Richmond Dining-Out scene

[dklee]

haha.... woops.. i didn't mean take a bulldozer and run it down broad st. thought certain parts, it would be beneficial.

back on topic.

has anyone heard of Pearl Restaurant Lounge & Martini Bar

I just saw it when i went downtown saturday. Looks like another bar/dance club that will be around for 3-4 months and close up.

[burt]

haha.... woops.. i didn't mean take a bulldozer and run it down broad st. thought certain parts, it would be beneficial.

back on topic.

has anyone heard of Pearl Restaurant Lounge & Martini Bar

I just saw it when i went downtown saturday. Looks like another bar/dance club that will be around for 3-4 months and close up.

I think I've heard of it but have forgot where it is. How about a location dklee?

[burt]

dklee, is your review of dd33 still on your agenda?

[dklee]

oh, my bad.

the location is two or three shops down from SUMO SAN in the Bottom. Across from the Farmer's Market.

Yes, DD33 will eventually be on my to do list. i'm planning on leaving for a long vacation in a few days. Maybe someone here will be able to go before me and write the review? come on!!! someone take the plunge for the team!!

BTW, i pass by the place all the time after work, and today, i was pleasantly surprised that the entire shopping center was packed with cars. hopeully equally split between ipanema grill and DD33.

[wrldcoupe4]

I think I'll check out DD33 while I'm in town during break.

[burt]

dklee, I think PEARL RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE on the south side of East Main between 17th and 18th has been thru several incarnations. If I recall it has a sort of a glass, fishless aquarium circling above your head as you enter. And a front dining area and a very large back room.

Last time I looked in (about 2 years ago) I saw thru the glass windows lots of gyrating young bodies dancing with abandon.

[burt]

I was so glad to read Dana's comments today about TARRANT'S CAFE. My carpal condition won't allow a lengthy report, but suffice that Dana awards it three stars.

It is what it is and does what it does well.

TARRANT'S CAFE, #1 West Broad (corner of Foushee). Tel. 804/225-0035.

Tab for two: $65.

[wrldcoupe4]

I'd like to check the place out.... as well as all the other cool restaurants on Broad.

[jasonb]

I'd like to check the place out.... as well as all the other cool restaurants on Broad.

I haven't been to tarrant's yet, but the rest are all worth it for sure

[burt]

I haven't been to tarrant's yet, but the rest are all worth it for sure

Jason, have you tried out ENOTECA SOGNO yet?

[burt]

Colleen Curran in a nice piece recently printed in the RTD lists some restaurants that will be serving dinner with flair on New Year's Eve.

Though not necessarily required everywhere, reservations are most definitely suggested.

Read her story for details. Meanwhile, here is her list alphabetically arranged: Taxes and gratuities are extra.

1 NORTH BELMONT at that address in the Museum District. Tel. 804/358-0050. Seatings at 5:30pm and 8:30pm. $100 per person.

THE DINING ROOM AT THE BERKELEY - 1200 East Cary in Shockoe Slip. Tel. 804/780-1300. Seatings at 5:30pm and 8pm. $80 per person.

THE HARD SHELL - 1411 East Cary bordering The Slip and The Bottom. Tel. 804/643-2333. Open 'til midnight with last seating at 10pm. Reservations required. Price not listed.

HONDO'S - 4024 Cox Road (at Innsbrook). Tel. 804/968-4323. Serving up several specials such as Chateaubriand for two at $64.95. Other menu items at market price. Hours not listed.

INDIA K RAJA - 9051 West Broad Street. Tel. 804/965-6345. Bellydancing and buffet. Price and hours not listed.

LEMAIRE - 101 West Franklin. Tel. 804/788-8000. Five-star dining at The Jefferson Hotel. Seatings begin at 7pm. Midnight toast and dancing. Reservations definitely suggested. $150 per person.

MANAKIN GRILL 12912 Plaza Drive. Tel. 804/784-0544. (This very good restaurant is not easy to find. I think I can say with assursance that Plaza Drive runs one block north and parallel to Broad Street Road in Goochland County close to the Henrico line.) Large menu. Hours not listed. $42 per person.

THE MELTING POT - 9704 Gayton Road in Gayton Crossing. Tel. 804/741-3120. Seatings begin early at 2pm and end at 11pm in this popular fondue-style restaurant which will be disguised as an operational casino on New Year's Eve. $70 per person.

MICHELLE'S AT HANOVER TAVERN - 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road. Tel. 804/537-5250. This delightful restaurant shares the historic building with Barksdale Theatre. Theatre tickets are not required, but dinner reservations would be a good idea. Seatings at 6pm and 8pm. Closing at 10pm. $45 per person.

