Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

The River District News blog reports that the popular "To the Bottom and Back" is adding a Broad Street route to its bar/night club bus operation.

This will probably benefit those going to concerts and shows at the National, Richmond CenterStage and the Empire Theatre complex in the Gallery district. It also will swing through the VCU campus.

http://riverdistrict...g-broad-street/

Edited September 30, 2010 by burt

[burt]

For those of you unfamiliar with 2bnb referenced in the entry above, here's the website:

http://www.2bnb.org/?

[burt]

Carytown has a new "in" restaurant/bar.

It's called XTRAS CAFE at 3322 West Cary Street and has a sleek and elegant ambiance.

Take a look at these pictures and read about it in RVA News:

http://rvanews.com/f...s_Weekly_Digest

Click their Facebook page at the bottom of the story to see a photo of the second floor curved patio overhanging West Cary Street.

Edited October 1, 2010 by burt

[burt]

For those of you unfamiliar with 2bnb referenced in the entry above, here's the website:

http://www.2bnb.org/?

The new 2BnB bus route starts tonight just in time for First Friday Art Walk. First pick-up point is BUDDY's at Stuart Avenue and Robinson Street in the Fan.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/oct/01/bussgat01-ar-536668/

[burt]

According to River District News blog, tonight will be the last night after 5 years of operation for STOOL PIGEON's at 15th and Dock Streets.

This comes on the heels of new life at THE FISH BOWL in the next-door space on South 15th Street formerly known as Relish.

STOOL PIGEON's is (or was) a Carolina based operation. It has also closed its Raleigh restaurant.

Edited October 2, 2010 by burt

[ZUMAN]

Does anyone know the status of Buzz & Neds expansion to the former Fuddrucker's location on W. Broad? I haven't noticed any construction activity in over a month.

[burt]

Does anyone know the status of Buzz & Neds expansion to the former Fuddrucker's location on W. Broad? I haven't noticed any construction activity in over a month.

Zuman, it's listed under "West End" in the current Richmond Magazine Dining Supplement with the notation "opening soon" but I just called BUZ & NED's on The Boulevard and was told it will not open at 8204 West Broad Street until the end of the year.

At one time there was talk of BUZ & NED's setting up shop at Bass Pro Shop, but that idea was dropped in favor of the Fuddrucker site.

[burt]

Here's some restaurant news from Lou Llovio's Biz Buzz column in today's RTD:

CROAKER'S SPOT, which was a huge success for nine years at its original location on East Leigh at 2nd Street was forced out of that location last February because of a tax dispute with the local and/or state government.

Subsequently, CROAKER'S SPOT re-opened across the James in Manchester at 1020 Hull Street where it has been a big success. So much so, in fact, that a second location is opening soon on River Street in Petersburg's Old Town District.

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

BISTRO R re-opned last week in Westpark Shopping Center a mile east on West Broad Street from its former home in Lexington Commons. It's next to a business called Romp and Roll. The new BISTRO R, while not larger, is better configured to seat more patrons, has a bigger kitchen as well as better visibility from passing traffic.

[burt]

Richmond dot com has posted the menus of participating restaurants during upcoming Restaurant Week beginning Monday, October 25th and ending Halloween night, Sunday, October 31st.

Special offerings are $25.10 for three-course meals.

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/sep/28/2010-restaurant-week-menus/

[burt]

SALLY BELL'S is the concessionaire at the boat lake in Byrd Park. Paul Hammond tells us in his Carver/Jackson Ward blog that it is now the new cafe operator at The Valentine History Center on East Clay between 10th and 11th Streets in the district known as Court End.

http://www.cjwn.net/...history-center/

SALLY BELL'S principal location is and has been for decades on the ground floor of a town house in the 700 block of West Grace Street adjacent to VCU's Academic campus. The place is famous along the East Coast for its box lunches and attracts tourists off of nearby I-95 who have read about SALLY BELL'S in various publications.

It began as SARAH LEE'S, but sold that name some years ago to the large national baking company.

