Richmond Dining-Out scene

[Downtowner]

Burt my cousin is helping with the shockoe shuffle on thursday. She works for the Multiple Slcerosis foundation and is raising money as part of the shockoe shuffle.

[burt]

PETER CHANG'S CHINA CAFE in suburban Glen Allen is rated by Bon Appetit as one of the 50 best new restaurants in the US. The list will be pared down to 10, but it's pretty impressive to be among the preliminary winners.

Nine of the cities have two restaurants on the list while Houston and Portland (OR) have three.

See Karri Peifer's story from yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2012/aug/08/bon-appetite-names-peter-chang-cafe-top-50-best-ne-ar-2117506/

PETER CHANG'S CHINA CAFE

11424 West Broad Street (in the Walmart shopping strip at Short Pump)

Glen Allen, Va.

804/364-1688

[burt]

Dana Craig's 3 and 1/2 star RTD review of BUZ AND NED'S suburban operation has generated more than a dozen reader comments overnight.

That's hardly surprising given customer anticipation. The restaurant's opening was delayed until April.

Dana's one complaint is that the large room should offer full service rather than the 'line-up, order and wait' system brought over from the Boulevard location.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ou--ar-2118142/

BUZ AND NED'S BARBECUE

Dana's rating: 3 and 1/2 stars

8205 West Broad Street (in the old Fuddrucker's near Parham Road)

804/346-4227

http://www.buzandneds.com

Noise Level: High

Tab for two: $24

Click on the Gallery for views of the restaurant.

Edited August 11, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Richmond's unique "designated driver service" is in danger of shutting down permanently if donations from users and supporters don't increase.

Commonly called 2BNB, the "to the Bottom and back" fleet hauls bus loads of revelers between the West End and clubs, bars, restaurants and theatres downtown. It's free, but donations are expected.

Maybe it's the summer doldrums.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...end-ar-2121249/

[burt]

The young couple who write reviews for Richmond dot com were minimally impressed by MAXIMO'S BISTRO. They gave it 2 stars.

I'm 300 miles away but still intend to try the Spanish/Italian Shockoe Bottom restaurant on my next Richmond visit. The pictures on its website intrigue me.

From Jon and Leah Nelson in today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...evi-ar-2120043/

MAXIMO'S BISTRO

The Nelson's rating: 2 stars

14 North 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom

804/447-0654

http://www.maximosbistro.com

[burt]

Burt my cousin is helping with the shockoe shuffle on thursday. She works for the Multiple Slcerosis foundation and is raising money as part of the shockoe shuffle.

Did you join The Crawl, Joey? If so, share your comments with us, please.

I'm especially curious about the blue-lit place called KAI.

[burt]

The famous MILLIE's at 2603 East Main Street has two spin-offs in Shockoe Bottom -- TIO PABLO and LuLu's.

Karri Peifer has confirmed that LuLu's is reducing its service to brunch only on Saturdays and Sundays.

Could any restaurant survive on serving brunch twice a week?

From yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...eek-ar-2120184/

[Downtowner]

Burt I would of gone but I had to work that night at work. I also would like to say that I now have a new job with Amazon.com here in the Richmond area of Chester in Chesterfield.

[burt]

It must be the summer doldrums.

There has been a rash of restaurant closings (or modifications) recently:

STRONGHILL on North Boulevard shuttered (but it will soon be THE FAT DRAGON.)

THE EMPRESS on West Broad Street on the fringe of The Fan has closed.

deLUX on West Main at Strawberry Street has closed, but Richmond Restaurant Group is planning to replace it with a raw bar in the fall.)

LuLu's on North 17th Street in The Bottom has reduced service to brunch only on Saturdays and Sundays.

BELVIDERE AT BROAD in The Gallery District is the latest to throw in the towel. When it was flourishing in its infancy (about 3 years ago) it received many glowing notices on Yelp. Pity it couldn't hold out until the opening of VCU's Institute for Contremporary Art diagonally across the corner.

