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Richmond Dining-Out scene


burt

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It's sort of a tradition in the Christmas season to take the train from New York to Main Street Station, meet a few family members and friends, then proceed to one of downtown's new restaurants for drinks and dinner.

Two years ago, we dined at ROOSEVELT, and last year, it was LA PARISIENNE.

My selection this year is between RAPPAHANNOCK and CASA DEL BARCO. Problem is, will either be ready and serving by late December?

Karri Peifer took a look around Kevin Healey's CASA DEL BARCO and expresses her doubts in this piece from today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ner-ar-2294120/

PS: My first choice is RAPPAHANNOCK which expects to begin serving at 322 East Grace Street around Thanksgiving.

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When restaurateurs of note such as Manny Mendez (KUBA KUBA) and Chris DiLauro (BACCHUS) join together on a project, eyebrows rise in interest.

The two have decided to reinvigorate the recently closed Stratford Grill at 2805 Hathaway Road.

It will reopen Monday, October 22nd as THE CM GALLEY RESTAURANT (C and M are the first name initials of Mendez and DiLauro.)

The new eatery is easy to find because it's in the shadow of the only high rise (Hathaway Towers) along the Forest Hill Avenue corridor.

From Richmond Magazine:

http://richmondmagaz.../dine/blogs.php

If you scroll down the Richmond Magazine story you'll find some interesting developments in the Richmond Dining-Out scene.

For instance, Philip Denny has joined AZIZZA's as head chef at 2110 East Main while across the street at 2113 BISTRO LOUNGE, Chef Aaron Hoskins is moving on to other culinary opportunities (possibly a new venture in the neighborhood.) Carly Herring, former chef at the recently closed Empress and subseqent tenure at C'EST LE VIN will be moving up from The Bottom to The Slip to take over the kitchen of THE DINING ROOM AT THE BERKELY HOTEL.

Edited by burt
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Since the Gallery District's Broad Appetit Festival in June has been so successful, Grace Street has decided to present an October version.

GRAZE ON GRACE on Sunday, October 28th from Noon 'til 5PM will have more than 25 restaurants offering $3 samples at food stands between 4th and 7th Streets.

Although Merroir's Richmond off-shoot called RAPPAHANNOCK will probably not open until November, perhaps it will staff a sampling station near its location at 4th and Grace to let people know what to expect.

525 AT THE BERRY BURK has not yet announced that it will participate, but PASTURE is a driving force behind the Fesival.

From Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ace-ar-2276094/

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The real estate firm Bandazian & Holden has announced that a company called Lemon Indian Cuisine has leased 6,400 square feet at 3215 West Broad Street to open an upscale Indian restaurant.

That address was known as BYRAM's restaurant for decades before a change of name and subsequent closure a few months ago.

Restaurant specialist Nathan Hughes who has occasionally contributed to this site works at Bandazian & Holden. Perhaps he will give us more information about the new tenant.

Edited by burt
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A couple of fellas who met while working at downtown's Capital Ale House have leased the former Marshall Street Cafe at North Adams and West Marshall Street.

The property had to undergo considerable reconstruction about two years ago when an automobile smashed into it. It reopened as Marshall Street Cafe and Jazz Bistro but shuttered recently.

The new restaurant will be called SAISON, but its menu will be American with a hint of Latino spice.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense via Greater Jackson Ward News:

http://www.richmondb...ajillo-chilies/

PS: Another new restaurant about 5 doors south of SAISON on North Adams Street is almost ready to open. It will have a second level space as well as a ground floor. It may be called Tarrantino's or perhaps Max's...or .maybe something else It is an off-shoot of TARRANT'S CAFE a block away at Foushee and Broad.

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The real estate firm Bandazian & Holden has announced that a company called Lemon Indian Cuisine has leased 6,400 square feet at 3215 West Broad Street to open an upscale Indian restaurant.

That address was known as BYRAM's restaurant for decades before a change of name and subsequent closure a few months ago.

Restaurant specialist Nathan Hughes who has occasionally contributed to this site works at Bandazian & Holden. Perhaps he will give us more information about the new tenant.

Here's info from West of the Boulevard blog about the Indian restaurant that will occupy the former Byram's at 3215 West Broad Street:

http://wotbn.net/ups...ld-byrams-spot/

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Deveron's 'Short Order' column in Style Weekly leads off with news of THE FAT DRAGON in the former Stronghill property on North Boulevard.

