Trouvaille co-owner Joe Kmetz. (Mike Platania photos)
For at least the sixth time in the building’s recent history, a new restaurant has arrived at 203 N. Lombardy St.
Trouvaille opened earlier this month in the Fan property that was once the home of Bogart’s, Balliceaux and more.
Named for a nearby alleyway, Trouvaille is the brainchild of couple Joe Kmetz and Jennie Garriques. Kmetz formerly owned The Shaved Duck in Midlothian but closed it last summer and began pursuing a new spot in the city.
Garriques led the redesign of the 3,600-square-foot space into an Art Deco-inspired eatery with gold silverware and accents, breeze block behind the bar and black painted walls.
“Jennie’s entire vision was Art Deco,” Kmetz said. “It was a very, ‘brand new, yet vintage’ type of feeling that she’s interested in.”
Kmetz, meanwhile, led the development of Trouvaille’s menu. He said popular items so far have been the duck breast with confit carrots ($40), steak au poivre with a cognac cream sauce ($47) and braised short ribs ($14). In lieu of committing to one particular style of food, Kmetz said he’s choosing to keep Trouvaille’s menu flexible.
“(The current menu) is based on things that I was in the mood to eat, and I’d take that and go and elevate it for the restaurant,” he said. “I keep myself more engaged by freelancing a little bit more and taking inspirations from different cultures and trying to tie them together.”
Once an area for live music, the rear of the building is now a dining room.
The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. every day, and Kmetz said happy hour specials are in the works. Trouvaille has a staff of 15.
Previous tenants at 203 N. Lombardy St., such as Balliceaux and Poor Boys of RVA, had cultivated a nightlife and live music crowd, but Kmetz and Garriques removed the stage in the rear of the building and are focusing on the food, something Kmetz said has so far been well-received by some locals.
“Everyone’s just been pretty excited to have something that is less entertainment-focused and more restaurant-focused,” Kmetz said.
Trouvaille is one of three new restaurants to give new life to old, nearby spaces of late.
Marylous Soul Dining Experience opened a few blocks away in the old Postbellum space at 1323 W. Main St. Behind the soul food concept is Lachan Toran, owner of Shockoe Bottom’s Aces Sports Lounge.
A bit further west at 2901 Park Ave. in the Museum District, the Texan Inn recently opened. The diner from Lynchburg took over the space that had previously housed Izzy’s Kitchen
Trouvaille co-owner Joe Kmetz. (Mike Platania photos)
For at least the sixth time in the building’s recent history, a new restaurant has arrived at 203 N. Lombardy St.
Trouvaille opened earlier this month in the Fan property that was once the home of Bogart’s, Balliceaux and more.
Named for a nearby alleyway, Trouvaille is the brainchild of couple Joe Kmetz and Jennie Garriques. Kmetz formerly owned The Shaved Duck in Midlothian but closed it last summer and began pursuing a new spot in the city.
Garriques led the redesign of the 3,600-square-foot space into an Art Deco-inspired eatery with gold silverware and accents, breeze block behind the bar and black painted walls.
“Jennie’s entire vision was Art Deco,” Kmetz said. “It was a very, ‘brand new, yet vintage’ type of feeling that she’s interested in.”
Kmetz, meanwhile, led the development of Trouvaille’s menu. He said popular items so far have been the duck breast with confit carrots ($40), steak au poivre with a cognac cream sauce ($47) and braised short ribs ($14). In lieu of committing to one particular style of food, Kmetz said he’s choosing to keep Trouvaille’s menu flexible.
“(The current menu) is based on things that I was in the mood to eat, and I’d take that and go and elevate it for the restaurant,” he said. “I keep myself more engaged by freelancing a little bit more and taking inspirations from different cultures and trying to tie them together.”
Once an area for live music, the rear of the building is now a dining room.
The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. every day, and Kmetz said happy hour specials are in the works. Trouvaille has a staff of 15.
Previous tenants at 203 N. Lombardy St., such as Balliceaux and Poor Boys of RVA, had cultivated a nightlife and live music crowd, but Kmetz and Garriques removed the stage in the rear of the building and are focusing on the food, something Kmetz said has so far been well-received by some locals.
“Everyone’s just been pretty excited to have something that is less entertainment-focused and more restaurant-focused,” Kmetz said.
Trouvaille is one of three new restaurants to give new life to old, nearby spaces of late.
Marylous Soul Dining Experience opened a few blocks away in the old Postbellum space at 1323 W. Main St. Behind the soul food concept is Lachan Toran, owner of Shockoe Bottom’s Aces Sports Lounge.
A bit further west at 2901 Park Ave. in the Museum District, the Texan Inn recently opened. The diner from Lynchburg took over the space that had previously housed Izzy’s Kitchen
Sooo many restaurants in such a short period time in that space, you have to wonder if location is part of it. Good luck! I hope this one can last.
I’ve lived around the corner from this space for years… this part of the neighborhood won’t support the restaurant for long. The only chance for this space is to appeal to VCU students. $45 entrees aren’t going to work
Agree, unfortunately. 1 hour parking/no parking is also an issue.
Then explain how Kuba Kuba can survive a mere block or two away? It’s about quality and atmosphere above all else. People will find a way to park if chefs find a way to provide a reason.
If that’s correct – and I don’t believe it is – why has Edo thrived for so long? or L’Opossum, etc? Good restaurants with owners who care and provide good experiences will find their audience, especially if they have the capital and patience to grow slowly. For this spot, knowing what they want to be is a great start – I was always skeptical of marketing themselves as a higher end restaurant and waiting for their dinner service customers to finish eating so the band could start.
Craig, I agree. If the food is great then it will survive. Balliceaux worked until the food quality took a dive (I think the chef left). This space has a hefty rent given its 3,600 sqft, which is the main culprit—A restaurant that big has to sell a lot of alcohol and food to make a profit and attract/keep quality servers. Joe and Jennie can make it happen based on their prior spot’s success.
It’s the space that’s the problem. If you want to do a high-end dinner place, you need a smaller space that’s ON the beaten track, not a barn that’s hidden in the Fan.
My wife and I dined there the other night. Food was outstanding. There are plenty of folks (non-VCU students) within walking distance in the neighborhood along Grove and Park willing to spend to support this establishment. I wish them well and look forward to dining there again.
This space requires four shifts and a lower price point. To pay that rent, you need breakfast/brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Last night I walked by at 8pm and there were two couples dining.
For what it is worth, I understand the food is outstanding.
I loved the Shaved Duck. I’m looking forward to trying Joe’s new place.
i am a neighbor, so I REALLY want a restaurant in this location to work! We have been one time and while our entrees were very very good, I think the menu is too limited for this space. The bar service was very slow considering there were only 3 tables filled. Granted, I am a frequent patron of restaurants and NOT a restaurant owner, but I think they need more options like a good burger and sandwiches. The menu lends itself to making this a place I would go occasionally but not every 1-2 weeks. Given that they don’t look… Read more »
So if we all want a variety of new, local restaurants then let’s do our part as patrons to support them regardless of the parking or other non food issues.
Something different always draws a crowd. Sometimes it takes a while to build momentum and that’s where we come in. If the food is good, then I’ll go and figure out the rest. Hope others will give this spot a chance.