Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Dining Out Notes:

Dana Craig, the RTD's restaurant critic, is taking a week off and will return next Thursday.

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

Rumor has it that OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO on Huguenot Road in Bellegrade has closed.

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

THE BLUE GOAT, owned by the group that operate OSAKA, SUSHI-O and WILD GINGER is undergoing heavy renovation in the former Peking Restaurant in the toney On-The-Avenues district next to The Westhampton Theatre. It will abstain from the Asian leaning menus of its siblings and offer American fare, according to reports. Opening date has not been announced.

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

Work continues on THE CONCH REPUBLIC along the riverside at Rocketts Landing.

Edited February 17, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Jon and Leah Nelson don't get their usual byline for this Richmond dot com review of XTRA'S CAFE, but they reveal themselves in the body of the article.

XTRA'S is a relatively new dining option in Carytown. It's on the second floor of a clothing store and has an open-air balcony overlooking the neighborhood.

Leah and Jon nibbled on appetizers, pizza, sandwiches and desserts, most of which they enjoyed with one or two exceptions. There is no description of entrees from the menu.

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/18/xtras-restaurant-review-ar-850470/

XTRA'S CAFE

The Nelsons' rating: 3 Stars

3322B West Cary Street

804/355-0446

There is no website.

[burt]

Liz Jewett writes about four of her preferred wine bars in Richmond. Two of them are in Carytown, and the other two, further west.

From today's Richmond dot om:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/17/which-richmond-wine-bar-right-you-ar-847606/

[burt]

Ross Catrow of RVA News likes to enjoy his brews and nips al fresco.

Here is his list of favorite patios. And since he doesn't supply addresses, I've identified their locations at the end of this post.

http://rvanews.com/entertainment/patios-brah/37591

BAJA BEAN in The Fan at 1520 W. Main St.

HAVANA 59 in Shockoe Bottom at 16 N. 17th St.

WATER GRILL in Carytown at 3411 W. Cary St.

HOME TEAM in The Fan at 1630 W. Main St.

BEN22 at BETSY'S in Carytown at 3200 W. Cary St.

SINE IRISH PUB in Shockoe Slip at 1327 E. Cary St.

ALAMO BBQ in Church Hill at 2202 Jefferson Ave.

IPANEMA near VCU at 917 W. Grace St.

PHILLIP'S CONTINENTAL LOUNGE On The Avenues at 5704 Grove Ave.

LEGEND BREWING in Manchester south of the river at 321 W. 7th St. (pictured.)

[burt]

Pr teesident George H. W. Bush who made news a couple of years ago when he parachuted from a high-flying plane in his 80th year was in Richmond recently with son Marvin. They were here to attend the funeral of FitzGerald Bemis, a former state legislator and green-space preservationist.

The father/son pair dined at LEMAIRE in The Jefferson Hotel. The Prez ordered a vodka martini (with onion and olive) and a rib eye steak blood red inside. But "char it", he instructed his server. "I'm from Texas."

Edited February 23, 2011 by burt

[burt]

BONEFISH GRILL, which has one of its 152 National locations on Hull Street Road will expand its Richmond area operations to West Broad Village on West Broad between I-64 and Ridgefield Pkwy.

This story lists restaurants already operating or scheduled to open soon at WBV, but it fails to mention Dave and Busters.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...-to-short-pump/

According to Lou Llovio in the RTD, the new BONEFISH GRILL at West Broad Village will be next to Union First Market Bank fronting West Broad Street (which was called Broad Street Road as recently as the 1960's.)*

An agent for the WBV property says negotiations with two other restaurants are ongoing.

*I hope they never change the name of beautiful, mansion-lined Cary Street Road which is the western extension of Cary Street that runs from Windsor Farms to River Road near the Huguenot Bridge.

Edited February 21, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Style Weekly's Deveron Timberlake reports that Todd Manly whose PESCADOS is making a big stir in Oregon Hill has a new project on his plate.

He is taking over the former Seafire Grill at 3061 Lauderdale Drive in the far west end and will call it THE WHITE ANCHOVY.

