Former ‘Top Chef’ bringing diner concept to Willow Lawn early next year
Chef Bryan Voltaggio opening eighth restaurant, first in Richmond, with third ‘Family Meal’ concept next year.
A former ‘Top Chef’ contestant has his sights set on Richmond for his eighth restaurant location. Bryan Voltaggio, owner of Maryland and D.C.-based restaurants including VOLT, Lunchbox, Family Meal and RANGE, announced plans on Tuesday to bring a new casual dining concept to town in 2015.
Along with business partner Hilda Staples, Voltaggio plans to open his third Family Meal diner concept early next year within The Shops at Willow Lawn.
Voltaggio, the runner-up contestant on the sixth season of Bravo’s Top Chef, placed second to his brother, Michael Voltaggio on the cooking competition show. He was also a runner-up on the fifth season of Top Chef Masters, making him the first chef to compete on both programs. Voltaggio is also a James Beard Award finalist.
The noted chef’s Family Meal concept will offer modern twists on time-honored American classics and be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Crowd favorites of the first Family Meal location in Frederick, Maryland include hoecakes with pimento cheese, maple bacon jam, and pickle relish; fried chicken served with buttermilk biscuits, pickles, and hot sauce; softshell crab with smoked crab, John Cope’s corn, tomato, and bacon; and more.
“My family frequently visits Family Meal in Frederick, and I wanted to bring that same place to the Richmond community,” said Voltaggio of his forthcoming location. “The full-service diner concept lends itself to local families, working professionals, visitors alike.”
Staples says she became acquainted with Richmond through her husband, who was born and raised in town.
“Although a big city, Richmond still has that small town feel that we love about Frederick, our hometown,” Staples said. “Having visited for most holiday family gatherings, I knew Richmond would be a great location for our more casual restaurant concept.”
The pair say the Family Meal concept uses the same innovative techniques and high-quality ingredients as Voltaggio’s flagship restaurant, VOLT, but in more approachable ways.
No word yet on where within the shopping center the restaurant will be located, but Willow Lawn property management company Federal Realty has classified it as an “anchor tenant.”
-
Recommend this
on Facebook -
Report an error
-
Subscribe to our
Weekly Digest
Trevor Dickerson
Trevor Dickerson loves all things Richmond and manages RVANews’ West of the Boulevard and West End community sites.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
Words can not express my excitement enough! I am OBSESSED with the Voltaggio’s! I can not wait!
I have visited a family style resturant in Savannah,Ga and they placed large serving bowls on the table with the vegetables, fruit, and platters of meat. Large round tables encouraged conversations with strangers over an excellent meal. It is a very successful resturant where people stand in line around the block in order to eat there. it is reasonably priced. I wonder if they will offer a similiar format?
I’m looking forward to this. Like Pam, I have high expectations from my experiences in Savannah (Mrs. Wilkes’ is incredible). I’m hoping that it’s similar in atmosphere.
This sounds like a great addition to an ever expanding selection of shopping and eating ‘wins’ for Willow Lawn. Having previously lived nearby for years; it’s great to see such quality businesses being selected for the newly revised mall/area. This combined with the new (and many years coming) Staples Mill center near 64 is surely going to enhance property values (and congestion) for the area. It’s quickly becoming the new ‘near ShortPump’ alternative for the area. I think it’s a prime spot for office/business/play… In the city for those not ready to vanquish into West End suburbia, but not ready to leave the unique lifestyle flavor of Richmond old. I welcome such options and am appreciative of any expansion and investment in our great city. The Blvd. area/coridor needs to take note on such development and get moving!