Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

There is a story in RVA News about a new wine bar that has been struggling to open in Carytown.

It is called SECCO and is an adjunct to River City Cellars. The young owners have put in hours of labor readying the place only to be dedeviled with frustrating rules and regulations causing delays.

But it seems the time has come to open wide its doors.

From RVA:

http://rvanews.com/f...rhood-bar/27955

The website describes SECCO as "a European style eatery for exceptional everyday dining."

SECCO WINE BAR

2933 West Cary Street

804/353-0670

Specialty: Mediterranean small plates and wine by the glass.

Edited May 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Style Weekly's list of Mother's Day brunch options are posted several entries above, and today, Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column in The Times Dispatch adds her suggestions.

She also writes of a few openings and closings:

THE TRELLIS in Williamsburg is in business once again, and PEARL's CUPCAKE SHOPPE has just opened at 5812 Grove Avenue.

BLEU BISTRO at 8982 Quioccasin Road has shut its doors and a shop called GRAPE CHEESE at 1531 West Main Street will close by early June.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-181806/342347/

Edited May 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

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...

I wonder if crashvt30 survived his attack on CALIENTE's "stupid wings?"

PS: The above emoticon is desperately trying to cool his mouth -- not laughing.

This video of ABC's Nightline is from Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...e-hot-exposure/

Edited May 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Cocktails with Caroline is a feature of Richmond dot com.

Here's a video of the latest party. It was held recently at The Tobacco Company Club in Shockoe Slip. The Club is in the basement of the four level TOBACCO COMPANY RESTAURANT at 12th and East Cary Streets, and after about four decades it is still the iconic restaurant in Richmond.

Take a look.

http://www2.richmond...o-compan-61172/

Edited May 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

More of the Richmond club scene.

This is RVAlution at The Hat Factory in the Shockoe Slip area at the canal basin.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/video/2010/may/06/rvalution-84330/

[burt]

The trend in the restaurant business is to cut back on prices and expenses. It has been done with success at LEMAIRE in The Jefferson Hotel and is catching on elsewhere in the area.

Richmond dot com's critic notes that BISTRO 27 in the downtown Gallery District is downsizing to more "small plates" at lower prices and (regrettably, IMO) stripping their tables of white cloths.

He still gives it three stars.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.richmond...vamping-bistro/

BISTRO TWENTY SEVEN

27 West Broad Street at Adams Street

804/780-0086

Website: http://www.bistrotwentyseven.com

BISTRO 27 is a great dining option for those planning to attend the 48-performance run of THE SOUND OF MUSIC across Broad Street at The Empire Theatre from May 14th thru July 4th. The restaurant is adding Sunday openings to accommodate matinee audiences.

Edited May 10, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Here's a shocker!

SALLY BELL's will set up shop from Memorial Day 'til October in that new little kiosk at Fountain Lake in Byrd Park AND operate the paddle boat concession in addition to adding hot dogs and hamburgers to its famous old menu!

From the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.c...A49F23D870916B4

Edited May 11, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Deveron Timberlake in a Style Weekly blog today says that POSITIVE VIBE CAFE is expanding into downtown while maintaining its current location near Stratford Hills Shopping Center under Executive Chef Frits Huntjens.

POSITIVE VIBE's mission has been to train workers with cognitive and physical disabilities for jobs in the food service industry. Many of its 300 graduates are working locally, a couple of whom will be working in the new spot.

It will be taking over the cafe at The State Library of Virginia hopefully by the end of June when an interior design by Helen Reed is complete.

Deveron says "The smallish space will have more color, more comfort in the form of couches and chairs, wi-fi and fresh food."

The library is in the full block bounded by East Broad, East Marshall, 8th and 9th Streets. It is within easy walking distance of The State Capitol, City Hall, The 4th District Federal Court and the downtown entertainment district.

Hours of operation have not been announced.

