Weekly Food News: 2017’s best restaurants, Lee Gregory’s new Church Hill spot, kids’ happy hour at Laura Lee’s, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Lee Gregory bringing seafood concept to Church Hill – Renown local chef Lee Gregory, co-owner of Southbound and The Roosevelt, is bringing a little company to the latter with a second restaurant in Church Hill. Alewife, as the concept will be known, will focus on fresh fish, most of which will be sourced from the Chesapeake Bay. The restaurant, which is expected to open in February, will be located at 3120 E. Marshall Street. The RTD’s Karri Peifer has all the details here.

Whisk owner bringing ice cream parlor to former Video Fan spot – The long-popular Video Fan at 403 Strawberry Street went dark as streaming services gradually overtook rentals of physical media, but the space will soon be filled once again. Megan Botwinick, owner of Shockoe Bottom bakery and café Whisk, is taking over the space and bringing ice cream to the Fan. The concept, which will be called Scoop and open next spring, will offer hand-scooped ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and other treats. Botwinick says she feels her business will fit in nicely among the other locally owned shops and restaurants on the Strawberry Street corridor. “I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to continue the tradition that Video Fan started, and to bring a new small, local business into the neighborhood,” she said in a news release. “We know we have some big shoes to fill, but I think it will be the perfect addition to an already bustling area of the Fan, and I hope the neighborhood feels the same way.” Read on here.

The Pig and Pearl closes Thursday in The Fan – Tomorrow is the last day for Fan restaurant The Pig and Pearl. The restaurant, located at W. Broad and Allison Streets, will shut its doors after dinner service Thursday. Owners Season and Mathew Appelget claim construction of the GRTC Pulse (better known as the Bus Rapid Transit project) along W. Broad Street has hurt business, but it’s also worth noting the couple was hit with a lawsuit last year after an investor in their operation claimed being defrauded out of $100,000. The two also sold their building to an out-of-town developer back in June for $1.2 million, so one could speculate this might have all been a long time coming–but draw your own conclusions. More on the story here.

Richmond Magazine names 2017’s best restaurants – Richmond Magazine has put out a list of the best restaurants of 2017, and there are some fantastic picks on here. Compiled by the magazine’s editors and food writers, the list includes Lehja, a seriously underrated hidden Indian gem at Short Pump Town Center, as restaurant of the year. Picks for the best bar scene include Spoonbread Bistro, Shagbark, and Saison. The best thing about this extensive list is editors have included both positives and negatives about each place, giving a refreshingly honest take on the whole experience at each establishment, rather than offering heaps of praise with no counter-points. Check out the list here.

Kids eat free at Laura Lee’s during new kids’ happy hour – Great news for parents that enjoy good food. Laura Lee’s in Forest Hill is offering up free food for your little ones as long as you’re willing to get dinner a little early. Kids can eat for free from the restaurant’s kids menu befor 6:00 PM, as long as someone orders an adult entrée or sandwich. One of the best parts is that “kid” is defined as 14 and below, so if you’ve got a picky, newly-minted teen, this could be awesome for you as well. The kids’ menu is pretty nice, too. You’ll find grilled ham and cheese, a pasta dish, as well as fried chicken. No chicken nuggets or applesauce in a plastic container here. Check out the details here.

Upscale food court planned for Zzaam space in Carytown – Some more news to pass along since we took a break for the holiday–a new, upscale food court of sorts is being planned for the building that houses Zzaam. The Korean-style build-your-own-bowl concept will contract a bit to allow space for oysters, bubble tea, and more. The building’s parking lot will also be transformed into a space for adults and kids alike to play games and enjoy fire pits. It’s all the brainchild of Derek Cha, who founded Zzaam after selling his monumentally-successful, 300-location-strong frozen yogurt chain Sweet Frog back in 2015. More from BizSense here.

A look at new communal, prix fixe restaurant The Broken Tulip Social Eatery – We recently told you about the opening of a new communal dining concept offering just a couple seatings a night, all done prix fixe style–The Broken Tulip Social Eatery. Housed in the former Amour Wine Bistro space in Carytown, the concept is unique to Richmond. Brandon Fox with Style Weekly has a great Q & A with the owners about the restaurant and how it all works here.

Brandon Fox announces departure from Style Weekly – Speaking of Brandon Fox, Style Weekly will soon be without a Food & Drink editor as she steps down from her post, effective next Friday, December 8th. Brandon is a very talented writer and has been a strong voice in the community during her time at both Style and, previously, at Richmond Magazine. I think I speak for a lot of others in town when I say that I hope her next chapter, which she’s yet to expand upon, still involves writing in some capacity in the Richmond area. Wishing you the best on your new adventure, Brandon!

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Brenner Pass (Richmond Magazine)
• Mellow Mushroom – Short Pump (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Secret Sandwich Society (Richmond Magazine)