Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Richmond often gets the big name food/drink/entertainment chain operations before other cities in Virginia (except for NOVA.)

But this time, Virginia Beach has snagged one of the biggies.

YARD HOUSE, a California based restaurant with a strong focus on beer, will open its 29th national franchise in Town Center near the Westin Hotel this month.

http://www.yardhouse...oming-soon.aspx

Edited November 14, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Who's eating where?

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/this-weeks-lincoln-sightings/Content?oid=1633477

[burt]

I had lunch several years ago at Jumpin' J's Java at 2306 Jefferson Avenue (where it comes to a point with another street) in Church Hill. At the time, it was a brave attempt to establish restaurant activity on The Hill. Unfortunately,it failed but Deveron Timberlake is revealing new exciting information.

The owners of a restaurant at 412 North 25th Street called OMG have taken over the Jumpin' J's building and soon will open a restaurant with a long bar and a menu offering a variety of items.

Deveron's story also includes a reference to "all three Croakers Spot restaurants including a large new one in Petersburg." The flagship is at 1020 Hull Street in Manchester. Has the 2nd and Leigh Street location re-opened? If not, where is the third location? There is talk of a new Croaker's Spot in Norfolk but I've been told it has not yet opened, but, come to think of it, there may be one in Suffolk.

Here's Deveron's full SHORT ORDER column from today's Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1633647

Edited November 17, 2011 by burt

[burt]

A tale of two burgers -- from opposite ends of town.

From Robey Martin in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1633644

STATION 2

2016 East main Street in Shockoe Bottom

804/249-4702

BURGERWORKS

10321 West Broad Street (somewhere between Parham Road and Innsbrook)

804/527-2747

[burt]

May I suggest that you glance first at the "Related" box and note that Dana Craig gives 3 stars to IRONFISH BY PESCADOS before reading the actual review?

Dana goes on for five opening paragraphs explaining why she (and a number of other critics) found the original place less than distinguished when it opened as The White Anchovie.

Todd Manley of PESCADOS ON CHINA STREET and partners have renamed the far West End premises and redesigned the menu.

One of the server's recommendations could be called Crab Imperial ala Pescados if the elbow macaroni were left in the kitchen. On the menu it is described as Cc (what does that mean?) Mac and Cheese.

Henricoans have a new culinary star in their midst that will attract diners from all over the area.

IRONFISH BY PESCADOS

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

3061 Lauderdale Drive

804/249-4915

http://www.ironfishrva.com

Twitter: @Ironfishrva

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $81

Be sure to click on the Gallery. (I miss the musical scoring that Dana usually provides with her slideshows.)

http://www2.timesdis...ver-ar-1464269/

[burt]

POSITIVE VIBE CAFE in Stratford Hills was a brain child of Garth Larcen and his son Max in 2003. It's mission, aside from providing excellent food, was to hire people with disabilities and teach them to believe in themselves. It has attracted considerable National attention and spawned a sort of school that has inspired over 500 seemingly unemployable individuals.

The restaurant often brings in star chefs in the Metro Richmond area who volunteer their services.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/500-graduates-later-positive-vibe-keeps-going/Content?oid=1633471

[burt]

PASTURE opens this Friday, November 25th on East Grace between 4th and 5th Streets.

The photos of the interior accompanying this story are cool -- and by that, I mean Scandanavian cold, bordering on barren. But owners Jason Alley and Ry Marchant say customers will supply plenty of color to complement the decorative simplicity.

Small plates will be featured, although you'll find steaks and fish on the menu as well.

There'll be plenty of action in late November and all of December at nearby venues such as opera and ballet at The Carpenter Theatre, a full line up of concerts at The National, outdoor ice skating plus activities at The Coliseum and Convention Center. And Residences at The John Marshall only a block away will begin welcoming tenants very soon.

Also, another new restaurant at 6th and Grace Streets called 525 AT THE BERRY BURK plans to open in a month or two.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/top-features/2011/nov/16/8/jason-alley-brings-greener-pasture-richmond-dining-ar-1459102/

[burt]

Richmond has been the site of considerable movie making over the years but local gossip mongering generated by the Lincoln filming is reaching new heights. Gee, a guy can't even drop by Pleasants Hardware to buy a frying pan without it being reported in the columns.

