BREEZE BAR AND GRILL..

An inattentive wait person did not enhance her experience.

Its website confirms that it is not part of a chain operation, but provides little about its location except to describe it as being in Midlothian which seems to cover a larger and larger area as time goes by. Even MEDITERRANEO on Winterfield Road near Rt. 711 has a Midlothian address.

OCEAN BREEZE BAR AND GRILL

Dana's rating: 2 Stars.

13923 Hull Street Road

804/639-9550

http://www.oceanbreezebarandgrill.com

Noise level: Average

Smoking allowed on patio

Tab for two: $45

Edited July 9, 2009 by burt

[Brent]

Lemaire looks more boring and conservative than it used to. Is this was passes as contemporary and casual these days? Yikes!

[burt]

LEMAIRE in the Jefferson Hotel had a "soft" re-opening to introduce its new cuisine as well as the new informality. Here are some pictures from Richmond dot. com:

http://www2.richmond.com/galleries/2009/ju...he-new-lemaire/

Brent, I have to disagree with you on this one. I'm not wild about LEMAIRE's new look either, but it sure is a far cry from the conservative, plush look and feel of the original. I plan on taking a peek next week when I'll be in town.

[wrldcoupe4]

Did they take the photos with a cell phone or something?

[JSI]

Anybody have any idea what's going on at the old Cabo's on Broad St.? It looks like a lot of constuction is going on inside.

[ric75]

Ok at risk of making an idiot of myself again I'll post something I think is news here.. a search for the restaurant name came up with nothing on the forums but that doesn't mean anything...

All Things Richmond reports a new Cuban restaurant will likely be opening in the Fall. Kenn-Tico will be located near Grace and 2nd Street only a few blocks down from Hilton garden in and by that time, the newly opened Richmond Centerstage.

A Little Bit of Havana on Grace Street