Rating:  Where: 203 N. Lombardy St.  Phone: (804) 355-3008 Web site: http://www.balliceauxrva.com

Out with the burritos, in with the fish. In early December, the Outer Banks Seafood Co. is expected to open in Stony Point Fashion Park. The restaurant, which opened its first location this spring in Corolla, N.C., is taking over the space vacated by Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café, which abruptly closed in February 2007. Mike Bishal, CEO of the restaurant that bills itself as a “traditional coastal eatery,“ said the concept for the Outer Banks location is to “help folks kick back and relax” with the soothing colors of its décor and provide “good, unpretentious food.“

If you didn’t know much about Indian food, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think it’s only consumed via buffet.  Almost every local Indian restaurant seems to have some sort of all-you-can-eat deal featuring the same things: chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, rogan josh, etc.  I’m not saying these dishes aren’t good. It’s just that for a cuisine marked by its complexity and intricate use of spices, a basic buffet feels like a disservice.

If the food weren’t so good at City Diner, the most notable aspect of the place would be the service. If the service weren’t so good at City Diner, the most notable aspect would be the food. Nestled across from the Department of Motor Vehicles on Broad Street, City Diner serves up large breakfasts, traditional lunches and friendly attitude from the wisecracking wait staff.

Paz Ochs’ mother is from the Dominican Republic, so Ochs grew up eating Caribbean dishes such as pigeon peas and rice, and mofongo, a dish made with mashed plantains and pork cracklings. Using her mom’s cooking as a standard, Ochs has only good things to say about Papa Ningo & Fiesta, a restaurant in Shockoe Bottom serving Dominican food.

Pasta Luna has served its last penne. The Italian restaurant at 8902 W. Broad St. in western Henrico County closed last week after nearly 15 years in that location.

The food at Kuba Kuba was good enough that we’ll vacation there again

As a former waitress at a barbecue restaurant while in college, I don’t have the best memories of smoked-meat dining. Paper-covered tables, faux-wood-paneled walls, neon pigs and a general aura of stickiness are the unsettling images that usually permeate my mind when someone mentions ribs.  Thank goodness for Q Barbecue.

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Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro in the Stony Point Fashion Park served its last meal Sunday night. It is the second major restaurant to close at the South Richmond mall in less than two years. Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café closed in early 2007. “It is a shame to see a second one in the neighborhood go,“ said Phil Boeglin, manager of Brio Tuscan Grille at Stony Point. “It makes you worry that people are thinking the restaurants at Stony Point are closing, and that is not the case. We are doing just fine.“

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)