Just like no bargain is worth a two or three hour wait outside of “Best Buys”, but the idiots still do and then walk away with empty.

I’ve lived in New York, Dublin, Tokyo, and now Los Angeles, and I don’t see this dire need for Richmond to be anything else than what it is, because it is so wonderful in its own right. It reminds me of the New Yorkers that lived in the southern area of Manhattan, who rallied fellow citizens to protest plans for a freeway that would cut across the neighborhoods there. The freeway would have been so convenient, and certainly would have increased progress in the areas connected by it, but the plans were overturned by the residents’ strong desire to maintain a culture they felt was too important to let go of.

Richmond’s culture is unique, and it makes me happy to know there are still people and new generations there fighting for it, no matter how ridiculous it might seem to the residents of larger and possibly more “progressive” cities. I’ll wrap up my love letter here, by saying that I look forward to both trying out these new places when I visit next, and visiting the ‘ol stomping grounds. It’s how it should be when you go back home.

Thanks RVANews for giving me my Richmond fix when I need some. =)

It’s important to remember that this, or any poll, does not truly speak for the entire population; its results were culled from those who chose to respond: i.e. those readers of RVAnews who chose to take time to respond. While not to fault RVAnews, I think it is safe to say that not all of our fine citizens participated.

All of that aside, isn’t another way to look at the same places showing up on lists from year to year that they are still “good” or still “bad?”

As pretentious as many of us (current and former) Richmonder’s feel and act…we still know that we don’t want to hang at a bar that embodies that pretension. Otherwise, we realize our faults and hypocrisy and vow to not put ourselves in such an uncomfortable environment again.

Hence, it fails.

Infusion closed.

Speaking as a former resident, I was saddened to read this list. It shows that the city is stuck in the same captive “security bubble” that it will remain in unless people try to shake things up. More businesses need to come to the city that can help it grow and blossom into the metropolitan and cultural diversity it “strives” to be.

However, it’s up to the residents to let new ideas and ventures enter into the capital city with open minds and open arms. Otherwise, next year’s list is going to look exactly the same.

WOW! Many thanks to everyone!

Some neighborhoods in Richmond are so desperate for an identity that their inhabitants will loudly embrace any number of mediocre restaurants (like Kitchen 64) because it’s the only thing they’ve got to brag about.

How can an opinion not be credible?

Apparently Richmond remains replete with fawning throwbacks for its anti-bellum bygone days. Hey! Wake up and realize it’s the 21st Century.

One more thing – NO resurant’s food is ever worth an hour’s plus wait, expecially the hole-in-the-wall that is Millie’s.

BTW – IMO the raving-fan opinion of the loyalist who lives within walking distance of Millie’s is simply not credible.