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Richmond Dining-Out scene


burt

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If you ever hear that SPOON is holding one of its pop-up restaurant affairs, you may want to pay close attention.

Chef John Maher, who has a more than impressive resume, is invited to prepare a five-star meal at various top-line restaurants once a month -- usually on a Sunday or Monday.

PASTURE, on East Grace near 5th Street, is no stranger to well known visiting chefs. PASTURE's co-owner, Jason Alley, turned over his kitchen and dining area to Chef Maher on May 29th. See pictures on Mr. Maher's website:

http://www.spoonrva.com/about/

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LA PARISIENNE BISTRO on the ground level of Williams Mullen's tower at 10th and Canal Streets serves dinner Tuesdays thru Thursdays only.

I had a delicious dinner there recently with a party of seven and highly recommend it to all who enjoy French cuisine. At the time, the restaurant offered an excellent wine list but did not have a full liquor license.

Their permit has been granted. I learned today that, beginning next week, you will be able to enjoy your favorite cocktail or aperitif from the bar at LA PARISIENNE.

Edited by burt
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RVA GROOVES has three remaining concerts at The Hippodrome:

Jared Jones & Lust Not Love, Saturday June 9th

Big Sam's Funky Nation, Friday June 15th

Tizer Feat. Karen Briggs, Friday June 22nd

If I had known this was going on, I'd have posted it earlier.

http://rvagrooves.com/

Here's the website for the theatre and MANSION FIVE 26 Restaurant and Speakeasy.

http://hippodromerichmond.com

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Lou Llovio's Biz Buzz column in today's RTD has a couple of restaurant news items, but in my usual ineptitude I'm unable to highlight and separate portions of the piece.

He writes about SIX BURNER reopening after a short hiatus. The space has been renovated somewhat and Chef Philip Denny has tweaked the menu to feature small plates while retaining popular entrees. He says the restaurant is trying to broaden its appeal.

"We've gotten pigeonholed as a special occasion place, which we're happy to be, but we want more", Denny said.

SIX BURNER is at 1627 West Main Street in The Fan.

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Another intriguing piece of Lou's column talks about the Croxton brothers who own Rappahannock River Oysters.

The Croxtons operate a very popular tasting room/restaurant called MERROIR in the White Stone/Irvington/Deltaville area south of the Route 3 bridge across the Rappahannock in Topping, Va. A table is hard to come by on weekends.

The Croxtons are talking of expanding MERROIR to Washington and possibly to downtown Richmond. The former Louisiana Flair at 4th and Grace Streets is under consideration.

Here's Lou Llovio's full column from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...bro-ar-1962951/

It's true -- MERROIR will open in September at 4th and Grace Streets. It will occupy the corner building that was formerly Louisiana Flair at #322 and will knock out the wall between it and #320 to allow for an oyster bar and full dining area.

Make no mistake, this is a major step forward toward the rejuvenation of downtown Richmond. Grace Street will have four restaurants between 6th and 2nd Streets -- 525 AT THE BERRY BURK at 6th, PASTURE between 4th and 5th, MERROIR at 4th and KEN TICO between 2nd and 3rd.

Karri Peifer has headlined this story on today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...omi-ar-1970304/

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The tables were moved in and set up yesterday at 525 AT THE BERRY BURK. Now, Helen Reed's decorative finishing touches will be added along with table linen and other amenities.

A large staff has been trained and the kitchen has been busy preparing and taste-testing menu items.

Barring any unexpected incidents, the owners hope to open for business next week.

From 525's facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/525-At-The-Berry-Burk/187787404629215#!/photo.php?fbid=317328548341766&set=a.266184686789486.62293.187787404629215&type=1&theater

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The name (MERRIOR) of the Rappahannock River oyster tasting room and restaurant which will open soon in downtown Richmond puzzled me. So, I researched the meaning of MERROIR on google and learned this:

"Just as terroir of a wine (the geography, geology and climate of its origin) is indicative of its flavor, the merroir of an oyster (its marine surroundings) will greatly influence its taste. When those terroir and merroir flavors align, the perfect wine and oyster pairing is born."

MERROIR RVA will open at the northwest corner of 4th and Grace Streets in September.

Based on its Northern Neck reputation, I bet a quarter Richmond will get what its dining-out scene has lacked -- a quality seafood restaurant :thumbsup:

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The new Fan restaurant called MINT NEW CASUAL CUISINE has a somewhat cumbersome appelation. But like its parent operation, Julep's New Southern Cuisine, both are known familiarly by their first names.

Dana Craig, in her review, has a few problems with MINT and thinks it needs a longer shake-down period.

The room is attractive with mint-green walls, copper colored ceiling and stunning mirrors behind the bar.

One of the best things to come out of the kitchen was dessert -- a very rich chocolate cake made with Duke's mayonnaise, macerated berries and bourbon-flavored Chantilly cream.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...eps-ar-1971186/

MINT NEW CASUAL CUISINE

Dana's rating: 2 stars

2501 West Main Street

804/359-9690

http://www.mintrichmond.com

Noise level: High

Tab for two: $67

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525 AT THE BERRY BURK, apparently, is taking reservations for this week, but nowhere on its web page, nor on facebook, will you find a phone number.

As a touch of nostalgia reflecting the golden days of downtown shopping, the restaurant's host station features hat boxes from stores like Miller & Rhoads, Thalhimers and Montaldos.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/525-At-The-Berry-Burk/187787404629215#!/photo.php?fbid=320580458016575&set=a.266184686789486.62293.187787404629215&type=1&theater

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525 AT THE BERRY BURK has been serving beer and wine only during the soft-opening phase, but yesterday, they received their full ABC license.