Here's the website of POSITIVE VIBE in Stratford Hills:

http://www.positivevibecafe.com

Edited May 12, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Style Weekly's Deveron Timberlake has so much dining-out news in her colum this week that I'm printing it in its entirety.

http://www.styleweek...9D3430288834D1D

I would say I was most intrigued by the reports about;

821 CAFE at that address on West Cary Street;

AMOUR WINE BISTRO at 3129 West Cary Street in Carytown;

FISH BOWL BISTRO & BAR at 101 South 15th Street in The Slip;

BELLYTIMBER TAVERN at 1501 West Main Street in the Uptown District,

and PESCADOS at Pine and China Streets in Oregon Hill.

Edited May 12, 2010 by burt

[burt]

A company called Seasonings Fine Catering has taken over and remodeled the former Bottega Bistro in the classy Belgrave Shoping Center near the junction of Robious Road, West Huguenot Road and the Norfolk/Southern train tracks.

Dana Craig, writing for The Times Dispatch, explored the new restaurant which is now called GREAT SEASONS and has found it much to her liking -- so much so that she has awarded it three-and-a-half stars (which is only a half notch below her 4-star top rating.)

This is her review with slideshow (and enjoy the musical jazz scoring .)

http://www2.timesdis...-200002/344026/

GREAT SEASONS

3 and 1/2 stars

11400 W. Huguenot Road

804/594-7008

http://www.seasoningsfinecatering.com

Noise level: Average

Tab fortwo: $55

Edited May 13, 2010 by burt

[jbjust]

I don't think it's in the old location of Bottega. It is down between the old McCallister's and the Kroger.

[burt]

I don't think it's in the old location of Bottega. It is down between the old McCallister's and the Kroger.

I could be wrong, jb, but I think the Seasonings Catering Company operates from the location you describe. But

when the company decided to open a restaurant they renovated old Bottega Bistro and moved into

that building.

They may have combined catering and the restaurants within Bottega.

At least that is what I had heard and infer from Dana's review.

[jbjust]

You could be right -- I'll have to swing by on my way home.

A little embarrassing that some guy in NY knows more about a restaurant that I live about a half mile away from.

[burt]

Here are some interesting items from Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column in today's RTD:

STRAWBERRY STREET CAFE in The Fan will be offering a theatre menu special during the run of "Wicked" at the Landmark Theatre beginning March 10th.

Check the website for details:

http://www.strawberrystreetcafe.com

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

Now that Bottega has closed, Seasonings Fine Catering has decided to open a 55-seat restaurant in its building at The Shoppes in Belgrade. The name will be GREAT SEASONS RESTAURANT.

http://www.seasoningsfinecatering.com

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

LEHJA INDIA DELICIOUS, a spin-off of the Nawab Indian Cuisine chain in Hampton Roads, will open during the 3rd week of March across from California Pizza Kitchen and The Sierra Hotel in Short Pump Town Center.

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

BASILI's OF CARYTOWN is open at 3107 West Cary Street in the former Carytown Seafood space. BASILI's offers a Greek menu.

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

And it's shad roe time in Virginia! SKILLIGALEE SEAFOOD now has this seasonal Virginia delectible as a special on it menu from 4 to 6PM (and, I assume, beyond those hours.)

SKILLIGALEE is off of West Broad Street at 5416 Glenside Drive. 804/672-6200.

I just pulled this forward from March 4th where Melissa Ruggieri talks about GREAT SEASONS moving to old Bottega's. And GREAT SEASON's website lists their adress as 10400 W. Huguenot Road which is the same street address Bottega used.

Edited May 13, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Melissa Ruggieri discusses wine bars, pizza, diner food, haute cuisine and coffee drinks in this week's Table Talk column.

SECCO WINE BAR at 2933 West Cary.

THE WINE LOFT in West Broad Village.

STUZZI at Belmont Street and Elwood Avenue.

SILVER DINER at Cox Road and West Broad Street.

CHEZ FOUSHEE at Foushee and West Grace Streets.

All STARBUCKS.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-214004/344068/

Edited May 14, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Oi.

Richmond dot com's critic gives three stars to DORA's BRAZILIAN GRILL.

And he likes those Brasilian libations, too.

