Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Spring Richmond Restaurant Week begins Monday, April 23rd and ends Sunday, April 29th.

Karri Peifer has compiled a list of participating restaurants in Richmond dot com and has included menus as they become available.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/top-features/2012/mar/20/6/richmond-restaurant-week-spring-2012-menus-ar-1780396/

[burt]

Since the addresses of participating restaurants are not easily assessible in the story above. check out the link below from Richmond Good Life.

Restaurants are listed alphabetically by neighborhood.

http://www.richmondg...restaurants.htm

[burt]

There are a few new restaurants planned for downtown Richmond:

525 AT THE BERRY BURK, 6th and East Grace Streets, is aiming for an opening in May.

A2 at 1112 East Main Street will be a spin-off of a highly regarded restaurant in suburban Chesterfield County called MADE IN ASIA. Owner Holy Yang is re-doing the building and hopes to open this spring.

TARRENTINO at 305 Brook Road near West Marshall Street. It is a spin-off of the popular TARRANT'S about 2 blocks away at Foushee and Broad in The Gallery District. Opening date has not been announced.

And then there is rumor of a restaurant to be called BROAD SEVEN in the old Franklin Federal building on the northwest corner of 7th and Broad (directly across 7th Street from Gibson's Grill in The National.) No information is available.

Another rumor that has floated around is that PETER CHANG will convert his Short Pump cafe into a training facility for chefs and open a new restaurant either downtown or in The Fan.

Stay posted.

[burt]

Mark your calendars, bar-b-que lovers!

BUZ and NED'S opens in the former Fuddrucker's Wednesday, April 4th.

Don't be put off by the rustic look of the building on West Broad near Parham Road. The design is intentional.

The original location on North Boulevard will continue as usual.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...er-and-buzzier/

[burt]

PHIL'S CONTINENTAL LOUNGE used to be next door to the Westhampton Theatre, but in a recent shift it moved a block west to 5810 Grove Avenue. The new site has a spiffy out-door patio and the same old menu.

RTD restaurant critic Dana Craig and party enjoyed the signature vodka limeades. The menu items and service, in Dana's evaluation, were less satisfying.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...eel-ar-1801744/

PHIL'S CONTINENTAL LOUNGE

Dana's rating: 2 Stars

5810 Grove Avenue

804/288-8687

http://www.philscontinentallounge.com

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $32

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Here's some food for thought --

That Carytown Place development with the Petco and Fresh Market is getting a Panera Bread.

The lease agreement was announced in today's weekly BizSense Pipeline.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/03/30/the-pipeline-commercial-real-estate-roundup-for-3-30-12/

[burt]

Here's some food for thought --

That Carytown Place development with the Petco and Fresh Market is getting a Panera Bread.

The lease agreement was announced in today's weekly BizSense Pipeline.

http://www.richmondb...up-for-3-30-12/

Thanks for the update on Carytown Place, RVA.

Scroll down to the bottom of the real estate report you've posted and click on the pictures titled "More Housing and Hops" and "An Unobstructed View."

On a personal note, how's your baby daughter, Carrie? I hope you're enjoying parenthood and getting some sleep.

[burt]

Richmond dot com has found a site called CNN GO that lists its choice of best sports bars in the US.

They are listed alphabetically by state.

Virginia has two of them -- one in Arlington's Chrystal City and the other in Richmond's Fan District. Can you guess the name of either (or both) before opening the site?

http://www.cnngo.com...st-hot?page=0,1

[burt]

As part of Karri Peifer's "Besties" series at Richmond dot com, readers were asked to nominate their favorite Richmond chef.

Here's the list:

http://www2.richmond...hef-ar-1813185/

[burt]

As some of you may know, I have a crush on Rita Hayworth. Saturday night, TCM is celebrating her birthday (she'd be well into her nineties.)

If you want to see an example of what was considered risque in the 1940's, tune in to Turner Classic Movies at 8PM Saturday, April 7th and watch her and Glen Ford in GILDA.

It's trash -- but classy trash.

Saturday is Passover and the day before Easter.

[burt]

Whoever puts together the "Related" boxes providing details in The Times Dispatch restaurant reviews must have a grudge against Dana Craig. For at least the fifth time in recent months star ratings have been omitted.

