Bottleneck Desired
Bouchon takes two meanings in French: a traffic jam or a wine cork. “We're hoping to have a bottleneck,” Wendy Kalif says about her new venture with Francis Devilliers, a chef from Paris by way of several Washington bistros. They're opening Bouchon in the former Pomegranate space at 1209 E. Cary St. The place has been entirely reconfigured, with new flooring, banquettes, a bar, lighting and a new kitchen with a 10-burner stove and other niceties. The menu features ProvenAal flavors — not so much butter and cream as traditional French preparations, Kalif notes. Mussels, frites, Pernod escargot, several tartare dishes including tuna and beef, and bistro dishes such as hanger steak and French tartes will bring a new dimension to Shockoe Slip. Expected to open in early August. 225-9116.
Bite Sized
CafAc 2100: Now serving, a kiosk cafAc by caterer Andrea Huntjens. It's a casual affair in the lower lobby of the Edgeworth building in Tobacco Row, 2100 E. Cary St., operating weekdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Huntjens prepares hot breakfast items, sandwiches and salads — “simple, good food,” as she describes it, made with produce from farmers' markets, greens from Manakintowne Specialty Growers and breads from the Flour Garden. Huntjens stretches more on menus for her events business, Sophisticated Soirees, a local party standout. 592-3296.
Dining Room at the Berkeley Hotel: Serving cioppino, pork chops, fried chicken, salmon and fried green tomatoes on ham and pea risotto among other classic dishes, with prices from 20 years ago — every entrAce is less than $15. It's an anniversary promotion, Aug. 3-16, and an incentive to revisit the calm elegance of this newly refurbished Shockoe Slip hotel. Dinner nightly, reservations recommended. 225-5105. 1200 E. Cary St. www.berkeleyhotel.com.
