Richmond Dining-Out scene

[burt]

Remember when ENOTECA SOGNO occupied the buiding on West Broad Street near the Science Museum which is now The Empress?

Frequenly, I'm hearing excellent comments about Enoteca's new location at 1223 Bellevue Avenue near Brook Road on the Northside (804/355-8466,)

The authentic Italian cuisine, extensive wine list, intimacy of the space as well as moderate prices are attracting lots of diners from all over the region.

And, by the way, THE EMPRESS has a new chef and is a favorite of savvy young diners in The Fan and elsewhere. It is at 2043 West Broad Street, 804/592-4000.

[burt]

Virginia's governor and his lady were feted at Trump Tower on 5th Avenue recently by The Donald himself.

One of the Trump offspring (Eric) manages the recently purchased Kluge estate and winery near Charlottesville. While former owner, Patricia, looked on and sipped a glass of her namesake wine, the governor and a cadre of influencial Virginians pitched the Commonwealth as a wonderful place for investment.

Well, why not? We've got Peter Chang. Why can't we get a Trump Tower Hotel in time to accommodate the thousands coming to town for cycling races in '15?

Keep pluggin' Guv.

On the subject of Virginia wines, they are not easy to find in an ordinary NYCity liquor store

From Deveron Timberlake in the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1697191

[Culpeper Hokie]

Drove past the new Buzz and Ned's location in the old Fudruckers site on West Broad. Looks VERY close to opening. Unfortunately, the drive-by set off an involuntary salivation response that almost drowned me. I WILL be frequenting that location...frequently.

[burt]

Drove past the new Buzz and Ned's location in the old Fudruckers site on West Broad. Looks VERY close to opening. Unfortunately, the drive-by set off an involuntary salivation response that almost drowned me. I WILL be frequenting that location...frequently.

Culpeper Hokie, the location of BUZZ AND NED'S at the old Fuddrucker's on West Broad near Parham is open now, but only from 11AM 'til 3PM while they work out some kinks. They expect to open for dinner and evening hours in about 2 or 3 weeks.

Call 804/346-4227 to verify.

[burt]

Karri Peifer has worked feverishly to accumulate menus from the 39 participating restaurants in this year's Spring Restaurant Week.

It begins next Monday, April 23rd and ends the following Sunday, April 29th.

Here are the menus from Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...nus-ar-1780396/

Edited April 18, 2012 by burt

[burt]

This excellent listing of Richmond restaurants, sorted by neighborhood, should assist you in locating participants in Richmond's Spring Restaurant Week (see posting above.)

From Richmond Good Life:

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

[burt]

Sedona is a charming and beautiful resort town in the Red Rock country of Arizona just south of Oak Creek Canyon.

There is now a National chain of taphouses bearing the name of SEDONA and one of them is in Westchester Commons, a large life-style center off of US60 and Rt. 288 in western Chesterfield County.

Here is Dana Craig's review in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ork-ar-1852313/

SEDONA TAPHOUSE

Dana's rating: 2 stars

15732 WC Main Street in Westchester Commons

804/379-0037

http://www.sedonataphouse.com

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $41 for food only (bar refreshments not included)

Edited April 19, 2012 by burt

[burt]

Richmond dot com's latest "Bestie" award goes to Francis Devilliers as Richmond's Best Chef.

Devilliers, who came to Richmond after association with a Washington restaurant and a stint in either Tabago or Trinidad, opened a bistro in Shockoe Slip which he called "Bouchon." The name (roughly translating to "market") was changed to BISTRO BOBETTE about a year later.

BISTRO BOBETTE is, indeed, a French treasure nestled in The Slip at 1209 East Cary Street.

Note to Richmond dot com: Inquiring minds would like to know the runners-up for the award.

http://www2.richmond.com/special_section/besties/2012/apr/19/best-chef-richmond-winner-ar-1852077/

[540_804]

Possibly a new restaurant for Monroe Ward?

Someone posted an ad on Craigslist job section looking for an architect to help convert a property at 113 S. Foushee St into a new restaurant.

The listing is here:

http://richmond.craigslist.org/egr/2964856625.html

Perhaps if any of you know any architects who would like to take on an extra project you could forward the classified ad to them.