So, how does Dana feel about the new ZORBA's? Read her review posted below and you'll probably guess she would have given it three-and-a-half or four-stars.

ZORBA's burned down over a year ago, but has been rebuilt in a stylish way (see pictures in its website) and has retained the popular menu.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/flair/2012/apr/05/tdweek03-zorbas-back-and-better-than-ever-ar-1818868/

ZORBA's

Dana's Rating: Not available

9068 West Broad Street in Tuckernuck Square (I believe it is near the cinema complex)

http://www.newzorbas.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $51

[burt]

It's a rare thing when a fast-food restaurant gets a 3-star rating, but that's exactly what Jon and Leah give DONER KABAB (I don't know how to accent words on my computer but "Doner" should have a couple of dots above the "o" in its name.)

Within sight of MacDonald's arches near the western end of Carytown, DONER KEBAB is a middle eastern (Turkish) quick food treat. One of the specialities is a chicken gyro, but the skewers also offer lamb and beef thinly sliced.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1821245/

DONER KEBAB

Jon and Leah's rating: 3 Stars

3459 West Cary Street

804/308-2611

[burt]

Ah, nostalgia.

JOE'S INN on Shields Avenue in The Fan has been voted "best RVA staple" in Richmond dot com.

If you like chicken livers, JOE's is the place to go.

Back in the 1960's, there was a charming and sexy waitress named Kitty who had a pair of gorgeous gams. She didn't need much encouragement to climb up on your table and show them off.

Kitty subsequently opened her own place on Meadowbridge Road near the race track but, alas, I believe it is long gone.

Viva JOE's.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.ri chmond.com/special_section/besties/2012/apr/06/best-rva-staple-winner-ar-1821574/

[burt]

Ah, nostalgia.

JOE'S INN on Shields Avenue in The Fan has been voted "best RVA staple" in Richmond dot com.

If you like chicken livers, JOE's is the place to go.

Back in the 1960's, there was a charming and sexy waitress named Kitty who had a pair of gorgeous gams. She didn't need much encouragement to climb up on your table and show them off.

Kitty subsequently opened her own place on Meadowbridge Road near the race track but, alas, I believe it is long gone.

Viva JOE's.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.ri chmond.com/special_section/besties/2012/apr/06/best-rva-staple-winner-ar-1821574/

Trying to edit on this site just drives me crazy!

The above posting from Richmond dot com about JOE'S INN didn't come up, but I'm hoping this one will:

http://www2.richmond...ner-ar-1821574/

[burt]

MINT in the former Davis & Main at the intersection of those two Fan District streets is up and running.

Here's an excellent interview between RVANews editor Nathan Cushing and restaurant owner Amy Cabiness.

From today's RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/features/the-mint-juleps-mix-new-restaurant-mint-now-open-in-the-fan/58546

[burt]

Construction on 525 AT THE BERRY BURK is scheduled to conclude on May 2nd.

The new restaurant at 6th and Grace Streets should open sometime in May.

Here are four recent progress photos:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.271169769624311.63466.187787404629215&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=271169806290974&set=a.271169769624311.63466.187787404629215&type=3&theater

[burt]

As some of you may know, I have a crush on Rita Hayworth. Saturday night, TCM is celebrating her birthday (she'd be well into her nineties.)

If you want to see an example of what was considered risque in the 1940's, tune in to Turner Classic Movies at 8PM Saturday, April 7th and watch her and Glen Ford in GILDA.

It's trash -- but classy trash.

Saturday is Passover and the day before Easter.

A few friends are coming by tonight and we'll have a few drinks and order from OLLIE'S, an excellent Chinese restaurant in my building. Then we'll sit back and watch Rita as Gilda when she flings back her hair and says "who, me? (remember SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION when she drove all the prisoners wild)?

Later in the film she sings and dances "Put The Blame on Mame" in a strapless gown that brought down the wrath of the League of Decency in 1946, although today it would be mild.

But Hayworth was one sexy lady. Can't wait 'til 8PM.

[burt]

As Julie Young writes in the current Richmond Magazine blog, restaurants have been opening at the rate of about one a week recently.

