Food carts return to the VHS, Lamplighter opens new digs, and a new wine bar is on the way

An empty space on Broad Street is getting the vino treatment, food carts return to the Virginia Historical Society (with a slight twist), and a new way to get Lamplighter coffee.

March 28, 2013; 7:25 AM • by RVANews staff

Richmond BizSense reported last week that a wine bar will open at the former Julian’s space at 2617 W. Broad Street. Sicily-native and local restaurateur Joe Lo Presti (Piccola’s, Mary Angela’s) and his family plan to open Pane E Vino Wine Bar & Trattoria in the 5,000-square-foot-space.

“It’s a new concept for us,” Lo Presti told BizSense. “It will be a nice wine bar where a couple or singles can come in and enjoy a glass of wine.”

The spot will also serve bread, meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables, and fresh mozzarella. Plans have it opening in late July!

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In slightly more caffeinated news, Lamplighter just expanded into Scott’s Addition. The existing Fan location will stay put, but now Lamplighter’s unique coffee and pastries have another place to call home. The spot is open 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. But owner Noelle Archibald told us that she’ll likely expand hours sometime by the summer. The new Lamplighter is located at 1719 Summit Ave.

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Beginning April 2nd, food carts roll back to the Virginia Historical Society parking lot. RVA Street Foodies will operate each Tuesday and Friday from 6:00 – 9:00 PM through September 6th. An addition to the food carts, there’ll be an outdoor stage featuring the musical and comic stylings of the poetry-based variety show Lyric Ave.

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Sausage Craft is a wholesale artisan sausage company based in town. It’s recently launched Salt Pork, which makes quality handmade charcuterie: fresh, cooked, cured, and smoked meat products. There’s no storefront just yet, but don’t let that stop you from perusing their online store in the meantime (try not to salivate too much on your keyboard, though).

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A while back, we told you about the plans of Michael Ng (Thai Corner, Thai Cabin) to create an indoor food cart court. Unfortunately, his plans have been put on the back burner. However, according to Greater Jackson Ward News, he’s working to bring four restaurants together on the 300 block of N. 2nd Street. In addition to Thai Corner and Big Herm’s Kitchen, he’s helping food cart Estes BarB’Que open its first storefront, along with developing a Mexican option. It’s going to be a lunch hour restaurant row, people!

Ng works quickly, so expect the tasty Jackson Ward block coming together in the next couple of months.