This is a favorite of Richmond's Portuguese-speaking population and others who have big appetites for meat.

So, slip down to The Slip for an evening of South American flavors.

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/may/14/doras-brazilian-grill-review/

DORA's BRAZILIAN GRILL

Rating: 3 stars

1331 East Cary in Shockoe Slip at the corner of S. 14th Street

804/269-3697

Edited May 15, 2010 by burt

[burt]

SECCO WINE BAR in Carytown has had to jump through a lot of hoops but it's finally open.

Check out this story and be sure to look at the slideshow. It's a neat, airy place

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/may/12/secco-wine-bar/

[burt]

I don't think it's in the old location of Bottega. It is down between the old McCallister's and the Kroger.

Mea Culpa!

You are right, jb and I was mistaken -- eventhough you said you'd double check me and didn't!

I just phoned SEASONS Restaurant and was told it is in the original catering building between the old Bottega and Kroger in The Shoppes at Bellgrade.

Melissa Ruggieri announced today in her RTD Table Talk column that OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD COMPANY is coming to the old Bottega location.

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD COMPANY's Mike Bishal said "the restaurant is expected to open by mid June in the space previously occupied by Bottega; work began this week to make subtle changes to the interior."

Melissa says further:

"The seafood eatery opened its first location in Corolla, N. C. last spring and recently expanded into Virginia Beach. Bishal initially planned to put the Richmond outpost at Stony Point Fashion Park, but plans fell through."

Edited May 20, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Finally! A Fan restaurant that doesn't look like a Fan restaurant.

The RTD's critic, Dana Craig, has discovered THE FAN HOUSE and it is a colorful and savory addition to The Fan District.

Read Dana's 3-star review and enjoy her slideshow with the saxy, jazzy musical score.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-225401/345706/

THE FAN HOUSE

Dana's rating: 3-stars

2526 Floyd Avenue

804/612-8888

http://www.thefanhouse.net

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $77

PS: This place may be one word (Fanhouse) or two.

Edited May 20, 2010 by burt

[burt]

And, more on THE FANHOUSE!

Here is Tess Autrey Bosher's review from the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=B500FFFDA58A4B64BA9005EBABDB1074&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D3430288834D1D

[burt]

CLUB RENDEZVOUS at 17-19 West Broad Street has surrendered its liquor license and is closing down.

It has been the scene of teen parties (kids ranging in age from 12 to 17, according to some reports.). The troubles have not been inside the club but on the street and surrounding area as party-goers congregate outside at closing time. There is an eleven PM city curfew for youngsters but apparently it has not prevented some "wilding" as the kids pour out of the club.

RENDEZVOUS aspired to be a South Beach style nightclub in The Gallery District when it opened in 2008 but failed to attract enough of the "in" crowd. Promoters of private affairs began to book the place.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/REND21_20100520-215606/345933/

[jbjust]

I don't think it's in the old location of Bottega. It is down between the old McCallister's and the Kroger.

I was right, Seasons is in one location which is between the old McAllister's and Kroger. The old Boddega Bistro location will be the site of the new Outer Banks Seafood, which already has a sign up, btw.

[burt]

I was right, Seasons is in one location which is between the old McAllister's and Kroger. The old Boddega Bistro location will be the site of the new Outer Banks Seafood, which already has a sign up, btw.

Yea, jb. I said my mea culpas about 5 entries above.

[jbjust]

Yea, jb. I said my mea culpas about 5 entries above.

Sorry, I totally missed that post somehow.

[burt]

Karri Peifer of Richmond dot com has done a nice piece on 821 CAFE in the VCU/Oregon Hill area.

The popular hangout for students and free thinkers has retained its name eventhough the new address is 825 West Cary Street -- on the southeast corner of Cary and Cherry Streets. It is across Cherry Street from the newly renovated VCU Athletic Center.

In slide #13 you can see the original location of 821 BAKERY CAFE.

Enjoy today's story and slide show from Karri at Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...25/new-821-825/

Edited May 25, 2010 by burt