The Valentine Richmond History Center, known for years simply as The Valentine Museum, occupies several town houses on East Clay Street, one of them being the 1812 home known as The Wickham House.

http://www.virginia....sp?attrid=42924

Court End is within hailing distance of VCU Medical campus, old and new City Halls, The State Capitol and The Library of Virginia. (Incidentally, another famous Richmond restaurant called POSITIVE VIBE CAFE in Stratford Hills on the south side has opened a luncheon outpost in the Library of Virginia.)

Edited October 5, 2010 by burt

[ZUMAN]

Zuman, it's listed under "West End" in the current Richmond Magazine Dining Supplement with the notation "opening soon" but I just called BUZ & NED's on The Boulevard and was told it will not open at 8204 West Broad Street until the end of the year.

At one time there was talk of BUZ & NED's setting up shop at Bass Pro Shop, but that idea was dropped in favor of the Fuddrucker site.

Drove by the old Fuddruckers this morning and the construction trailor is gone. Maybe financing for the expansion fell through or fell short.

[NYCJSW]

The Crazy Greek will be opening soon in Chesterfield (Busy St) in the spot previously occupied by Shacklefords. It is a pretty nice spot and I think it will much better than Shacklefords = not a big fan.

http://www.richmondmagazine.com/dine/blogs.php

[burt]

I had been under the impression that the home location of The Outer Banks Seafood Company was in Nags Head, or somewhere on the Outer Banks. Not so. It is based in Virginia Beach, according to its website.

The Richmond restaurant is the company's second operation with another planned for Northern Virginia.

Dana Craig, writing in today's RTD, is not overwhelmed. She thinks it's overpriced. And you have to know it doesn't pass her standards when Dana doesn't include one of her melodic slideshows.

Here's her review:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/flair/2010/oct/07/w-dine07-ar-546839/

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO.

Dana's rating: 2 Stars

11400 W. Huguenot Road in The Shoppes at Belgrade

804/464-1835

http://www.outerbanksseafoodco.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $72

[burt]

The restaurant reviewing couple, Jon & Leah Nelson, revisit LULU's in Shockoe Bottom (although the header mistakenly reads Shockoe SLIP) and give it an enthusiastic 3-star thumbs up after its 3rd year of operation.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...taurant-review/

Edited October 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

PLAZA AZTECA was named some time ago as a replacement tenant for the short-lived Max & Erma's at Reynolds Crossing.

According to Lou Llovio's Biz Buzz column in today's RTD, the Mexican restaurant will officially open soon at 6623 West Broad near the Richmond Westin Hotel at Reynolds Crossing.

PLAZA AZTECA's first location in the Richmond market is at Westchester Commons at US 60 (Midlothian Tpk) and Rt. 288 where it is one of the shopping center's tenants. A third operation is planned for Town Center West which adjoins Short Pump Town Center.

[burt]

At last!

CINE BISTRO will open Friday, October 22nd at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond, according to Biz Buzz in today's RTD.

The 6-theatre cinema complex has been carved out of the former Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro and adjoining storefronts next to Dillards.

Alabama based Cobb Theatres currently operates six Cine Bistros, almost all of which are in the South. The newest one is at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton.

The theatres, in addition to offering meals, will show 1st run blockbusters as well as art and independent films. Each theatre is equipped with high back leather chairs and individual tables.

Diners will choose and reserve a seat online. A lobby bar will serve wine and cocktails.

Here's the website:

http://www.cobbcinebistro.com/

Edited October 11, 2010 by burt

[burt]

MAINSTREAM, a new restaurant venture, will open soon at the former Cirrus and Plaza Mexico site in the Uptown District of The Fan at 1731 West Main Street.

[burt]

At last!

CINE BISTRO will open Friday, October 22nd at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond, according to Biz Buzz in today's RTD.

The 6-theatre cinema complex has been carved out of the former Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro and adjoining storefronts next to Dillards.

Alabama based Cobb Theatres currently operates six Cine Bistros, almost all of which are in the South. The newest one is at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton.

The theatres, in addition to offering meals, will show 1st run blockbusters as well as art and independent films. Each theatre is equipped with high back leather chairs and individual tables.

Diners will choose and reserve a seat online. A lobby bar will serve wine and cocktails.

