Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

I betcha this is the first time any of the varied nosh and nip places that have inhabited the basement of Stuart Court Apartments has ever received a 3-star award.

Well, that's exactly what Dana Craig thinks about CELLAR DOOR at 1600 Monument Avenue. She took a friend there on a recent evening and was very pleased (and surprised?) by its offerings.

CELLAR DOOR sets aside occasional evenings for youthful revelry in addition to South American inspired menu offerings on a nightly basis.

I've heard that a certain bartender named Noah can whip up a mean whiskey and cider concoction. This same source waxes poetic about an orange-chocolate dessert.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ne25-ar-675057/

CELLAR DOOR

Rating: 3 stars from Dana Craig

1600 Monument Avenue on Stuart Circle at Lombardy and Monument Avenue

804/716-0346

(The blogspot (or website) is not operational)

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $31

And be sure to check out Dana's slideshow.

Edited November 26, 2010 by burt

[burt]

It's claimed that 90% of Virginia's restaurants are "smoke free" and that there has been a very small number of citations for failure to conform. However, I have heard of at least one Richmond establishment where patrons light up with impunity.

On the other hand, THE REPUBLIC at 2053 West Broad Street is one of a select few in the state which has a separate ventilated room to accommodate smokers.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/dec/01/smok01-ar-686340/

[jbjust]

It seems to me that the amount of outdoor seating at Richmond-area restaurants has really proliferated with the smoking ban. Nice unintended consequence.

[burt]

God knows Dana Craig covers the local restaurant scene with constancy and fervor. Yet, when she writes a review of a well-deserving chain operation, some berate her.

Such is the case in the instance of Dana's FLEMING'S STEAKHOUSE review in today's RTD. Just as with Richmond-owned eating establishments, chains hire local chefs, kitchen help, wait staff, front-of-the-house and management personnel. Why should they be ignored by food critics?

Although the newspaper in its "related links" box fails to include Dana's rating for this outstanding restaurant at Stoney Point Faashion Park, I bet a quarter it would rank high with 4-stars.

I had dinner at FLEMING's back in 2003 when the Stony Point life style center opened. It was first rate.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...dine-ar-688951/

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE

The rating is not indicated. Perhaps it will appear in later editions.*

9200 Stony Point Pkwy (in Stony Point Fashion Park.)

804/272-7755

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com

Noise level: Average to high.

Tab for two: $100.

Check out Dana's melodic slideshow

*I've been told that Dana's rating is 3 and a half stars. It was in the print version of her review but still does not show up in the online piece.

Ratz! I've lost another quarter.

Edited December 4, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Robin Hertel of Richmond dot com has compiled a list of favorite Richmond restaurants which also specialize in handling large parties.

Can you identify the restaurants in the photo images provided?

My guess that #1 is either ACACIA or BALLICEAUX, and the "W" on the wine list leads me to believe that #3 is WATER GRILL. But I haven't a clue as to #2.

From yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...aces-ar-687659/

The majority of the places listed have websites, but you might be surprised by some that don't.

Click the highlighted restaurant name and the page that comes up shows "venue website".

Edited December 3, 2010 by burt

[jbjust]

It got 3.5 stars.

[burt]

Jimmy Snead's ingenuity is not to be sneezed at.

His first restaurant in Richmond's Shockoe Slip was called The Frog and the Redneck and I don't recall much to-do about political incorrectness. It was a tongue-in-cheek reference to his former French boss at The Watergate in Washington and to himself. Food and service were grade A and 'The Frog" was a huge hit when it opened, receiving lots of good press locally and nationally.

The novelty wore off, I suppose. The space is now occupied by The Lucky Buddha (haven't heard much PC about that, either.)

We've discussed somewhere in these pages about his newest venture called FRESCA at West Cary and Addison Streets on the fringe of The Fan District.

Here's the latest about FRESCA from Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...imes-the-charm/

FRESCA at Addison and West Cary Streets is now open -- and Jimmy Sneed has erased the former tenants' names from the sign swinging over the sidewalk (see the link above.)

From yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...open-ar-688422/

Edited December 3, 2010 by burt

[burt]

It got 3.5 stars.

You're referring to Dana's review of FLEMING'S PRIME STEAK HOUSE at Stony Point Fashion Park. And I must say I'm surprised, given her flowery praise, that she didn't rank it at the top with 4 stars.

Someone gave me two $50 gift certificates for dinners at FLEMMING's and I plan to use them over the holidays.

