The state-run business of selling liquor is showing signs of a hangover. Sales to bars and restaurants for January were down 3 percent compared with the previous year. For the fiscal year that began in July, year-to-date sales at Virginia ABC stores were still up 6.3 percent from the previous year. But the size of… Read more »
Restaurants
The business of accessibility
Kevin Mak remembers the day a man in a wheelchair entered his restaurant with a few friends, ate some sushi and left without incident. A few weeks later, Mak, who owns Carytown Sushi, received a lawsuit in the mail. The man in the wheelchair, Craig Fabian of Midlothian, alleged that the restaurant was in violation of… Read more »
Café Gutenberg reloaded
European-styled Café Gutenberg in Shockoe Bottom is under new management. The restaurant’s chefs, Jen Mindell and Garrett Barry, purchased the restaurant from the previous owner last month. The restaurant is closed while Mindell and Barry refine the menu and revamp the interior.
Pizza turnover in Short Pump
There are two new pizza joints on scene in Short Pump. This past week, eco-friendly chain Pizza Fusion opened a location at Short Pump Station near Trader Joe’s. The company prides itself on using organic ingredients and earth-friendly suppliers. Meanwhile, the Bottom’s Up on Nuckols Road changed hands.
Smoking bills advance in Senate
Smoking is a hot topic in this year’s General Assembly. Several bills were introduced in the Senate that either ban or regulate smoking in Virginia. The Senate Education and Health Committee voted last week to allow five of those bills to move forward and appear before the full Senate.
Richmond hotels still offering freebies
As hotels across the country downsize their staffs and cut back on freebies such as cookies at the front desk and 24-hour coffee, a handful of Richmond’s high-end hotels are dishing out the complimentary goodies.
Two restaurants close
It’s looking like two more Richmond restaurants have closed shop. One blog is reporting that Shockoe Bottom eatery Relish has closed after two years in operation. And the popular foodie blog in vino veritas has posted that that upscale Carytown restaurant Karsens is also closing. I went by last night and it wasn’t open, but… Read more »
“B-Dubs” To Open Short Pump Location
Short Pump is getting its own Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and bar. Often called “BW3’s” or “B-Dubs, the popular chain, known for its wings and large variety of sauces, is moving into the old American Family Fitness location on Pouncey Tract Road in the SkateNation Plus building. The building will need considerable rennovations, including the… Read more »
Solve the riddle: Bank, Si, Pie
What’s with the one-word names for restaurants? Mo Roman, who owns the swanky downtown eatery Bank, as well as the fan tapas joint, Si, is working on a pizza place called Pie. He has leased space in the Berry Burke building at 525 E. Grace Street, which is across the street from the Center Stage… Read more »
Can’t stand the heat? Don’t open a restaurant.
Restaurant operators continue to open new eateries, but they’re facing a tougher road ahead in a fiercely competitive industry. The same number of restaurants have opened so far this year in the City of Richmond as at this time last year. But more are going out of business according to Joe Gusti, an owner of… Read more »