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An Easy Street Few Restaurants Know
After a six-month absence, this Fan haunt has some new faces at the helm: Hayden Fisher, Jake Crocker and chef Mike McGhee join former owner Wayne Street in a relaunch of the business at Stafford and West Main Street. McGhee's menu includes a duck-brie quesadilla, catfish po' boy and buffalo tofu sandwich, and the no-smoking policy is touted as a Fan first — but in actuality, Rowland Fine Dining, Acacia, Enoteca Sogno, Elephant Thai, Nile, Robin Inn, Si Tapas, Six Burner and Strawberry Street CafAc have been nonsmoking for some time. But for a nonsmoking patio, Easy Street is well ahead of the pack. Open Mon. - Sat for lunch, dinner and bar, with Saturday brunch from 10 a.m. 2401 W. Main St. www.easystreetonmain.com.

Bite Sized

Julep's New Southern Cuisine:  Spring menu from chef Eric Cohen includes roasted duck legs in bourbon and tart cherry glaze and tableside bananas Foster for two. Early-bird dinner reservations Monday-Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. get a 20 percent discount on the entire check. See www.juleps.net for details about first Friday jazz, cocktails and spring menu.

Amici Ristorante:  Special dinner deal in April: two entrees for the price of one, Monday-Thursday nights all month. Fine Northern Italian cuisine in renovated setting. 3343 W. Cary St. 353-4700. www.amiciristorante.net.

Patrick Henry's Pub & Grille:  Patio is open, Web site is new, www.thephpub.com, dining rooms have been redecorated and Sunday brunch is now being served, with sandwiches, gnocchi and eggs, fritattas and a meatball omelet. Open daily at 2300 E. Broad St. 644-4242.

Bistro 27:  New spring menu with an emphasis on affordability and flavor. Special brunch hours April 26-May 17 while the musical Annie runs at Theatre IV across Broad Street. Get details at www.bistrotwentyseven.com.

Homemades by Suzanne:  Inside the Colony Club downtown, well-known Ashland caterer Suzanne Wolstenholme has created a luncheon and special events business that hearkens to the tearoom days. Menu offers choices of sandwich, beverage and side for less than $8. Patio seating and desserts are sublime extras in this very-Virginia setting. Weekdays, 11:30-2:30 p.m. 10 E. Franklin St., 775-2323. www.colonyclubandcatering.com.

CafAc Gutenberg:  New dAccor, new menu, new approach from new owners at this Shockoe Bottom corner, 1700 E. Main St. See the Web site for details at www.cafegutenberg.com.

Aurora:  Free salad bar with lunch menu in airy downtown club space; the pastry case is a stellar take-out option from breakfast time on. 401 E. Grace St. 644-5380.

Box Lunch Bistro:  Sandwich, side and cupcake for $9.98, or party trays and box salads delivered by day-ahead ordering via fax or e-mail. Gratuity is added. 515-8624. www.boxlunchbistro.com.

Dining Room at the Berkeley Hotel:  Four-course Easter dinner menu from new chef Ty Sayles, with selections such as oysters, ham, rockfish, steak, chocolate waffles and coconut cake. Seatings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., by reservation; $42 adults, $21 children younger than 11. 1200 E. Cary St., 780-1300. www.berkeleyhotel.com.

Chez Foushee:  New spring menu, special occasion dinners, in a service-minded, elegant downtown setting. 203 N. Foushee St. 648-3225. www.chezfoushee.com.

Capital Ale House:  Mondays continue as $1 burger nights at all three locations; music downtown includes karaoke, blues, musicians' jams, and assorted acts that pair well with beer. See the Web site, www.capitalalehouse.com, for details.

Manakin Grill:  Easter brunch buffet, April 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. by reservation. Adults: $27.95; children 5-11: $12.95. Pit-cooked ham, omelets to order, desserts. Menu and details at www.manakingrill.com under special events. 784-0544. 12912 Plaza Drive.

The Lucky Buddha:  Students get 25 percent off their meals on Mondays with a college ID; academic group discounts for the profs, too. Also half-off sushi menu for everybody, every Tuesday. www.theluckybuddha.com.