Six new must-try Richmond restaurants
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Just some of the sights and eats inside Bar Buoy. Photos: Courtesy of Jacqui DePas from By Jacqui Photography
A rush of exciting new RVA restaurants just opened this week, joining a few other notable newcomers.
Why it matters: Instead of one or two new must-try restaurants, there are six — just in time for a rainy weekend.
Let's dive in.
🍤 Bar Buoy, chef/owner Brittanny Anderson's seafood-heavy homage to her Northern Neck roots, opened Tuesday in the former Brenner Pass spot in Scott's Addition.
- The vibe: Colorful and refined fish shack meets vintage gas station. Pull up a chair and stay awhile.
- On the menu: Fish sandwiches, shrimp toast, oyster stew, fried fish plates, crab cakes, beachy cocktails and your uncle's favorite domestic beer.
- If you go: Bar Buoy is open Tuesday-Saturday from 5-10pm, with Sunday noon-8pm hours starting Oct. 5. Reservations accepted.
🍻 Bolo's Eatery, the Lindsey Food Group's takeover of long-closed Dogtown Brewing on Hull, soft-opened this week.
- The vibe: Warm and intimate in a modern setting.
- On the menu: Po'boys, burgers, fried chicken, fish and chips, shrimp and grits, and a full raw bar, including Virginia-sourced oysters.
- If you go: Hours TBD during the soft opening. Check their Insta for the latest.
- Still to come: Brainstorm Brewhouse, the in-house brewery portion of Bolo's.
🥖 Morty's Market & Deli, a Brookland Park Boulevard restaurant, market and "focacceria" from Bingo Beer's Jay Bayer and Adam Stull, debuted last Friday.
- The vibe: Good times, good friends and mouth-watering sandwiches.
- On the menu: Apps like focaccia and dip, mezze, salads and sandwiches, and cocktails — plus wine and beer for takeout (or take-in).
- If you go: It's open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-1am; and Sunday, noon-7pm.
🍽️ Grace, a farm-to-table spot from NYC-to-Richmond transplant chef Jessica Wilson, opened Thursday in the former Odyssey space (RIP) on Patterson.
- The vibe: Light and airy with Mediterranean touches and that fantastic wood-fired oven. The bar remains the best seat in the house.
- On the menu: Expect sharable, fresh veggie-heavy small plates, fish, and lots of use of that wood-fired oven on the seasonal menu, per Richmond Magazine.
- If you go: Thursday-Monday, 5-9:30pm, per Richmond Mag.
🍸 Mink Cocktail Lounge, the vibey second-story Carytown bar above Bangles and Beads — in the former Xtra's space — opened in May.
- The vibe: Moody and velvet with lots of plush chairs and glam accents.
- On the menu: Cocktails, snacks, apps, hearty options like a burger, and a happy hour every day they're open.
- If you go: Thursday, 5-11pm; Friday, 5pm-1am; Saturday, noon-1am; and Sunday, noon-11pm.
🌳 The Local at Forest & Ridge opened in March in the former Kuba Kuba Dos spot in Henrico, per the Times-Dispatch.
- The vibe: Neighborhood joint with plenty of space to spread out in the warm dining room.
- On the menu: American fare like sandwiches, apps and nachos, plus mains like steak, pasta and chicken.
- If you go: Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm, and Friday-Saturday, 11am-midnight.