OLD ORIGINAL BOOKBINDERS - 2306 East Cary Street (in Tobacco Row). Tel. 804/643-6900. Offering its usual diverse and delicious menu. Hours not listed. $65 per person.

PATINA GRILL - 3416 Lauderdale Drive - tel. 804/360-8217. Seatings at 5pm, 7:15pm and 9:30pm. In previous years, patrons went home with wine charms or homemade truffles. No price listed.

SAM MILLER'S - 1210 East Cary Street (in The Slip). Tel. 804/644-5465. Special prix-fixe menu offered from 5pm 'til 11pm. Price not listed.

STRAWBERRY STREET CAFE - 21 North Strawberry Street. Tel. 804/353-6860. Special New Year's Eve menu. Hours not listed. Price for two: $59.95.

T. J.'s at THE JEFFERSON - Off the Rotunda lower lobby. Tel. 804/788-8000. Prix-fixe dinner with seatings from 8pm to 9:30pm. Midnight toast and dancing. Reservations definitely recommended. $85 per person.

THIS LIST BY NO MEANS LISTS ALL THE RESTAURANTS, CLUBS AND BARS THAT WILL BE ROCKING RICHMOND ON NEW YEAR's EVE.

HAVE FUN, AND DRIVE (IF YOU MUST) WITH SPECIAL CARE.

[burt]

Can anyone bring us up-to-date on the status of BLANC BLEU RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE and BLACKFINN RESTAURANT AND SALOON at ROTJ? Both were listed as pretty definite in the RTD story on The Canal Walk dated December 17th.

We know that BLACKFINN is part of a chain; there is one at Waterside in Norfolk and in other locations. But what about BLANC BLEU? It will be owned by the CB5 Restaurant Group. If I'm not mistaken, each of its upscale operations has a different name and menu.

Will BlackFinn offer a variety of sea food, or does its name represent a Black (as opposed to Orange) Irishman? According to reports, it will cater to sports enthusiasts with lots of plasma TV screens in its 7000 s/f space on the ground floor of the office tower. Perhaps Guy and/or vdogg can fill us in with comments on the Waterside operation.

BLANC BLEU will accommodate 220 in the immense Hydroelectric Plant and feature a menu with French flair in an elaborate setting of arches, mirrors, sheer curtains and chandeliers. It has been said that one of the entrances will be through the picturesque smoke stack adjacent to the building.

Has work begun on these restaurants and have liquor and other licenses been obtained?

When Virginia liquor laws changed back in 1969 the words "bar" and "saloon" were prohibited. Apparently that restriction has been lifted.

Edited December 26, 2006 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

I havent been down to ROTJ in some time now... I'll try to check it out soon.

[wrldcoupe4]

According to Style, Zuppa will move into the former Jacqueomo

[burt]

According to Style, Zuppa will move into the former Jacqueomo

Edited December 27, 2006 by burt

[burt]

Colleen Curran in today's RTD mentions several spots to frolic on New Year's Eve:

Carytown will be transformed into an outdoor theatre and beer garden with live music by Black Cash, Bad Trips, and local acts OK Bird and Dutchess of York. DJ Jack McHale will spin music It will all take place beginning at 7pm in front of The Byrd Theatre in the 2900 block of West Cary Street. Vendor booths will serve hot and cold refreshments. And countdown as a custom-made lighted ball drops to welcome the New Year. Presumably, the lighted ball is being rigged at the top of the Byrd, since it is the highest building in the area. AND IT IS ALL FREE.

Lavish dinner and dancing at swanky LEMAIRE in the Jefferson beginning at 7pm for a mere $150 per person. (804/788-8000.) If you're in a roaming mood, saunter down the famous staircase to festivities in the Rotunda Lobby and at TJ's.

Big Bash at TOBACCO COMPANY CLUB, 12th and Cary in The Slip, where there will be two bars, hor d'oeuvres, party favors and champagne toast. $95 per person. Coat and tie is required for entry. Reservations required (804/957-5707). Upstairs on the first floor the Jimmy O Band will be playing. $20 per person on a first-come/first-served basis.

SYCAMORE ROUGE, the charming entertainment facility at 21 Old Street in Petersburg offers music and a Burlesque show (a send-up of old-timey comedy skits, songs and a glimpse of stocking). Hor d'oeuvres, finger foods, delicious dessert buffet, music and a bottle of champagne are available for $150 per couple with single pricing offered as well. Doors open at 8pm and reservations (804/957-5707) highly recommended.

