https://rvanews.com All the news, none of that gross newsprint feel Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:23:10 +0000 en-US https://rvanews.com/features/mekong-wins-smple-closes-and-balliceaux-gets-a-new-chef/68753?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS+Readership Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:23:43 +0000 RVANews staff http://rvanews.com/?p=68753 <p style = "text-align:center"><img width="379" height="250" src="https://rvanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Balliceaux-sign.jpg" class="attachment-550x550 size-550x550 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://rvanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Balliceaux-sign.jpg 379w, https://rvanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Balliceaux-sign-180x118.jpg 180w, https://rvanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Balliceaux-sign-270x178.jpg 270w" sizes="(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px" /></p><p>On Sunday, September 23rd Adam Bell, owner of S@mple, announced he was <a href="http://fanofthefan.com/2012/09/smple-has-closed-for-business/">closing his restaurant</a>. The owner of the small plate, tech-savvy restaurant at 1 N. Morris street said in a phone interview with RVANews that “we weren’t seeing the volume needed to sustain.” Prior to S@mple, that building housed Sprout, a localvore restaurant with 90% of ingredients sourced by area farmers. Is the location cursed? You can read more about Bell’s <a href="http://rvanews.com/features/smple-owner-talks-about-closing-his-restaurant/68564">reasons for closing here</a>.</p><p class = "hr">&mdash; ∮∮∮ &mdash;</p><p>In more closing news, <a href="http://www.shacklefords.com/">Shackelford’s Restaurant and Raw Bar</a> in the West End is <a href="http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/restaurants-richmond/2012/sep/21/shackelfords-restaurant-closing-ar-2223484/">closing after 19 years in business</a>. Their last day will be October 29th.</p><p class = "hr">&mdash; ∮∮∮ &mdash;</p><p>Mekong! Richmonders know it’s the best place for a Belgian brew, but now, thanks to <a href="http://www.craftbeer.com/">CraftBeer.com</a>, the whole US of A <a href="http://rvanews.com/features/mekong-voted-best-beer-bar-in-us/68546">knows about our little strip mall gem</a>. The public voted Mekong first in the “Great America Beer Bar” contest. Way to go, team! Way to go RVA!</p><p class = "hr">&mdash; ∮∮∮ &mdash;</p><p>According to Richmond Magazine, Balliceaux <a href="http://richmondmagazine.com/dine/blogs.php?blogID=002368fd8e0b029f1fbee03ddf460982">has a new chef</a>: Michael McLure. He’s trained in French cuisine, and has worked locally in Chez Max and Bistro Bobette. He’s currently working on a new fall menu, so keep your eyes peeled.</p><p class = "hr">&mdash; ∮∮∮ &mdash;</p><p>Looking to spend the weekend outside? Here are a couple food festival opportunities:</p><h2>Festival of India</h2><ul><li>Free</li><li>Greater Richmond Convention Center </li><li>Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM</li></ul><h2>Italian Street Festival</h2><ul><li>Free</li><li>17th Street Farmers Market</li><li>Saturday, September 29th 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM</li></ul><p>Also, <a href="http://www.statefairva.org/">The State Fair</a> begins on Friday. Lots of fantastic local farmers are there to show off their prized garden possessions, and of course the fried Oreos if you want to go that route...</p><p><small>photo by Dean Christensen</small></p><p><br />Ho there, reader of RSS feeds! Do you ever want to support RVANews in a real and tangible way? Or at least pay a small penance for reading ad-free content? If so, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/rvanews">support us on Patreon for a couple bucks a month</a>!</p>