Photo courtesy of The Backyard Grill / Facebook.com/TheBackyardGrillRVA
GRAND OPENINGS
YARDBIRDS: In the mood for chicken or an amazing hamburger? Well, good, because a cool, new restaurant is opening today (Thursday, July 9th). John Harper, owner of The Backyard Grill, located in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center at 443 North Ridge Road, says he will be offering “anything you can cook on the grill.”
There’s even a smoker in the basement of this casual, family-style restaurant. When I stopped by earlier in the week, John was serving up some great looking food to his staff. I wanted to beg for a bite. But I used self-control. I will be stopping in to try the place out very soon.
CIAO CHOW: Ciao Capri has opened in the Gleneagles Shopping Center on Ridgefield Parkway. The restaurant is owned by Alberto and Peppino Mastromano, who had previously operated Little Venice and Accanto restaurants in the same shopping center.
Alberto tells me that Ciao Capri gives him and his brother an opportunity to concentrate on the foods from their native Isle of Capri. The picturesque island is located in the Campania region of Italy and, cuisine-wise, the feature is on lighter, more healthful foods.
The restaurant, which opened the first of June has been well received by West Enders, Alberto says.
A TASTE OF BAGHDAD: I read a fascinating piece by Karri Peifer on Richmond.com the other day about a new Middle Eastern deli that’s recently opened in the far West End, and I just had to meet the owners. So I did. Hummam al Naqeeb and his wife Shymaa al Durrah, owners of the new Mesopotamia Delicatessen are an interesting and quite gracious couple. Both are from Baghdad, where they operated a delicatessen before relocating to America.
“When I was in Baghdad,” Hummam says, “I served American and European foods. But there’s no sense in my serving lasagna, here.” Rather, the couple offers some exceptional foods from their homeland.
He fixed a sample platter for me to try. Everything was fresh and delicious. “We prepare each dish every morning,” Hummam says.
Acknowledging that many of the prepared foods are somewhat unique to us locals, he says he’s encouraging folks to stop in for a sample. I’d definitely recommend the hummus. “It’s unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere,” Hummam says. I agree.
And, while I am definitely not a fan of the beet, his beets Tahini dish was delicious. “Its my grandmother’s recipe,” he says. The deli also includes a grocery featuring packaged specialty items from the Middle East.
Just a side note, when you stop in, check out the old RCA record player, which belonged to Shymaa’s mother, in Baghdad, as well as a beautiful Russian samovar. If you know what that is, you’re several steps ahead of me. I’d never heard of a samovar until this week.
The Russian samovar at Mesopotamia Delicatessen. Photo by Steve Cook
COMING ATTRACTIONS
MAIN STREET BREWS: I stopped by the new District Five Gastropub and Beer Garden at 1911 W. Main Street, in the Fan, yesterday. Co-owner, Hani Atalla, tells me the place should be opening very soon. It looks as if the only thing left to do is finish the attractive outdoor beer garden, and, of course, get all the approvals from the City.
Not being a resident of the Fan, I did not know the reason behind the restaurant’s name. I thought District 5 might be some sort of secret location where the United States military was hiding UFOs that had landed in the Richmond area.
“Actually,” says Hani, “It’s the local voting district. But you can use the UFO story. It might be more intriguing.”
Hani, who also owns Off the Hookah and Southern Railway Taphouse, says District 5 will offer 48 taps. “It will be a bit more casual than Southern Railway,” he says.
HIDDEN GEM
FIRE AND ICE: I also visited with some old Budz in the biz this week at Hermitage Grill, located at 6010 Hermitage Road . Bartender, Stacey Sheldon (she was Stacey Jones when she co-hosted our now “retired” The Flave radio show) let me sample items from her new cocktail menu. These delicious beverages offer a little heat, especially her “Sweet n’ Hot,” which features Jalapeno Grapefruit Vodka, sweetened lime juice, along with cranberry juice and pink lemonade, and a fresh slice of jalapeno for a garnish. Of course, I only sampled, but I’d heartily recommend you try it. Her Lakeside B&B (bourbon & basil) is also quite good. She created her own Thai basil syrup for this concoction.
The Hermitage Grill is owned by Waller McCracken, who does a masterful job in the kitchen. Waller is as unpretentious as his restaurant. You might not expect to find a Cordon Bleu-trained chef hiding out in this comfortable little spot, located in a mostly residential section of Lakeside. But, check it out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
LOOK WHAT’S POPPING: While we await the grand opening of the new French eatery, Belle & James, scheduled for either late summer or early fall, we’ll have an opportunity to sample some of their menu specialties and/or craft cocktails as several local venues are hosting pop-up events. With Bobby Kruger as the GM, we can and are expecting some big things from this place.
The food and/or drinks from Belle & James will be served alongside pairings from the hosts. It’s too late to enjoy the pop up at Lickinghole Creek. They did that on July 4th. However, you can still enjoy one or more of the following pop-ups:
- July 14th at Osaka Sushi and Steak (5023 Huguenot Road)
- July 21st at the Blue Goat (5710 Grove Avenue)
- July 28th at Curry Craft (2915 W. Cary Street)
For more information, check out Belle & James’ Facebook page.
GET OUT OF TOWN: If you’re heading for Lake Gaston, take an appetite along and plan a stop at Carolina BBQ & Chicken in Roanoke Rapids. I had the opportunity to enjoy their buffet a couple of weeks ago and found virtually every item simply amazing. Now, keep in mind this is North Carolina cooking, so there are going to be several fried items on the buffet, including some exceptional fried chicken and fresh fish. But, even if you avoid the fried stuff, there’s plenty to choose from. Their abundance of fresh vegetable all have that homemade taste. Their desserts were delicious, including some sugar-free items. But, the star of the show is, in my opinion, their barbecue. I wish I had tried it first. I would have saved room for more. The buffet costs about ten bucks for adults and even if you’re not a big buffet fan, if you love good home cooking, you’re gonna love Carolina BBQ & Chicken. I promise.
Photo courtesy of the Capital Ale House National Beer Expo
A FINELY CRAFTED EVENT: That’s what the folks who are producing the 2nd Annual National Beer Expo are calling the event, which runs form July 16-18. They are right. If you want both an opportunity and an excuse to sample hundreds of artisan-made craft beers from around the state and the United States, this is your opportunity. And to think it happens right here in town. There are over a dozen events, giving enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy over 200 of the nation’s best craft beers. For additional information, including ticket info, visit the website.
SHEER LUNA-CY: There is so much going on that same weekend, including Center of the Universe Brewing Company’s third annual Summer Moon Festival, celebrating the anniversary (45th this year) of that giant leap for mankind, the walk on the moon. Gee, I hope we don’t find out that never happened. This would be so embarrassing. But, until we do, come on out to COTU for a weekend of music, craft beer, food trucks and freshly shucked oysters.
THE HANDWRITING’S ON THE WALL (SORTA): The 2015 Richmond Mural Project runs from July 13th through the 24th. On the 18th (how much fun can a friendly little city have in one day?), Sabai Asian Restaurant will be hosting the main reception for the event in their parking lot at 2727 W. Broad Street.
The event will feature live music by three local bands, lots of delicious food and the release of Lickinghole Creek’s Batchelor’s Delight, rum barrel Belgian quad. There will also be a video projection of the murals in progress.
The handwriting is also on the wall (or is it the clock), telling me that that’s all we have time for today. Go out and check out some of these new dining spots. But before you go, how about giving us a LIKE at our Facebook page.
And, don’t forget, if you have any food/restaurant news to share, or if you have discovered a dining spot that you want to let others in on, we’d love to hear from you at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.
