Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

After a week's respite, Deveron Timberlake is back with her Short Order column. It includes revelations about the restaurant scene's openings, changes and closings.

No word on the new owner's plans for CAFE GUTTENBURG in Shockoe Bottom. But the former owners will soon have their ROOSTER CART on the streets.

And FANHOUSE at the corner of Floyd Avenue and Robinson Street did not shut down as many suspected but is being re-invented and has soft re-openings this week. (See story by Karri Peifer which I'm going to post below.)

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1611263

[burt]

Here's Karri Peifer's revealing story about THE FANHOUSE from today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...day-ar-1306658/

[burt]

Other local publications have had their positive say on THE BLUE GOAT (see several postings above.)

Today, Times Dispatch critic Dana Craig adds her enthusiastic three-and-a-half star comments about the new gastropub located "On the Avenues" near The Country Club of Virginia.

Although THE BLUE GOAT may be the first to offer a "snout to tail" menu in Richmond, I suspect the upcoming PASTURE at 5th and Grace Streets and the newly revamped FANHOUSE at Floyd and Robinson may lean in the gastropub direction.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...que-ar-1310251/

THE BLUE GOAT

Dana's rating: 3 and 1/2 stars

5710 Grove Avenue

804/288-8875

http://www.bluegoatva.com

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $72

Enjoy the video with the single sax musical scoring.

Edited September 15, 2011 by burt

[burt]

EJAY RIN RESTAURANT is the subject of the Nelson couple's review in the current Richmond dot com.

Based on the Momofuku noodle shop forumula in NYCity, EJAY RIN in an industrial area of Manchester across the James gets high praise for decor and ambiance, but a big ho-hum from Jon and Leah where flavor and preparation are concerned.

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1312574/

EJAY RIN

Rated by the Nelsons: 2 stars

201 West 7th Street (near Legends Brewery)

804/745-6488

Edited September 16, 2011 by burt

[burt]

At the risk of being over over reduntant redundant, I'm posting one more review of THE BLUE GOAT. It IS the rave new rage in Richmond, but skip it if you're bored. (Besides, I especially like this blog, and it's illustrated with great pictures.)

From pjpink's River City Food & Wine blog:

http://rivercityfood.../blue-goat.html

[burt]

THE MAGPIE in the edgy Carver District is only 4 blocks north of the VCU Academic campus and The Siegel Center. It has been open for about two months and was recently discovered by pjpink who writes about delectable dining at this "sweet little birdie."

From River City Food and Wine blog with plenty of pix:

http://rivercityfood...tle-birdie.html

THE MAGPIE

1301 West Leigh Street (a couple of blocks east of Lombardy Street.)

Click the highlighted name of the restaurant in the review to access the website.

Edited September 18, 2011 by burt

[burt]

A friend and I enjoyed a terrific lunch last Friday at BRYANT PARK GRILL directly behind The New York Public Library. Bryant Park extends from 6th Avenue to the rear of the library which fronts 5th Avenue with its impressive stone lions and is between West 40th and 42nd Streets.

Bryant Park, until the early 1990's was a disaster filled with druggies and undesirables. It is now a rejuvenated, beautifully landscaped gem that hosts haute couture fashion shows under tents from time to time. It has a look and feel of a Parisian parc.

BRYANT PARK GRILL is loud and expensive, but delicious and easy on the eyes (if not the ears,)

I had Prince Edward oysters on the shell and a seafood salad and Joan had miniature lamb burgers. Neither of us had drinks (except iced tea). The bill was $75 including tax and tip.

Here are some pictures I found on Google:

http://nymag.com/lis...to_gallery.html

Edited September 19, 2011 by burt

[burt]

The restaurant that opened in the far West End as The White Anchovy is now known as IRONFISH BY PESCADOS.

Here is a nice review from by Rhonda Day in the current Downtown Short Pump blog:

http://www.downtowns...-to-short-pump/

IRONFISH BY PESCADOS

3061 Lauderdale Drive

804/249-4561

[burt]

Richmond's hospitality industry is going to get a huge burst of activity when nearly half a million people descend on the city for THE ROAD WORLD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS in late September 2015.

