Pescados pivots toward land

pescadosAn Oregon Hill restaurant is reinventing itself.

Pescados on China Street, which has been in business since 2010, is closing this weekend and reopening Sept. 10 as EAT.

Bob Windsor, a partner in the restaurant, said the sluggish economy was a factor in the change.

“We felt that in a bad economy we can lower our price point,” Windsor said. “We were selling mostly fish, and when you do that it’s more of a destination. We like the neighborhood, so we want to appeal to as many people as possible. So we’re going to do less fish, more vegetarian, other meats as well. We’ll still do a lot of fish, though.”

Todd Manley, head chef at and owner of Pescados, said the new EAT concept would include a ham-and-cheese croquette with house-made mustard and a chicken potpie inside an empanada.

Pescado’s best sellers — fish tacos and voodoo shrimp — will stay on the menu. Those two items accounted for between 70 and 75 percent of sales at the seafood restaurant, Manly said.

Windsor’s construction company is doing the renovations on the restaurant, which is located at 626 China St.

“It’s really not costing us that much,” Manley said. “We’re doing some minor cosmetic changes. Switching up the dining room a bit, making it more cozy and comfortable. I think it’s costing us about $20,000.”

The prices at EAT will range from $4 to $10 for small plates and be $15 and up for entrees. The menu will also have vegan and gluten-free options.

Pescados is the second local restaurant to get a change in identity in recent weeks. DeLux in the Fan recently closed to make way for a new name and concept.

Manley and a few other partners also own a Pescados location in Midlothian and Ironfish on Lauderdale Drive in Short Pump. No changes are planned for those locations.

pescadosAn Oregon Hill restaurant is reinventing itself.

Pescados on China Street, which has been in business since 2010, is closing this weekend and reopening Sept. 10 as EAT.

Bob Windsor, a partner in the restaurant, said the sluggish economy was a factor in the change.

“We felt that in a bad economy we can lower our price point,” Windsor said. “We were selling mostly fish, and when you do that it’s more of a destination. We like the neighborhood, so we want to appeal to as many people as possible. So we’re going to do less fish, more vegetarian, other meats as well. We’ll still do a lot of fish, though.”

Todd Manley, head chef at and owner of Pescados, said the new EAT concept would include a ham-and-cheese croquette with house-made mustard and a chicken potpie inside an empanada.

Pescado’s best sellers — fish tacos and voodoo shrimp — will stay on the menu. Those two items accounted for between 70 and 75 percent of sales at the seafood restaurant, Manly said.

Windsor’s construction company is doing the renovations on the restaurant, which is located at 626 China St.

“It’s really not costing us that much,” Manley said. “We’re doing some minor cosmetic changes. Switching up the dining room a bit, making it more cozy and comfortable. I think it’s costing us about $20,000.”

The prices at EAT will range from $4 to $10 for small plates and be $15 and up for entrees. The menu will also have vegan and gluten-free options.

Pescados is the second local restaurant to get a change in identity in recent weeks. DeLux in the Fan recently closed to make way for a new name and concept.

Manley and a few other partners also own a Pescados location in Midlothian and Ironfish on Lauderdale Drive in Short Pump. No changes are planned for those locations.

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John Lindner
John Lindner
12 years ago

Smart move. I love Pescados, but found the price point a bit high for a high-frequency destination. The food was unbelievable and the drinks were barely adequate. I always wished that they had some less expensive dinner options and a better and less expensive drink menu. If so, I probably would have spent more, and gone for more than just lunch. PLEASE keep the avocado “key lime” tart on the menu. Honestly, that was my main motivation for going. And consider adding brunch. I was raving about it and tried to bring a visiting guest on a Sunday afternoon and… Read more »

Hunt Gunter
Hunt Gunter
12 years ago

I love Pescados and hope that they will also keep the seafood enchilada.

Nancy White
Nancy White
12 years ago

Yes, please keep the avocado “key lime” tart!! SOSOSOSO good.

Craig Davis
Craig Davis
12 years ago

disappointing. They were one of my favorite Richmond restaurants and didn’t think they needed to change a thing.

Maria Pellew-Harvey
Maria Pellew-Harvey
12 years ago

Always had a fabulous meal. Tacos were great but also the specials. Disappointed when they stopped doing lunch as we need good lunch spots