New restaurants: May 2013

You can’t throw a bowl of shrimp and grits in this town without hitting a new restaurant! Here’s a rundown of May’s contributions to RVA’s ever growing culinary scene.

May 31, 2013; 7:38 AM • by Ross Catrow

RVA is on pace to have 48 new restaurants open in 2013–that means you could eat at a new place every Friday for almost an entire year. This should blow your mind! Anyway, May brought five new spots to fill your stomach and quench your burning thirst, check ‘em out!

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The Well

Cous Cous is The Well, The Well is Cous Cous.¹

The Well Restaurant and Bar is officially open in the old Cous Cous space at 900 W. Franklin Street. The owners decided to reboot the restaurant and move away from small plates. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, soups, apps, entrees, and desserts–with some good looking vegetarian options (tempeh corndog!).

They serve dinner Monday – Saturday from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom is now open and ready for the advancing hordes of Carytown’s pizza eaters! While the Mushroom is national chain, they’ve done a heckuva job keeping the feel local. Drop by sometime and check out the murals by local artist Mickael Broth.

Mellow Mushroom is located in the former Plan 9 spot at 3012 W. Cary Street and serves a plethora of pizzas, sandwiches, calzones, salads, and of course brews! Gluten-free dough is available, along with vegan options.

Sarahfran’s Soulfood

Sarahfran’s Soulfood is now open for lunch and dinner at 412 N. 25th Street in Church Hill. Owner Elliott Cox describes the menu as “New Caribbean Soul Food.” Items include: wings, salmon croquettes, pork chops, country fried steak, chicken and waffles, and a red snapper fillet.

Michael’s Pies and Pints

Michael’s Pies and Pints is now open in the old Racine location at 304 N. Robinson Street. The restaurant has Neapolitan-style pizza, calzones, stromboli, soups, subs, and salads. Their temporary hours are from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Strangeways Brewing

RVA’s newest brewery, Strangeways Brewery, is officially open. They’ve got two beers at the moment–Albino Monkey (a white ale) and Woodbooger (a Belgian-style brown ale)–with two more in the works. If you’re looking to try their brews, head over to 2277-A Dabney Road, grab a pint, tour the space, and play some arcade games(!).

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May 31, 2013 7:38 AM 0