Weekly Food News: A pair of James Beard nominees, Taproom taps out, questions abound at Stroops, and 24 hour tacos

On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, the foundation will announce the final nominees for all award categories; winners of the 2017 James Beard Media Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 25th. Check out all the nominees here.

American Tap Room taps out in Willow Lawn; Café Rio shutters in Short Pump

American Tap Room, which opened in 2013 in Willow Lawn, has closed its doors. This according to Karri Peifer at the RTD, who says the management company behind the restaurant chain plans to open another concept in the space. Read more about their plans, which include $200,000 in renovations.

Meanwhile, a little further west, Mexican chain Café Rio has pulled out of The Corner at Short Pump shopping center. Open about 18 months, it was the fast casual concept’s only Richmond area location. Read more from J. Elias O’Neal with Richmond BizSense.

Stroops Heroic Dogs packs it up in Church Hill–or are they?

Stroops Heroic Dogs in Church Hill–a concept owned by the folks behind Dutch & Co., look to be either closing up shop or changing things up. This according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, which reads in part:

Greetings Heroic Dog Fans,

We have some big news to share with you. While we’ve had a blast with the Stroops concept, it just wasn’t cuttin’ the mustard. We are open to accepting emails if you are interested in our space ([email protected]). But in the meantime, we thought we’d change it up. While handcrafted heroic dogs will not completely go away, we are excited to diversify our menu. The change will be gradual, and we’ll keep you posted through our social media outlets. We’ll do our best to have all things Stroops for the week of 2.14.17, or until we sell out. We look forward to seeing you.

In short, go visit if you enjoyed their creative, innovative dogs–here’s hoping they stay open. But at the vary least, the times, they are a-changin’ at Stroops.

Two new spots coming: one to The Fan, one Downtown

The owners of Lalo’s Cocina in The Fan and Patron Mexican Restaurant in Mechanicsville are teaming up for a new venture Downtown at Main and 6th Streets, and the best news is it will be open 24 hours a day. Chicano’s Cocina Bar & Grill will serve up tacos, burritos and all sorts of other fare around the clock–you know, in case you’ve got a craving for some Tex-Mex in the morning (who hasn’t?). Read all the details from J. Elias O’Neal at BizSense here.

Meanwhile, what’s old is new again. Olio plans a new restaurant (that’s right, separate from the newly-rebranded Branch & Vine) in The Fan. Read all about it from Alexa Welch Edlund with the RTD here.

The Hard Shell reopens following major renovations

One of Richmond Restaurant Group’s longest-running establishments has reopened following a five-week closure for renovations. The Hard Shell in Shockoe Slip opened its doors again this week and features upgraded lighting, a renovated bar, posh seating, a fresh coat of paint, and more. A new menu is forthcoming as well, owners say. Check out a photo of the space below.

Photo: Richmond Restaurant Group