Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

The folks at RVANews have some interesting restaurant news today.

They have learned that Richmond's version of Merroir will be called RAPPAHANNOCK.* Opening of the anticipated oyester and seafood restaurant at 4th and Grace Streets has been delayed until October.

BUDDY's at the intersection of Stuart Avenue and Robinson Street in The Fan has been painted (IMO) a billious shade of green.

And there's more in the RVANews today:

http://rvanews.com/f...-heritage/65126

*One of the names originally proposed was Merroir RVA Oyster Bar and Saloon.

Edited August 24, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Famous chefs move around.

The Croxton cousins of MERROIR fame lured Chef Dylan Fultineer from some high-profile kitchens in Chicago and California.

This is the man who will head up RAPPAHANNOCK at 320/322 East Grace Street when it opens in October:

http://www.ediblecom...n-fultineer.htm

The restaurant mentioned in the story about Chef Fultineer is called FULL OF LIFE FLATBREAD. It's in Los Alamos (not the one in New Mexico, but a tiny town near Santa Barbara.)

See the next posting for more on MERROIR's Richmond location.

[burt]

And here's Ross Catrow's informative and witty story from today's RVANews about MERROIR and its intentions to expand to Richmond and Washington:

http://rvanews.com/f...r-oysters/65891

(PS: the Washington location is (or will be) in an old market in the area known as Trinidad in Northeastern Washington.)

[burt]

The Richmond Ad Club had a social Thursday night at 525 AT THE BERRY BURK.

One of the bartenders is named Brandon. He had the same job at a place called $AMPLE when I was in Richmond last May.

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

One of these photos (click either "previous" or "next") is a shot from outside and shows a very clear reflection of The Miller & Rhoads apartments directly across Grace Street.

Edited September 2, 2012 by burt

[burt]

A new weekday breakfast and luncheon spot will officially open downtown on Monday, September 10th.

It is called RICHMOND ON BROAD in the old Franklin Federal Building that is now a downtown extension of The University of Richmond.

RICHMOND ON BROAD is at 626 East Broad Street, but the entrance to the cafe is on 7th Street -- directly across from Gibson's Grill in The National Theatre.

Hours of operation are from 7:30AM until 3PM Mondays thru Fridays. It's unlikely to get much business from the theatre, save box office personnel and back stage crews, but shoul be welcomed by workers at the Federal Court House diagonally across Broad.

http://www.richmondonbroad.com/

[burt]

525 AT THE BERRY BURK gets another less than stellar endorsement proving that there's no substitute for professionalism.

Dana Craig and other critics have remarked on inattentive and uninformed wait persons at the new restaurant. She gives it 3 stars.

Despite the lackluster praise, I look forward to dining there because I have a passion for the revival of downtown.

Alexa Edlund's Slideshow with pictures of empty tables and a sound track of forlorn strings is depressing. I also think the scoring on the restaurant's website is gloomy.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...urk-ar-2181423/

525 AT THE BERRY BURK

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

at 6th and East Grace Streets diagonally across from The Carpenter Theatre

804/525-6490

http://www.525rva.com

Noise Level: Average to High

Tab for two: $68

[burt]

Here's another restaurant for which I have high hopes, but apparently its website looks too good to be true.

It seems Richmond has a very limited supply of trained servers.

MAXIMO's in Shockoe Bottom has the potential to shine in its ethnic menu offerings and to take its place among A-list east end restaurants such as Julep's and Arcadia.

Major complaints have dealt with cluttered seating, uninformed wait persons and inconsistencies in the kitchen.

By Ellie Basch in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1752914

MAXIMO'S BISTRO

14 North 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom

http://www.maximosbistro.com

804/447-0654

Edited September 6, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Wynonna Judd's concert tomorrow night (Saturday, September 8th) at The Carpenter Theatre has been cancelled due to a tragic accident in South Dakota involving the singer's husband who sustained life-changing injuries.

I had posted this in the Richmond CenterStage thread, but am also placing it here since this topic attracts more readers.

Here is a release about obtaining refunds:

http://www.richmondc...-be-rescheduled

[burt]

Is a new restaurant being negotiated for the former Captain's Grill space in The John Marshall Residences on North 5th between Franklin and Grace Streets?

The hotel has been converted to 238 apartments and is 90% leased.

Bill Lohman in today's RTD writes about new restaurants and the possibility of one at the JM (see Richmond CenterStage thread.).

It's reported that all 133 apartments in the Miller & Rhoads building are leased, but when is some kind of retail, be it restaurant or other, coming to the vacant commercial space in the building?

[burt]

No more chocolate pie.

