Richmond Dining-Out scene

[KingDog]

BUZ & NEDS REAL BARBECUE's second location is about to continue construction which has been halted for more than a year. The new location will be in the West End on Broad near Parham in the old Fudrucker's location.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2011/06/23/slow-cooked-construction/

[KingDog]

Ignore - double post. Board was acting wonky earlier.

Edited June 24, 2011 by KingDog

[burt]

BUZ & NEDS REAL BARBECUE's second location is about to continue construction which has been halted for more than a year. The new location will be in the West End on Broad near Parham in the old Fudrucker's location.

http://www.richmondb...d-construction/

Thanks for the heads-up, KingDog.

This has certainly been an on and off project. Remember when BUZ & NED's original expansion plan was a store near Bass Pro Shop north of Richmond? Bass Pro is still packing in customers off of I-95, but BUZ & NED's changed plans and announced the first Fuddrucker do-over.

This time, it sounds for real. An opening in the fall, and not only bar-b-que, but a decorative water tower and a shooting gallery on premises!

.

Edited June 24, 2011 by burt

[burt]

THE LOUNGE BAR AND GRILL at 1717 East Franklin in Shockoe Bottom has closed its doors. I was told it did a lot of "social networking" (whatever that means) but apparently could not build a sustainable clientele.

The building is on the same stretch of East Franklin as the short-lived BOOM BOOM BURGERS.

From Shockoe News:

http://www.facebook....&type=1

Edited June 24, 2011 by burt

[burt]

OLIO, the European market and cafe in The Fan at Meadow and Main Streets is opening another Main Street location.

The new one will be a 150-seat quick-service operation in the lobby of 600 EAST Main in the the state office tower that used to be called Main Street Center.

It is in the same block, albeit across the street from Capital Ale House.

A soft opening is scheduled for July 18th.

From Richard Hays in today's Shockoe News:

http://www.oliorichmond.com/index.html

Edited June 24, 2011 by burt

[burt]

The newly remodeled Hippodrome is practically next door to ETTAMAE'S CAFE, but there has been no public word as to when performances will begin in the theatre.

But ETTAMAE'S has been up and running for quite a while. The owners recently added dinner service and Sunday brunch to the schedule.

Richmond dot com's reviewing couple, Jon and Leah Nelson, write about their pleasures at the little 3-tiered townhouse on North 2nd Street and have awarded it three-and-a-half stars.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1128943/

ETTAMAE'S CAFE

3 1/2 stars

522 N. 2nd Street in Jackson Ward

804/888-8058

http://www.ettamaesc...sCafe/home.html

Edited June 24, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Corkage fees on patrons bringing their own wine to Virginia restaurants take effect July 1st, 2011.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/news/2011/jun/24/virginias-new-corkage-law-take-effect-july-1-ar-1131233/

[burt]

I think I've got my facts straight here:

A new restaurant called ROOSEVELT is hoping for an opening by mid July. The building, at the 5 Points juncture of Jefferson Boulevard, M and North 25th Street on Church Hill, once was known as Que Pasa.

ROOSEVELT is the inspiration of Kendra Feather who operates IPANEMA at 917 West Grace Street and GARNETTE's CAFE across from the triangle park at Park Avenue and Meadow Street in The Fan.

Courtesy of John Murden, you can access a facebook full of pictures of ROOSEVELT at:

http://chpn.net/news.

Kendra and friends have transformed this space into a neighborhood gem.

[burt]

And on the subject of revived neighborhood restaurant spaces, Paul Hammond reminds us of activities going on at 1301 West Leigh Street on the site of the former Corner Cafe in The Carver District.

It's new incarnation will be a very eclectic looking place called THE MAGPIE.

From Paul's blog Greater Jackson Ward News:

http://www.gjwn.net/...-up-the-magpie/

Edited June 27, 2011 by burt

[burt]

MacArthur Avenue on Richmond's Northside is one of those commercial streets in the midst of a very savvy middle class neighborhood of four-square houses and charming cottages. Its population is pretty hip and tuned into the arts.

When I was a kid, pre-World War II, it was called Rappahannock Avenue and had a few shops and two movie houses, but nary a restaurant in sight.

