Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

The first thing I look for with every issue of STYLE WEEKLY is Deveron Timberlake's Short Order column. I think she has a subtle, clever and witty way with words that's rare amongst journalists.

This week she explores St. Patrick's day options and discusses goings-on at various restaurants.

http://styleweekly.c...9D3430288834D1D

Edited March 2, 2011 by burt

[burt]

As I posted on January 15th in this thread, Richmond's JEFFERSON HOTEL was awarded AAA's Five-Diamond rating for the 18th consecutive year. http://www.jeffersonhotel.com/

John Reid Blackwell, in an RTD story reports today that four other Richmond area hotels and one restaurant have been honored with Four-Diamond AAA Awards.

They are:

The Berkeley Hotel in Shockoe Slip. http://www.berkeleyhotel.com/

The Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa in West Broad Village, the new development immediately west of Short Pump Town Center. Website not available.

The Westin Richmond Hotel at Reynolds Crossing near West Broad Street and I-64. http://www.westin.com/Richmond

The Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center east of I-95 and south of Virginia Center Commons Shopping Mall. http://www.wyndhamvi...acrossings.com/

also:

LEMAIRE Restaurant in The Jefferson Hotel at West Franklin and Adams Streets.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ward-ar-801821/

Every now and then I go back and re-read some of these older postings.

It's too late to edit myself on this one, but I want to correct an address I unfortunately applied to one of the 4-Diamond award winning hotels:

The Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa is in Town Center West, not West Broad Village. Town Center West is immediately adjacent to Short Pump Town Center and the two shopping areas are connected by a roadway. http://www1.hilton.c...y.do?category=0.

West Broad Village is bounded by I-64 on the east, West Broad Street to the north, John Rolfe Pkwy on the west and Three Chopt Road to the south. The only hotel in fast-growing WBV is The aLoft, and it did not earn a 4-Diamond rating.

Edited March 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

PLAZA AZTECA, a popular Mexican restaurant operation in Tidewater Virginia has taken up residence on West Broad Street near Reynolds Crossing in the building that formerly housed a Max and Erma's franchise.

John Haddad, on assignment for Style Weekly was hoping to find an authentic south of the border menu and, for the most part, had a satisfying evening. Tableside guacamole mixed and served up by a friendly wait person is not found in your standard Tex/Mex hacienda. And then, too, there's the wandering mariachi band to entertain adults and distract children.

Here are John's words about PLAZA AZTECA which seems to have found a large and eager audience out there near Altria Headquarters and The Westin Richmond Hotel.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=D7CBD2C2B74741A4B343204A1C7C50F2&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D3430288834D1D

PLAZA AZTECA

6623 West Broad Street (just east of I-64.)

804/888-9984

http://www.plazaazteca.com

I may be mistaken, but I believe there is another PLAZA AZTECA restaurant at Westchester Commons near the junction of US60 and Rt. 288 in Chesterfield County.

I'm bringing this Style Weekly PLAZA AZTECA review forward so it can be contrasted with Dana Craig's assessment which is posted directly below.

[burt]

Dana Craig, writing for the RTD, joined three friends for an evening at PLAZA AZTECA's new location near The Westin Hotel at Reynolds Crossing. Dana's opinion is that while it is several steps above most local South of the Border restaurantes, it's no ROSA MEXICANO in NYC or FRONTERA GRILL in Chicago..

It's located in a building fronting on West Broad Street that formerly housed Max and Erma's.

Prices are more than reasonable in the bustling restaurant which is drawing full houses.

I wonder if the wandering mariachi band, pictured in John Haddad's review posted above, was just a one time thing?

Once again, the RTD production dept (or whoever is in charge) has failed to include Dana's rating in the "related" box. My guess it would garner 3 stars. What do you think?

http://www2.timesdis...ld-o-ar-879021/

PLAZA AZTECA

No rating.

6623 West Broad Street (there's also a store in Midlothian.)

804/808-9984

http://www.plazaazteca.com

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $31

NOTE at 6PM: The RTD has corrected itself and added Dana's rating. It is 3-Stars! I wish I had bet a quarter.