BILL'S BARBEQUE will close its remaining locations this Sunday.

From Lou Llovio in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ons-ar-2197396/

[burt]

A new weekday breakfast and luncheon spot will officially open downtown on Monday, September 10th.

It is called RICHMOND ON BROAD in the old Franklin Federal Building that is now a downtown extension of The University of Richmond.

RICHMOND ON BROAD is at 626 East Broad Street, but the entrance to the cafe is on 7th Street -- directly across from Gibson's Grill in The National Theatre.

Hours of operation are from 7:30AM until 3PM Mondays thru Fridays. It's unlikely to get much business from the theatre, save box office personnel and back stage crews, but shoul be welcomed by workers at the Federal Court House diagonally across Broad.

http://www.richmondonbroad.com/

RICHMOND ON BROAD opened with a flourish yesterday.

From Greg Gilligan in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...afe-ar-2197948/

Edited September 12, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Karri Peifer can sniff out information about new dining spots better than anybody in Richmond, but I suspect even she was taken by surprise when FLAMES 231 opened yesterday in North Shockoe Bottom.

Her column in Richmond dot com describes the sleek looking new Italian restaurant at 423 North 18th Street. It is owned by Danny Taormina (there's a city in Sciliy named Taromina, but Danny's name is as written.)

Taormina's family also operate a place in Mechanicsville called Brunetti's Express.

FLAMES 231 is part of the Cold Storage Properties and is on North18th between Marshall and Clay Streets (it's rear patio overlooks the new apartments along Marshall as well as the residences in other Cold Storage buildings nearby.)

231 is the number on the train engine that was burried in the collapse of the tunnel under Church Hill.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...day-ar-2199302/

[burt]

Speaking of Italian restaurants in Shockoe Bottom, there's a story going 'round that SETTE PIZZA at 7 North 23rd Street is planning an expansion into the next door building?

The web site does not mention any changes:

http://www.settepizza.com/

[burt]

METRO GRILL is one of a dozen restaurants and/or lounges along the stretch of Robinson Street in The Fan.*

It's one of Dana Craig's favorite neighborhood spots and has recently undergone a face lift and menu revision.

See Dana's 3-star review and check out the picture gallery under the Related box:

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

METRO GRILL

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

301 North Robinson Street

804/353-4453

http://www.metrogrillrichmond.com

www.Twitter.com/metrogrillva

Noise level: Average to High

Tab for two: $56

*Here's a list of restaurants on or immediately off Robinson Street:

Akida

Athen's Tavern

Buddy's Place

Commercial Tap House

Curbside Cafe

Helen's (at corner of Main Street)

McCormack's Whisky Grill & Smokehouse

METRO GRILL (see Dana Craig's review above)

Racine

Robin Inn (at corner of Park Avenue)

Star-Lite Dining Lounge (at another corner of Main Street)

Starbucks

Edited September 15, 2012 by burt

[burt]

I bet a quarter the owners/operators of Holiday Inn Express at 2nd and Cary Streets are happy that the old Becky's has changed its format and now serves dinner as well as other meals. It also has a lively Happy Hour at its full bar.

What's more, it has a new name -- CARY 100.

It's at the northeast corner of 1st and Cary Streets.

Beauregard's Thai Room is directly across from CARY 100, so guests at Holiday Inn Express (which does't have a restaurant) can choose between two options only a block away.

From Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ded-ar-2204042/

[burt]

Richmond just recently voted itself the Best River Town in the US.

Now, you can vote to make MEKONG Vietnamese Restaurant at 6004 West Broad Street the best beer bar in the Northeast.

Richmond's MEKONG is already among the top ten.

It's easy to vote. Here's how to do it from Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...als-ar-2205837/

[burt]

I have it on pretty reliable authority that a lease has been obtained by a restaurant operator for the former Captain's Grill space in the Residences at The John Marshall. The new restaurant may be called CHARCOAL. The old Captain's Grill space on North 5th Street is on the street level of the former hotel directly underneath The Marshall Room.

The neighborhood has been seeing a restaurant resurgence. 525 at THE BERRY BURK (corner of 6th and Grace) and PASTURE in the former Montaldo's (Grace between 4th and 5th) have been attracting diners.

Next to open (in October) is the Richmond version of MERROIR. The Croxton cousins who own the original oyster house in Topping on The Rappahannock near Chesapeake Bay are remodeling two store fronts at 320 and 322 East Grace (at northwest corner of 4th Street.) When Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com broke the news of the Richmond location it was referred to as MERROIR RVA. Subsequently, the name RAPPAHANNOCK was selected. (The word Merroir should be in the title, IMO.)

