Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Sad, sad, very sad!

Barry and Roslyn Pruitt are closing THE WHITE DOG.

The cozy, intimate restaurant on the corner of Stafford and Main Streets in The Fan has always been one of my personal favorites for drinks, conviviality and imaginatively prepared meals.

I believe Barry and his wife have been hankering for an easier life in the Outer Banks. At one time in his checkered past Barry pursued an acting career in New York City.

He was also an original partner at DAVIS AND MAIN.

This story is from Karri Peifer in today's "Dish" feature at Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...dbye-white-dog/

Edited May 28, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column in today's RTD has some interesting items.

INFUZION at Roseneath and West Clay Streets in Scott's Addition was once known as the only "ice bar" in America. While less chilly under present management, Melissa informs that "INFUZION, the high-tech club, will remain in its usual space but the restaurant side of the expansive building at 1401 Roseneath Road is expected to reopen June 7 as the ROSE AND CLAY CAFE."

Scott Hedrick is Executive Chef and says: "Before, the look [of the restaurant] was anonymous international hotel lobby, and what we're trying to do is come up with something a little more warm and Richmond friendly."

THE ROSE AND CLAY CAFE will be open for lunch Monday-Friday and will host special events.

CLUB INFUZION is open Saturday nights and expects to add activities soon on Friday nights as well.

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SHULA's 2 STEAK AND SPORTS was the specialty restaurant in The Sheraton Richmond West Hotel near I-64 and West Broad Street. Henceforth, it will be known as UNIVERSITY BAR & GRILL.

Meanwhile, the very upscale SHULA's STEAK HOUSE at The Hilton Hotel and Spa in Short Pump's Town Center West remains open.

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THE QUAKER STEAK & LUBE chain has arrived in town at 8000 West Broad Street. The motorsports-themed place offers wings, ribs and steakburgers.

Edited May 27, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Dana Craig, writing in today's Richmond Times Dispatch, generally likes THE URBAN FARMHOUSE in Shockoe Slip. But she finds it rather pricey taking into consideration less than informative servers and the need to bus ones own table.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DINE27_20100526-185804/347032/72/

THE URBAN FARMHOUSE

Two-and-a-half stars from Dana Craig

1217 East Cary Street in The Slip

804/325-3988

http://www.theurbanfarmhouse.net

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $43

Edited May 27, 2010 by burt

[KingDog]

Richmond BizSense is reporting that Plaza Azteca, a Mexican restaurant chain out of Newport News, will take over the former Max and Erma's spot on Broad St. in front of the Westin. http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2010/05/28/reynolds-crossing-restaurant-lands-new-tenant/

[mikeas]

Richmond BizSense is reporting that Plaza Azteca, a Mexican restaurant chain out of Newport News, will take over the former Max and Erma's spot on Broad St. in front of the Westin. http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2010/05/28/reynolds-crossing-restaurant-lands-new-tenant/

They run a decent mexican restaurant. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary but every one I've been to has excellent service and is very clean. I personally prefer the more authentic taquerías.

[burt]

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO. has its grand Richmond opening tonight in the former Bottega Bistro at 11400 W. Huguenot Road.

The Shoppes at Bellgrade location also is home to Ruth's Chris Steak House -- practically next door to OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO.

And if I have been the source recently of some confusion about the old Bottega site, I bet a quarter I've got it right this time.

Check out this report with slide show from today's Richmond dot com and note the beachy renovation of old Bottega.

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/jun/02/taste-obx/

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO.

11400 W. Huguenot Road

804/464-1835

[calwinston]

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO. has its grand Richmond opening tonight in the former Bottega Bistro at 11400 W. Huguenot Road.

The Shoppes at Bellgrade location also is home to Ruth's Chris Steak House -- practically next door to OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO.

And if I have been the source recently of some confusion about the old Bottega site, I bet a quarter I've got it right this time.

Check out this report with slide show from today's Richmond dot com and note the beachy renovation of old Bottega.

http://www2.richmond...n/02/taste-obx/

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO.

11400 W. Huguenot Road

804/464-1835

Sad thing that Bottega Bistro folded! Bottega Bistro was owned by the same family that owns the The Ruth Chris Steak House next door and the one in Virginia Beach at Towne Center! I worked there at the Ruth Chris Steak House in Midlothian when I was in high school and my first 2 years of college! Ahh Good times!

[burt]

From Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column in today's RTD:

Cuisine's Restaurant & Catering, in a shopping center way out west on Broad Street, has expanded to Ridge Road. It has taken over the space that began as Graffiti Grill and then became Rivers Ridge. They have dropped the Cuisine's Catering tag for the new location and call the Ridge Shopping Center restaurant FLINN's. It is at 403 N. Ridge Rd, tel. 804/303-6125.

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TASTEBUD's in the Bellvue section of North Richmond has named a new head chef. He is Ryan Baldwin and has been on staff at TASTEBUD's for a year and a half. This restaurant began in a tiny way with about 4 tables and, shortly after, expanded into an adjoining building. It enjoys an excellent reputation. TASTEBUD's is at 4019 MacArthur Avenue, tel. 804/261-6544. Take a look at its web site: http://www.tastebuds...icanbistro.com.