Here's the website:

http://www.cobbcinebistro.com/

Looking at the video of the Hampton facility, you'll see that it also has bowling alleys. I don't believe the Richmond CineBistro will have that amenity.

[burt]

LA GROTTA RISTORANTE in Shockoe Slip has won a 2010 award for excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine, according to a story in yesterday's River District News.

While it is among 3,700 restaurants worldwide to receive the award, it is the only one in Richmond.

The award generally goes to establishments that feature at least 100 varietals that are clearly presented and appropriately paired. LA GROTTA has over 400 selections of red and white varietals, sparkling, reserve, large bottle reserve, after dinner and port.

Entrees at the restaurant owned and operated by Antonio and Andrea Capece are priced from $18 to $34.

The ristorante's Italian name translates to "the cave" and is appropriate for its underground setting at the apex of Shockoe Slip on the corner of East Cary and 13th Street.

LA GROTTA

1218 East Cary Street

804/644-2466

Edited October 12, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Guiseppe Scafidi partnered with Peter Caserta to open the popular STUZZI Pizza ristorante in the former 1 North Belmont.

Style Weekly reports that the partnership has dissolved. The controversial Caserta has found an investor who has bought out Scafidi -- or vice versa.

Anyway, Giuseppe Scafidi is talking to real estate agents about finding a space for a new restaurant which, because of contractural agreements, will offer Italian fare but not pizza. He would prefer to be in The Fan or downtown.

How about the Berry Burk building, Guiseppe?

From the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.c...6E5C08AAD8D1C31

PS: I believe Scafidi was an original partner in AZZURO on River Road near U of R. And Caserta used to run PASTA LUNA which was on West Broad Street near a cineplex..

Edited October 13, 2010 by burt

[burt]

When adjusting to less affluent times, would owner David Du have had to compromise quality and ambiance quite so much if his elegant restaurant called Dd33 had opened elsewhere than in The Shoppes at Twin Oaks?

Who knows?

At any rate, Dd33 was a stunning addition to the local dining scene when it debuted several years ago.

Now renamed THE PATIO, the decor and menu have undergone drastic revision.

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

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/food-dining/2010/oct/14/w-dine14-ar-561489/

THE PATIO

Dana's rating: 2 and 1/2 stars.

3601-A Cox Road (The Shoppes at Twin Oaks across West Broad Street from the Innsbrook office park.)

804/747-8333

http://www.thepatiorichmond.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $44

[burt]

Restaurant Week doesn't begin until October 25th, but Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com offers a list of bargins at eating places which are not participants:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/oct/14/new-restaurant-discounts/

[burt]

Word is passing through the local restaurant rumor mill that interest is being shown in the Que Pasa building at 25th and M Streets by the owners of the CAPTAIN BUZZY's building on East Broad in Church Hill.

A Special Use Permit from the City which would continue Que Pasa's parking waiver is being sought. Speculation is that Karen Kellman of IPANEMA in the 900 block of West Grace Street and GARNET's at Park Avenue and Meadow Street would be involved.

Here's the scoop from John Murden of CHPN with lots of comments from his readers:

http://chpn.net/news...s_Weekly_Digest

Edited October 15, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Richmond's restaurant scene is getting so cosmopolitan I cant stand it!

Now you can imagine you're in Dubrovnick or Zagreb tossing back a shot of slivovitz when you're really at the new BALKAN RESTAURANT on Patterson Avenue.

http://www.balkanrichmond.com/

BALKAN RESTAURANT

8905 Patterson Avenue

804/754-2255

Edited October 15, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Jon and Leah Nelson, writing for Richmond dot com, did not find STRONGHILL DINING COMPANY up to expectations.

The colorful restaurant on North Boulevard near Buzz & Ned's has been open for a couple of years but has made some changes recently. Understaffing was a problem on the night of the Nelsons' visit.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...taurant-review/

STRONGHILL DINING COMPANY

The Nelson's rating: 2 and 1/2 stars

1200 North Boulevard

804/359-0202

http://www.stronghillrestaurant.com/

Edited October 16, 2010 by burt