Perhaps retail will follow the restaurant revolution downtown. There are two huge adjacent spaces on the 6th Street ground level of Miller & Rhoads where a downtown Urban Outfitters with evening hours might be feasible. A new one has opened on Norfolk's downtown Granby Street and reportedly is doing quite well. A store at M&R might attract the hundreds of young people who attend frequent shows at the nearby National and theatre patrons at Richmond CenterStage and Richmond Coliseum.

American Apparel also might be a good fit downtown.

Edited September 16, 2012 by burt

[burt]

BAJA BEAN, which has locations in Charlottesville and Staunton as well as Richmond, will not have its lease renewed in October of 2013.

The restaurant/bar with its shaded patio is at West Main and Lombardy Streets in the former Stonewall Jackson school building. It's one of the most popular and profitable watering holes in The Fan.

The operators are not happy about losing the lease -- nor are its loyal customers. But, they have a year to find a new site.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...here-done-that/

[Brent]

Peter Chang's at the downtown Hilton, y'all (according to the Washington Post and Jackosn Ward News).

[burt]

Peter Chang's at the downtown Hilton, y'all (according to the Washington Post and Jackosn Ward News).

Thanks for confirmation of Chang's plans, Brent. And nice to see you again.

Chang's Williamsburg operation will come first, then downtown Richmond according to this Washington Post story.

http://www.washingto...tml?tid=wp_ipad

I suspect it will be in one of the large vacant commercial spaces in the Miller & Rhoads building rather than within The Hilton Garden Inn. Six to seven thousand square feet is a lot of space.

[burt]

It opened last spring, and since then reviews of 2113 BISTRO LOUNGE in Shockoe Bottom have ranged from pretty awful to 3 stars...and even higher praise after Chefs Aaron Hoskins and John Maher joined the staff.

Karen Newton found a lot to like about the chic minamalist decor as well as the unusual-for-Richmond menu offerings.

It's the only restaurant in the area that describes itself as a "bistro/lounge" and it apparently becomes livelier by the hour after dinner.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1758590

[jbjust]

BAJA BEAN, which has locations in Charlottesville and Staunton as well as Richmond, will not have its lease renewed in October of 2013.

The restaurant/bar with its shaded patio is at West Main and Lombardy Streets in the former Stonewall Jackson school building. It's one of the most popular and profitable watering holes in The Fan.

The operators are not happy about losing the lease -- nor are its loyal customers. But, they have a year to find a new site.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...here-done-that/

No great loss. The food there was fairly horrible and the restaurant is in dire need of heavy renovation. Such a waste of a wonderful courtyard -- somebody could do something really special there.

[burt]

CHEZ FOUSHEE, the elegantly appointed restaurant and bar at the corner of West Grace and Foushee Streets in the Arts District, is now open 3 nights a week -- Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It serves lunch Mondays thru Saturdays and brunch on Sundays.

Click the highlighted link titled 'check out the menu' at the bottom of Karri Peifer's story.

Despite the fact its official address is 203 N. Foushee, the entry is on Grace Street. And there is free parking in a lot across from the entrance.

Incidentally, Foushee Street is the dividing line between east and west in Richmond's street grid system.

CHEZ FOUSHEE is a two block walk from The November Theatre (formerly The Empire) where the musical "The Producers" will open in November for an extended run.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ner-ar-2217724/

Edited September 21, 2012 by burt

[burt]

There was much bemoaning numerous restaurant closings a few weeks ago, but it seems to me plenty of new ones have sprung up all over the Metro area.

Amongst them is a plethora of Italian places.

Here's one that looks and sounds like a winner to me. It's DECO in The Museum District within easy walking distance to Virginia Historical Society, VMFA, Children's Museum of Richmond and Science Museum of Virginia.

From Jon and Leah Nelson in Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-2202761/

DECO

The Nelson's rating: 3 Stars

2901 Park Avenue (a block west of The Boulevard)

804/342-4278

Edited September 21, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Deveron Timberlake's Short Order column includes a photo of RICHMOND FOOD SHOP which has opened as a full-service restaurant, albeit in a tiny space. It's at 27 North Belmont Avenue in The Museum District -- about 2 blocks from ZEUS in one direction and Carytown in the other.

While Deveron misses Livewire Lemonades (I thought their specialty was LIMEades?) at Bill's Barbeque, I'm distraught that their delicious chocolate pies have gone forever.

She also mentions that TEXAS DE BRAZIL is now ensconced in the Copper Grill at Short Pump Town Center. Take a look at the zipper shots of all the restaurant's locations at:

http://www.texasdebrazil.com

From this week's Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1758588