So belly up to the chic bar for your favorite cocktail and stay for lunch or dinner.

The official Grand Opening is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20th.

And, they finally have a number to call for reservations:

804/525-6490.

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I posted the resume of a chef named John Maher on June 5th who has arrived in Richmond with strong credentials after associations with some high-powered restaurateurs on the West Coast.

Maher established a business in Richmond called SPOON and enhanced his local reputation with pop-up meals in various locations.

It seems he will settle into the kitchen of 2113 along Tobacco Row with fellow chef Aaron Hoskins. The relatively new bistro/club had received some blistering comments about its laissez faire service and misleading menu, and apparently the owner took heed and hired the pair to transform 2113's cuisine.

Meanwhile, Maher enjoys playing Dee Jay on certain evenings in the lively bar

Here's a story on Happy Hour from Richmond dot com:.

http://www2.richmond...113-ar-1982147/

2113

at that address on East Main between 21st and 22nd Streets

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I'm sure many locals were as surprised as I when OFF THE HOOKAH opened in Richmond. The Egyptian-themed club is unlike any other in the city, and probably in the Commonwealth.

There are only three in the Florida-based operation -- Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Richmond.

The three-level entertainment venue has brought a new vibe to The Canal Walk with its middle eastern decor, acrobatic bartenders, belly dancers and throngs of youngish pretty people.

The inside/outdoor restaurant is called CANAL BISTRO. Its umbrella tables, thatched-hut bar, exotic cocktails and a surprisingly 3-star menu are attracting curious diners.

Here's a review from today's Richmond dot com by Leah and Jon Nelson:

http://www2.richmond...iew-ar-1988035/

CANAL BISTRO AT OFF-THE-HOOKAH

140 Virginia Street in The Slip on The Canal Walk

The Nelson's rating: 3 Stars

804/225-1918

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Karri Peifer confirms that recently closed Stronghill Dining Company across from Movieland on North Boulevard has been taken over by Eat Restaurant Partners (owners of Blue Goat, Osaka and Wild Ginger.)

It will reopen at an undisclosed time as FAT DRAGON CHINESE KITCHEN under Chef Jim Zhao.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...sed-ar-1840333/

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If you see a pair of camels standing on the corner of West Main and Strawberry Streets on or around July 15, you'll know that The Fan's newest restaurant is open for business.

The camels, if approved for one-night loan-out by the Metro Richmond Zoo, will be the animated equivalent of search lights to celebrate the launching of MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO.

Jason Friedhoff is of Italian/Greek descent, despite his Germanic name, and his new restaurant will reflect his Sicilian and Mediterranean heritage in The Fan's first small, inexpensive trattoria.

Here's the full story by Ross Catrow of RVANews:

http://fanofthefan.c...pen-next-month/

Edited by burt
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Deveron Timberlake's Short Order column brings the city's restaurant news up to date.

A sad item, IMO, is that SENSI on Tobacco Row at 2232 East Cary Street has abruptly closed. The owners apparently have decided to concentrate solely on their River Road operation called PORTICO.

Deveron reports that Peter Chang had considered the space for an expansion of Sichuan restaurant empire and that others have shown interest.

From the current Style Weekly:

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1724312

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There is a blood-red frame building at 27th and Marshall Streets that used to be a laundromat. It may date to pre-Civil War years.

Since The Roosevelt has brought "chic" to The Hill, others with respected culinary reputations are staking out sites.

The latest trio are Caleb Shriver of Aziza's on Main, Michelle Peake and Phillip Perrow who are close to opening DUTCH & CO in the historic 27th Street building.

From Church Hill Peoples News:

http://chpn.net/news/2012/06/18/talented-trio-bringing-dutch-and-co-to-27th-street_22835/

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While C Street is the site of a clubby boarding house in Washington for politicians, Richmond's C STREET is a charming spot in Carytown for "the ladies (and gentlemen) who lunch" -- although breakfast as well as a Happy Hour are offered (click the Related box accompanying Dana Craig's review for details.)

The building is a former church with a spacious 2nd level patio, a unique indoor lay-out and a garden;

And on top of that, the food and service are superb.

From Dana Craig in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...s-c-ar-2002414/

C STREET

Dana's rating: 3 and 1/2 stars

3325 West Cary Street (in the upper reaches of Carytown)

http://www.cstreetrva.com

Noise level: Average

Tab for two: $37

Be sure to check the Slideshow.

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Richmond Biz Sense reports that the restaurant called Bogart's in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center at 443 North Ridge Road has closed.

The "real" BOGART'S was the smokey, dark, backroom of the fancy establishment now known as Balliceaux on Lombardy Street in the Lower Fan.

That BOGART'S moved to 1903 West Cary Street and is very much alive offering jazz on many nights.

I'm not at all sure the one that just closed in the West End had any connection to the Fan operation.

Here's more on the Cary Street BOGART'S:

http://www.bogartsinthefan.net/

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The Locks, an apartment development on the former Reynolds North property, will house a new and large restaurant on the ground level of what is known as the "Italinate" building facing Haxall Canal.

It will be the third project of The Boathouse restaurant chain (Swift Creek and Rocketts Landing) and will be called CASA de BARCA (translates to House of Boats.)

And yes, it will be downtown's largest Mexican restaurant.

http://www.lifeatthelocks.com/about-the-locks/

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I suspect the new CASA de BARCA Mexican restaurant (see posting above) with its new bridge across the Haxall Canal will benefit Richmond on the James which, until recently, housed Blackfinn. Also, the massive power plant decorated with colorful murals on its exterior wall as well as other vacant space will probably see new activity.

Kevin Healy's CASA de BARCA hopes to open in November, and if its decor, food and service are up to The Boathouse standards, it likely will be quite successful.

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