There are several I want to try on my next visit. Among them are SAMPLE and SELBA in The Fan as well as 525 AT THE BERRY BURK.

This story with pictures deals with the importance of ambiance versus food.

http://richmondmagazine.com/?articleID=618f2bad1a181902bf2442ac15349746

[burt]

When I dine at THE PETER CHANG CHINA CAFE on my May visit to Richmond, it will be with a small party of friends, and I hope at least one of them is an expert on Sichuan cuisine.

Ellie Basch, writing in the current Style Weekly, is among the critics who are raving about the experience.

Here's her review:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1696727

PETER CHANG CAFE

11424 West Broad Street (in the Walmart Shopping Center at Short Pump)

804/364-5168 (to avoid a long wait, reservations are definitely recommended)

[burt]

Among the items in the "Table Talk" column in today's RTD by Joan Tupponce, the one about SHAKIN', NOT STIRRED grabbed my interest.

It is an event on Thursday, April 19th in The Virginia Ball Room at The Hotel John Marshall Residences.

http://www2.timesdis...alk-ar-1835379/

Edited April 12, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Deveron Timberlake's "Short Order" is full of news:

She writes about Powhatan native John Maher who honed his chef talents at Johnson & Wales Culinary School in Providence and subsequently worked at the celebrated Napa Valley restaurant called The French Laundry

Maher (pronounced "Mayer") is in Richmond advancing his restaurant dreams, specificially, at the moment, in the "pop-up" trend. His temporary pop-up called SPOON will take over PASTURE on Sunday, May 20th.

Deveron also writes about THE WILLIAMSBURG INN; DON'T LOOK BACK in Carytown; 2113 and TIO PABLO in The Bottom; MINT in The Fan, and HAWK'S BBQ in Midlothian.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1696725

Edited April 12, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Adam Bell has opened what Dana Craig describes as a "Euro-chic" restaurant/bar in The Lower Fan called SAMPLE .

And I must say, it intrigues me.

While small plate cafes are almost de rigueur in Richmond of late (with more on the horizon), no others are as technologically equipped as SAMPLE. There are smart TVs wherever you look and the server will even take your order on an I-Pod.

Chef Todd Butler has provided an interesting and varied menu.

Now, that little "@" in place of an "a" in SAMPLE can lead you to an e-mail address if you click the word (it's highlighted.) I prefer to capitalize the names of restaurants which are the subjects of my postings, but it's kind of hard to do that in this instance.

S@MPLE -- see what I mean?

From Dana Craig in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...l-p-ar-1835757/

SAMPLE (with an @ where the "a" is)

Dana's Rating: 3 Stars

1 North Morris Street (between Main Street and Floyd Avenue in the Lower Fan)

804/248-9157

http://www.samplerichmond.com

www.twitter.com/samplerichmond

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $63

Check the Slideshow.

Edited April 12, 2012 by burt

[burt]

The website for MINT in the former Davis and Main is quite nice.

Take a look:

http://mintrichmond.com/

[burt]

John Murden writes in the West of The Boulevard blog via RVANews that STRONGHILL DINING COMPANY at 1200 North Boulevard has closed and the property is up for sale.

I read somewhere recently that the STRONGHILL chef is now with one of the city's new restaurants - but I can't remember his name nor the restaurant.

I've dined once or twice at STRONGHILL during visits to Richmond and liked it very much.

From RVANews:

http://wotbn.net/stronghill-to-close-building-and-business-for-sale/

[burt]

BILL'S BARBEQUE is closing five of its eight locations because of flagging sales.

The one I visit when in Richmond on West Broad Street near Libbie Avenue will remain open as well as the flagship store on Myers Street just off The Boulevard and the one near The Diamond on North Boulevard.

I'm not wild about the barbeque, but Mmmmmm yum yum, a glass of milk and a slice of their chocolate pie is heaven on earth.

The Related box in Lou Llovio's story is a bit confusing to me: Is there one at 9 North 4th Street? (Is the store in the 700 Building still there?) And I'm sure the one listed at 45 West Broad Street is way out in Goochland on Broad Street ROAD.

And why do some people (including the author) spell limeADE as limeAID?

From today's RTD?

http://www2.timesdis...nts-ar-1840210/