The Vault closes, a new pub opens in the Fan, a Mini-Greek Festival kicks off, and more food news

We received breaking news this morning that a local downtown nightclub will be closing for renovations, owner of Millie’s Diner and Lulu’s opens another restaurant, and we check in with the Executive Chef at Byram’s to see what new specials are cooking.

November 10, 2011; 11:03 AM • by RVANews staff

Richmond Bizsense dropped some interesting restaurant news in our inboxes this morning. Amy David is reporting that Bank/Vault Restaurant downtown is closed for renovations. Owner Mo Roman will be closing Vault for good, which was the night club located below the restaurant, in an effort to attract more business professionals and move away from the club scene. Bank will see an upgraded dining area, a new sitting area, a new wooden bar and an expanded cocktail menu. All of these renovations will take place in the next 10 to 14 days in an effort to re-open by the end of the month.

According to Style Weekly, Paul Keevil who we all know and love for bringing us Millie’s Diner as well as LuLu’s is now bringing us a THIRD restaurant: Tio Pablo which loosely translates to Uncle Paul. The third musketeer in his family of restaurants will be a Mexican-style cafe that will offer roasted meats and peppers, house-made tortillas and salsas, fresh juices and tequilas on a changing menu with no American food in sight. It will be located right around the corner from LuLu’s, in the former Boom Boom Burgers location.

Drive up from Tio Pablo and into the Fan and you will hit another new restaurant. According to Richmond Bizsense, Kyle Sinclair just opened Local Eatery and Pub on West Main Street right next to Roxy Cafe. Sinclair is very familiar with the Richmond restaurant scene having been involved with St. Somewhere, Liquid Assets (now Wonderland), Radius, and Catch 22. The Northern Ireland native has been looking to open an Irish pub and his dream will be completed by December 1st when the pending ABC license is cleared and the pints ‘o Guinness and other Irish delights start flowing. Jason Thrasher, formerly with Tarrant’s Cafe, will serve has head chef dishing out a menu of Irish comfort food with an American twist.

How much does Richmond love the Greek Festival!? SO MUCH! Well hold on to your hats because this weekend there is a little slice of that Greek Festival heaven for you with a Mini Greek Festival! According to the Near West End News, The Mini Greek Festival will happen Thursday (as in right now) through Saturday at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. You can grab Greek goodies, stock up on frozen entrees for later, peruse the mini bazaar for maybe some holiday presents, and even check out those impressive Hellenic dancers from 11am – 8pm each day. If you are too busy to spend some time at the festival there will be a drive through/take out. Multiple visits through the takeout line are totally acceptable.

Back in September, we told you about Byram’s being under new ownership. Executive Chef Danny Klubowicz now has some weekly specials lined up and who doesn’t love a great dining deal?! Monday through Friday specials include the following:

Monday Pasta Night: Choice of Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo or Spaghetti Bolognese $11
Tuesday: Calabash Seafood: Choose two; oysters, shrimp, scallops or clams, served with coleslaw and cornbread $16
Wednesday: Cheap Date Night: Dinner for two including a bottle of wine $40 couple
Thursday: Prime Rib with baked potato and vegetable $15
Friday: Half-price wine night–all bottles of wine are half-price.
Daily Happy Hour Specials from 4pm-7pm

photo by Gamma Man