The new local toast–and taste–of Short Pump: New owners at Patina Restaurant and Bar
January 2, 2013 - 11:36 am · By
downtownshortpump.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charcuterie.jpg” width=”226″ height=”166″ />Amidst a sea of restaurant chains and franchises, Patina Restaurant and Bar stands out in Short Pump as an independent locally-owned restaurant. Patina offers a laid-back, upscale dining experience with a creative, seasonal menu based on fresh locally sourced food. New owner Greer Bernstein bought the restaurant last October 2012. After a quick turnaround, some minor renovations and a new menu, she and her team re-opened Patina on November 13.
Bernstein, who holds a finance degree, grew up in Connecticut and worked in restaurants all through high school, college, and after college. Her parents, who are horse enthusiasts, moved down to the Richmond area last year to a farm where they can care for and enjoy their horses.
Her parents fell in love with the area, particularly Short Pump, where they often go for shopping and dining. However, despite the many fine dining choices available in Short Pump, they were a little disappointed by the lack of non-chain restaurants. Discovering independent restaurants has always been their passion. So, when Patina went up for sale in October, they mentioned it to their daughter, who looked into the opportunity and made a quick decision to buy it and turn it into a special destination for fine, independent dining in Short Pump. “I only moved down the week before I bought it,” laughs Bernstein. In roughly a month, she bought, renovated, and re-opened Patina.
Bernstein consulted with well-known RVA chef John Maher, the culinary genius behind the pop-up restaurant spoon, to create an elegant and satisfying new menu. The menu features a variety of traditional Virginia favorites with exciting twists sure to please the most discerning palate. Bernstein says their goal was to create a “simple affordable dining option, separate from the mainstream.”
The menu will change with the seasons, which will hopefully keep Short Pump and Richmond food adventurers coming back to sample their rotating cast of featured entrees. Some of their appetizers include a crispy pork belly; “Little Gems,” which are beet marmalade, goat cheese and buttermilk dressing; and a sampling of house marinated olives, white bean hummus and eggplant caviar.
Notable entree choices include Buttered Poached Monkfish with salsify puree, brussels, apple wood bacon, and a turmeric emulsion; as well as Braised Short Ribs with creamy polenta, vanilla glazed turnips, in red wine jus.
They also have tempting Happy Hour specials, such as any beer and an all-beef burger with aged cheddar, tomato confit, bacon + onion jam, Duke’s mayo, on Drew’s brioche for $12.50 and Adegas Morgadio Legado del Conde Albarino and Rappahannock River Littleneck Clams for $10.50.
And don’t forget the desserts, which include chocolate cake with salted caramel and handcrafted gelato.
Patina’s atmosphere and menu make a great choice for impressing out-of-town guests, for date nights, and for small groups of friends looking to catch up over some good food and wine. For larger groups, parties, and events, call to arrange ahead of time at (804) 360-8500.
