Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Adam Richman, star of Travel Channel's MAN VS FOOD, is in town this weekend sampling a few local spots for an airing on July 4th.

His first Richmond stop was CALIENTE on Park Avenue at Shepherd Street in the Museum District where he accepted a dare to finish a plate of the restaurant's ultra spicey "Stupid Wings."

Here's Melissa Ruggieri's RTD story:

http://www2.timesdis...-221602/337954/

Edited April 19, 2010 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

Saw him in Shockoe Slip on Friday!

[burt]

Saw him in Shockoe Slip on Friday!

I've never see Adam Richman's Travel Channel show, but if he was trying out CALIENTE's "stupid wings" in The Museum District, I bet a quarter his interests in Shockoe Slip were URBAN FARMHOUSE, CITY DOGS and/or DORA's BRASILIAN GRILL. Or, maybe BOTTOMS UP PIZZA.

Edited April 19, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The Building Permits column in the Richmond Times Dispatch is far from up-to-date, as far as I can determine, but every now and then it reports that millions of construction dollars are being poured into the new cinema complex at the upscale Stony Point Fashion Park on Chippenham Parkway south of the Willey Bridge and Parham Road.

Cobb Cinebistro, offering movies on 6 screens, dining and lobby bar(s) is replacing the former Copeland's restaurant next door to Dillard's.

Blockbuster films as well as art and special movies will be shown in lush surroundings. Cobb cinemas operates mostly in Florida and Georgia but is expanding to Vail, Colorado as well as to Richmond and Hampton's Peninsula Town Center.

Here's their website:

http://www.cobbcinebistro.com/

[burt]

It appears the food offerings at 3325 WEST CAFE are a few pegs below former tenant Acacia's, but the space looks the same.

The newly named 3325 WEST CAFE now occupies the Carytown church building while award-winning Acacia has moved a few blocks east.

Take a look at this story and slide show provided by Karri Peifer of Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/apr/20/carytowns-newest-restaurant/

[burt]

THE DINING ROOM AT THE BERKELEY used to play to packed houses early in its career. The warm room and tiny bar teemed with eager epicureans. My last three visits with friends, while posh with service and food, were rather lonely affairs.

Dana Craig writing for the Times Dispatch seems to have had a similar experience at the Shockoe Slip restaurant. AAA may continue to bestow four stars, but three is all that Dana allows.

Review and slideshow from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DINE22_20100421-175807/339001/

THE DINING ROOM AT THE BERKELEY

1200 East Cary Street in Shockoe Slip

Tel. 804/225-5105

Dana Craig's rating: 3 Stars

http://www.berkeleyhotel.com/eathere.html

Noise level: Low

Ambience and decor: 1st rate

Tab for two: $84

[wrldcoupe4]

Perhaps a revamp like Lemaire would help bring back the crowds?

[burt]

The State may have padlocked the doors of the original CROCKER's SPOT at 2nd and Clay Streets over a tax dispute, but the new restaurant of the same name across the James is flourishing.

CROCKER's SPOT management insists that the original Jackson Ward location will reopen. Meanwhile, you can get your cholesterol fix on the South Side -- that is, if you don't mind a long wait for a table while wedged into the small bar area.

Here's a review from today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/apr/23/southside-soul/

[burt]

There is a short stretch of East Broad Street in downtown Richmond that has a somewhat unsavory ambiance. Directly across from the stunning (though empty) art deco Central National Bank tower, a restaurant has been closed down.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-223008/339167/

Edited April 23, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Here's a new twist for those noshing and quaffing. They can also step into the back room and place a bet on horse races.

Colonial Downs has just installed an off-track betting parlor in FINN McCOOL's IRISH PUB located at Innsbrook.

Unlike the two other off-track betting venues in Richmond, this one in Henrico is in a private restaurant/bar.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-121201/340340/

Edited April 27, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Karri Peifer over at Richmond dot com has some interesting news. A new restaurant called FISH BOWL BISTRO AND BAR will be opening between now and June 1st in the old Relish location on South 15th Street which is the dividing line between Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. Unlike Relish, FISH BOWL will be open for dinner.

