Foo Dog is slated to open in April at 1537 W. Main St. in the Fan. (Photos by Michael Thompson)
A Richmond restaurant group looked to the mystique of an Asian restaurant tradition as inspiration for its latest project.
Chris Tsui and his EAT Restaurant Partners are planning an April opening for Foo Dog, a concept taking shape at 1537 W. Main St. in the former Main Art & Frame shop. It will be the company’s fifth local restaurant and first foray into the Fan.
Tsui said the restaurant, which will serve Asian food in a casual setting, is named after the lion statues often seen in front of Asian restaurants, which are meant to be guardians and bring good luck.
“We wanted something that was very urban and fun at the same time,” Tsui said. “Some people know what a foo dog is, and some people don’t. It’s kind of mysterious.”
The menu has not been finalized, but Tsui said it would be inspired by Asian street food, which can include noodles, dumplings, skewers and meatballs.
EAT acquired the property in September for $550,000. Renovations began in November and will include the addition of a patio and a deck. Tsui said he’s keeping the original floors, ceilings and walls to give the place a historic feel.
Monument Construction is handling the work. More than $300,000 in building permits have been issued for the property since September.
The property includes two second-story apartments that have been leased. Tsui said he expects to hire about 20 employees for Foo Dog.
One of the more active local restaurant groups, EAT Restaurant Partners also owns the Blue Goat at Libbie and Grove avenues, Osaka Sushi & Steak on Huguenot Road, Wild Ginger in Midlothian and Fat Dragon on North Boulevard.
Foo Dog is slated to open in April at 1537 W. Main St. in the Fan. (Photos by Michael Thompson)
A Richmond restaurant group looked to the mystique of an Asian restaurant tradition as inspiration for its latest project.
Chris Tsui and his EAT Restaurant Partners are planning an April opening for Foo Dog, a concept taking shape at 1537 W. Main St. in the former Main Art & Frame shop. It will be the company’s fifth local restaurant and first foray into the Fan.
Tsui said the restaurant, which will serve Asian food in a casual setting, is named after the lion statues often seen in front of Asian restaurants, which are meant to be guardians and bring good luck.
“We wanted something that was very urban and fun at the same time,” Tsui said. “Some people know what a foo dog is, and some people don’t. It’s kind of mysterious.”
The menu has not been finalized, but Tsui said it would be inspired by Asian street food, which can include noodles, dumplings, skewers and meatballs.
EAT acquired the property in September for $550,000. Renovations began in November and will include the addition of a patio and a deck. Tsui said he’s keeping the original floors, ceilings and walls to give the place a historic feel.
Monument Construction is handling the work. More than $300,000 in building permits have been issued for the property since September.
The property includes two second-story apartments that have been leased. Tsui said he expects to hire about 20 employees for Foo Dog.
One of the more active local restaurant groups, EAT Restaurant Partners also owns the Blue Goat at Libbie and Grove avenues, Osaka Sushi & Steak on Huguenot Road, Wild Ginger in Midlothian and Fat Dragon on North Boulevard.