They offer "flights" of wine -- small glasses from which you can sample and make a selection. Of course, you pay for the sample "flights" and if you sample too many, you may not need a bottle.

The online story still does not show Dana's ranking. You must have found it in the print edition.

Edited December 3, 2010 by burt

[jbjust]

Yes, it was in the print edition yesterday. I meant to quote your question regarding how many stars, but apparently do not have that level of technical sophistication yet.

[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.timesdis...ne14-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

There are unconfimed reports that THE PATIO (formerly known as DD33) has closed. However, there is still a message on their voice mail giving hours of operation.

Does anyone have information about the restaurant's status? When David Du opened DD33 a few years ago it received excellent press.

Edited December 5, 2010 by burt

[jbjust]

Richmond Biz Sense reported this morning that the Patio has been closed for about a week:

My link

[burt]

Here is Karri Peifer's interview with Richmond restaurant connoisseur and writer Piet Jones.

Jones makes reference to MINT, the "after-hours speakeasy" adjacent to JULEP's in shockoe Bottom. Has anybody been there?

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ones-ar-693422/

Edited December 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

A new trend in food courts is taking hold in New York and other major capitals of the world. Todd English has opened his FOOD PARC in The Plaza Hotel and there is another Food Hall on 6th Avenue in Chelsea.

It's not likely anything so elaborate will open in Richmond, but minimized versions of the Euro-market themed halls could possibly pop up in places such as the new dining spot proposed for the Williams Mullin building as well as Short Pump Town Center, West Broad Village and Stony Point Fashion Park .

I think a watered-down version of the idea might work in the stretch of vacant space on the ground level of the Miller & Rhoads building on 6th between Broad and Grace Streets.

http://www.allny.com/blogs/todo/stuff-to-do/manhattans-two-new-great-food-halls/

[burt]

Town Center West has another new restaurant. It is called OSTARIA LA GIARA and has moved to the Short Pump area from Courthouse Road in Midlothian where it was known as Nuccio's Trattoria.

From Downtown Short Pump blog:

http://www.downtowns...under-new-name/

Edited December 7, 2010 by burt

[burt]

This wild OFF THE HOOKAH video says "coming to Virginia soon" but does not reveal a location. Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com hints in a column today that it will be "in the spot near the Canal Club."

There was talk a year or so ago about OFF THE HOOKAH opening on the 2nd level of the Lady Bird Hat building which is home to THE HAT FACTORY and a restaurant called CURRENT, but those plans faltered.

If Richmond is to be its next location after Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach I suppose OFF THE HOOKAH is inspired by the success of the ribald party called "Rvalution" held weekly at THE HAT FACTORY.

Maybe Karri's reference to "in the spot near The Canal Club" is the old Stool Pidgeon's at 15th and Dock Streets. It closed a month or so ago.

Does anyone have any specific information about the club?

Karri's Richmond dot com story is highlighted below the OFF THE HOOKAH video.

http://www.offthehookahfl.com/

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2010/dec/08/shockoe-restaurant-explosion-ar-700985/

Edited December 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

If you like pancakes , an IHOP will be a street-level tenant in VCU's new parking deck on West Grace between Laurel and Shaffer Streets. Opening is anticipated in August of 2011.

Two other un-named eateries will offer chicken, salads and wraps.

Read more from Scott at The Oregon Hill blog:

http://www.oregonhil...coming-to-area/

Ahhh, memories of the past.

VCU used to be Richmond Professional Institute, College of William Mary. There was a delightful colonial-style diner called THE TODDLE HOUSE on the northeast corner of West Grace and Ryland Streets. The five-story brown-stone St. Luke's Hospital occupied the northwest corner of Harrison and West Grace. Both buildings were demolished and replaced by a Safeway grocery store and parking lot.

The Village Inn, now on the southwest corner of Harrison and Grace used to be directly across on the southeast corner of that intersection. Everytime I visit Richmond I notice that the old Village Inn is empty which perplexes me given the prime location.

Edited December 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

This wild OFF THE HOOKAH video says "coming to Virginia soon" but does not reveal a location. Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com hints in a column today that it will be "in the spot near the Canal Club."

There was talk a year or so ago about OFF THE HOOKAH opening on the 2nd level of the Lady Bird Hat building which is home to THE HAT FACTORY and a restaurant called CURRENT, but those plans faltered.

If Richmond is to be its next location after Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach I suppose OFF THE HOOKAH is inspired by the success of the ribald party called "Rvalution" held weekly at THE HAT FACTORY.

Maybe Karri's reference to "in the spot near The Canal Club" is the old Stool Pidgeon's at 15th and Dock Streets. It closed a month or so ago.