It's not exactly the Olympics, but I bet a quarter there'll be a lot of sprucing up to make Richmond look its best for the event

Cycling enthusiasts gathered at the downtown CAPITAL ALE HOUSE this morning to watch the announcement from Copenhagen via skype.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...tion-im-122968/

Edited September 21, 2011 by burt

[burt]

The sprawlnig town of Chester, midway between Richmond and Petersburg, is getting ever so cosmopolitan. It now boasts among its dining options Turkish (ANATOLIA) and Italian (SAPORI) restaurants, both of which have received glowing reports.

Dana Craig in today's Times Dispatch chimes in with her lauditory comments about SAPORI.

The name of the Italian restaurant may sound as if it's Japanese, but think Mediterranean rather than Asian -- specifically Sicilian. It has been discusssed elsewhere in these pages but I'm unable to find the earlier reference.

SAPORI translates to "flavors" and Dana, at the subtle urging of her Papa, took her parents there for a superb meal.

Read all about it here in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ian-ar-1327224/

SAPORI RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

3513 Festival Park Plaza in Chester

804/425-4628

http://www.saporiflavors.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $46.

Enjoy Dana's slideshow with music.

Edited September 23, 2011 by burt

[burt]

CHEZ FOUSHEE is one of the most intimate and elegant restaurants in town, although it serves dinners only on Fridays and Saturdays. It is located downtown on the corner of Foushee and West Grace Streets.

http://www.chezfoushee.com/.

Karri Peifer has provided their new menu by Chef Josh Wood who has recently joined CHEZ FOUSHEE after a stint as chef at Elwood Thompsons. Josh trained at Commander's Palace in New Orleans.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...hee-ar-1329032/

[burt]

Richmond dot com's dining-out couple, Leah and Jon Nelson, visited M BISTRO AND WINE BAR at Rocketts Landing and found it to their three-star liking.

They write: "While some may miss the charm of an older feel, M BISTRO's urban chic surroundings provide a glossy sheen to go with a well executed menu."

[M BISTRO's bartender serves up "Manhattan Perfect." What would be novel is if they (and practically every bartender everywhere) would mix a Manhattan as it's supposed to be blended -- with dry vermouth ONLY. So much for my personal gripe. -- Well, there's one more. Does any chef in Richmond know how to prepare crab other than as a cake? How about silky, delicious, flavorful Crab Imperial?]

Back to Leah's and Jon's Richmond dot com review:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2011/sep/23/m-bistro-and-wine-bar-restaurant-review-ar-1329207/

M BISTRO AND WINE BAR

The Nelsons' rating: 3 Stars

4821 Old Main Street (on the ground level of the 210 Rock Building)

804/652-2300

Edited September 23, 2011 by burt

[burt]

DOUBLE T's REAL SMOKED BARBECUE directly across from The Byrd Theatre in Carytown has closed.

Another restaurant, as yet unidentified, will take over the space in November.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...q-joint-closes/

[burt]

THE FANHOUSE at the corner of Robinson Street and Floyd Avenue is being revamped. Many thought its battles with neighbors over a popular but noisy downstairs bar brought on its demise.

Not so.

What has happened is that star bartender Bobby Kruger has been lured away from JULEP's in the Bottom and, with owner Sunny Zhao, is bringing a new (for Richmond) bar-centric restaurant to the neighborhood.

The odd part is that Kruger's former boss, Amy Cabiness, is re-opening the old Davis & Main location just two blocks from THE FANHOUSE and will call her new spot MINT, which JULEPS was called after hours.

I hope Amy's and Bobby's parting was amicable.

Here's Deveron Timberlake's SHORT ORDER column from the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1614352

PS; THE FANHOUSE years ago was Cavedo's Drug Store and I had my first part-time job there as a teenaged soda jerk during World War II

Edited September 23, 2011 by burt

[KingDog]

I ate at BURGER WORKS near Innsbrook yesterday. They're occupying a spot at the opposite end of the stip mall that has the Panera and right next to Chipotle. Interestingly, that spot has been vacant for as long as the center has been open which by my estimation is at least 5 years, but probably even longer.

