15 Responses to “Cafe Gutenberg grand reopening is this week”

1. posted by Mary at March 17, 2009 1:31 pm [#]:
   

   Good on them. Forgive an ignorant suburbanite – why were they closed, renovation?

2. posted by Liz at March 18, 2009 5:29 pm [#]:
   

   I can’t wait to go back. The updated menu looks great.

3. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at March 19, 2009 6:25 am [#]:
   

   Mary they changed owners and they plan to put their own stamp on the place.

4. posted by John at March 19, 2009 9:12 am [#]:
   

   The menu isn’t that much different, and they took away the best sandwich they had, the Bella. That was the world’s greatest sandwich. They also added PBR and a few other beers.

5. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at March 19, 2009 10:43 am [#]:
   

   They changed the decor more than the food

6. posted by Ally at March 19, 2009 5:19 pm [#]:
   

   FYI,

   The inside looks STUPID.
   Its shouldnt even have the same name. WHITE WALLS! NO BOOK CASES. WTF.
   its just a cafe now! nothing special like it used to be!

7. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at March 19, 2009 7:51 pm [#]:
   

   That was the idea they want to sell food not the atmosphere. Different owners with different ideas. Try the food before you judge because anyone can give a pretty picture good food is another story

8. posted by Cat at March 20, 2009 9:50 am [#]:
   

   I actually attended the grand opening on Wednesday and was very much disappointed! They took away the European influence and all of its charm with it. It no longer has the French bistro feel that made you feel as if you were vacationing at a café in Europe. They removed all of the décor and put in ratty red leather booths from some old diner and added blaring music that included Jimmy Hendrix. There is no real theme or inspiration and it is obvious they have clue what direction they are going.
   They also no longer serve the specialty ice coffee drink with Gelato or the Bella. And what about Wine-down Wednesdays? Who knows? It is all very sad.

9. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at March 20, 2009 11:11 am [#]:
   

   Resteraunt Vs Cafe They went Resteraunt the cafe was a nice concept but it is gone. Atmosphere brings some people in but it rarely has them paying money as much as a Resteraunt.I am not supporting or condeming the changes but they are just starting out here try being pacient and watch what direction they take things then pass judgement. Jumping the gun will just have you possibly miss a good Food experience.

10. posted by Karen at March 20, 2009 3:29 pm [#]:
    

    I will try them out for sure – have always liked it. but I am disappointed in what sounds like major changes in atmosphere – no more books. I always thought the name was derived from “The Gutenberg Project” a great website that has tons of books that can be read online. Maybe I was wrong but removing the book and cafe feel of the place may lose them some customers – but as I said, we will go and support them because we believe in supporting our local businesses.

11. posted by john m at March 20, 2009 3:53 pm [#]:
    

    Gutenberg was originally named that way because of the books and in homage the printing press Gutenberg.

    When the place first opened, it was intended to be a coffee shop/wine bar/book store. It became clear soon enough that there wasn’t money to be made as book store. There wasn’t even table service for the first 6 months or so. While the food was always a focus, the place became more of a restaurant over time.

    While you might lament aspects of the old Gutenberg environment, it was not sustainable. The previous owners put a great deal of time and money into a vision that probably needed more population density to really work.

12. posted by GUTE LOVER at April 2, 2009 2:46 am [#]:
    

    ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WAS CHANGED THAT I CAN TELL AT CAFE GUTENBERG OTHER THAN THE CHEFS HAV NOW TAKEN OVER. THIS RESTAURANT/COFFEE SHOP HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO VARY IT’S OVER ALL MEANING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. IT HAS BEEN OPENED AND (ANYONE WHO HAS FREQUENTED THERE CAN TELL) GOING THROUGH GROWING PAINS. WITH VARIED MEANINGS BEHIND THE FOOD, WINE, BEER CHANGES OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS WITHOUT RENOVATIONS AND CLOSINGS. THIS NEW RENOVATION HAS DONE NOTHING BUT MAKE WHAT ONCE WAS A TRUE EUROPEAN CAFE IN RICHMOND INTO A JOKE OF WHAT IT ONCE WAS AND COULD BE. WHAT ARE THE CLIP ART TACKY PEAS ON THE WALL TRYING TO TELL ME? TO EAT THE SAME TUNE NICOISE SALAD FOR LUNCH I HAVE BEEN EATING THERE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS? THE FOOD IS STILL AWESOME BUT AS A CUSTOMER YOU STILL GET THE SAME FEELING FROM THE STAFF THAT THEY HATE THERE JOBS. THEY ARE STILL NONCOMPLACENT, UNRESPONSIVE, AND COMPLETELY UNABLE TO WAIT TABLES AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN.I DO HAVE TO SAY THERE HAS BEEN A FEW TIMES A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD A GOOD MEAL AND GOOD SERVICE BUT IT IS VERY VERY FAR AND FEW BETWEEN AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING EVEN LESS. EITHER WAY MY FEW GOOD MEALS HAVE MADE ME GO BACK TO GUTENBERG AGAIN AND AGAIN…HOPING FOR SOMETHING MORE…

13. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at April 2, 2009 7:21 am [#]:
    

    The Service did not change you can be sure you will have to long wait for a waiter but that is what you expect. But Gute lover you need figure out that you don’t need to post in ALL CAPS IT GETS ANNOYING.

14. posted by former at April 2, 2009 7:36 am [#]:
    

    The service still sucks? Bad news, that’s the part that was most broken.

15. posted by River District News » the new Cafe Gutenberg gets reviewed - Richmond, Virginia at May 20, 2009 9:14 am [#]:
    

    [...] Not everyone is happy with the changes, but Style Weekly gives the new Gutenberg a solid review this week. Posted by jacqui at 9:14AM under RVANews-news, restaurants | Tags: Cafe Gutenberg [...]

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