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PLAZA AZTECA, as noted in an entry several postings above and about which our Hampton Roads friend Mikeas commented, has settled into the former Max & Erma's near the Richmond Westin Hotel on West Broad Street at I-64. It plans future expansions in Westchester Commons (once known as Watkins Center) in Midlothian and in Town Center West adjoining Short Pump Town Center.

Edited June 3, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Dana's a sweetheart. And judging from the feature of the RTD which solicits comments, it's obvious the majority of her readers feel similarly.

Today's column is NOT a series of reviews -- merely ruminations by Dana Craig on brunching options around town.

Can't wait for next week's piece on Happy Hours. .

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DISH03_20100602-175203/348510/

[burt]

A blow to the Richmond music scene and more bad news for Shockoe Bottom:

The funky music club called ALLEY KATZ has been shut down by the city for operating without a license and failure to pay meal taxes.

The two-level club in Walnut Alley between 17th, 18th, Franklin and Main Streets can accommodate 500 patrons and has been a mecca for local, regional and national musicians since the mid-1990's. Some bookings will be transferred to The Canal Club and The Hat Factory.

Unlike HAVE A NICE DAY CAFE in The Bottom, which has been much in the news of late for rowdiness in its parking area, I don't recall reading of troubles at ALLEY KATZ.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/ALEY55_20100605-003001/349245/

[burt]

There is (or WAS) a neat little restaurant that I've enjoyed several times called THE MARSHALL STREET CAFE.

It was NOT done in by the economy, but may be in suspended animation due to an automobile crashing into the building which also housed 3 upstairs apartments.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hope that the structure at Adams and Marshall Streets can be stabalized and reopen.

6 people were sent to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-215801/349287/

Edited June 6, 2010 by burt

[mikeas]

A blow to the Richmond music scene and more bad news for Shockoe Bottom:

The funky music club called ALLEY KATZ has been shut down by the city for operating without a license and failure to pay meal taxes.

Hopefully they can work this out. Alley Katz is a well known place for indie and metal bands in Virginia including Hampton Roads. Used to be a well known place to see national touring bands but Hat Factory and The National have taken the big shows.

[burt]

Here's a run-down with slideshow on yesterday's BROAD APPETIT. The annual festival was staged on West Broad between Adams and Monroe Streets in the downtown Gallery District.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/jun/07/youve-been-spotted-broad-apptit/today's ...-221803/349527/

Edited June 7, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Hopefully they can work this out. Alley Katz is a well known place for indie and metal bands in Virginia including Hampton Roads. Used to be a well known place to see national touring bands but Hat Factory and The National have taken the big shows.

Here's a sad farewell to ALLEY KATZ from Andrew Cothern of Richmond dot com. He fondly remembers an evening in the club's mosh pit as the best time of his life.

http://www2.richmond...rip-alley-katz/

Edited June 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Style Weekly's Deveron Timberlake brings us up-to-date in her erudite and inimitable fashion on local restaurant openings.

From seafood specials to hearty meals to haute Neopolitan pizza, the local dining scene has expanded in recent days:

OUTER BANKS SEAFOOD CO. is open in The Shoppes at Bellgrade. Phone 804/464-1835 because you may need reservations to avoid a lengthy wait.

BELLYTIMBER with its hearty fare is up and running at 1501 West Main Street in the Uptown District. Tel: 804/308-3294.

And Neopolitan oven-baked pizza is now available at STUZZI in the former 1 North Belmont space. Tel. 804/308-3294.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://styleweekly.c...0288834D1DStyle

Edited June 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Karri Peifer probably had an upcoming vacation on her mind May 27th when she wrote about SPROUT MARKET CAFE at Richmond dot com. Other than observing that the quaint little place is in the Uptown section of The Fan, she fails to identify its street address in the body of her review and slideshow. But if you open the highlighted reference, you'll learn that it's at #1 North Morris -- a little slip of a street off of West Main, practically on VCU's academic campus.

Karri reports that pending final construction work and an ABC license, SPROUT is primarily in its "Market" stage. The "Cafe" operation will get underway perhaps by the end of June.

From the May 27th edition of Richmond dot com with slideshow:

http://www2.richmond...27/peek-sprout/

SPROUT MARKET CAFE

#1 North Morris Street (between West Main Street and Floyd Avenue in The Fan.)

Tel. 804/592-5771

Edited June 9, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Ahhhh! That first swig of beer: .

And it is a great accompaniment to food says Legend Brewer's bier meister.

Check out this story by Melissa Ruggieri in today's RTD and read the Related Info box about LEGEND's food/beer pairings.

And don't forget The World Beer Festival this Saturday on Brown's Island. The weather forecast is for sunny skies with occasional thunder storms.

http://www2.timesdis...-174806/349833/

Edited June 9, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Patterson Avenue doesn't have the swank nor cache of its nearby "On the Avenues" neighborhood, but there's plenty of commercial activity in the Patterson/Libbie corridor.