CAN CAN BRASSERIE in Carytown draws some bigwigs while younger dudes prefer hipper spots.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1636021

Edited November 25, 2011 by burt

[burt]

If you're planning on seeing a play, ballet, concert or another event at any of the entertainment venues clustered in central Richmond, there are at least eight (soon to be nine) dining options in the area bounded by Clay Street to the north, East Main Street to the south, 4th street to the west and 7th Street to the east.

Venues are Richmond Center Stage (Carpenter Theatre, Gottwald Playhouse and Rhythm Hall) -- Richmond Coliseum -- Greater Richmond Convention Center and The National Theatre.

Restaurants within five blocks:

PASTURE on Grace between 4th and 5th.

CAFE RUSTICA on Main between 4th and 5th

CAPITAL ALE HOUSE on Main between 6th and 7th

PENNY LANE PUB on Franklin at 5th

GREAT AMERICAN GRILL in Hilton Garden Inn at 5th and Broad

T-MILLER SPORTS BAR AND GRILL in the Marriott at 6th and Broad

GIBSON'S GRILL at 7th and Broad

JERUSALEM on 7th between Franklin and Grace

and soon to come 525 AT THE BERRY-BURK at 6th and Grace.

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

Here is an uncredited review of JERUSALEM (which formerly was known as Cedars) in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1636129

Edited November 25, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Deveron's SHORT ORDER column dwells primarily on PASTURE which opens tonight.

She also confirms that BANK on East Main near 10th Street is closed for a few weeks of reorganization and reports that SHENANIGANS on MacArthur Avenue on the northside is closed because the lease was not renewed by the owner. But SHENANIGANS might pop up in another location.

At the bottom of her SHORT ORDER, local foodies vent on the subject of Restaurant Reviewing.

From Deveron Timberlake in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1636123

[burt]

Karri Peifer writes about two restaurant openings this week -- C STREET in the converted church at 3325 West Cary Street, and ARCADIA in Shockoe Bottom.

If I understand correctly, C STREET will be open for breakfast and lunch(eon) only, although at dinner prices.

I talked to owner John van Peppen this morning and was told the fancy new ARCADIA in the old Cafe Gutenberg space has been having a "soft" opening since last Tuesday when a large crowd was on hand. Dinner is being offered tonight and Saturday and it officially opens for lunch and dinner on Tuesday, November 29th.

The photos in Karri's story have no captions, but I suspect that the 2nd and 3rd pictures are of ARCADIA's interior.

Be sure to check out the menu on ARCADIA's web page supplied by Karri.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...pen-ar-1489686/

[burt]

With literally thousands of young professional apartment dwellers in Shockoe Bottom, Tobacco Row and Church Hill, the new-ish STATION 2 on East Main near 21st Street has a built-in fan base.

This happy, unique bar and restaurant offers great craft beers, booze and plenty of calories amid its firehouse trappings.

Dana Craig and friend checked it out recently and apparently had fun doing so.

Read her three-star review in yesterday's RTD

http://www2.timesdis...fe/food-dining/

STATION 2

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

2016 East Main Street (in The Bottom)

804/249-4702

http://www.station2richmond.com

@Station2rva

Noise Level: High

Tab for two: $46

And be sure to click on the musical slideshow.

[burt]

Remember Alley Katz?

It's still a premier music venue in Shockoe Bottom's Walnut Alley but is now known as KINGDOM.

Take a look at its web site:

http://www.kingdomrva.com/aboutus.aspx

[burt]

Apparently, the "soft" opening of PASTURE on East Grace near 5th Street has been delayed from a previously scheduled tryout last Friday. It's very possible that doors may open tonight to test the waters, but Ry Marchant, co-owner, says there definitely will be an invitation-only grand opening next week.

Meanwhile, four two-bedroom apartments that were developed on upper floors have been rented since September.

Edited November 28, 2011 by burt

[burt]

http://www.525rva.com

If you wonder what this is all about, the best I can figure is that it is a sort of promo for the upcoming new restaurant in The Berry Burk building at 6th and Grace Streets diagonally across from Richmond CenterStage.

[burt]

Capisci paisano. Si o no?

How about some real homemade pasta?

BOMBOLINI is a new take-out Italian deli at 1606 West Main Street in The Fan. It's logo is a "spaghetti" dog.

