Lafayette Tavern, Richmond's swank new hangout, debuts
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It's super, super sexy. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios
Lafayette Tavern is officially open.
Why it matters: The Giavos family's newest restaurant is a sexy blend of retro and modern — and one of the coolest restaurants to open in Richmond in years.
State of play: Lafayette Tavern is first and foremost a neighborhood restaurant, says Constantine Giavos, creative director for the restaurant family, of the Near West End spot.
- It's a place where locals can casually pop in and grab a burger ($22), a prime rib French dip ($28) or a chopped salad ($16), paired with a Guinness ($9), Negroni ($16) or glass of Sancerre Blanc ($22).
- And it's a swanky restaurants where diners can make a reservation and indulge in a bone-in ribeye ($85), oysters on the half shell ($17) or Scottish salmon ($29), alongside a bottle of vintage Dom Pérignon ($425).
- But it's also so much more, largely due to Constantine's influence on the concept and space.
Zoom in: Constantine is the third generation of the notable Richmond restaurant family, the grandson of Stella Dikos, the namesake of Stella's restaurant across the street) and son of Johnny and Katrina Giavos (Sidewalk Cafe, The Continental and Little Nickel).
- And Lafayette Tavern is Constantine's baby, he tells Axios, inspired by classic chophouses and cool neighborhood joints in Chicago and New York.
- He labored over every detail of the restaurant, from the wood and stone used in the interior, the mood lighting that sets the stage, sleek matchbooks to the soundtrack of crooners from bygone eras (hey there, Tony Bennett).
On the menu: Chef Bobo Catoe (Odyssey, Alewife) helms the kitchen, and the menu includes plenty of playful twists and surprises, like Buffalo octopus ($23) potato skins ($14) with an optional side of caviar (market price) and slabs of bacon by the slice ($12).
- And the cocktail list is filled with classics and surprises (a grasshopper!), executed flawlessly by white-jacketed and bowtie-clad bartenders.
The bottom line: Lafayette Tavern is something wholly unique to Richmond, and you should definitely check it out.
If you go: The restaurant is at 1011 Lafayette St. and open 5-10pm Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations are available via OpenTable and walk-ins are welcome (but go early — or late — if you want a seat).