The folks who live, work and learn around Virginia Commonwealth University are always hungry for some more dining options. Sure, the Main/Cary Street corridor is home to Thai, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and classic American restaurants. But there's room for so much more.
Well now thanks to Mezza (1104 W. Main St., 804-355-3655) Mediterranean cuisine is available in Uptown, just two doors down from Piccola Italy. The Hatoum family, who own and operate the restaurant, have spent almost two decades working toward opening a restaurant that serves their native Lebanese dishes to hungry American diners. And the menu reflects their passion for the cuisine.
Falafel, gyro, hummus, baba ghanoush, kibbeh, taboli and kabobs are all part of a menu that tops out at $10 (most entrees are $6 to $8). Plus Mezza offers daily specials, American subs and sandwiches and a vast array of desserts, including Gelati Celesti ice cream treats. The casual eatery is self-serve (you order at the counter) with a nonsmoking section for those who want to get away from the VCU kids' hookah smoke (that's right, you can hookah). The Hatoums hope to have their ABC license within a few weeks. Mezza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Manchester residents are about to get their own taste of something new. Savor Restaurant (201 W. 7th St., 804-527-2867) is hoping to open sometime next week in South Richmond's Corrugated Box Building, but as regular readers know sometimes red tape can slow the process. Once it's up and operational, Savor will serve coffee, pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads to a breakfast and lunch crowd.
Even better though, owner Ellie Basch, who is transitioning out of catering, plans to offer dinner to go so that South Richmonders can pick up some takeout on their way home, a much-needed option for residents. Savor will be open till around 5:30 p.m. daily.
And speaking of neighborhoods in need of more dining options … besides being home to the best Italian in town, Oregon Hill has been lacking in the restaurant department. But that's all about to change. The folks behind Pescados (13126 Midlothian Tnpke., 804-379-7121), chef and owner Todd Manley and Bob Windsor, Shane Logan and Tina Manley, Chesterfield's best kept secret and one of Richmond's tastiest restaurants, are planning to open a second location in Oregon Hill.
Pescados China Street (626 China St.) will bring the Latin-Caribbean flavors that Southsiders have had all to themselves to city residents. You can expect to see some of the original location's entrees, such as Enchilada Acapulco and Voodoo Shrimp, on the menu, and plenty of new ones too, including Sunday brunch. Renovations are already under way on the old Hollywood Grill and the plan is to open in early summer.
But if you can't wait for a taste of something new then head over the Chez Foushee (203 N. Foushee St., 804-648-3225) and check out its new First Friday Dinner and Spring Lunch menus. For First Fridays, the new options include pan-seared rack of lamb, grilled smoked paprika wild shrimp and roasted medallions of pork tenderloin. On the spring lunch menu the new options include three cheese quiche, seared herbed tilapia on grilled flatbread, sautéed pork tenderloin and garlic asiago raviolis.
w Got some restaurant news you want to "Dish"? Send it to karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com.