[burt]

While there have been closures, several new restaurants have started up, or are close to opening:

525 AT THE BERRY BURK at 6th and Grace Street has been officially open since July 24th.

MAXIMO'S BISTRO at 14 North 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom is new-ish and has had one mixed review from main line critics and several positives in blogs.

MERROIR RVA should be opening in September. MERROIR RVA is the Richmond version of the oyster tasting room of the same name (less the RVA) on the Rappahannock River at the Chesapeake Bay. The highly anticipated restaurant will offer full service -- including an oyester bar, fish and other seafoods as well as land lubber fare. It is in the former Louisiana Flair at 320/322 East Grace Street (on the corner of 4th Street.)

CASA del BARCO, by the owner of the area's two BOATHOUSE restaurants (the original on Swift Creek Lake in Brandermill and the other on the James River at Rockett's Landing) will be Richmond's most upscale Mexican restaurant. It is in the Italianate building at The Locks, a group of old buildings that are undergoing rehabilitation as apartments along the Haxall Canal.

And TARRANTINO's should be close to opening at 305 Brook Road (at the triangle formed by West Broad, North Adams Street and Brook Road in The Gallery District.)

[burt]

Richmond will be featured on The Cooking Channel next Tuesday, August 14th at 9PM. "Road Trip with G. Garvin" will visit LEMAIRE and COMFORT.

It is Channell 166 here in New York on Verizon Fios but may be different in other cities.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...nel-ar-2112323/

NOTE: This is a half-hour show tonight at 9PM (Tuesday, August 14th) on The Cooking Channel..

[burt]

And if one night of Richmond on National TV isn't enough, tune in to The Travel Channel tomorrow night (Wednesday, August 15th) at 9PM and find out whether or not Adam Richman gives the final award for 'Best Sandwich' to THE BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT at 901 West Marshall Street.

The Travel Channel is 170 (or 670HD) in New York on Verizon Fios. Maybe it's the same in Richmond.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ica-ar-2128344/

[burt]

While there have been closures, several new restaurants have started up, or are close to opening:

525 AT THE BERRY BURK at 6th and Grace Street has been officially open since July 24th.

MAXIMO'S BISTRO at 14 North 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom is new-ish and has had one mixed review from main line critics and several positives in blogs.

MERROIR RVA should be opening in September. MERROIR RVA is the Richmond version of the oyster tasting room of the same name (less the RVA) on the Rappahannock River at the Chesapeake Bay. The highly anticipated restaurant will offer full service -- including an oyester bar, fish and other seafoods as well as land lubber fare. It is in the former Louisiana Flair at 320/322 East Grace Street (on the corner of 4th Street.)

CASA del BARCO, by the owner of the area's two BOATHOUSE restaurants (the original on Swift Creek Lake in Brandermill and the other on the James River at Rockett's Landing) will be Richmond's most upscale Mexican restaurant. It is in the Italianate building at The Locks, a group of old buildings that are undergoing rehabilitation as apartments along the Haxall Canal.

And TARRANTINO's should be close to opening at 305 Brook Road (at the triangle formed by West Broad, North Adams Street and Brook Road in The Gallery District.)

Here's another new one I failed to mention:

DUTCH & COMPANY on Church Hill at 27th and East Marshall Streets. One of its partners is famous for his chef abilities at Aziza on Main. I'm not sure if the restaurant with church pews for seating has opened yet, but do know that it has applied for a beer and wine license.

[burt]

When you think about recent restaurant closings (CELLAR DOOR at 1600 Monument Avenue is the latest to close its doors), it's logical to conclude that summer break at VCU is largely responsible. When 31,000 students suddenly disappear for 3 months, the food/entertainment economy is bound to suffer.

That is one of the reasons the non-profit 'To the Bottom and Back" bus service is having a tough time meeting its expenses.

