What’s up with Cafe Gutenberg?, Bells beer comes to the Jefferson, Festival India happens, and Stella now serves brunch

We now know that someone who used to run Flemings in Stony Point will be taking over the Cafe Gutenberg location, Bells Brewery gets a special evening on Friday at the Jefferson Hotel, someone formerly of Stuzzi will be opening a Sicilian-based restaurant in the near future, plus more foodie news!

October 6, 2011; 10:58 AM • by RVANews staff

The Cafe Gutenberg space! Everyone has been talking about who will take this Shockoe Bottom corner spot and now we know. John Van Peppen, who used to help run Flemings out at Stony Point, will be opening Arcadia, along with his wife Linda, which will be a steak and seafood restaurant. Arcadia will serve lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch pulling from as many local farmers markets for ingredients as possible. Van Peppen has a great wine background, so there will be plenty of local wines as well as local beers available. Thanks to Shockoe News for getting us this info, along with Richmond Bizsense for the details.

Bells Two Hearted – who doesn’t have great memories associated with that beer? Bells Oberon? You must be in flip flops heading to the river! Bells is having a beer dinner at TJ’s at the Jefferson this Friday evening beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $45 per person which gets you this fantastic five course menu.

According to Richmond Magazine, Giuseppe Scafidi, formerly of Stuzzi, will be opening his own restaurant in the old Cucina building right across the street from Banditos at 2901 Park Avenue. The new restaurant is scheduled to open in early 2012. The menu will be Italian with a Sicilian focus–which means a lot of fish and vegetables.

Festival of India is this weekend! Hosted in the Greater Richmond Convention Center, this festival is 30 years old and is full of authentic Indian food, arts, crafts, and entertainment. Last year they welcomed close to 20,000 people at this event, so be sure to set a time either Saturday or Sunday to attend. Most of the proceeds go to the Hindu Center of Virginia.

We all know brunch is a big deal around these parts and Richmonders now have a new restaurant to add to their lists. Stella’s is now serving Sunday brunch from 10am to 3pm. Check out the menu HERE (PDF).

photo by edwin.bautista