Lafayette Tavern is set to open next door to the Malvern Gardens Stella’s Grocery. (Mike Platania photo)
The Giavos family has unveiled plans for their next concept in the city.
The prolific family of restaurateurs is preparing to open Lafayette Tavern in the former Lafayette Pharmacy building at 1011 Lafayette St., across the street from their flagship restaurant Stella’s.
Lafayette Tavern will be a classic American restaurant, serving things like steaks, wedge salads, chicken paillard and more, according to Dean Giavos, who oversees the branding and design for the family’s portfolio of restaurants that includes Little Nickel, Continental, Kuba Kuba, Sidewalk Cafe and more.
He added that they’re drawing inspiration for Lafayette Tavern from taverns in New York and beyond. It’ll offer “refined takes on enduring American fare in a space designed to feel like it’s been around forever,” Giavos said.
1011 Lafayette St. was most recently home to Lafayette Pharmacy, which closed in 2022 after decades in business.
The Giavoses bought the 2,400-square-foot Lafayette Street building for $1.5 million in late 2022, on the heels of the pharmacy’s closure. Last fall they teased that they were working on a new restaurant for the property, but didn’t share any specifics at the time.
Lafayette Tavern’s food menu will be accompanied by a wine list with both niche and classic wines from France, Italy and California. It’ll also have a cocktail menu.
“We’ll definitely have a strong focus on the essentials – martinis, Manhattans and the like,” Giavos said. “Just like the food menu there’s room to have some fun, but we’re not a cocktail bar. It’s really about nailing the classics.”
The tavern will have seating for around 65 seats and 15 bar seats and is expected to be open seven days a week for dinner. Giavos said they also plan to add lunch service shortly after opening this fall.
“With the uptick in regional travel, we’ve found that people are looking for more upscale lunch options, and that’s something we’re excited to offer,” he said.
A gutting of the building is already underway, though its black glass façade will be preserved.
Another new business just opened across the street from the future Lafayette Tavern. The Shed, a yoga and pilates studio, moved into a space that was previously home to menswear shop Homme, which is in the process of moving to Bellevue.
Specific plans for Lafayette Tavern were first reported by Richmond Magazine.
Lafayette Tavern is set to open next door to the Malvern Gardens Stella’s Grocery. (Mike Platania photo)
The Giavos family has unveiled plans for their next concept in the city.
The prolific family of restaurateurs is preparing to open Lafayette Tavern in the former Lafayette Pharmacy building at 1011 Lafayette St., across the street from their flagship restaurant Stella’s.
Lafayette Tavern will be a classic American restaurant, serving things like steaks, wedge salads, chicken paillard and more, according to Dean Giavos, who oversees the branding and design for the family’s portfolio of restaurants that includes Little Nickel, Continental, Kuba Kuba, Sidewalk Cafe and more.
He added that they’re drawing inspiration for Lafayette Tavern from taverns in New York and beyond. It’ll offer “refined takes on enduring American fare in a space designed to feel like it’s been around forever,” Giavos said.
1011 Lafayette St. was most recently home to Lafayette Pharmacy, which closed in 2022 after decades in business.
The Giavoses bought the 2,400-square-foot Lafayette Street building for $1.5 million in late 2022, on the heels of the pharmacy’s closure. Last fall they teased that they were working on a new restaurant for the property, but didn’t share any specifics at the time.
Lafayette Tavern’s food menu will be accompanied by a wine list with both niche and classic wines from France, Italy and California. It’ll also have a cocktail menu.
“We’ll definitely have a strong focus on the essentials – martinis, Manhattans and the like,” Giavos said. “Just like the food menu there’s room to have some fun, but we’re not a cocktail bar. It’s really about nailing the classics.”
The tavern will have seating for around 65 seats and 15 bar seats and is expected to be open seven days a week for dinner. Giavos said they also plan to add lunch service shortly after opening this fall.
“With the uptick in regional travel, we’ve found that people are looking for more upscale lunch options, and that’s something we’re excited to offer,” he said.
A gutting of the building is already underway, though its black glass façade will be preserved.
Another new business just opened across the street from the future Lafayette Tavern. The Shed, a yoga and pilates studio, moved into a space that was previously home to menswear shop Homme, which is in the process of moving to Bellevue.
Specific plans for Lafayette Tavern were first reported by Richmond Magazine.
Let’s go, Johnny!
One suggestion: add as many tables and chairs as you can. You will need them!