For reference, here is the property in question:

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=113+south+foushee+street&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89b1113fa126c8a1:0x5453a831d8d92197,113+S+Foushee+St,+Richmond,+VA+23219&gl=us&ei=uy6QT9nsEYH30gHEweivBQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA

[burt]

Possibly a new restaurant for Monroe Ward?

Someone posted an ad on Craigslist job section looking for an architect to help convert a property at 113 S. Foushee St into a new restaurant.

The listing is here:

http://richmond.crai...2964856625.html

Perhaps if any of you know any architects who would like to take on an extra project you could forward the classified ad to them.

For reference, here is the property in question:

http://maps.google.c...ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA

If the new restaurant is aiming for an upscale status, Helen Reed is the top restaurant designer in Richmond. I believe she's currently working on the Berry Burk project, but I don't know her address.

[burt]

This Dining-Out thread has attracted 294,199 views since I started it in 2005. By the end of May, it should pass the 300,000 mark.

I did a rough search through Urban Planet's Southeast roster of states and could find only two other topics that have surpassed the 300,000 figure -- Orlando's Archive thread with 394,332 views, and Charlotte's topic about The Vue, a so-far unsuccessful condo skyscraper that has rung up 358,137 views.

It's pretty amazing that Richmond is the only city in Urban Planet's Southeast division that has an active topic devoted to restaurants -- and it's led by me, an 84-year old expatriot living in New York City. I do it because I'm retired and enjoy writing about my old home town. It's like going to work every day.

Two more notes:

Most viewers are "guests" and not contributors to Urban Planet, and they could be checking in from anywhere on the globe.

Secondly, I'll be off-line for about three weeks in early May while vacationing in (where else?) RICHMOND.

Edited April 22, 2012 by burt

[burt]

The Virginia Press Association held its awards dinner in Roanoke over the weekend.

Our friend, Dana Craig of The Richmond Times Dispatch, won a third place award for critical writing.

Dana has been reviewing restaurants in the Richmond area for more than 4 years. Her intelligent, witty and fair reviews appear every Thursday in the RTD.

[burt]

MILLIE'S, the diner-like gem at the eastern end of Main Street before it swerves toward the James River docks may be as well known by out-of-towners as it is by locals. When film crews and name actors are in town they pack the place;

Leah and Jon Nelson have come under MILLIE's spell. The pair who write restaurant comments for Richmond dot com finally gave MILLIE's Sunday brunch a try and claim there is no better in Richmond.

From Richmond dot com:

1854532/

MILLIE's

2603 East Main Street

804/643-5512

Millie's has spawned a couple of other eateries in Shockoe Bottom -- LuLu's at 21 North 17th Street and TIO PABLO at 1723 East Franklin.

[burt]

Work is progressing on the transformation of a porn shop into Richmond's first taqueria.

Two well known local restaurateurs, Patrick Stamper and Randy O'Dell have gutted the Triangle Book store just off West Broad at the junction of Myers Street and North Boulevard. They hope to open EN SU BOCA by June. When its deck is completed, the indorr/outdoor capacity should be around 150.

It will be very convenient to folks attending Squirrel games at The Diamond, as well as to tenants in the former cookie factory when it is ready for occupancy.

From Richmond Biz Sense

http://www.richmondb...-to-new-tastes/

[jbjust]

Am I the only one who thinks "in your mouth" is not the best name for a taco store located in a former porn shop?

[burt]

Am I the only one who thinks "in your mouth" is not the best name for a taco store located in a former porn shop?

Check out one of the comments under the story.

[burt]

Restaurant Week starts today, April 23rd and ends next Sinday, April 29th.

Here's some helpful info from RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/tag/2012-spring-restaurant-week

[burt]

The lead piece in Deveron Timberlake's Short Order column today is that Chef J Frank is opening DIXIE DONUTS in the former Cafe Ole at 2901 West Cary Street.

Since it will only have 2 chairs, DIXIE DONUTS will obviously offer take-out service only (unless I misread the story.)

From today's Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/short-order/Content?oid=1701650

[burt]

Dana Craig and friends visited Carytown's BLOW TOAD which is Jimmy Sneed's latest restaurant that some people report is packing in crowds.

While the bar is bustling, Dana has some reservations about the food. She holds high hopes that BLOW TOAD will hit its stride after a shakedown period.

