Zinc-ing his teeth in
In this town, the tapas fad has outlasted even some local restaurants. One West Main eatery, though, is working to buck the trend.
Still hip to be on the Square
Folks over in Crozet have been working on the railroad. Er, rather, the railroad issue. In early May, Buckingham Branch Rail- road, the company that leases Crozet’s Square area from CSX, put the kibosh on patrons parking there. Claiming liability issues, BBRR gave businesses on The Square—including Fardowners and Mud- house—30 days to get used [...]
Ready for service
What’s the hold up? That’s what we ask ourselves each day that goes by and Fry’s Spring Station isn’t open. In January, co-owner Robert Sawrey told us we could expect the restaurant to open in late March. Unfortunately, he tells us now, it’s taken longer than expected. “We couldn’t get the power set up,” Sawrey [...]
The jam man
There’s not much Restaurantarama likes more than a slice of whole wheat bread with a thick slathering of homemade jam. And we’re not alone.
Give a dog a home
It’s a dog eat dog world, folks. Hot dogs, that is. And while the hot dog cart is a growing trend—as Restaurantarama touched on last week—one local chef is bringing the craze back indoors. The Downtown Hotdog Company will move in to York Place at the end of this month. The goal? To “give the [...]
All hopped up
Brewmaster Jason Oliver thinks his recent win at the 2010 World Beer Cup is “pretty cool,” but Restaurantarama suspects he’s being a bit modest
Going Upstairs
When you’re here, you’re family. At least, that’s how Harrison Keevil wants you to feel. The Goochland native and UVA alum just signed a lease on the former Upstairs spot. His plan? To turn it into Brookeville Restaurant, a place “where everyone feels comfortable and welcome.” Harrison Keevil says his goal is to open Brookeville [...]
Back into the Corner
Things may be looking up for Elliewood Avenue. After a string of closings—Biltmore Grill (which reopened last summer), Buddhist Biker Bar and Cantina—the Corner street is filling up again. Chris Jones (left) and Jason Wright, pictured here with head chef Christopher Pyles, will open The Backyard by the end of the month. In the former [...]
Hartman says "relax"
You may know him as the acclaimed Fossett’s chef, but since the middle of February, Craig Hartman has been doing something he calls “a little different.” Hartman and his wife, Donna, have opened a barbeque joint in Gordonsville. Fossett’s Chef Craig Hartman says the response to his new Gordonsville barbeque joint has been “overwhelming.” The [...]
A thrill for Bluegrass Grill
We’ve got one word for you: biscuits. If you’re imagining baked buttermilk goodness right now, we’re totally with you.
For Foods, a new station
When Karen Laetare, owner of Brix Terrace Café, told us in January that she was planning to end her stint with the Café at Monticello come spring
Coffee clash
“I think coffee’s fun and let’s get this party started.” That’s what Mudhouse Director of Operations Dan Pabst told judges a few weeks ago when he participated in the South East Regional Barista Competition. The event gives baristas 15 minutes to create three cups of coffee for each of the four sensory judges—one espresso, one [...]
Arrivederci, Milano
Here’s some news to harsh your coffee buzz: After almost seven years in business and just a year and a half after their move to the “pink building” on South Street, Milano Cafe owners Mark and Victoria Cave have announced plans to close on March 31. Mark (pictured) and Victoria Cave will end their seven-year [...]
Blue Light turning into a sports bar?
In this town, where culinary staff come and go quicker than the time it takes to pour a martini
Dumplings on Elliewood
The dumpling duo has done it again. Dragana Katalina-Sun and Sun Da, married proprietors of Marco & Luca dumpling shop on the Downtown Mall, opened a second Marco & Luca on Elliewood Avenue at the old site of Sublime. Judging by the line out the door on a snowy day last week, when Restaurantarama observed [...]
Boar's Head chef looks local
He’s been at the helm for a year now, but Restaurantarama sat down with Terry Sheehan, The Boar’s Head Inn’s relatively new Executive Chef
Lazy Parrot lets you puff
If smoking’s your game, Lazy Parrot has you covered. Currently the Parrot is listed on SmokeFreelyVirginia.com
Fry's Spring Service Station takes shape
First the bad news, Buddhist Biker Bar & Grille on Elliewood Avenue has closed. No word yet on new tenants
Laetare goes back to Brix basics
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when the Thomas Jefferson Foundation recently announced that starting this year it will rent out the grounds of Monticello for private events.
More local eateries feeling empty
Last week we reported that restaurant business was not as bleak as it could have been in 2009 given the sorry state of the economy.
Staunton chef on world stage
What do you do when you meet President Barack Obama for the first time?
Rivals closes
With no apparent connection to the blowout at Scott Stadium on November 28, the UVA-versus-Virginia-Tech-themed Rivals Sports Bar & Grill closed abruptly last week.
No blowing smoke
It’s been a week since Virginia joined 27 other states and the District of Columbia in banning smoking at bars and restaurants