The new restaurant will be the fourth in Richmond under the ownership of Chris Tsui of Blue Goat fame.

http://www.styleweek...ent?oid=1777077

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I've read nothing lately about the status of Merroir's Richmond spin-off at 4th and Grace Streets which is to be called RAPPAHANNOCK.

I hope it's open in December when I'll be in town for my annual Christmas visit.

By the way, I read that Sandy's high water in the Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock River almost flooded MERRIOR in Topping, Va.

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Now back to TV to get updates on the devastating conditions in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey and a stroll around the neighborhood where pedestrian traffic is unbelievable.

Buses have been restored, but subways are still inoperable.

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While other Richmond Bar-B-Que restaurants such as ALAMO and BUZ AND NED's flourish, the owner of Bill's Bar-b-que chain has called it quits and blames her failure on the President.

Her absurd comments have gone viral and, judging by readers' reactions, may help Mr. Obama pick up some votes.

Her pork sandwiches weren't much, but, damn! She did make good lime ades and delicious chocolate pies. :ermm:

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Latest word is that RAPPAHANNOCK, the Richmond spin-off of Merroir Oyster House in Topping, Va. is hoping to open sometime between mid and late November at 4th and Grace Streets.

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Last Tuesday Mayor Bloomberg announced that the New York Marathon would go on as scheduled this weekend, but pressure from unhappy displaced people (especially on Staten Island) has convinced the Mayor to cancel the event. It will be rescheduled.

Meanwhile Richmond's Marathon, sponsored by Anthem Health Care, will be run next weekend. A record peak of 18,000 participants has registered..

In New York, subways are still not running south of 34th Street in Manhattan, but service is being restored in Brooklyn and Queens. Buses have been operating but lines of people wrap around blocks waiting to board them. Fares have not been collected since the storm, but the free service ends tomorrow when turnstiles will be reactivated.

The transportation situation improves daily, including Amtrak in and out of Penn Station.

Sandy, variously described as The Perfect Storm and Frankenstorm, is the worst ever to strike this region.

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Mmmmm. Yum. :rolleyes: Look at the menu for Thursday, November 15th at AMOUR WINE BISTRO.

Meanwhile, guests will assemble at the Carytown restaurant at 11:30 PM on Wednesday to be present for the uncorking of this year's beaujolais at midnight.

Traditionally, beaujolais nouveau is available the third Thursday in November.

The next evening at 7PM this menu will be available: (Click the link in the posting from West of The Boulevard blogspot)

http://wotbn.net/a-m...ur-wine-bistro/

Edited by burt
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Let me just say that Mansion Five26 is my new favorite Richmond restaurant. Had an unbelievable meal there Saturday night that reminded me of Husk -- the Beard-award-winning Charleston, SC restaurant.

http://mansionfive26.com/

jb, I'm glad to hear you give MANSION FIVE26 big thumbs up. I haven't eaten there but did have a drink at the bar about a year ago.

There are a lot of teasers and bruhaha about a new restaurant that will open in Jackson Ward early next year. It will be called THE ROGUE GENTLEMAN and has some rather prominent chef names involved.

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A few years ago there was considerable excitement about plans to convert 306 East Broad Street into a restaurant/entertainment center. A couple of young men who also wanted to revive an old Hull Street diner with a cupola on its roof were the sources behind the speculation.

Today in the RTD Business Section under 'Henrico and Richmond Building Permits for November 11th' there is this entry:

Dianne J N Thados, owner; JDB Properties, contractor; 306 East Broad Street; alterations $579,070.

Could 306 East Broad on the edge of Jackson Ward be the hyped site of THE ROGUE GENTLEMAN?

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A few years ago there was considerable excitement about plans to convert 306 East Broad Street into a restaurant/entertainment center. A couple of young men who also wanted to revive an old Hull Street diner with a cupola on its roof were the sources behind the speculation.

Today in the RTD Business Section under 'Henrico and Richmond Building Permits for November 11th' there is this entry:

Dianne J N Thados, owner; JDB Properties, contractor; 306 East Broad Street; alterations $579,070.

Could 306 East Broad on the edge of Jackson Ward be the hyped site of THE ROGUE GENTLEMAN?

Here is more info on 306 East Broad from There/Here:

http://www.therehere.org/306-308ebroad

Edited by burt
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According to the lead story about downtown's future in today's "new format" RTD (see Development thread), restaurants are a big part of the rejuvenation.

For instance, TARRANT'S owner Ted Santarella says that he was lucky to serve 10 to 15 meals a day in 2006. Now business is up to 3,000 a week.