The dining/boozing-out situation has certainly changed. You've got Shananigan's, Dot's-Back-In and an imaginative upscale space called Tastebuds American Bistro lining the short stretch of MacArthur.

Dana Craig has joined other local critics assessing the newest kid on the block. It's called THE MILL ON MacARTHUR and is attracting considerable attention.

Here is Dana's review from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/food-dining/2011/jun/30/tdweek03-the-mill-knows-what-north-siders-want-ar-1142014/

THE MILL ON MacARTHUR

Dana's rating: 2 1/2 stars

4023 MacArthur Avenue in The Bellevue neighborhood

804/716-1196

http://www.themillrva.com

Noise level: Average to high

Tab for two: $40

[burt]

Richmond is unique for a city of its size in having a very large downtown workforce as well as thousands of university students.

Some suggest that downtown reaches from Lombardy Street on the west to 27th Street in the east and from the James River northward to I-95 in the city core and to parts of Church Hill on the eastern limits. If that's the definition accepted, then the week-day workforce/student population would be close to 100,000.

Within those boundaries, there's a plethora of kiosks offering foods ranging from hot dogs to exotic middle eastern and Asian dishes as well as vegetarian fare. Concentrations of these food carts are along East Main and Cary Streets in the financial district and on the academic and medical campuses of VCU.

The latest specialty food cart sells cupcakes.

From yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/lunch-cart-guide/2011/jun/29/sweet-addition-richmond-lunch-carts-ar-1126892/

Edited June 30, 2011 by burt

[burt]

A "restaurant week" offering 3-course meals for 30 bucks is coming up at the end of July in The Shockoes

Karri Peifer of Richmond dot com has posted the participating restaurants in The Slip and The Bottom and highlights menus that have been provided so far

The dates are Monday, July 25th through Sunday, July 31st:

Cheers.

http://www2.richmond...nus-ar-1141664/

Edited June 30, 2011 by burt

[burt]

I think I've got my facts straight here:

A new restaurant called ROOSEVELT is hoping for an opening by mid July. The building, at the 5 Points juncture of Jefferson Boulevard, M and North 25th Street on Church Hill, once was known as Que Pasa.

ROOSEVELT is the inspiration of Kendra Feather who operates IPANEMA at 917 West Grace Street and GARNETTE's CAFE across from the triangle park at Park Avenue and Meadow Street in The Fan.

Courtesy of John Murden, you can access a facebook full of pictures of ROOSEVELT at:

http://chpn.net/news.

Kendra and friends have transformed this space into a neighborhood gem.

Prior to posting the above about ROOSEVELT in Church Hill I had put up a menu for a new place called STR8 OUT OF PHILLY. It is getting rave reviews from Hill residents.

Click the menu to enlarge:

http://chpn.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/menu.jpg

According to those in the know, its Philly Cheesesteak and Hoagies are first rate.

The restaurant which offers take-out and limited sit-down space will begin deliveries in Church Hill and the Downtown area later this week.

STR8 OUT OF PHILLY

306 North 29th Street (between East Broad and Marshall Streets in Church Hill)

804/771-1978

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Another newish Church Hill place at 412 North 25th (between Marshall and Clay Streets) is OMG CAFE AND LOUNGE. It, too, is receiving great comments about its (mainly) soul food menu.

A neat job has been done on freshening up the premises which has had several owners in recent years.

Here's its web site:

http://www.omgcafelounge.webs.com/

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Yet another spot that has been specializing in Pies (Pizza) Fries and Franks opened on The Hill as BUFFINGTON & WINE'S. Although beer and wine is sold on an Off-ABC license, the WINE in the title was a partner in the business who has since left and the place is called simply BUFFINGTON's (he also operates Captain Buzzy's down the street.)

Comments from Hill denizens, generally, have not been kind. It's reported that changes are underway.

BUFFINGTON's

2824 East Broad at 29th Street

804/864-2835

Edited July 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

I can name at least three Cuban (or Cuban inspired) restaurants in Metro Richmond -- Kenn-Tico near 2nd Street on East Grace; Kuba Kuba at Park and Lombardy Streets, and the grandaddy of them all, Havana 59 in Shockoe Bottom.