Edited March 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Richmond dot com has compiled a list of 16 new restaurants that opened during 2010 in Richmond and is soliciting votes for the best one..

http://www2.richmond.com/special_section/besties/2011/mar/04/best-new-restaurant-richmond-vote-ar-878801/

[burt]

It looks like PASTURE has gone the way of PIE.

Mo Roman whose restaurant/club properties include BANK and VAULT had big plans for an upscale pizza place on the ground floor of the Berry Burk building at 6th and Grace Streets. He was going to call it PIE, but, alas, dreams falter. Berry Burk's first floor remains vacant.

The owners of COMFORT and SIX BURNER had joint plans for the old Montaldo building at 5th and Grace Streets. A Helen Reed designed place to be called PASTURE was announced, but again, movement has been slow -- some say negligible. Friends peered into Montaldos and report there is no construction activity whatsoever going on in or outside.

[burt]

Like Church Hill Peoples News and River District News (Now called Shockoe News) Paul Hammond has redesigned his Carver and Jackson Ward News blog. It is now called Greater Jackson Ward News and has a sleek new look.

One of Paul's stories in the new format is about THE MARSHALL STREET CAFE.

Do you remember when a car crashed into the building containing the restaurant plus a few apartments? Thankfully, no one was injured.

The good news is that MARSHALL STREET CAFE at the corner of Marshall and Adams Streets will reopen on March 18th. I hope it is as good as it was prior to the accident.

From the Greater Jackson Ward News blog:

http://www.gjwn.net/news/2011/03/05/marshall-street-cafe-to-reopen-march-18th/

PS: I hope Paul will break some news soon about the official opening night at The Hippodrome and identify the opening act.

[burt]

F. W. SULLIVANS FAN BAR & GRILL on the corner of Stafford and West Main Streets bought out its neighbor which was disguised as a Vientnamese eatery and have transformed it into a Cajun dining room/bar which they call LADY N'AWLINS.

Richmond dot com takes a look at LADY N'AWLINS at 2327 West Main Streer. Here is their story with pictures:

http://www2.richmond...cafe-ar-888989/

Edited March 9, 2011 by burt

[burt]

One of our new contributors, georgeglass, was discussing the corner of 21st and East Main Streets in the "retail" thread. He says that an ABC store is going in on the ground floor of the new five (or six) story apartment building at that address.

The old but newly renovated fire house next door at 2016 East Main Street is being fitted out at street level for a new restaurant to be called STATION 2.

Writer Deveron Timberlake of Style Weekly reports that STATION 2, which is affiliated with Baja Bean at Lombardy and Main Streets, is being transformed into a "burger-focused" 100-seat dining room and bar.

Deveron says "...a patio for another three dozen patrons is in the works. Historic wood and brick details and a concrete floor remain to meet the tax credit standards, and a bar and kitchen are being added.

"Twelve taps will include an all-day $2 draft and a handful of local beers and wines. (Owner Ron) Morse says the menu ranges from a $3 burger to larger patties with unusual toppings, such as the Elvis with peanut butter, bacon and grilled bananas for $8.95. Beef comes from a Lexington supplier."

Ryan Koontz and Jeb White will manage the business which is aiming for a late May opening.

[burt]

One of our new contributors, georgeglass, was discussing the corner of 21st and East Main Streets in the "retail" thread. He says that an ABC store is going in on the ground floor of the new five (or six) story apartment building at that address.

The old but newly renovated fire house next door at 2016 East Main Street is being fitted out at street level for a new restaurant to be called STATION 2.

Writer Deveron Timberlake of Style Weekly reports that STATION 2, which is affiliated with Baja Bean at Lombardy and Main Streets, is being transformed into a "burger-focused" 100-seat dining room and bar.

Deveron says "...a patio for another three dozen patrons is in the works. Historic wood and brick details and a concrete floor remain to meet the tax credit standards, and a bar and kitchen are being added.

