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Richmond Dining-Out scene


burt

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...and this new Italian restaurant sounds as if it might be the best of the lot!

Dana Craig ventured to Ridgefield Parkway in the far West End and had a 4-star meal at ACCANTO which translates roughly to "adjacent."

Little Venice has been at the Ridgefield loation in Gleneagle Shopping Center for some time. Chef Ryan Baldwin has joined Little Venice in a next door building and calls it ACCANTO.

Its decor has clean, elegant lines, and Dana found the food delicious. Chef Baldwin built the reputation of Tastebuds in the Bellevue district of Richmond's Northside before joining the Little Venice folks.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...nto-ar-2218630/

ACCANTO

Dana's rating: 4 Stars (that's Dana's top of the line)

10478 Ridgefield Parkway in Gleneagle Shopping Center

804/741-1218

http://www.lvaccanto.com

Noise level: Average to high

Tab for two: $71

Check the Gallery in the Related Box

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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

This is not from Deveron's Short Order Column, but is pertinent to one of the restaurants she mentioned.

BELMONT FOOD SHOP is really small -- it can accommodate only 20 diners, and that includes seats at the bar.

Here are photos from today's West of The Boulevard blog:

http://wotbn.net/pho...s » Community)

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

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.

Karri Peifer's not so sure about Peter Chang's downtown intentions.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ove-ar-2218266/

The Washington Post story says his Williamsburg location on Richmond Road will open next week.

I wish Wrldcoupe4 had not left us. Aside from being a good buddy, he works (or did) in real estate and would know whether or not a deal has been negotiated between Chang and a realtor for seven to eight thousand square feet of space in the Miller & Rhoads building.

BTW, if anyone still associates Peter Chang with the P. F. Chang's China Bistro operation, be assured there is no connection whatsoever. P.F. Chang's is under the wing of the Flemming's Steak House chain. Peter Chang's China Cafe in Richmond was named among the 50 best restaurants in the USA by Bon Appetit Magazine.

Edited by burt
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Richmond's Merroir oyster house will open in late October according to Jessica Sidman writing in Washington City Paper.

Washington's version opened September 14th and is the premier attraction in Union Market (click the highlighted link in first paragraph, then hit 'location'.)

Apparently, the word 'Merroir' is reserved for the original location only. In D.C. it's called RAPPANNOCK OYSTER BAR and that likely will be the name of Richmond's restaurant at 4th and Grace Streets.

Don't expect a white table-cloth type of place. In Washington, it's a lot more basic than that where fun and good eats appear to prevail.

http://www.washingto...rket-right-now/

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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/

Mekong won it all!

Best Beer Bar in America. And there will be some big celebrating tonight at 6004 West Broad Street. :w00t:

From today's Richmond dot com:

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

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I was in Virginia for a vew days recently and enjoyed some pretty good dining at 525 AT THE BERRY BURK; a good sandwich at BURGER BACH; chicken stew at Panera in the newly opened Caryplace; sauerbraten at ELKHART'S on Route 3 in The Northern Neck; a fun Sunday brunch at a place called "Car Wash" in Kilmarnock which provides that service in another part of the building.

And best of all :good:

Oysters and champagne at MERROIR in Topping on The Rappahannock River near Chesapeake Bay.

According to the staff, among Merroir's three operations (Toppng ,Washington and Richmond) only the 4th and Grace location will carry the company's "fine dining" designation.

The MERROIR name is reserved for the indoor-outdoor Topping site. D.C.'s version called Rappahannock Oyster Bar is now open at Union Market in Northeast Washington.

The Richmond opening is anticipated around Thanksgiving. It will be called RAPPAHANNOCK. I peeked in and saw heavy constructin underway at 320/322 East Grace Street with a large square bar in the center where oysters will be shucked and served at stools. There is also considerable space for dining at tables.

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CHUY'S, a Tex Mex chain of about 40 restaurants across the south and southwest, started in Austin in 1982.

Construction will begin soon on Its first Virginia location. It will be next door to Kona Grill at West Broad Village in Henrico's Short Pump district.

Another restaurant, CARRABA, is close to signing a lease for the last remaining outparcel at WBV.

From yesterday's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...a-side-of-guac/

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On the subject of Mexican restaurants, I rambled around the North Reynolds site where renovations are underway for the The Locks -- a group of several warehouse-type buildings which are being converted to apartments. They are located between East Byrd Street and the Haxall Canal from10th to 12th Streets. The most significant of the group is the Italianate building directly across the waterway from the power plant at Riverside on the James.