According to the cashier, they opened on Monday.

I've tried to do some research on them online and other than their ABC license application, I found nothing. Based on that I'm assuming it's a new concept.

Anyway, they're a typical burger joint but they do seem to be focused on a large selection - you can get different types of meat. I ordered the 1/3rd pound (smallest) beef burger, a side of fries and drink and the total came to just under $12. :-O The burger's flavor was fine and it was cooked ok, with the exception that some of the edges were a little crunchy for my tastes. The bun was so-so and seemed like it was a day old. The fries appeared to be hand cut and while not the best I've ever had, they tasted good.

The place was packed when I got there - only two tables left. It took them about 15 minutes to get my food out to me. I suspect they're still working out the processes because that just seemed way too long based on what I've seen 5 Guys can do. Then again, they've been in business for more than 5 days.

The manager / owner (not sure which) did seem very involved in the operations and he was going around asking customers if everything tasted ok. Overall, not a bad experience, but for the price I would hope for more. I'll probably give them another shot once they've been opened for a few more weeks.

[burt]

Help THE TOBACCO COMPANY in Shockoe Slip celebrate its 34th birthday between now and the end of September.

You might win a prize.

http://www.thetobacc...y.com/about.php

[burt]

According to Karri Peifer, Virgiinia's ABC rules and regulations might loosen up a bit if you ask nicely:

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/news/2011/sep/27/virginia-abc-laws-may-soon-change-ar-1340762/

Edited September 28, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Surprise, surprise!

Dana Craig could squeeze out only two stars for the newest restaurant at Rocketts Landing.

Star chef Michael Hall's M BISTRO & WINE BAR in the 210 Rock building disappointed Dana on several counts.

I believe it's customary for food critics to dine twice in a restaurant before printing a review. Apparently, M BISTRO's faults were not corrected between visits.

The server was inattentive and failed to mention the wine list. Food, though generally well-prepared, was heavy on conflicting flavors.

Overall, not a totally satisfying evening out. And that's a pity because lots of people are expecting Mr. Hall's usual top flight attention to detail.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ice-ar-1344434/

M BISTRO & WINE BAR

Dana's rating: 2 Stars

4821 Old Main Street at Rockets Landing

804/652-2300

Noise Level: Average

Tab for Two: $78

Edited September 29, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Nate Gutierrez and his NATE'S TACO TRUCK are gaining fame outside of Richmond.

His Chicken Skin Tacos are written up in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.c...4&smid=fb-share

[burt]

ALLEY KATZ in Shockoe Bottom has been reborn as KINGDOM. It's been having "soft openings" this week and will officially launch itself tomorrow night with heavy metal sounds from a dee jay.

Considerable renovation has been done on the popular spot at 10 Walnut Alley. It's a two-level venue with a capacity of about four or five hundred.

[burt]

KENN-TICO on East Grace Street between 2nd and 3rd is closed for a couple of weeks while one of the owners gives a kidney to his co-owner brother.

Look for a reopening soon.

[burt]

SHOTZ, which I believe is a bar in Shockoe Bottom, has taken a lease on 5,884 s/f of space in Shockoe Center at 11 South 12th Street in The Slip. Shotz, Inc. will open a restaurant ithere. It is to be called SYNERGY.

I think clubs have occupied that space in the past, and if I'm not mistaken, it is a basement level location in Shockoe Center.

[burt]

Leah and Jon Nelson have discovered THE MAGPIE and liked it 3-stars worth.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1346825/

THE MAGPIE

Rating from The Nelsons: 3 Stars

1301 West Leigh Street

804/269-0023

http://www.themagpierva.com

Edited September 30, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Kevin Healy's BOATHOUSE AT ROCKETTS LANDING and his other restaurant on Swift Creek Lake in Brandermill have created over 100 jobs.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...g-j-ar-1347589/

[jbjust]

I know I owe Burt a review and promise I'll get around to it, but wanted to mention that La Parisienne is having a live jazz band on Thursday night at 7:30. To my knowledge, this is the first time they've stayed open past 5:30 or so.