Weekly Food News: Fire at Don’t Look Back, a new downtown restaurant, Nick’s moves west, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Don’t look back is closed following a fire – Fans of popular Carytown taco joint Don’t Look Back will have to look elsewhere to get their taco fix for the time being after the restaurant suffered a fire. The blaze broke out last Saturday morning, as owners confirmed in a Facebook post. No other details are known as this time other than the fire heavily damaged the restaurant and apartments above, and the space will be closed for repairs for an unspecified period of time. Here’s the original post and what we know so far.

Nick’s International Foods is packing their bags, moving west – Following the sale of its building on W. Broad Street, downtown mainstay Nick’s International Foods is moving down the road to Malvern and Broad. The Greek deli’s sandwiches and other fare will live on in a space that the business is currently closing on. Richmond BizSense has the details and what might become of the current space in the Downtown Arts District, home to a growing number of restaurants and businesses as the corridor is revitalized. Read more here.

EAT Restaurant Partners eye ninth establishment with downtown purchase – There’s more news just down the road from Nick’s too. Chris Tsui and the team behind EAT Restaurant Partners are at it again. The company, which owns such restaurants as Wong Gonzalez, Boulevard Burger & Brew, Foo Dog, Fat Dragon and more is reportedly opening its ninth restaurant downtown. It comes after local company Monument Construction paid $1.2 million to purchase the Sunny Men’s Wear building in the Downtown Arts District. The first floor will house a future restaurant; the second and third floors will be converted into apartments. It’s a much-needed shot in the arm for this largely blighted block. BizSense has all the details here.

Gluten Free Food Festival set for Convention Center August 26th – 27th – There are more and more options for those who lead a gluten-free lifestyle, either by choice or necessity, across the spectrum of the Richmond dining scene. And now, the area is getting its own food festival dedicated to it. The Gluten Free Food Festival is set to take place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center August 26th through the 27th. The nationally-touring festival is making its first stop in the River City and tickets are $15 for a single day; $25 for both. Richmond Magazine has a preview here.

Food Network names Saison’s burger one of the nation’s best – Food Network has compiled a list of what it says are the “Best Burgers from Coast to Coast, and in the River City, the network has crowned Saison’s their favorite, saying in part:

The Saison Burger leans toward the all-American side of the menu. It starts with local sirloin ground by JM Stock Provisions. Rather than source the cheese, Hall makes his own smoked American, a combination of smoked cheddar and white wine set with carrageenan and sodium citrate. The cheese-smothered patty comes topped with housemade ranch dressing, pickles and Bibb lettuce. Hand-cut fries finish the plate.

Check out the full list of picks here.

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Boulevard Burger & Brew (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Shore Dog Café (Style Weekly)