Kevin Healey who operates the two Boathouse restaurants (Swift Creek Lake and Rockettes Landing) will open his new venture on the ground level of The Italianate at The Locks complex. The restaurant is to be called CASA DEL BARCO and will offer upscale Mexican cuisine.

Anticipated opening of CASA DEL BARCO, as well as many of the new apartments, is reportedly on schedule for December.

Motor access to the restaurant and parking arrangements are not clear. It doesn't appear one could drive up to the entrance and drop off restaurant patrons. My guess is that parking will be available for a fee

in the large lot east of the flood wall gate.

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Remember when this little vessel sailed up the James and was purchased by the owners of POE'S PUB? They labored to fit out the ship as a riverside dining option only to see it sink during a storm.

It arrived at the Richmond dock as Mallory, subsequently became Celebration, and is now known as FLATHEADS.

It will open to the public soon.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...0/08/on-a-boat/

Edited by burt
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On the subject of Mexican restaurants, I rambled around the North Reynolds site where renovations are underway for the The Locks -- a group of several warehouse-type buildings which are being converted to apartments. They are located between East Byrd Street and the Haxall Canal from10th to 12th Streets. The most significant of the group is the Italianate building directly across the waterway from the power plant at Riverside on the James.

Kevin Healey who operates the two Boathouse restaurants (Swift Creek Lake and Rockettes Landing) will open his new venture on the ground level of The Italianate at The Locks complex. The restaurant is to be called CASA DEL BARCO and will offer upscale Mexican cuisine.

Anticipated opening of CASA DEL BARCO, as well as many of the new apartments, is reportedly on schedule for December.

Motor access to the restaurant and parking arrangements are not clear. It doesn't appear one could drive up to the entrance and drop off restaurant patrons. My guess is that parking will be available for a fee

in the large lot east of the flood wall gate.

The Italianate is the building with the tower.

From the RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ovatio/gallery/

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THE BELMONT FOOD SHOP in Richmond's Museum District is the subject of a profile by excellent writer Nathan Cushing in RVANews.

In my book, this sounds like a very, very special restaurant.

Nathan's story is not a review, but I bet a quarter it will peek your interest.

http://rvanews.com/f...3#comment-40015

BELMONT FOOD SHOP

27 North Belmont Avenue (between Elwood and Floyd Avenues in The Museum District)

804/358-7467

Hours: Sundays thru Thursdays: 5PM 'til 11PM -- Fridays and Saturdays: 5PM 'til Midnight

Traditional fare early, and a more adventurous menu in later hours

Seating limited to 20, including the bar

Enjoy the RVANews piece with photos linked above (scroll up to story after reading readers' comments.)

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Remember when this little vessel sailed up the James and was purchased by the owners of POE'S PUB? They labored to fit out the ship as a riverside dining option only to see it sink during a storm.

It arrived at the Richmond dock as Mallory, subsequently became Celebration, and is now known as FLATHEADS.

It will open to the public soon.

From Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...0/08/on-a-boat/

Matt Gleason claims that FLATHEADS is Richmond's first and only floating restaurant. 'Taint so. Back in the post World War II era, a ship called Captain Herbert's served meals aboard at its berth in the Kanawa Canal at the foot of 17th Street. It was in the days when Norfolk/Southern (then N&W) was gracious enough to lift its bascule bridge and allow water traffic through the Great Ship Lock.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...tto-all-aboard/

Edited by burt
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ANTHONY' ON THE HILL is the newest eatery on Church Hill and is proving to be a well received addition to the dining scene in the East End.

The new restaurant is on the northwest corner of 29th and East Broad Street, and it dishes out some modest but tasty Italian fare.

RTD critic Dana Craig rates it with three stars.

From Thursday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ake-ar-2273657/

ANTHONY'S ON THE HILL

2824 East Broad Street in Church Hill (2 blocks east of the established Hill Cafe)

Dana's rating: 3 Stars

804/344-3374

Noise level: Average to High

Tab for two: $35

Be sure to check out the Gallery in the Related box.

NOTE: If you're not used to driving on Church Hill, be prepared to stop at almost every corner on East Broad Street between St John's Church and Chimborazzo Park.