Does anyone have any specific information about the club?

And jbjust, was it you who was asking about renovation activity on Forest Hill Avenue? I think that is the location of PARKSIDE CAFE mentioned in Karri's story.

Karri's Richmond dot com story is highlighted below the OFF THE HOOKAH video.

http://www.offthehookahfl.com/

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2010/dec/08/shockoe-restaurant-explosion-ar-700985/

Since I posted the above about OFF THE HOOKAH, Karri's story has been edited and now reads "in the spot near THE HAT FACTORY."

Edited December 8, 2010 by burt

[burt]

While Barry Pruitt, former proprietor of The White Dog, sings out and struts his stuff on stage at The Empire Theatre in "White Christmas", new owners of the restaurant space have transformed it into a Vietnamese style food dispensary and bar called FRIEND OR PHO.

Here is Dana Craig's one-and-a-half star take on the place.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...view-ar-704136/

FRIEND OR PHO

Dana's rating: one-and-a-half star

2329 West Main Street in The Fan

804/355-4746

Noise level: Average to high

Tab for two: $27

Edited December 9, 2010 by burt

[burt]

According to this Richmond Magazine preview, a club which has created quite a stir in two Florida cities is now up and running in the Hat Factory building on The Kanawa Canal near Shockoe Slip.

OFF THE HOOKAH occupies two levels at 140 Virginia Street in Suite 200 where it has two patios and 3 bars.

A sensationally popular once-weekly party called RVALUTION has just would up a 15-week run in the HAT FACTORY Music Hall where it attracted more than 20,000 partygoers. Word is out that RVALUTION will return for another extended gig in the spring/summer of 2011. Meanwhile, OFF THE HOOKAH is operating in a different section of the former Lady Bird Hat Factory building.

http://www.richmondmagazine.com/dine/blogs.php?blogID=147b9dfde07d1156ac80fa1ae9806531

[burt]

It's rumored that former personnel of DD33 near Innsbrook, (and later known as THE PATIO before recently shutting down) are involved with OFF THE HOOKAH.

http://offthehookahva.ning.com/profiles/blogs/grand-opening-off-the-hookah

[burt]

Style Weekly's Deveron Timberlake has an update on new and anticipated eateries around the city.

Among the highlights are:

OFF THE HOOKAH (pictured) on the second level of the Lady Bird building above CURRENT and THE HAT FACTORY. Deveron says its opening is imminent; others claim it's already in operation.

Work progresses on BOOM BOOM BURGER in The Bottom at 1703 East Franklin Street.

PASTURE in the former Montaldo's store at 5th and East Grace Streets should be open by late summer 2011.

CUPERTINO'S BAGELS met with delays and now aims to launch at 1215 East Main Street in early 2011.

THE CONCH (pronounced "Conk") REPUBLIC is under construction just south of The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing and is expected to debut in April.

See Deveron's complete coverage of restaurant activities in today's Style weekly:

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

Edited January 5, 2011 by burt

[burt]

I had an abbreviated visit to Richmond over the New Year holiday and was taken to four restaurants. All of my entrees were of the seafood variety -- rockfish at BISTRO TWENTY SEVEN in The Gallery District; mussels in garlic sauce at THE BLUE TALON in Colonial Williamsburg; trout at AMUSE in the Virginia Museum, and a shrimp dish at DA LAT on West Broad Street.

[burt]

OFF THE HOOKAH in The Hat Factory building at Virginia Street and the Kanawa Canal had a preview opening last night and our pal Scottb from Oregon Hill was in attendance.

Here are a couple of fuzzy pictures from the Oregon Hill blog:

http://www.oregonhill.net/2011/01/06/and-to-the-east-off-the-hookah/

[burt]

Corey Amado has posted a slew of images of OFF THE HOOKAH and an accompanying story on today's Richmond dot com:

Corey says the club has been open for a couple of weeks and hints that it is already drawing a substantial following.

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/jan/07/hookah-ar-757714/

[540_804]

I had an abbreviated visit to Richmond over the New Year holiday and was taken to four restaurants. All of my entrees were of the seafood variety -- rockfish at BISTRO TWENTY SEVEN in The Gallery District; mussels in garlic sauce at THE BLUE TALON in Colonial Williamsburg; trout at AMUSE in the Virginia Museum, and a shrimp dish at DA LAT on West Broad Street.

I actually live in the same building as Bistro 27 and have still not eaten there. Maybe one day I'll find an excuse to go there with a few friends.