The end of an era? Possibly. It’s definitely the end of a restaurant. in Shockoe Bottom is closing its doors for good at the end of September after 12 years in the business. Fans of the restaurant have just over a month of Tuesday nights left to crowd the raw bar and reminisce under the wall of memorabilia.

All the artifacts (as well as anything else left in the place) are being sold at an open auction party on Sept. 16. “It’s going to be music and selling everything in the place we’ve got,” says owner Ray Chetti. That includes the artwork, antiques, equipment and “thousands of memorabilia,” including celebrity pictures and a promotional poster signed by Patricia Cornwell for “The Body Farm.” Chetti says his restaurant is in her new book, “Black Notice.” The restaurant winds it up Sept. 30. House band Broke Down Engine is set to play the 16th and 30th. 21 N. 17th St. 644-4310.

If your work day is anything like ours, you probably have little time to do anything grand for lunch. Lucky to get a sandwich and some chips, right? Well how about crabcakes and sweet potato praline pie from , or the famous ham rolls and raisin peanut pie of the Surrey House? The chefs from these fine restaurants and more will be offering you a break from dull leftovers at the Fall River Renaissance Kickoff this week at Brown’s Island. You’ll also get an insider’s look at current James River conservation projects. Take a break this Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 29 and 30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 786-5056.