The former Freckles restaurant at 5724 Patterson is now known as THE GRILL AT LIBBIE AND PATTERSON.

Owners Herb and Bev Rueger with partner Mike Joseph have made physical improvements to the property, including an enclosed patio, and offer a menu of savoury cholesterol-laden options running the gamut of meats, seafood and pastas.

RTD critic Dana Craig passes along three stars today in her review with slideshow.

http://www2.timesdis...-192608/350102/

THE GRILL AT LIBBIE AND PATTERSON

Dana's rating: 3 stars

5724 Patterson Avenue

804/285-0002

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $39.

Dana writes that Herb and Bev Rueger have connections with The Village Cafe. I assume that refers to the beloved and funky place of that name at Grace and Harrison Streets on the VCU campus.

Edited June 10, 2010 by burt

[burt]

STUZZI looks like one swanky pizza parlor! It has taken up residence at 1 North Belmont near Carytown.

The slideshow is from today's Richmond dot com.

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/jun/11/stuzzi-photo-gallery/

[burt]

After 32 years THE SMOKEY PIG on Rt. 1 (Washington Highway) in Ashland may have to close down.

Matt Lauer of NBC fame used to be a reporter on a Richmond TV station and was a frequent diner at THE SMOKEY PIG. I've heard him reminisce more than once about the Ashland restaurant on NBC.

From yesterday's and today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/article/B-PIGG11_20100610-221203/350360/

[calwinston]

After 32 years THE SMOKEY PIG on Rt. 1 (Washington Highway) in Ashland may have to close down.

Matt Lauer of NBC fame used to be a reporter on a Richmond TV station and was a frequent diner at THE SMOKEY PIG. I've heard him reminisce more than once about the Ashland restaurant on NBC.

From yesterday's and today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-221203/350360/

It will be a sad day if the Smokey Pig is forced to close its doors! Even though I grew up in Bon Air my parents are natives of Ashland! When I was a child they took me there for its great barbecue ribs when I visited my grandparents! It was a great family gathering! I also remember the huge pig and barrel on the wooden sign in front ! Is that still there?

Edited June 11, 2010 by calwinston

[burt]

CHEZ FOUSHEE at West Grace and Foushee Streets in downtown Richmond is finally opening for dinner on week-ends. For 20 years, it has served lunch only.

From Lou Llovio's column in today's RTD:

Chez Foushee, one of the Richmond area's more established restaurants, is mixing things up a bit.

The restaurant, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last fall, is making several moves to remain relevant to newer diners and to adjust for the down economy that has hit restaurants hard.

"We were acutely aware that some things had to change," said Andrew Hardie, who co-owns the restaurant at 203 N. Foushee St., at Grace and Foushee streets.

Among the changes Hardie has begun putting into place include new menu items, an updated website, several green initiatives and a new executive lunch program.

But the biggest change is Chez Foushee's hours of operation.

For the first time, the restaurant is open for dinner -- on Friday and Saturday nights.

WHEW!

This is my first ever highlighted quote at Urban Planet. To be honest, a friend is here and did it for me. I still don't phathom the technique.

Edited June 14, 2010 by burt

[burt]

This Dana Craig RTD column doesn't even pretend to be a review. She's just passing along observations on snack options along the upper concourse at The Diamond Baseball Park on North Boulevard near I-64.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-DINE17_20100616-183804/351544/

I'm waiting for Dana's overdue piece on Happy Hour at local watering holes.

[burt]

From cosmopolitan chic to mundane redundance -- that appears to be the culinary future of dd33 established a few years ago by erudite, New York-trained chef David Du.

Melissa Ruggieri reports today in her RTD Table Talk column that changes are underway at the elegantly appointed restaurant south of Innsbrook at 3601A Cox Road.

Although ownership will not change, DD33 will assume a new identity and be known as THE PATIO

It seems the dd33 menu of mildly adventurous but deliciously prepared Asian fare will give way to less discriminating American tastes.

No major decor changes are anticipated other than enclosing a patio.

THE PATIO

3601-A Cox Road (not easy to find on the east side of Cox Road south of Broad.)

804/747-8333

Meanwhile, here is Melissa's full Table Talk column from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/dining/article/W-WTAB17_20100616-184010/351562/

Edited June 17, 2010 by burt

[burt]

After years of fits and starts Todd Manley is finally expanding his seafood operation into the city.

PESCADORS (pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable) has enjoyed considerable praise for its food and service in Midlothian. Manley announced at least two years ago that he was taking over the former Hollywood Grill in Oregon Hill but one setback after another delayed his plans.

The location at 626 China Street (the northeast corner of China and Pine Streets) is a block or so from Mamma Zu, Richmond's legendary Italian restaurant.

Mr. Manley expected a Wednesday June 23rd opening but a burst water main is his latest predicament. Nonetheless, pending repairs and final city permits he anticipates opening sooner than later.

The number of PESCADORS at 13126 Midlothian Tpk is 804/379-7121. It would be advisable to call that number before heading to the new China Street location which, as of this writing, does not have a telephone .

Edited June 22, 2010 by burt