[ZUMAN]

Does anyone have an update on Buzz and Neds proposed West End expansion to the old Fuddrucker's location? There' hasn't been any construction activity there for several

months now and I'm wondering if they've abandoned expanding to this site.

[wrldcoupe4]

I feel like I just read that while delayed, they are hopeful of a LATE 2011 opening.

[burt]

Re: BUZ AND NED'S 2nd location, here is the latest I have read about it.

Scroll down to "West End" in this article by Deveron Timberlake about Richmond restaurants dated January 4th, 2011.

Buz says work is proceeding at the old Fuddrucker's.

From an early January, 2011 Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D343028%20...%3C/p%3E%3Cp%20class%20=&tier=4&id=49441FC7DBDA4C519506DB0C292E6655

[burt]

Karri Peifer's obsession with the "soon-to-open" PARKSIDE CAFE does not extend to sharing the restaurant's address on Forest Hill Avenue.

But her stalking of the neighborhood eatery in South Richmond provides her readers with other significant and tempting information.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/21/one-step-closer-parkside-cafe-ar-857762/

PS: My guess is that PARKSIDE CAFE is near the junction of Semmes Avenue and Forest Hill Avenue. Or, could it be near Westover Hill Blvd? Or, maybe Stratford Hills?

[burt]

I just posted a Richmond Biz Sense story in the RICHMOND: Economy/Business/Real Estate thread entitled: "Richmonders loosen the purse strings."

In that story is the following quote:

"Restaurant receipts in Metro Richmond totaled $1.18 Billion in 2010, a 5.7% increase over the previous year."

[wrldcoupe4]

Karri Peifer's obsession with the "soon-to-open" PARKSIDE CAFE does not extend to sharing the restaurant's address on Forest Hill Avenue.

But her stalking of the neighborhood eatery in South Richmond provides her readers with other significant and tempting information.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/21/one-step-closer-parkside-cafe-ar-857762/

PS: My guess is that PARKSIDE CAFE is near the junction of Semmes Avenue and Forest Hill Avenue. Or, could it be near Westover Hill Blvd? Or, maybe Stratford Hills?

I think this is at the corner of Semmes and Forest Hill, just across from Crossroads.

[burt]

Don Baker wrote a Style Weekly review of a new Fan District restaurant on February 14th that was so appalling I refrained from reprinting it here. It ends with Baker saying "this review is no fun to write."

But after checking Dana Craig's comments about the same place in today's RTD, I've changed my mind.

Here is Don Baker's Style Weekly coverage of MAINSTREAM.

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=34104CA453E9459BB99B1311F4B5B53A&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D3430288834D1DStyle

[burt]

And, continuing on the above comments, this is what Dana Craig has to say about the same place:

"...it seems the staff of MAINSTREAM takes laid back to a whole new level -- a level bordering on virtual disregard for its customers who aren't there only to drink."

This corner location on West Main Street at Allen Avenue began its cullinary life less than a decade ago as one of The Fan District's best restaurants called Dogwood Grille. Subsequently, it was known as Cirrus and then Plaza Mexico before opening recently as MAINSTREAM.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/flair/2011/feb/24/tdweek03-dining-out-at-mainstream-strength-is-in-i-ar-863161/

MAINSTREAM BAR AND GRILL

Dana's rating: 2 Stars

1731 West Main Street (in The Fan)

804/353-1489

Noise level: Average to high when music groups are performing

Tab for two: $35

[burt]

It has been renovated and restored to its early 1930's look...even the original menu has been revived..

THE FRANKLIN INN at 800 Cleveland Street (at the corner of West Franklin Street) in the Museum District had a soft opening about a week ago and has received enthusiastic support from neighbors and visitors alike.

It has been known in recent years as The Corner Deli and The Corner Cafe, but it began life as The Franklin Inn and has reverted to that name.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/23/franklin-inn-museum-districts-newest-old-restauran-ar-862966/

This is not mentioned in Karri Peifers Richmond dot com piece, but I bet a quarter THE FRANKLIN INN gets considerable business from the nearby elegant bed and breakfast called Maury Place. Both it and the restaurant are on West Franklin Street near the Maury monument on the avenue of the same name.

