Weekly Food News: New Northside burger bar, news on Little Nickel, Ironclad’s Shockoe café, 95 cent spaghetti, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Cold weather leaves two restaurants closed following burst pipes – We told you last week that The Rogue Gentlemen in Jackson Ward was closed due to a burst water pipe. Well, a week later the restaurant is still grappling with the issue, and they hope to reopen soon. Popular Fan restaurant Heritage is dealing with a similar issue and is also currently closed. We hope they can both get the doors back open very soon and will update you once we hear more. Here’s an update from Karri Peifer on the two situations.

Dixie Bell’s Burger Bar now open in Northside – As our own Richard Hayes posted late last week, we don’t know much about Dixie Bell’s Burger Bar, which opened this past Saturday at 10 E. Brookland Park Boulevard (an area that’s on fire right now when it comes to new businesses and redevelopment), but we do like a good burger, and this seems like a great new option to get your fix. Described by the owners as “a casual dining experience with a focus on fresh local ingredients,” if the photos on their Facebook page don’t make you salivate, you probably either…just ate, or are a vegetarian? Anyway, here’s what you need to know.

An update on the Giavos’ forthcoming restaurant, Little Nickel – Johnny and Katrina Giavos’ newest restaurant concept, Little Nickel, is set to open in the next two weeks or so, reports Piet Jones, writing for Richmond Magazine. The tiki-inspired restaurant will be seafood heavy and include items like shrimp skewers and a crab cocktail, along with burgers, sandwiches, and even some Middle Eastern influences. The name is a nod to the nearby Nickel Bridge, that 35 cent river passage that once actually cost only a nickel. Read on here.

Ironclad Coffee Roasters opening café in Shockoe Bottom – Scott’s Addition coffee roastery Ironclad Coffee Roasters is looking to open a new café at 1805 E. Grace Street in Shockoe Bottom. The roastery opened just two years ago, but owners Ryan O’Rourke says the time has come to establish their own cafe in the Bottom. He’s seeking to raise $25,000 to fund the venture, which would see a circa-1882 fire station transformed into an inviting neighborhood gathering spot. And if you have deep enough pockets to donate $2,500 towards the project, there’s a pretty cool perk being offered via the Indiegogo campaign. Check it all out here.

Jump in the time machine and enjoy a 95 cent spaghetti dinner at Joe’s Inn – Speaking of simpler times, the spaghetti at Joe’s Inn in the Fan once cost a mere 95 cents. In honor of their 66th anniversary, the popular eatery is posting vintage photos, including one of their early 1950s menus. Inflation is a crazy thing. Check it out here.

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Chopt Creative Salad Co. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Little Saint (Richmond Magazine)