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Went to the Conch Republic last night for the first time to enjoy some appetizers and drinks on the deck after the Folk Festival. That is, hands down, the best view in Richmond. They have a number of outdoor heaters going, so hopefully will keep the deck open through October.

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Went to the Conch Republic last night for the first time to enjoy some appetizers and drinks on the deck after the Folk Festival. That is, hands down, the best view in Richmond. They have a number of outdoor heaters going, so hopefully will keep the deck open through October.

For anyone who doesn't know, The CONCH REPUBLIC is on the tidal James River at Rocketts Landing just east of downtown Richmond.

http://conchrepublic.../conch-video-2/

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Karri Peifer, the Editor of Richmond dot com, has a special interest in Richmond's restaurant scene. In fact, she has established herself as THE go-to person for news of the dining out scene in the region.

As a result, she's the first to hear about publications touting Richmond's burgeoning restaurant reputation.

Today, she brings to our attention this interview with SECCO WINE BAR Chef Tim Bereika in the current Nation's Restaurant News magazine:

http://nrn.com/artic...ine-bar?ad=news

Note in the storry that River City Cellars next door to SECCO is closing down and the restaurant will expand into the space.

PS: SECCO has one funny and talented actor amongst its staff. A video with samples of his SNL style comedy was made available fairly recently. I was tempted to post it in these pages but got cold feet over some of its racy and political content suspecting some readers wouldn't appreciate it.

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Here's another of Karri Peifer's scoops.

One of the lovely damsels pictured in this story (neither is identified) is Brittany Evans Anderson who runs a business in Richmond called Fencewalk Catering and Events.

Tonight at 10PM she will debut on 'Chopped' the popular cooking show on The Food Network.

Ms Anderson's desire is to open a new restaurant in Richmond featuring her French/American cusine.

You may recall recently when a young man competing on 'Chopped' announced, prior to being eliminated from competition, that he, also, intended to open a local eatery in Shockoe Bottom. In fact, a 'Chopped' viewing party of an episode was held at JULEP's.

There has been no further news of the young man's aspirations.

Ms Anderson's viewing party tonight will be held at STATION 2 in the 2000 block of East Main Street.

Or, you can watch it at home on the Food channel at 10PM.

From today's Richmond dot com:.

http://www2.richmond...ows-ar-2284853/

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Waffle House coming to West Broad in the Fan across from Kroger.

THE WAFFLE HOUSE will be in the 1300 block of West Broad between Ryland and Lombardy Streets in the VCU area.

Kroger and a shopping center with a Starbucks and other stores is across the street.

Crave Frozen Yogurt will be next door to the WAFFLE HOUSE.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...-coming-to-vcu/

PS: One of Richmond's better off-Broadway style playhouses is a block west on Broad Street. It's called TheFirehouse Theatre.

Edited by burt
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West Grace Street between Shaffer and Harrison Streets has been a funky stretch of road since I was a student at RPI (read VCU.) During the late 20th century restaurants, strip clubs, psychodelic shops, night spots, bars and movie theaters have lined the thoroughfare.

The last decade saw VCU grow into a major research/fine arts university with a big sports program and a population of about 50,000 students, faculty and workers.

The old Lee Theater has phased through long-run art films to porn and burlesque and is now The Grace Street Theatre, a refurbished hall used primarily by VCU's dance department A couple of row houses which housed a restaurant called Mad King Ludwig's is now upscale apartments. Around the corner on North Harrison Street is arguably Richmond's best Italian restaurant known as Edo's Squid.

The famous Village Cafe is still on the corner.

IPANEMA CAFE is in the basement of a town house across from the Grace Street Theatre and it is the subject of a very good review by Dana Craig in today's RTD.

http://www2.timesdis...ans-ar-2291452/

IPANEMA CAFE

There is no Related box with this review, although there is a photo gallery.

917 West Grace Street

804/213-0190

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The transition from Stronghill to FAT DRAGON.

The newly named restaurant on North Boulevard is planning a November opening.

Mekong may be the Best Beer Bar in America (an honor recently awarded to the Vietmanese restaurant on West Broad Street) but it appears THE FAT DRAGON may give Mekong a run for the title.

Craft cocktails are all the rage these days. That's fine. But if bars are going to continue offering these complicated concoctions, they should hire more staff. Recently at a smart new downtown restaurant, the lone bartender was overwhelmed with orders from a pretty full house and waits were long...very long.

Here's the story about THE FAT DRAGON with pictures from Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...bar-ar-2239485/

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