Here's a clarifying and poignant account of the situation by Nathan Cushing at RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/n...k-running/64296

[burt]

There's an interesting little building at 616 East Franklin Street across Franklin from the new tall parking deck between 6th and 7th Streets. It has an attractive facade with a couple of flag poles jutting over the sidewalk (unless they have been removed since last I saw the space.)

Lou Llovio reports in his RTD Biz Buzz column today that FEDERAL COFFEE & TEA has taken up occupancy in the little building which has been vacant for years.

Owner of the business, Noah Cleveland, says it is open for breakfast and lunch most days of the week in an attempt to attract downtown workers and residents.

FEDERAL COFFEE & TEA's building, a former savings and loan company, is equi-distant between The Residences at The John Marshall (5th & Franklin) with 238 apartments, Berry Burk (6th & Grace) with about 50, and The 700 Center (7th & Franklin) coming on line with about 170 resiidential units.

Here's a story about FED COFFEE AND TEA from a recent Richmond biz sense.

The little art deco building is on the north side of East Franklin between 6th and 7th Streets.

http://www.richmondb...our-taste-buds/

[burt]

The second main-line review is in on MAXIMO'S BISTRO, and I have to say that it saddens me. I had hoped the Spanish/Italian bistro would match, or at least approach, the repute of Julep's and Arcadia.

Unfortunately, in the opinions of recent critcs, the newest Shockoe Bottom restaurant falls short on several counts.

The web page certainly is enticing, but probably too ambitious in its menu photos.

Dana Craig is critical of some tapas, praises others; generally enjoyed her entree (paella) but found the tables tightly spaced and service lacking. As a result, she gives the place no rating whatsoever.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...mos-ar-2134092/

MAXIMO'S BISTRO

No rating

14 North 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom

www.maximosbistro.com

Twitter: @MaximosRichmond

There may be some confusion about hours of operation on Saturdays in the Related Box

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $72

[burt]

The city of Richmond has been losing a few restaurants (while gaining others). But it's not alone in the loss column.

Short Pump has lost its version of BARREL THEIF WINE SHOP & CAFE at 11747 West Broad Street (its parent operation at 5805 Patterson Avenue remains open.)

The latest closure way out west is PLAZA GUADALAJARA at 4348 Pouncy Tract Road.

From Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...s-abrupt-adios/

[burt]

Karri Peifer reports that SIX BURNER at 1627 West Main Street in The Fan has been bought into by a trio of culinary folks and, after some modifications, will be known as HERITAGE when it re-opens under that name in early October.

It appears Jason Alley will lose two people -- one at COMFORT and another at PASTURE. Also, BISTRO 27 will have a major personnel loss.

Have to go out now. But more news of the switcheroo from 6 Burner to Heritage tomorrow.

[burt]

Karri Peifer reports that SIX BURNER at 1627 West Main Street in The Fan has been bought into by a trio of culinary folks and, after some modifications, will be known as HERITAGE when it re-opens under that name in early October.

It appears Jason Alley will lose two people -- one at COMFORT and another at PASTURE. Also, BISTRO 27 will have a major personnel loss.

Have to go out now. But more news of the switcheroo from 6 Burner to Heritage tomorrow.

From yesterday's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ner-ar-2137820/

[burt]

I'm going to make a big confession. Twitter, facebook, tweeting and all of these new modes of imparting information are a mystery to me. I guess I'll have to surrender and try to learn the assorted methods, but it's pretty tough on an old brain.

When I check in to Church Hill Peoples News, I always assume that John M has wrritten just about every story (except for italicized links) because his is the name at the bottom of each entry.

I'm also confused as to whether he lives in Church Hill or The Fan...or, perhaps elsewhere.

Many of these blogs appear to be under the umbrella of RVANews which, for reasons unknown, credits the source of each entry in print that is so faded it's barely readable.

