November 05, 2009
Table Talk: New Italian and steak coming to West End
Fans of Frank’s Ristorante in the Stony Point Shopping Center and the late Brother’s Pizza in western Henrico County will soon have a new addition to the family. Bocca Toscana is slated to open next month in The Village Shopping Center (7021 Three Chopt Road).
October 29, 2009
Table Talk: Easy Street closing and reinventing itself; Halloween freebies at several restaurants
Easy Street (2401 W. Main St.) is ending its 12-year run on Halloween night, but reopening Nov. 5 with a new name and a new concept. Jake Crocker, general manager and part of a four-man management team, is keeping details vague for a few more days, but said the new concept takes a different approach from previous Easy Street incarnations.
October 22, 2009
TABLE TALK: Cupcakes in Carytown, hot dogs in the Fan
After months of prep work, Garnett’s Café is open at 2001 W. Park Ave. in the former Table 9 and Chiocca’s spot. Those in the neighborhood might also remember its two-week incarnation this spring as Credo’s Park Avenue Café. Garnett’s is the handiwork of Kendra Feather, owner of Ipanema Café, who is running the new place with her brother, Kirk. The restaurant is named after the siblings’ grandmother Garnett, which also is Kendra’s middle name.
October 15, 2009
Table Talk: New bar menu at Morton’s; new restaurant at Stony Point
Morton’s has launched a new “Bar Bites” menu. Though the restaurant no longer offers complimentary petite filet mignon sandwiches for those hanging out in the bar, the tasty snacks are one of the $5 offerings available in the bar area beginning at 5 p.m. every day (the serving is four sandwiches).
October 08, 2009
TABLE TALK
It has been a busy few weeks of openings and closings, but let’s start with the new stuff: Rainbow Buffet, which specializes in Chinese food and also offers a nonbuffet menu, has opened in the Wal-Mart shopping center at 11424 W. Broad St. The restaurant is open seven days a week: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.
October 01, 2009
Table Talk: Ghosts, spirits and other creepy things
Maybe it’s a little early to start thinking about ghosts and spirits and other creepy things, but The Tobacco Company Restaurant and The Berkeley Hotel are providing the perfect scenario for those looking for a few chills. The restaurant and hotel have paired for a Shockoe Slip Ghost Tour Package that will be offered every Friday and Saturday throughout the month.
September 24, 2009
TABLE TALK: New restaurant openings
It’s a good week to welcome some newcomers to the restaurant landscape. Now serving are: Bouchon, at 1209 E. Cary St. in Shockoe Slip. The French bistro takes over Pomegranate’s old spot and offers a menu heavy on Provencal-inspired seafood. The Web site, http://www.bistrobouchon.com, is under construction. For details, call (804) 225-9116.
September 17, 2009
Table Talk: Restaurant Week ‘09 participants are announced
One of Richmond’s most-anticipated annual events—Restaurant Week—is set for Oct. 26-Nov. 1. If you don’t know the deal, 23 dining spots will offer a three-course prix-fixe meal for $25.09 per person. The Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels will receive $2.09 from each dinner.
September 10, 2009
Table Talk: NFL season restaurant deals
Tonight, defending Super Bowl champs the Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Tennessee Titans for the kickoff of football season—and some sports-themed deals. T.G.I. Friday’s will host the “Largest Kickoff Party in the U.S.A.“ and offer bar guests six free buffalo wings at football-watching parties tonight, Sunday and Monday.
September 03, 2009
Table Talk: More wine in Short Pump
The Wine Loft isn’t a fancy restaurant. And it definitely isn’t a sports bar (wireless Internet? Yes. TVs? No.). Instead, the upcoming Short Pump spot will, according to proprietor Jeff Ottaviano, “focus very much on the total experience. It’s an upscale urban-chic environment to come enjoy wine . . . We call ourselves a before-or-after-dinner destination.“
August 27, 2009
Table Talk: Café Caturra opening a Short Pump outpost
Café Caturra Coffee & Wine has been such a success that a fourth location is coming to the Richmond area. The coffee shop/café/wine bar is expected to open by mid-September at the Short Pump Crossing Shopping Center (3332 Pump Road) in western Henrico County.
August 20, 2009
Table Talk: Several new restaurant openings
The Belvidere at Broad is now open and serving a menu described as “eclectic American . . . with world influences using traditional French culinary techniques.“ The restaurant, located along the Broad Street art corridor at 506 W. Broad St., is the invention of David and Julie Hassen. It is emphasizing local and organic ingredients, as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
August 13, 2009
Table Talk: Pour House Flip for Free Food on Friday
Outdoor dining will soon be much cooler at Kitchen 64 (3336 N. St.). The restaurant is currently undergoing construction to enclose its outdoor patio (similar to Three Monkeys in the Fan). The ongoing work means the patio area will occasionally be closed but will not affect operation of the restaurant.
August 06, 2009
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.
July 30, 2009
Table Talk: Second Chicken Fiesta opens
If you think you’re capable of pounding down more wings than the next guy (or girl), check out “The Great Wing Eating Contest of 2009” at The Triple (3306 W. Broad St.) on Saturday. Starting at 7 p.m., customers can participate in games, such as the guess-that-beer challenge and piñata bashing, followed by the wing-eating contest.