From Nathan Cushing at RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/features/bombolini-pasta-to-open-in-the-fan/53594

Edited November 29, 2011 by burt

[burt]

KENN TICO CUBAN BAR & GRILL closed for the day last Monday for "emergency medical" reasons -- and those reasons were the intracies of one brother donating a kidney to another.

The restaurant which recently got national publicity as an outstanding Cuban restaurant was open for business the day after surgery and both guys are doing very well.

From Greater Jackson Ward News:

http://www.gjwn.net/news/2011/11/30/a-tale-of-two-brothers/

[burt]

LA PARISIENNE BISTRO on the ground level of the Williams Mulllen Tower gets a going-over today in Style Weekly.

The relatively new French bistro/deli has some good things going for it, but decor is not one of them if you expect charm.

Here's a joint review by Tess Autrey Bosher and Deveron Timberlake in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/under-advisement/Content?oid=1638464

LA PARISIENNE

10th and Canal Streets

http://www.laparisiennebistro.com

[burt]

A new restaurant to be called PEACOCK PANTRY will be opening soon at 1731 West Main Street in The Fan.

It will be in the building most recently known as Mainstream. Its glory days were about 5 years ago when it was the first rate Dogwood Grill.

PEACOCK'S PANTRY at 1731 West Main Street in The Fan is a far cry from the former tenant at that address. It will open any day now and its phone # is 804/732-3333.

Check out Deveron Timberlakes report on the new restaurant in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/short-order/Content?oid=1638466

[burt]

Honest Abe is among the customers during opening week of ARCADIA at 17th and East Main Streets in Shockoe Bottom.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1638735

[burt]

It seems that Daniel Day-Lewis has done the owners of ARCADIA a tremendous service by dining there in his Lincoln make-up. The press and TV coverage it has created across the country will surely put the van Peppin's new restaurant on the "must" list for locals and visitors.

ARCADIA in Shockoe Bottom at 17th and East Main Streets formerly was known as Cafe Gutenberg.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...nt--ar-1507113/

Edited December 2, 2011 by burt

[burt]

LA PARISIENNE BISTRO on the ground level of the Williams Mulllen Tower gets a going-over today in Style Weekly.

The relatively new French bistro/deli has some good things going for it, but decor is not one of them if you expect charm.

Here's a joint review by Tess Autrey Bosher and Deveron Timberlake in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1638464

LA PARISIENNE

10th and Canal Streets

http://www.laparisiennebistro.com

Dana Craig's review in yesterday's Richmond Times Dispatch of LA PARISIENNE BISTRO & CAFE is quite positive.

Unfortunately, in the online edition of the RTD, Dana's usual "related info box" is missing, so it's not known how she rates the restaurant nor do we know how much was charged for a party of two.. However, there is an accompanying slideshow.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ner-ar-1505042/

LA PARISIENNE BISTRO & CAFE

No rating available

200 South 10th Street at the corner of Canal Street on the ground level of The Williams Mullen Building

804/225-0225

http://www.laparisiennebistro.com

Noise level: Not reported

Tab for two: Not reported

[burt]

PASTURE at 416 East Grace Street is now open.

http://www.therehere...rrative/pasture

This doesn't relate to restaurants, but Click "Inventory" on the ThereHere site if you're interested in older abandoned buildings in downtown.

Edited December 2, 2011 by burt

[burt]

PASTURE is open in a block of East Grace Street lined with some classic looking store fronts. Unfortunately, most of the art deco buildings are vacant, but interest is growing in the area among local entrepreneurs. One block east at 6th Street the ground floor of the Berry Burk building is being renovated for another restaurant.

Here is a story about PASTURE and an interview with its owner, Ry Marchant.

I'm going to be among a party of 8 having dinner at PASTURE later this month. Can't wait!

http://www.richmondb...out-to-pasture/

Edited December 5, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Deveron Timberlake's Short Order column interviews the owners of ARCADIA in Shockoe Bottom after a photo of Daniel Day-Lewis dining there got World-Wide press coverage.

Deveron also writes about C STREET in the former Carytown church which once housed the other famous Richmond restaurant whose name starts with an "A" -- Acacia, now located about 7 blocks east at West Cary and Robinson Streets.

Then she has a paragraph she calls "clip file" about the national notoriety that a number of Richmond restaurants are enjoying.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/short-order/Content?oid=1640900