There's no "Related" box in the RTD online edition, but there is a gallery of photos.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/entertainment/food-dining/2012/apr/26/tdweek03-carytowns-blowtoad-will-find-its-rhythm-ar-1868798/

BLOW TOAD

No rating

2907 West Cary Street

804/355-8623

[burt]

Deveron Timberlake writes in Style Weekly that Malcolm Mitchell, a contestant on the TV show called FOOD NETWORK STAR, is going to open a restaurant in Shockoe Bottom. He says he is "close to inking a deal" at 2300 East Main Street.

Neighboring restaurants in that section of Shockoe Bottom/Tobacco Row are SENSI, SETTE, OLD ORIGINAL BOOKBINDERS, STATION 2, AZIZA'S, HONEY WHYTE'S, 2113, and MILLIE'S.

Mr. Mitchell is going to call his restaurant CHARLESTON BY CHEF MALCOLM.

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

RVANews reports that actor Stanley Tucci, who you may remember from JULIE AND JULIA and THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, may do a film about the hottest chef in Richmond, Peter Chang.

[burt]

People from near and far are still lining up to get into PETER CHANG'S CHINA CAFE in the Short Pump area (definitely NOT to be confused with P.F Chang's at Stony Point Fashion Park.)

Chang's spicey Szechwan cuisine has been highly praised by many critics, but here's a less enthusiastic review by Jon and Leah Nelson.

From Richmond dot Com:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1871210/

[burt]

They're making progress. Hardwood flooring is going in and wall lighting figures are being installed:

525 AT THE BERRY BURK.

And, by the way, the banner in the Miller & Rhoads window across Grace Street from this restaurant which I inquired about in a recent posting is advertising for M&R apartments.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/525-At-The-Berry-Burk/187787404629215#!/photo.php?fbid=296331863774768&set=a.266184686789486.62293.187787404629215&type=1&theater

[burt]

This review is from the April 17th issue of Style Weekly. It is written by Karen Newton who, I believe, is the gal blogger of "I Could Go On and On and On" which I enjoy reading.

C'EST LE VIN, a combination gallery-wine-shop-tapas bar-restaurant, is in Shockoe Bottom.

Sounds pretty neat to me.

http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/pay-dirt/Content?oid=1699093

C'est le Vin

15th N. 17th Street (at Walnut Alley in The Bottom)

804/649-9463

PS: This is my last restaurant posting for 3 weeks while I'm vacationing. I hope others will keep the site lively.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Since this forum seems best to fit the topic, I'll post it here:

The Daily Show, the popularly watched television show hosted by Jon Stewart, has apparently filmed their newest episode at BAJA BEAN to ask and interview bartenders and patrons about their opinions on Obama's speaking, and whether they came from out of town to see him and whatnot.

RVANews:

http://rvanews.com/e...w-evening/60104

Richmond.com:

http://www2.richmond.com/news/top-features/2012/may/04/8/daily-show-coming-richmond-saturday-ar-1891277/

Edited May 6, 2012 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[burt]

I'm still in Richmond and check this site from time to time on a family computer.

Glad to see you are keeping things alive and active, RVA.

When I saw this 4-star review by Dana Craig in today's RTD, I felt compelled to post it. She covers PETER CHANG'S CHINA CAFE to a tee. I had lunch there last Friday with friends, and after waiting 20 minutes for a table, we all agreed that the food is truly supurb.

So many people I've talked to here in Richmond think I'm referring to PF Chang's when I go into raptures about this genuine Sichuan treasure tucked away in the shopping strip near Walmart's at West Broad and Pouncey Track Road in Short Pump. Believe me, while I enjoy PF Chang's, the two are poles apart in authenticity.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ce--ar-1903479/

PETER CHANG CHINA CAFE

Dana's rating: 4 Stars

11424 West Broad Street (in the shopping strip just beyond Walmart)

804-364-1688 -- reservations strongly advised (though you'll probably have to wait a reasonable time anyway)

http://www.peterchangrva.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sichuanboy

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $61

PS: Since my arrival May 3rd I've dined at LA PARISIENNE (10th and Canal in Williams Mullen Bldg); ENOTECO SOGNO (on Bellevue Avenue near Brook Road); BUCKHEAD'S (at Patterson and Parham in Beverly Hills Shopping Center); S@MPLE on Morris Street between Main and Floyd in the Fan, and will be dining with a couple of friends Wednesday night at SELBA in the 2400 block of West Cary Street.