Santarella's new restaurant about a block away from Tarrant's is almost ready to open at 305 North Brook Road (in the triangle formed by Emerick Flats just north of Broad Street.) It is a two-level eatery aimed at a young clientele and will stay open late. It will be called MAX'S TAVERN.

SAISON is a new restaurant that is taking over the Marshall Street Cafe space on the corner of Marshall and Adams Street -- half a block north of MAX'S TAVERN.

Rumors have floated and Chuck Ye, Manager of PETER CHANG'S CHINA CAFE, confirms that Chang is still looking to locate a new restaurant, possibly in the Miller & Rhoads building.

Karri Peifer at Richmond dot com reported that a Belgian style restaurant is a downtown possibility.

CASA del BARCO is nearly ready for customers at The Lock on Haxall Canal across from Troutman/Sanders law office.

The most anticipated new downtown dining spot, opening this month, is RAPPAHANNOCK at 4th and Grace Streets. The seafood restaurant and oyster bar will be the second spin-off of MERRIOR OYSTER HOUSE on the Rappahannock River. The Washington version, in D. C.'s northeast district, opened at Union Market last month.

And see my comment in the posting directly above about somthing going on at 306 East Broad Street.

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...here's more downtown restaurant info from Lou Llovio's Biz Buzz column in today's RTD:

KENN-TICO at 204 East Grace Street has expanded into an adjacent space and will be larger by 2,000 square feet. 30 more seats will be added and the kitchen will be enlarged.

According to the owners, the aim is to create a space reminscent of a Cuban nightspot with large windows that will be open in warm weather.

An opening this Friday is hoped for, but in event of unexpected delays, November 23rd is the alternate date.

And music will be on the menu at this popular Latin cafe.

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Over at Richmond dot com, Karri Peifer's sources are hinting that the World renowned chef Peter Chang is indeed snooping around downtown for a restaurant location. And it may not be, as many suspect, in the Miller & Rhoads building.

In order to preserve the suspense that Karri has built, I'm not going to reveal the property under consideration except to say a PETER CHANG CHINA CAFE woul be a considerable improvement over the present tenant. :whistling:

Read it below in Karri's Richmond dot com story:

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

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This is a busy day for downtown Richmond restaurant news -- or, shall we say, speculation?

Karri Peifer has another prediction:

RAPPAHANNOCK RESTAURANT's Chef Dylan Fultineer and the Croxton cousins hope to open in the space at 320/322 East Grace Street on Friday, December 7th.

That's the First Friday Art Walk date and a week after the November 30th Grand Downtown Illumination which is scheduled earlier this year than in the past.

From today's Richmond dot com:

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

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According to a listing of commercial leases in Richmond Biz Sense, MELLO has leased 4,415 square feet at 3012 West Cary Street in Carytown.

Can 'Mello' be anything other than MELLO MUSHROOM?

I had thought it was going into Caryplace but have subsequently heard that CHIPOTLE will occupy the vacant space in the new mini-mall.

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Over at Richmond dot com, Karri Peifer's sources are hinting that the World renowned chef Peter Chang is indeed snooping around downtown for a restaurant location. And it may not be, as many suspect, in the Miller & Rhoads building.

In order to preserve the suspense that Karri has built, I'm not going to reveal the property under consideration except to say a PETER CHANG CHINA CAFE woul be a considerable improvement over the present tenant. :whistling:

Read it below in Karri's Richmond dot com story:

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

NOTES:

After speculation that PETER CHANG might be considering the AURORA for his downtown location, Karri got a clue that THAI CABIN was behind a move to establish a sort of indoor food cart emporium of about ten providers in the building at the southeast corner of 4th and Grace Street.

It doesn't sound very logical to me because unlike the Financial District along Main and Cary Streets the location is not bustling with office workers. As of today, nothing more has been written on the subject.

But I must say that I think AURORA would be an excellent site for Chang. The building originally was a bank and later became the hottest club in Richmond's history. The two level space, called Caffeine's, was Richmond's version of New York's Studio 54 and any number of nefarious activities went on into the wee hours 'til it was finally closed by local authorities. I do not think it has been very successful as AURORA. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful and practical space diagonally across from RAPPAHANNOCK which I predict will be a high grossing oyster house. PASTURE, the pioneer restaurant on the forlorn Grace Street corridor is just up the block as is 525 AT THE BERRY BURK. What's more, soon there may be a new restaurant on the street level of The John Marshall Residences.

As for the enigmatic ROGUE GENTLEMEN (see my comments several postings above) I suggest curious food writers check out goings-on in the building at 306 East Broad.

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