Now to business:

Whoever is responsible for this detailed account of imminent changes at THE SIX BURNER on West Main at Vine Streets gets my thanks. It's from Fan of The Fan blog and I think John Murden is the author.

http://fanofthefan.c...rship/#comments

Edited August 18, 2012 by burt

[burt]

The Chesterfield is a stately, if slightly seedy, old apartment tower at 900 West Franklin Street. It was one of those grand residential buildings for Richmond's affluent in the early 20th Century. It has seven floors but looks considerably taller because its ceilings are about 10 feet high.

The building's apartments were (and are) quite lavish, but none of them had kitchens, although each had a serving pantry.

The Chesterfield is in the absolute center of what is now VCU's academic campus which is comprised of restored historic mansions and town houses along West Franklin Street.

Back in the 1950's the building had a tea room that served healthy and tasty meals at reasonable prices. Subsequently, other restaurants occupied the ground floor space.

It is now COUS COUS, a Moroccan-themed dining room and bar.

Here is a review by Ellie Basch from the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1745048

Here's a picture of The Chesterfield: (if it remains up.)

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/41546202

Edited August 19, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Chef Joe Sparatta who has been working along side Jason Alley at PASTURE talks to Richmond Biz Sense reporter David Larter. Sparatta and two friends have an arrangement with owner Ry Marchant to buy and rebrand the The Six Burner at 1627 West Main Street in The Fan. It will close on September 8th and reopen as HERITAGE in early October.

The interview reveals Sparatta's culinary background in New Jersey and his desire to heighten Richmond's growing reputation as a great restaurant town.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...-your-heritage/

[burt]

DUTCH & COMPANY, the newest Church Hill restaurant, is pretty close to opening. It is at the northwest corner of 27th and East Marshall Streets.

Directly across the Street is a building that will be the WPA BAKERY. It is a collaboration between Karen Feather, co-owner of ROOSEVELT, and well-known Richmond baker David Rohrer.

Mr. Rohrer will supply a number of Richmond restaurants (including ROOSEVELT) with his homemade cakes, pies and assorted products. BEST, one of the eateries within the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is also a client.

Both buildings, DUTCH & CO. and WPA BAKERY, are unmistakeably red in color.

WPA BAKERY will begin supplying clients very soon from the new location, but walk-in retail sales will not be available until November.

Nearby restaurants and delis are THE HILL CAFE at 28th and Broad; CAPTAIN BUZZY'S BEANERY at 26th and Broad, and the new Italian place called ANTHONY's at 28th and Broad.

Edited August 23, 2012 by burt

[burt]

525 AT THE BERRY BURK has had its shakedown period and is now subject to opinions of food writers.

Karen Newton (who, I am sure, is also the blogger of 'I Could Go On and On and On') is very complimentary in her review for Style Weekly.

Karen is not the first to comment on the "not quite ready for prime time" servers. Over all, they are bright and knowledgeable, but not as attentive as true professionals would be.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1747501

Edited August 22, 2012 by burt

[burt]

There is a noisy bar in Innsbrook called The Beach House Bar and Grill. Its theme nights, including 'dueling pianos' on Saturdays, have been so successful that a second location has opened across the James near Swift Creek Lake.

The southside version is called SOUTH BEACH BAR AND GRILL at 13923 Hull Street Road where the pair of pianists perform on Fridays.

Dana Craig and party ventured forth on a recent Friday to sample the dining options.

Here is her non-rated review from today's RTD: *

http://www2.timesdis...ill-ar-2149612/

SOUTH BEACH BAR & GRILL

No rating. *

13823 Hull Street Road between Brandermill and Woodlake

804:608-0048

http://www.beachhousebar.us

Noise Level: HIGH

Tab for two: $38

* The lack of a rating is probably the fault of a Times Dispatch editor. Recently, a rating for Maximo's Bistro was omitted in the Related Box but finally added several days after publication.

Edited August 23, 2012 by burt