Has anyone tried the new pizza place? Had it delivered?

Another scoop from Tobacco Avenue:

Jesus Christ, the Son of God and man who died to save the sins of humanity, returned to Earth last night for a brief moment to have the meatloaf at popular downtown restaurant LuLu’s.

Rumors floating around Shockoe Slip say Richbrau has closed. In November, they downsized their operation significantly. Anyone else hear anything?

Reports by the Richmond City Department of Public Health Environmental Health Division show that Sumo San has 10 critical violations from their previous 5 inspections over the past year, with 1 critical and a whopping 11 non-critical violations served up most recent on January 27, 2010.

The Virginia ABC Board made the decision on Thursday to revoke Club Velvet’s liquor license based on evidence that Moore allowed underage drinking, public nudity, drug use, consumption of alcohol in unauthorized areas of the club and allowed sexual acts to be performed on club customers.

Moore has 30 days to appeal the decision with the ABC and can continue to serve alcohol during that time. The transcript of the ABC hearing is available here (warning: graphic).

The opening of the much talked about Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe is scheduled for February 3. The cafe will feature fresh, local, and seasonal foods. View their Winter Menu.

Cafe Gutenberg just announced that they will be open 7 days a week for lunch. [via]

Dana Craig’s Best Restaurants of 2009 gives props to both The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing and (the new) Cafe Gutenberg as two of “the best new local restaurants of 2009″. Speaking of Gutenberg she says:

This Shockoe Bottom café has a tumultuous history — from Tropical Storm Gaston’s devastation to almost closing last year. But this year saw Cafe Gutenberg reborn. It came back strong to define itself as a bona fide dining destination with a menu that celebrates the bounty of its neighbor, the 17th Street Farmers’ Market. Whether it be a local mushroom panino with scrambled eggs and Cabot Cheddar or grilled brats with ale-braised sauerkraut, it’s hard to find something not to like.

The second location of Croaker’s Spot in Manchester is now open!

House of Marinara eats at Dora’s Brazilian Grill and gives the newly-opened restaurant a solid review.

They have the traditional rodizio (all you can eat meat-fest), but they also have other entrees in case someone in your party is not a true carnivore.

Dana Craig reviews Aztek Grill, Shockoe Bottom’s newest Mexican restaurant, in today’s RTD.

On the surface, everything about Aztek Grill, the new “modern Mexican” spot in Shockoe Bottom, seems ready to offer an affordable yet unique dining experience. However, kinks in service and a less-than-intuitive menu left much to be desired.[via]

Join Shockoe Slip merchants and restaurants this Thursday and Friday for their Open House Block Party!

Come to our first annual Shockoe Slip Open House Block Party charity event December 10th and 11th for a barrage of amazing specials and deals and tons of fun! Get an edge on your holiday shopping, take advantage of drink and dinner specials, pet some puppies for adoption, warm up with hot cider, sing some Karaoke, dance to hot holiday music and be among friends all while helping Shockoe Slip raise funds for charities!

Read more >

With the smoking ban now in effect, there are few restaurants that accommodate smokers. Havana 59 has opened their upstairs area to allow smoking, and Richbrau is considering allowing smoking on their second floor. Where else can you smoke? [via]

Dora’s Brazilian Grill in Shockoe Slip is now open! A menu and more information about Dora’s can be found on their website.