The Official Guide To Richmond's Far West End
Acclaimed chef Peter Chang, known for his Szechwan-style Chinese cuisine and a number of restaurants he’s started in the southeast, has quite the following. This past week, Chang opened Peter Chang’s Cafe in the Short Pump Commons shopping center near Walmart, and everyone took notice–foodies and otherwise.
Chipotle might have a new local competitor slinging burritos and tacos. Café Rio, which like Chipotle markets itself as more up-market than fast food but without a wait staff, is negotiating on properties in Richmond, according to Ben Craner, the company’s chief marketing officer.
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more variations on the frozen yogurt shop, here come two more. Dustin Smith, Amanda Leininger and her mother plan to open Mix It, a self-serve frozen yogurt and cereal bar, in West Broad Village in March.
Where in the world is Peter Chang? Coming to Richmond, apparently. The Chinese chef famous for opening restaurants across the southeast and then disappearing to start his next venture has leased space in Short Pump Village in the Far West End.
Almost exactly two years after a three-alarm fire devastated popular local restaurant Zorba’s, the Far West End Greek & Italian eatery has reopened following extensive renovations. The restaurant, in the Tuckernuck Plaza shopping center, has been a staple in the community since opening in 1998.
As 2011 winds down and comes to a close, three new restaurants have or have recently come on scene in the Far West End. The Halligan Bar, a locally-owned Shockoe Bottom favorite, opened in the West Broad Village development on December 2nd. Featuring a real, full size vintage firetruck (see it being delivered here) as part of the main bar, with “VIP seating” on top, Halligan offers a wide variety of sandwich and barbecue entrees.
A locally-owned custom framing and art store has moved. West End Gallery, which called the Gayton Crossing shopping center home for the past decade, opened in the Shoppes at Westgate, near other well-known local shops Tweed and By Invitation Only, about a week and a half ago. The 2,000 square foot space faces Lauderdale Drive across from Short Pump Town Center.
The centerpiece for the second Halligan Bar & Grill was put in place today, before the new restaurant opens next month in West Broad Village. The 1967 Oren fire truck, which will have a full bar around it, was donated by Old Dominion Historical Fire Society and is the same truck that owner Shawn Gregory’s father rode on as a rookie firefighter for Henrico County. Read more about Gregory expanding his Shockoe Bottom-based restaurant here.
Kakealicious makes spectacular creations with unusual flavors. A new cake and cupcake shop is the latest business to put down roots in Short Pump where locally owned businesses are thriving. Ingrid Law is the owner of confectionery creations shop Kakealicious.
All this week, tenants of West Broad Village are hosting a “FUNdraising For The Cure” cancer awareness event. Proceeds from certain items at West Broad Village restaurants and shops will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For a listing of participating tenants and daily specials, visit The French Boutique’s website.
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The Far West End's online newsmagazine and community guide since 2004, Downtown Short Pump is the online leader in news, events, and goings on in Short Pump. DTSP is the most read online news publication in the Far West End and the only news outlet specific to Short Pump.