But the owners of a new restaurant on Willis Road between Richmond and Petersburg are making claims of being the ONLY authentic one in town. It is called HAVANA LOUNGE and is just off I-95 on Willis Road. It maintains normal restaurant hours on weekdays, but remains open 'til 2AM Fridays and Saturdays and, presumably, attracts Latinos and non-Latinos for late dining. drinking and dancing.

http://havanarichmond.com/

HAVANA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

2124 Willis Road (off of I-95 about half way between Richmond and Petersburg)

804/723-9849

Mojitas are a bar speciality.

Edited July 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

EXCUSE this posting. I was trying to add it as a "reply" to talk about THE BLUE GOAT, but I clicked "add reply" too early.

Anway, what I was trying to do was combine news about both restaurants in one piece. .

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

SELBA hopes to open its doors at 2416 West Cary Street in July. It is across from the old GRTC car barns. More explicitly, it's between Stafford Street and Davis Avenue on the north side of Cary -- about a block west of Jimmy Snead's FRESCA.

RVANews editor Nathan Cushing writes in a unique style about the new restaurant and illustrates the piece with interesting photographs.

Executive chef Abram Jackson explains to Cushing that SELBA's menu will be heavy on vegetarian/vegan offerings, although one specialty will be linguine made from pureed scallops that have been pushed through a pasta extruder.

There will be a large bar and at least two dining areas, one of which is a "garden" room where cucumbers and even citrus fruits grow.

From today's RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/e...pen-month/47497

Edited July 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

SELBA hopes to open its doors at 2416 West Cary Street in July. It is across from the old GRTC car barns. More explicitly, it's between Stafford Street and Davis Avenue on the north side of Cary -- about a block west of Jimmy Snead's FRESCA.

RVANews editor Nathan Cushing writes in a unique style about the new restaurant and illustrates the piece with interesting photographs.

Executive chef Abram Jackson explains to Cushing that SELBA's menu will be heavy on vegetarian/vegan offerings, although one specialty will be linguine made from pureed scallops that have been pushed through a pasta extruder.

There will be a large bar and at least two dining areas, one of which is a "garden" room where cucumbers and even citrus fruits grow.

From today's RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/e...pen-month/47497

In additon to SELBA, another major restaurant opening is on schedule to launch.

It is the long-anticipated BLUE GOAT at 5710 Grove Avenue.

Here's all you'll need to know about the BLUE GOAT by the owners of OSAKA and WILD GINGER:

From The Near West End News blog:

http://nearwestendne...est+End+News%29

Edited July 3, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Dana Craig finally gave in to suggestions to try RIPTIDE'S SEAFOOD in Chester.

Everything in her 3 and-a-half-star review will make your tastebuds sparkle with anticipation -- unless seafood is not your thing.

Dana mentions that RIPTIDE serves a fried seafood platter, although nobody in her party selected one. About 40 year's ago there was a restaurant called Tommy's at 2701 West Broad where the specialty was a platter full of crispy fish, scallops, oysters and shrimp. Looking back, I don't even believe it was fresh, but it sure was good..

I wonder if RIPTIDE's platter would ring my bell?

The restaurant is on Iron Bridge Road (Route 10) in the town of Chester near the intersection with Centralia Road.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ste-ar-1156401/

Be sure to enjoy Dana's excellent slideshow as well as her review.

RIPTIDES SEAFOOD

Dana's rating: 3 and 1/2 stars

11212 Iron Bridge Road (also known as Rt. 10) in Chester, about midway between Richmond and Petersburg

804/748-8899

http://www.riptidesseafood.com

Noise level: Average to High

Note: The restaurant closes by 9:30PM, so plan an early evening

Tab for two: $65

Edited July 7, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Tail to snout -- utilize all of the animal (including offal?).

THE BLUE GOAT, officially opening this weekend in the old Peking on Grove Avenue near The Westhampton Theatre, is one of the few Richmond restaurants to go the "gastropub" route.

Crispy pigs feet (and tails) are not new among discriminating diners, but are rarely found on local menus.

PASTURE which may open this fall in the old Montaldo Building near 5th and Grace, has hinted at such offerings.

It's the big new thing, folks. Bon Appetit.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...goes-whole-hog/

Edited July 8, 2011 by burt

[burt]

I've been hearing snippets here and there about a new kind of dining-out in Richmond, but most details are cloaked in mystery.