There are two other restaurants/bars on 15th Street -- BUFFALO WILD WINGS at the Cary Street corner and the slightly more upscale STOOL PIGEONS COOP AND GRILL at the corner of Dock Street. FISH BOWL is between the two.

Karri also says that CHEZ FOUSHEE, the chic little luncheon spot on the street of the same name in The Gallery District, will be serving dinner every Friday and Saturday during the summer months beginning with First Friday on May 7th.

Personal note: I just had Fios installed on a bundle plan with Verizon. It sure is faster than the old DSL.

PPS: The date line on this reads today at 6:25PM when I actually posted it at 6:10PM. There must be something wrong with my Urban Planet clock!

Edited April 27, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Style Weekly's Deveron Timberlake has news of a new destination restaurant planned for the old Montaldo's at 416 East Grace Street (nextdoor to the northwest corner of 5th and Grace.)

There have been rumors of The Fan District's SIX BURNER owners snooping around those wonderful old shops in what used to be Richmond's equivalent of 5th Avenue. Now, Deveron says that Jaason Alley of COMFORT and Ry Marchant of SIX BURNER have joined to present a new Southern small plates restaurant that may be called "Pasture" when it opens.

Here is Deveron's entire Short Order column from the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.c...9D3430288834D1D

Note that she mentions plans for PIE in the Berry Burk Building have been abandoned and a new tenant is being sought for the ground floor space.

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

Lest anyone is confused about NUEVO MEXICO RESTAURANT mentioned in Deveron's column, it is located in the Stony Point mall on Huguenot Road near the junction with Forest Hill Avenue -- NOT in Stony Point Fashion Park.

Edited April 30, 2010 by burt

[ric75]

I thought this was a cool little piece in today's RTD. Three local chefs are asked about the Richmond restaurant scene, cooking styles, and offer up a favorite recipe.

Richmond Times-Dispatch - Three chefs rate Richmond’s restaurant scene

[burt]

I thought this was a cool little piece in today's RTD. Three local chefs are asked about the Richmond restaurant scene, cooking styles, and offer up a favorite recipe.

Richmond Times-Dispatch - Three chefs rate Richmond’s restaurant scene

Thanks, ric75. That was a great article about Chefs Reitzer of ACACIA, Watts of BONVENU and Hassen of BELVIDERE AT BROAD. They all agree that Richmond is an excellent restaurant town which is getting better by the year.

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

It is encouraging to read Deveron Timberlake's column about the upcoming PASTURE's restaurant in the old Montaldo's building (see Deveron's story posted above.) It will join LOUISIANA FLAIR (breakfast and lunch only) and AURORA diagonally across 4th and Grace Streets from one another.

Incidentally, Montaldo's on East Grace Street was an ultra upscale lady's dress shop on two levels in two adjoining buildings. As far as I know it had only one companion store -- in Winston-Salem which was North Carolina's premier city in the 1940's thru the 1960's...bcr (before the Charlotte and Raleigh boom!)

Hopefully, something will replace Mo Roman's planned PIE in the Berry Burk Space and an excellent restaurant will go into the corner space of M&R condos at 6th and Grace.

The 238+ new residents coming to the John Marshall as well as others living downtown should be pleased.

Edited April 29, 2010 by burt

[burt]

If you can't wait for the annual Greek Festival on Malvern Avenue beginning June 3rd thru the 6th, follow Dana Craig's advice and drive into the depths of industrial Richmond. There, tucked away at 2313 Westwood Avenue leading to the overpass crossing Acca Yard, is GREEK GRILL CAFE.

Open Mondays thru Saturdays for lunch and dinner, this Ionian/Agean food treasure rates three and a half stars from Dana

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DINE29_20100428-194206/340680/

"It's just like the Greek Festival, only all year long" says Dana Craig.

GREEK GRILL CAFE

Dana Craig's rating: 3 1/2 stars

2313 Westwood Avenue

804/355-4001

Noise level: Low to average

Tab for two: $36

[burt]

Melissa Ruggieri says in her RTD Table Talk column that SOUTHERN RAILWAY DELI on 14th at the corner of East Canal Street is closed.

I thought the Shockoe Slip/River District place did a bustling business.

Any comments?

[burt]

The grand re-opening of The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts at North Boulevard and Grove Avenue is this Saturday and Sunday, May 1st and 2nd.

