Bon Temps brings Creole-Caribbean flavors to Bon Air
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Bon Temps is at 8000 Buford Court in Bon Air. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios
Karri here, freshly back from finally trying Bon Temps, the Creole-Caribbean restaurant that opened earlier this year in Bon Air.
Why it matters: While the bistro doesn't have a "True Blood" theme (which feels like a missed opportunity, tbh), it's serving up delicious cuisine, making it worthy of a trip.
State of play: Bon Temps opened in February in a little Food Lion-anchored strip mall on Buford Road.
- The restaurant is from Randy and Christine Boodram, who grew up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, per Richmond Magazine.
- The couple brought Trinidadian cuisine to Richmond, first with their food truck, La Bete, and now with their brick-and-mortar.
On the menu: Handhelds like Po'boys and chicken or creole shrimp tacos ($15-$18) and entrees like shrimp 'n' grits, stewed oxtail and fish en papillote ($30-$40).
- Appetizers include pimento cheese beignets and Cantonese pepper shrimp ($12-$18).
- And the cocktail list is gloriously Caribbean-inspired with options like the soursop colada, frozen paloma and a lychee martini ($15-$18).
Zoom in: My dining pal and I shared the cheese beignets and ordered the fish en papillote and shrimp 'n' grits.
- The shrimp is served head-on — "a bold move for Chesterfield," my friend noted, but I'm a city-dweller, so I peeled them off and moved on.
- Both dishes were delicious, packing flavor, a twinge of spice and a hint of sweetness.
The vibe: Laid back, inviting and clearly developing a stable of regulars who packed the bar.
Pro tip: The sleeper hit at Bon Temps seems to be the happy hour, when small plates of wings, po'boy bites and tacos, plus select wine and beer, are $6.
- Happy hour is offered weekdays from 4-6pm.
If you go: Bon Temp is open Wednesday-Saturday for dinner beginning at 4pm and Sundays, noon-8pm, at 8000 Buford Court in Bon Air.