TABLE TALK

For the past six weeks, Bill Cabaniss has enjoyed tweaking what he calls his "own little dog and pony show."

He's referring to Rivers Ridge, the longtime home of Grafiti Grille that in October reopened as Cabaniss' new venture.

The restaurant, at 403 N. Ridge Road, was gutted and took almost five months to renovate. Now, new lighting and plenty of mahogany accent the American bistro, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (but closed for a break between lunch and dinner)

Cabaniss said Rivers Ridge changes its 40-item menu every three or four days to keep things interesting, especially for the already-regulars he sees in the restaurant a couple of times a week.

Lunch, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., features six salads in the $11-$12 range, sandwiches such as a tuna melt and turkey croissant ($8-$9) and breakfast items including omelets ($9.50) and french toast made with cinnamon bread ($9).

Dinner begins about 4:30 p.m. and offers chef specialties such as cedar-wrapped salmon ($14), pan-seared duck breast ($19) and spice-crusted tuna ($22).

Cabaniss said he's conscious of costs and has worked hard to keep the restaurant's price structure as low as possible.

"I want people to come in for dinner, a bottle of wine, tax and tip for under $100," he said.

Rivers Ridge doesn't have a Web site yet, but menus and photos of the restaurant are available at www.rewardsnetwork.com.

For details, call (804) 288-0633.

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Thanksgiving options: Sam Miller's (1210 E. Cary St.) offers a three course prix-fixe menu ($27 per person) from noon to 8 p.m. Call (804) 644-5465 for reservations; Hondos (4024-C Cox Road) will serve a traditional Thanksgiving buffet (adults $28.95, children under 12 $13.95). Call (804) 968-4323 for reservations. The Dining Room at the Berkeley Hotel(1200 E. Cary St.) will present a four-course traditional Thanksgiving meal ($58). Call (804) 780-1300 for reservations.

Also, Savor Café (201 W. 7th St.) is taking orders for chestnut (vegan) or organic sausage stuffing, cranberry-ginger relish, mushroom gravy (regular or vegan), butternut squash soup, and classic pecan and chocolate chip pecan pie.

Orders must be placed by Tuesday at noon and picked up by Wednesday afternoon. There is a $10 surcharge for Wednesday-evening delivery within a 10-mile radius of downtown Richmond.

For details, visit www.savorcompany.com (take out dinners) or call (804) 527-2867.

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