Here's a wonderful article about the two new resturants in the facility. BEST on the ground level overlooking the new sculpture garden offers light fare. AMUSE, directly above BEST is a high-end dining room.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/attractions/museums/article/W-VMFA29_20100428-194206/340684/

[burt]

THE POSITIVE VIBE CAFE has gained nationwide attention since it opened several years ago. It was established by the compassionate father of a physically disadvantaged youngster and has since trained over 300 young people to deal with physical and mental disabilities in the workforce.

Frits Huntjens whose 4-star restaurant 1 North Belmont folded in January is now Executive Chef at POSITIVE VIBE. But a parade of Richmond's finest chefs have taken a voluntary turn in the kitchen over the years.

A book about POSITIVE VIBE is now available.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-220005/341311/

POSITIVE VIBE CAFE

2825 Hathaway Road in Stratford Hills on the South Side

804/560-9622

Edited May 1, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The future of city funding for FRIDAYS AT SUNSET Kanawa Plaza concerts may be in dispute with a certain City Council member but the program is lined up for this season and looks very good.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/apr/29/fridays-sunset-2010-lineup-announced/

Click on Friday at Sunset website in the Richmond dot com story.

[burt]

Melissa Ruggieri says in her RTD Table Talk column that SOUTHERN RAILWAY DELI on 14th at the corner of East Canal Street is closed.

I thought the Shockoe Slip/River District place did a bustling business.

Any comments?

Here's a piece from http://www.Richmondbizsense.com about the closing of SOUTHERN RAILWAY DELI:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2010/04/30/shockoe-lunchspot-closes/

[burt]

Adam Richman's "Man vs. Food" show on Travel Channel was recently shot in Richmond. The comic's restaurant challenges were CALIENTE in The Museum District, BUZ AND NED's on North Boulevard and BLACK SHEEP in Jackson Ward.

The episode will not air until July 4th. However, there was a preview last night on ABC's Nightline. Richman watched and cheer-led as ABC Nightline host John Berman downed a plateful of CALIENTE's "stupid wings" whilst gasping for breath and relief.

Here's that video provided by Melissa Ruggieri in her Pop Culture column.

From todays RTD:

http://www.mytimesdi....php/popculture

Edited May 4, 2010 by burt

[crashvt03]

Adam Richman's "Man vs. Food" show on Travel Channel was recently shot in Richmond. The comic's restaurant challenges were CALIENTE in The Museum District, BUZ AND NED's on North Boulevard and BLACK SHEEP in Jackson Ward.

The episode will not air until July 4th. However, there was a preview last night on ABC's Nightline. Richman watched and cheer-led as ABC Nightline host John Berman downed a plateful of CALIENTE's "stupid wings" whilst gasping for breath and relief.

Here's that video provided by Melissa Ruggieri in her Pop Culture column.

From todays RTD:

http://www.mytimesdi....php/popculture

That's awesome! I'm going to have to go try those wings. I've done the Blazing challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings and couple other wing eating contests so I know what he was going through. I'll report back after trying these...

[burt]

Planing to take Mom out for brunch next Sunday?

Here's Style Weekly's list of options:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=4EBD240483AF479F91287A7ACDCFCF17&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D3430288834D1D

[burt]

This thread deals primarily with food establishments in Metro Richmond, but it does have a sub heading -- restaurants, bars, clubs -- so here's a story about a rather notorious bar:

VELVET GENTELMEN's CLUB at 15th and East Main Streets will close rather than appeal the loss of its beer, wine and champagne license.

This is an update of the story that was in yesterday afternoon's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/VELV06_20100505-220806/342455/

Edited May 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

SUMMER SHACK, 114 miles from the ocean, is in Goochland County 3 miles west of Short Pump. Its specialty is beach-style food and service with an emphasis on crustaceans, breaded and otherwise.

Times Dispatch critic Dana Craig visited the "overly casual" spot in a frame building formerly known as Fast Eddie's Jukebox and graded it with two-and-a-half stars.

Here is Dana's review from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DINE06_20100505-181613/342327/

SUMMER SHACK

Dana's rating: 2 1/2 stars

12859 Broad Street Road

804/784-4111

Noise level: average

Tab for two: $43