Restaurant openings and closings in February 2016

Not a lot of closings, thank goodness. Just some exciting openings—Rapp Sessions, Kinsfolk, Stone Brewing, and more.

March 8, 2016; 11:46 AM • by Susan Howson

Photos by Frederick Turko of Fred + Elliott Photography.

Rapp Sessions Raw Bar

It’s a market. It’s a raw bar. It’s a place to eat. It’s a place to drink. It’s everything you could ever want, unless the thing you want is tacos. They don’t serve tacos. Rapp Sessions is the free-spirited second child of the Rappahannock’s Croxton cousins, with oysters, pantry goods (many of which go great with oysters), happy hours, and lots of in-person shucking. Here’s what we had to say about it. (318 E. Grace Street)

Stone Brewing Co.’s Company Store

While not technically a restaurant, so many people have been waiting so long for this that we’re pretty sure they’re going to be drinking their dinners and possibly their lunches too. At least for awhile. The Stone Company Store had a soft opening before going ahead and committing to the real deal.

They won’t be serving RVA-brewed beer just yet, since that beer’s still a-brewin’, but come May, every single one of your prayers will be answered.

We’ve got photos here, and just a warning, they might make you type “BEERBEERBEERBEERBEERBEER” for the rest of the day. (4300 Williamsburg Avenue)

Kinsfolk

Taking over the possibly cursed spot just down the way from Crossroads, Kinsfolk opened last month. Those guys aren’t entirely about the kind-of-futuristic, kind-of-old-fashioned lunch that, disappointingly, doesn’t come to you through a pneumatic drive-through process. They also have a rather upscale dinner menu.

Southsiders rejoiced that their options were not lost when Chef Mamusu–who does very well downtown, I might add–gave up that spot’s particular ghost. Hopefully Kinsfolk will have better luck. (3516 Forest Hill Avenue)

1927 Café and Bakery

If there’s one thing the Altria Theater was missing, it was its very own café and bakery. Although honestly, that area is teeming with VCU kids who, like most humans, require food and drink.

Executive Chef Carlos Silva has been at Bistro 27, Tarrant’s, and Max’s on Broad. He’ll now be offering bistro fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Go on now go, walk out the door

Kenn-Tico Grill on Grace has closed, as has the Church Hill Urban Farmhouse, although the latter intends to look for a better spot and the former hints at reopening with a different concept.

March 8, 2016 11:46 AM 1