"Twelve taps will include an all-day $2 draft and a handful of local beers and wines. (Owner Ron) Morse says the menu ranges from a $3 burger to larger patties with unusual toppings, such as the Elvis with peanut butter, bacon and grilled bananas for $8.95. Beef comes from a Lexington supplier."

Ryan Koontz and Jeb White will manage the business which is aiming for a late May opening.

Here is Deveron's full SHORT ORDER column from the current Style Weekly (which includes the info on STATION 2.)

Note that Ron Stallings is not yet revealing much about THE MANSION on North 2nd Street next to The Hippodrome.

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=5470C7A7C4C941A8AAA935E42C9ADBC2&AudID=B41896E73131487DA9D3430288834D1D

[540_804]

...looks like "gourmet" burgers will be the next big culinary "thing".

Preceded by the gourmet tacos and high-end cupcakes.

[burt]

...looks like "gourmet" burgers will be the next big culinary "thing".

Preceded by the gourmet tacos and high-end cupcakes.

540_804, if you like cupcakes stop off at Sally Bell's on the north side of West Grace between Pine and Laurel Streets and sample a few of their multi flavor selection. They fix up a delicious box lunch, too, although they don't trim the crust of the sandwich bread as they did in the days of yore. Included in the box is a deviled egg, a cheese cookie, a couple of sandwiches, the best potato salad anywhere and a cupcake. Mmmmmm, delicious! And their pimento cheese sandwich is the best!

Now, my comments date back quite a while. Could be that Sally Bell's is not as good as it used to be and that I'm living on memories.

Edited March 9, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Jimmy Sneed is something else! One of the slogans touting his new restaurant is "Be safe. Use condiments."

FRESCA is owned and run by Jimmy and his attractive daughter Jenna. They shun offering meat products on their menu, but not because they're vegetarians -- they just don't want to..

The RTD's Dana Craig has written a three-and-a-half star review of FRESCA in today's paper. Enjoy it as well as the excellent Slideshow.

http://www2.timesdis...ca-o-ar-894738/

FRESCA ON ADDISON

Dana's rating 3 1/2 stars

In The Fan at the corner of West Cary Street

22 South Addison Street (which is known as Strawberry Street north of West Main.)

804/359-8638

http://www.frescaonaddison.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $31

Edited March 10, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Jimmy Sneed is something else! One of the slogans touting his new restaurant is "Be safe. Use condiments."

FRESCA is owned and run by Jimmy and his attractive daughter Jenna. They shun offering meat products on their menu, but not because they're vegetarians -- they just don't want to..

The RTD's Dana Craig has written a three-and-a-half star review of FRESCA in today's paper. Enjoy it as well as the excellent Slideshow.

http://www2.timesdis...ca-o-ar-894738/

FRESCA ON ADDISON

Dana's rating 3 1/2 stars

In The Fan at the corner of West Cary Street

22 South Addison Street (which is known as Strawberry Street north of West Main.)

804/359-8638

http://www.frescaonaddison.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $31

An interesting note about FRESCA and the upcoming STATION 2 (see Deveron Timberlake's Style Weekly Short Order column four postings above.) Both places have an 'Elvis" on their menus and they sound strikingly similar, except Jimmy Sneed's Elvis is a meatless dessert pizza and Station 2's is a burger.

Edited March 10, 2011 by burt

[burt]

I was pretty sure that The Westin Richmond Hotel at Reynolds Crossing near West Broad Street and I-64 did not have a full service restaurant. But Wrldcoupe4 says he's entertained clients there on severaL occasions. It is called CROSSINGS and is just off the lobby.

Here's the website:

http://www.westinrichmond.com/Crossings

[burt]

Metro Richmond has about 18,000 hotel rooms.

Mayor Jones says they were all filled during the CAA Basketball Tournament last weekend and that "all restaurants were packed." That might be an exaggeration, but the tournament sure did boost the region's economy.

