Style Weekly has word of a shake-up at LuLu’s:

Millie’s Diner owner Paul Keevil has taken over operations at the Shockoe Bottom spin-off LuLu’s; former partner Steve Jurina is no longer involved at the restaurant.

Karri Peifer has details and photos from the new Fish Bowl Bistro & Bar coming to the old Relish spot on 15th Street:

Owner Ross Renfrow is planning a soft opening for Friday, Sept. 5 where diners can come and sample the seafood-inspired entrees in the $15 – $25 range or sandwich and salad fare for $8 – $12. Fishbowl will also offer daily happy hour specials (4 to 7 p.m.) which will be served inside or on the patio from their open-air bar.

TA has details on the recent dress-code updates at TIki Bob’s:

The no-pants-necessary policy will allow clubgoers aged 18 and up to enter the North 18th Street nightclub – known for its 10-cent tacos, low-cost beverages served in plastic cups, and bros – without the same cover-ups required in all other bars and restaurants.

Dana Craig comes out blazing in this one:

If you’re hoping Current, the new burger and bourbon bar that opened in May, will turn this space’s luck around, don’t hold your breath. From rude service to disastrous entrees to undercooked burgers, Current has a long way to go before I’d call it the saving grace of the Canal Walk’s social scene.

The RTD is reporting that William Pyliaris plans to open a strip joint called Club Rouge in the old Club Velvet space, even without an ABC license for at least the next 9 months:

The new owners of the former Velvet strip club building in Shockoe Bottom are proceeding with plans to re-establish a club there, even though they won’t be able to legally sell beer or mixed drinks until at least May.

The self-style progressive media outlet Q town recently visited Cafe Gutenberg and came away raving about the environment, the service, and the food:

For some, it’s easy to find a good bite to eat almost anywhere. However, for those who have chosen a more selective dietary path, a menu that includes great vegetarian and vegan food may be hard to come by. [...] Offering a fresh perspective on American food and vegetarian cuisine sets Café Gutenberg aside as one of the best restaurants in Richmond to meet vegetarians and meat-eaters at the Market.

Banh Mi Sandwich THROWDOWN, Café Gutenberg versus the Boka Truck, set for Monday, July 26th, will be at Café Gutenberg at 17th and East Main Street. Doors open at 6:30PM; food demo, samples, and judging 7-8PM.

Read more >

Richmond BizSense has some info on interest in the now vacant Richbrau space:

Amy de Venoge of Secam Inc., a local real estate firm that owns the space, said there are about five parties that have expressed interest in leasing the prime Shockoe space – some serious, some just tire kickers.

Richmond’s first official Banh Mi Throwdown pits Boka Tako Truck and Cafe Gutenberg in face off for the coveted Golden Non Quai Thao and the title Banh Mi Champion:

Bánh mì or bánh mỳ (English pronunciation: /ˈbʌnmiː/, Vietnamese: [ɓǎːɲ mî]) is a Vietnamese baguette made with both wheat and rice flour, but more popularly known as a type of sandwich traditionally made with this type of baguette.[1] The sandwich is made up of thinly sliced pickled carrots and daikon (do chua), cucumbers, cilantro, chili peppers, pâté, mayonnaise and various meat fillings or tofu. Popular bánh mì fillings include roasted or grilled pork, Vietnamese sausage, chicken, head cheese and ham.

Read more >

Richmond.com has info on Sampling Shockoe:

Sampling Shockoe is a unique, week-long dining event that allows Richmonders to “sample” some of the best flavors of the Shockoes in a three-course prix fixe menu for just $30 a person during the week of August 9 – 16.

Read more >

@urbanfarmhouse: Even hotter today! 104°F is the expected high, we think we know what will cool you off… :) http://fb.me/zen3it8q

@savorcompany: Record temps = early tomatoes = fresh chilled gazpacho!! Farmer’s Market veggies bring you classic Salad Nicoise… http://fb.me/BtkTXC9T

The RTD has an update on some of the past and future players from Velvet world:

Herring’s request for a license to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks at Shotz, at 1719B E. Main St., is her first application with ABC [...] This week, the ABC board voted to deny a request by the clubs’ owner, William A. Pyliaris, for a license to sell beer and wine at Rouge, a restaurant that has been planned for the Velvet building, 3 S. 15th St.

The Richmond Food Collective recently posted a list of restaurants dedicated to supporting local farmers and seasonal eating which includes both Savor in Manchester and The Urban Farmhouse in Shockoe Slip. The RFC also has guides to local farmer’s markets, local CSAs, and local egg, meat, and dairy farms if that’s what you’re looking for.

The RTD has the details on Velvet’s new owner, 3rd Street Diner’s Billy Pyliaris:

The owner of Pure Pleasure and other adult-entertainment venues has bought the former Velvet strip-club building in Shockoe Bottom and applied for a license to sell alcohol at a restaurant there. William A. Pyliaris applied for the permit May 18, about two weeks after the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board revoked Velvet owner Samuel J.T. Moore III’s license to sell beer and wine.

Richmond BizSense has a small piece on the closing of the Southern Railway Deli on 14th Street:

A sign on the door lists the number for the commercial real estate firm CBRE, which would suggest the restaurant fell behind on rent.