THE CANAL CLUB on Dock Street at 17th (across from Bottoms Up Pizza) rings in the New Year with Carbon Leaf, Richmond's favorite Celtic band. Doors open at 8pm. $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 804/643-2582.

In addition to the above, countless clubs, restaurants, and hotels in Metro Richmond will welcome revelers 'til the wee hours of 2007.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

[wrldcoupe4]

First time at Dot's Back Inn tonight... and it was a pretty neat experience. Definitely a neighborhood bar/restaurant with a Cheers kind of feel. I had salmon with home fries and coleslaw and it was tasty... the coleslaw was kind of different, but was still okay. It's on MacArthur Ave in the Bellevue area of the city.

[burt]

First time at Dot's Back Inn tonight... and it was a pretty neat experience. Definitely a neighborhood bar/restaurant with a Cheers kind of feel. I had salmon with home fries and coleslaw and it was tasty... the coleslaw was kind of different, but was still okay. It's on MacArthur Ave in the Bellevue area of the city.

Ah! Good to hear you're sampling nabe spots, Coupe. Bellevue is a crooked-street neighborhood of well kept houses and cottages favored by open minded people of an artistic bent. DOT'S BACK INN has been sold to new owners after a generation of successful operation, but its warm neighborhood feel is not likely to disappear.

MacArthur carried the name Rappahannock Avenue until World War II when it was renamed in honor of the famous General.

SHENANNIGAN'S is also a popular nabe spot on MacArthur. And if you're looking for a Continental atmosphere with a French accent, try nearby BELLA ARTE on Bellevue near Brook Road.

[JSI]

Can anyone bring us up-to-date on the status of BLANC BLEU RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE and BLACKFINN RESTAURANT AND SALOON at ROTJ? Both were listed as pretty definite in the RTD story on The Canal Walk dated December 17th.

No constuction has begun as of this morning. Both restaurants have VA-ABC liquor licenses on their respective windows.

[JSI]

Does anybody know what is going on at the SE corner of 17th & Main St in Shockoe Bottom. There appears to be some type upfit/construction going on inside. I believe MEDLEY'S used to be there before Gaston swept it away.

[burt]

Does anybody know what is going on at the SE corner of 17th & Main St in Shockoe Bottom. There appears to be some type upfit/construction going on inside. I believe MEDLEY'S used to be there before Gaston swept it away.

Yes, JSI, that was Medley's which was one of the few Blues Clubs in the city. I hope it will be a new site for that music style.

And thanks for the update on ROTJ projects.

[burt]

Dana has warmed this nostalgic's heart with a three star review of PIANO CLUB, 7801 West Broad in the Old Towne Shopping Center, tel. 804/755-7195.

Ahhh yes! A flip back to memories of yore when supper clubs were in vogue.

She says "The decor is somewhat dated," and that a grand piano "blocks the doorway and the slick bar juts disrubtively into the dining area. But the PIANO CLUB manages a subdued elegance with white tablecloths, candlelight and impeccable service."

Alex Shakeri is co-owner, "entertaining cocktail swizzling regulars and checking in at every table with the concern of a father."

But does Alex play cadenzas on the piano? Dana isn't clear on that.

There is an excellent wine list at reasonable prices including labels such as Cakebread and Chalk Hill.

"The menu is succint yet focused on quality. Prime rib, porterhouse and New York strip are available in various sized cuts. Fresh fish are hand cut daily and prepared to the diner's specifications -- broiled, blackened or pan-seared, almond butter, dill or white wine sauce."

Just reading Dana's description of an appetizer of lobster tail pieces glazed with Cognac butter had me salivating.

PIANO CLUB sounds like the type of place that would ring this old man's bell.

But are tinkling keys soothing diners? If so, I wish Alex Shakeri would expand to a prominent location in The Slip which lacks a supper club.

Tab for two: $136.

[burt]

Stay tuned for comments on Dana Craig's exciting Dining Picks . I want to put the whole story up here if Dana, the TD and Urban Planet grant permission to do so. I'm awaiting word from our UP monitors, and if they give the OK, I'll seek Dana's permission.

I have to go out for the rest of the day, but will report back this evening with, at least, my paraphrased account.

[burt]

Dana Craig's story in today's Times Dispatch is going to be linked below by Steve at Urban planet.

[urbanvb]

^ Gladly to do so. On the Dispatch's website you can vote for your top pick from the following restaurants:

Grandpa Eddie's Alabama Ribs & BBQ

Old City Bar

Enoteca Sogno

Zeus Gallery Cafe

Pescados

Da Lat

Sensi

Corner Bar & Grill

Bank

Tarrant's Cafe

Cous Cous

Rowland

Also, there is a link to each of the dining reviews. You can check out the story here.