Cafe Diem gets replaced, Casa Del Barco serves upscale Mexican, and Hardywood turns one

The Viceroy will take over Cafe Diem, Proper Pie Co. nears its grand opening in Church Hill, and a new upscale Mexican restaurant comes to the Canal Walk.

October 25, 2012; 9:11 AM • by RVANews staff

Jackson Ward will get a new restaurant in late November called Saison. Jay Bayer and Adam Hall–both former Capital Ale House employees–have purchased the old Marshall Street Cafe and Jazz Bistro at the corner of Marshall and Adam. The menu will be Southern Style with a splash of Latin American flavor. Two examples given in a recent interview with Richmond Bizsense include: a sweet potato waffle with a buttermilk-marinated duck breast and cilantro-lime zest, as well as braised short ribs with guajillo chilies on goat cheese grits with toasted pumpkin seeds. Yum! Small plates and appetizers will be $8 – $12, entrees priced between $15 and $25, beers $3 – $10, and cocktails $8 to $12. You can keep up with their progress through their Facebook page.

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Kevin Healy, the man behind several restaurants in Rocketts Landing, will be opening his first Downtown spot in December. Casa Del Barco, which translates to “boathouse” in Spanish, will be an upscale Mexican restaurant on the Canal Walk at 311 S. 11th Street, across the water from the old Blackfinn. The menu will feature dishes such as: lobster ceviche, green chorizo, beef tongue tacos, handmade tamales, and six different salsas all made with fresh, local ingredients. In fact, the restaurant won’t even have a freezer. That’s how fresh we’re talking people! Over 100 types of tequila will be available with happy hour plans in the works. The restaurant will have an outdoor patio seating 60 along with 130 seats inside of the restaurant, so plenty of space for a large party. They will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with brunch served on Sundays.

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Church Hill will also be getting a new restaurant, the much anticipated Proper Pie Company. An update on Richmond.com says that they should open by the end of the month. Since October 31st is this Wednesday, we are just seven short days away from delicious savory pies! The couple behind Proper Pie are super interesting, and definitely worth reading about.

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It might be one of the quickest restaurant turnarounds in RVA history. Last week we told you Cafe Diem’s doors were shut. This week, the corner space at Sheppard and Patterson has both a new tenant and new name: The Viceroy. Dave Bender, who owns Caliente, and Sean McClain, owner of Banditos, have joined forces in the Devil’s Triangle to create a new restaurant that is actually in the middle of the two they each own. The menu will be upscale American with a large American craft beer list. Upgrades will be made to the space which could possibly include . . . wait for it . . . a rooftop patio!

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UPDATE: Because of inclement weather forecasts for Sunday, Graze on Grace has been CANCELLED.

Remember how much fun you have at Broad Appetit each year? Sampling great dishes from some of Richmond’s best restaurants while strolling the streets of Richmond with a drink in hand? Good news! The same concept is happening this weekend just one block over. Graze on Grace will take place this Sunday, October 28th from 12:00 to 5:00 PM between 4th and 7th streets on E. Grace Street. $3 will buy you a sample from the many Richmond restaurants on hand:

• Pasture
• Mezzanine
• Ginger Thai
• M Wine Bistro
• Brookville (out of Charlottesville)
• The Culinary Institute of Virginia College • Richmond Campus
• Heritage
• Comfort
• Africanne on Main
• 525 at the Berry Burk
• Popkin Tavern

Think you’ll get thirsty? Don’t worry. Brown Distributing and local Virginia wineries will be on site to help you wash it down!

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A while back, we talked about Chris DiLauro of Bacchus and Manny Mendez opening a restaurant together in Stratford Hills. Fast forward a few months and now C&M Galley and Kitchen have officially opened at 2805 Hathaway Road, formerly Stratford Grill. The restaurant is set up with a family friendly environment that owners think will work well in the neighborhood. Constantine Giavos, son of restaurant power couple Katrina and Johnny Giavos, designed the menu to feature Latin and Mediterranean flavors. They also used the same designer/carpenter as Stella’s and The Continental, Jeff Killian, which means the ambiance will be nothing but on point.

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It is hard to believe, but Richmond’s own brewery heroes are turning one! This Saturday, Hardywood Park will celebrate its first year with a great party. Swing by Hardywood from 2:00 – 9:00 PM at 2408 Ownby Lane for live music, fun, and some tasty local brews! Happy birthday Hardywood!

October 25, 2012 9:11 AM 2