Here's the Maury Place website which is probably enjoying full houses with guests visiting the Picasso exhibit at nearby VMFA:

http://www.mauryplace.com/

.

[burt]

I suppose this should be under "Events", but since it deals with food and wine and because this is a more visited thread, I'm placing it here.

The 4th Annual Virginia Wine Expo opens tomorrow night (Feb. 26th) at 6PM in The Greater Richmond Convention Center and will continue through Sunday, February 28th.

This expo draws masses of people downtown and you can be assured of excellent (Virginia) vinos and small plates prepared by some of the city's best restaurant chefs for a modest fee.

Read all about it in this story from Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/24/take-sip-virginia-wine-expo-ar-862594/

[burt]

Jerry Cable's TOBACCO COMPANY got a terrible review from the dining-out couple who write for Richmond dot com.

But the point of this post is to conjecture about Cable's plans for the neighboring Commercial Block. Will he fill the street level frontage with destination shops? And will he ever be able to buy and refurbish the dingy warehouse between The Tobacco Company and the newly purchased property?

http://www2.timesdis...rope-ar-860723/

And speaking of properties in Shockoe Slip, has anyone heard of plans for the old Richbrau Brewrery at 13th and East Cary Street?

As reported in a post on the previous page a new brew house has been announced for the old warehouse called Haxall View on 21st Street between East Main and East Cary Streets in Tobacco Row.

http://www.richmondb...ns-to-downtown/

PS. It's a mystery why the warehouse conversion to residential is called "Haxall View" when it is not even close to the Haxall Mill Race or Haxall Point -- unless there's something in its history of which most of us are unaware.

Edited February 26, 2011 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

Much of the old Richbrau space is being turned into offices for Riverfront Investment Group.

[burt]

Everybody, it seems, loves KUBA KUBA's tres leches cake. Even the Food Network sent a TV crew to the restaurant on Park Avenue at Lombardy Street. A date for airing the episode has not yet been set.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/feb/25/food-network-back-rva-ar-867419/

I read the other day that an industry publication puts Richmond among the top ten cities for commercial filming. Sounds like a stretch to me, but if I can find the article I'll post it here. At any rate, it has been getting more than its share of foodies and their networks covering the dining-out scene.

[ZUMAN]

<br />I think this is at the corner of Semmes and Forest Hill, just across from Crossroads.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Correct. It is immediately east of Crossroads.

[burt]

<br /><br /><br />

Correct. It is immediately east of Crossroads.

For clarification, this is about THE PARKSIDE CAFE on Forest Hill Avenue in South Richmond which is pretty close to opening, if it hasn't already.

[burt]

Click "The Daily Beast" embedded in this story and you'll learn that Richmond ranks #3 (per capita) among American cities in the number of fast food restaurants.

Richmond is also the 3rd most tatooed city in the Nation.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/news/2011/feb/28/were-number-3-again-ar-873434/

[burt]

A second annual Restaurant Week is being lined up by organizer Aline Reitzer who with her celebrity chef husband is co-owner of ACACIA at 2601 West Cary Street.

Participating restaurants will be announced soon for the event which will begin Monday, April 25th and end on Sunday, May 1st.

From Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/mar/01/second-richmond-restaurant-week-2011-ar-875193/

[burt]

Style Weekly critic, John Haddad, has mixed feelings about OSTERIA LA GIARA. Owner/chef Nunccio Giambanco whips up his pasta in a Wok but serves up tasty pizza on plastic plates.

Overall, the new Italian outpost in Town Center West near the new Hilton Hotel satisfies.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=9B6FFC446FF7486981EA3C0C3CCE4943&nm=Articles%2FArchives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=FB6C40DB6AB14EBDADF51AF8A751BF29

OSTERIA LA GIARA

201 Town Center West Blvd., #707

804/269-3602

http://www.osterialagiara.net