Paul at Greater Jackson Ward News sheds some light on this new "Pop-up" restaurant movement.

Click on the highlighted 'Karen's blogspot' in Paul's report and then click the long web site at the bottom to see pictures.

Karen is fun and erudite and one of my favorite bloggers in Richmond. She reviews her meal and experience at a recent Pop-up affair.

From GJWNews:

http://www.gjwn.net/...n-jackson-ward/

Edited July 9, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Leah and Jon Nelson, on assignment from Richmond dot com, offer their take on dining at THE CONCH REPUBLIC at Rocketts Landing.

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/jul/08/conch-republic-restaurant-review-ar-1158383/

[burt]

There's lots of restaurant news provided by the excellent food reporter Deveron Timberlake in the current Style Weekly.

She has info about the status of over a dozen places.

They are, in no particular order:

THE ROOSEVELT

STATION 2

LA PARISIENNE BISTRO & CAFE

M BISTRO & WINE BAR

SELBA

THE MAGPIE

BUZ & NED'S

OLIO DOWNTOWN

STELLA'S

EJAY RIN NOODLE BAR

BENNY'S BARBEQUE

HOGSHEAD CAFE

and

THE CITIZEN

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/short-order/Content?oid=1578883

[burt]

Minor ailments have caused me to be a trifle derelict in contributions to these pages recently. But, a few nights at Lenox Hill Hospital have reinvigorated me. Incidentally, Lenox Hill was recently absorbed by Long Island Jewish Hospital and, believe it or not, the food is almost palatable in comparison to previous visits.

Back to business!

ENOTECA SOGNO formerly occupied the building that is now home to The Empress at 2043 West Broad Street. Leasing negotiations fell apart and owner/chef Gary York sought another location for his trattoria.

He has settled in at 1223 Bellevue Avenue in Richmond's north side.

Dana Craig visited the new spot and was enraptured to the point of awarding Mr. York and his establishment a top four-star rating.

I can't wait for my next visit to Richmond!

From last Thursday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...tes-ar-1171093/

ENOTECA SOGNO

Dana's RTD rating: 4 Stars

1223 Bellevue Avenue

804/355-8466

http://www.enoteca-sogno.com

Noise Level: Average

Tab for two: $57

Be sure to enjoy Dana's slideshow with its (ahem) lush musical scoring

Edited July 17, 2011 by burt

[burt]

ALLEY KATZ has survived a lot of ups and downs during its years in Walnut Alley. But the Shockoe Bottom funky club has finally called it quits.

The CANAL CLUB on Dock Street at 17th across from Bottoms Up Pizza is presenting some of the rising acts that used to play ALLEY KATZ.

A new generic "lounge" with DJ's catering to all kinds of music tastes will open after renovations are complete in the Walnut Alley building.

In memory:

http://www.alleykatzrva.com/

Edited July 18, 2011 by burt

[burt]

ALLEY KATZ has survived a lot of ups and downs during its years in Walnut Alley. But the Shockoe Bottom funky club has finally called it quits.

The CANAL CLUB on Dock Street at 17th across from Bottoms Up Pizza is presenting some of the rising acts that used to play ALLEY KATZ.

A new generic "lounge" with DJ's catering to all kinds of music tastes will open after renovations are complete in the Walnut Alley building.

In memory:

http://www.alleykatzrva.com/

The new lounge replacing Alley Katz will be called KINGDOM.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/back-in-the-alley-new-club-planned-for-shockoe-bottom/Content?oid=1578765

[burt]

Opening Soon, a new bar/lounge/restaurant called 2113.

Not long ago, there was talk of a new Brewery in the oddly named Haxall View complex on 21st Street between East Cary and East Main. Haven't heard more on that project, but here's one in another part of that complex that's got "class" written all over it...except for the innocuous name they've selected.

At first glance (and listen) the website is pretty ordinary, but if you click the words above it (expecially "construction") you'll be surprised. The club is in Tobacco Row directly across East Main Street from GLOBEHOPPER; AZIZA'S ON MAIN, and the brand new SECTION 2 (in the former fire house.)

http://2113main.com/