[burt]

Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com has printed a list of the participating restaurants in Richmond Spring Restaurant Week beginning Monday, April 25th and ending Sunday, May 1st:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/mar/11/richmond-restaurant-week-2011-participants-ar-899193/

[burt]

I just learned that TJ's in The Jefferson Hotel is open only for breakfast and lunch daily. It no longer serves dinner. LEMAIRE is the only dinner option in the hotel according to someone who answered the phone a few minutes ago.

Apparently, TJ's was not delivering a satisfactory occupancy at dinner time.

[JSI]

It looks like PASTURE has gone the way of PIE.

Mo Roman whose restaurant/club properties include BANK and VAULT had big plans for an upscale pizza place on the ground floor of the Berry Burk building at 6th and Grace Streets. He was going to call it PIE, but, alas, dreams falter. Berry Burk's first floor remains vacant.

The owners of COMFORT and SIX BURNER had joint plans for the old Montaldo building at 5th and Grace Streets. A Helen Reed designed place to be called PASTURE was announced, but again, movement has been slow -- some say negligible. Friends peered into Montaldos and report there is no construction activity whatsoever going on in or outside.

I can't speak to construction during the day but I ran by this morning and the space has definitely been gutted and there's still a sign in the window that says "Pasture, Coming Soon."

[burt]

I can't speak to construction during the day but I ran by this morning and the space has definitely been gutted and there's still a sign in the window that says "Pasture, Coming Soon."

Thanks for your encouraging update on PASTURES, JSI. I'll let my Richmond friends know that there is activity on the site.

Edited March 15, 2011 by burt

[KingDog]

Melissa Ruggieri's Table Talk column in Thursday's R-TD elaborates on KEAGANS RESTAURANT & TAVERN that is set for a May opening in West Broad Village. It will be the third in-state operation of The Virginia Beach based chain. It considers itself a modern classic Irish Pub offering up steaks, seafood, shepherd's pie and Irish breakfast to accompany the suds. According to Melissa, KEAGANS will provide "Irish acoustic music several nights a week and Thursday Wine and Dine special (two entrees and a bottle of wine for $30) are planned."

Apparently KEAGANS is now open. Looks like they beat "May".... but two years later

Linkage:

[Brent]

I'm not sure if it is the Pasture building but on that same block windows are being replaced along the alley (I can see it from Broad). There is some activity along this block. Pasture is the only thing that I've heard of along here so I think that this must be that location (it is about the middle of the block).

[burt]

I'm not sure if it is the Pasture building but on that same block windows are being replaced along the alley (I can see it from Broad). There is some activity along this block. Pasture is the only thing that I've heard of along here so I think that this must be that location (it is about the middle of the block).

If it's a mid-block view from East Broad, Brent, I believe the work you speak of is in another East Grace Street building. In fact, I think I have read of renovation occuring mid-block on the north side of Grace between 4th and 5th. And if I'm not mistaken, it is one of those neat 3-story storefronts being converted to artists studios or something related to the arts.

In addition to PASTURE, old Montaldo's upper level(s) will have 3 or 4 apartments. Montaldo's is actually on the corner of 5th and Grace as well as the building immediately west.

On another subject, Hugh the Barber now tells my friends that his move back to the John Marshall will not be in April as he had predicted. It may be next fall before the space is ready.

[burt]

Apparently KEAGANS is now open. Looks like they beat "May".... but two years later

Linkage: http://www.westbroadvillage.org/?p=324

Thanks for the heads up about KEAGAN'S opening on the street level of the Aloft Hotel in West Broad Village, KingDog. Their opening was timed well to tie in with all the St. Patrick's day activity in the region.

The review on page 2 of the website is quite good.

I understand that The Aloft has a pretty snazzy bar/lounge on its 2nd floor near check-in

The next big project at WBV will be a built-from-the-ground BONEFISH GRILL close to Whole Foods.

And speaking of the immediate area, I've heard from several people that the parking lot for Trader Joe's is way too small to handle all the traffic -- especially on weekends.

[wrldcoupe4]

That's because they need to build a Trader Joe's in the City....