Table Talk: Soul comes to the Bottom

The Shockoe Bottom space at 14 N. 18th St. has housed sleek lounges such as Tonic and BPM.

Now, new owner Ty Goins hopes to make the spot a success with Touch ov Soul, a pork-free soul food restaurant.

Goins' "Food From the Soul" menu features turkey chops, fried cabbage with smoked turkey, fried whitings and banana pudding, among other comfort foods.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and hopes to add an entertainment schedule of poetry and jazz on Thursday and Friday nights.

For more information, call (804) 648-1279.

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Those interested in tracking the progress of The Republic, coming in October to the space last inhabited by Cabo's Bistro (2053 W. Broad St.), can follow it on Rick Lyons' blog at http://www.therepublicrva.com.

Lyons, the force behind The Republic, has previously been attached to Star-Lite and Bandito's Burrito Lounge.

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On Saturday, Peter Neff, the wine buyer at River City Cellars in Carytown, will host a tasting of Italian wines in the Pauley Center at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

During the 2 p.m. event, Neff will discuss the development of Italian wine through the centuries.

Tickets -- which include the lecture and refreshments -- are $35 ($25 for museum members) and can be purchased at http://www.vmfa.museum or by calling (804) 340-1405.

Advance registration is suggested.

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Howlett's Restaurant & Tavern (3530 Festival Park Plaza in Chester) is now open.

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As a thank you to their customers for 37 years of patronage, L'Italia Restaurant (10610 Patterson Ave.) is offering 20 percent off all entrées through the end of the month.

For more information, call (804) 740-1165.

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The Metro Grill (301 N. Robinson St.) has said goodbye to longtime head chef Sean Murphy and welcomed Felix Gostel into the top role. Gostel has been Metro Grill's sous chef the past few years.

Gostel is expected to introduce some new specials to the restaurant's menu, while keeping customer favorites as well.

Metro Grill serves dinner daily beginning at 5 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Menus are available at http://www.metrogrillrichmond.com.

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Maggiano's Little Italy (11800 W. Broad St.) is holding a cooking class for children ages 6-12 at 10 a.m. Aug. 15.

The children will learn how to prepare a lasagna dinner from the restaurant's executive chef.

The cost is $20 per child, plus tax and gratuity.

Reservations can be made by calling (804) 253-0916.

If you have a tip for Table Talk, call (804) 649-6120 or e-mail . The deadline to receive items is noon Friday one week before publication.