French Slip
Bouchon, in the former Pomegranate space at 1209 E. Cary St. in Shockoe Slip, is now open, serving ProvenAal-inspired seafood and traditional French bistro fare. The updated, casual space seats 42 patrons at banquettes, tables and a custom-made bar. The new kitchen with its 10-burner stove gets the most important ingredient: the longtime cooking expertise of Parisian-born owner and chef, Francis Devilliers. Lunch weekdays, dinner Monday through Saturday. 225-9116. www.bistrobouchon.com.
Chew Widely
Guest chef series: The menu's always in motion at Positive Vibe CafAc, where an all-star lineup of guest chefs brings new flavors on select Sunday nights from 6-8:30. Here's the fall list: Ed Vasaio of Mamma 'Zu, Sept. 20; Chris DiLauro of Bacchus, Oct. 18; J Frank with guest Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards, Nov. 1; Jannequin Bennett with a vegan menu, Nov. 22; master chef Paul Elbling with a special evening of French food, Dec. 6. The cafAc's fall menu debuts next week and outside seating is now available. 2825 Hathaway Road. 560-9622. www.positivevibecafe.com.
Harvest dinner: Urban agriculture is the star of the Tricycle Gardens celebration dinner Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. Chefs from Kuba Kuba, Millie's, Kitchen 64, Mamma 'Zu, Rowland Fine Dining and other civic-minded local restaurants will prepare an extensive, local-foods buffet dinner. The night includes a cash bar, music, dancing and remarks from EcoFriendly Foods founder Bev Eggleston. $50 tickets can be reserved online at the nonprofit group's retooled and informative Web site, www.tricyclegardens.org.
Philanthropy with a side of steak: Mortons resumes its semiannual benefit dinners for local nonprofits this month. Three-course meals featuring a choice of salad, entrAce and dessert are $75, with $25 going to that night's beneficiary: Sept. 21: Valentine Richmond History Center; Sept. 22: Jewish Family Services; Sept. 23: Comfort Zone Camp; Sept 24: Beacon Tree; Sept. 25: Children's Museum of Richmond; Sept. 26: Greater Richmond SCAN. 111 Virginia St. 648-1662. www.mortons.com.
Pit bulls: Buz Grossberg has accepted an invitation to compete in one of the nation's biggest barbecue competitions, the American Royal, in Kansas City next month. The team from Buz & Ned's Real BBQ also plans to open a West Broad Street location after scrubbing plans for a Hanover county spot last year. Lunch and dinner daily at 1119 N. Boulevard. 355-6055. www.buzandneds.com.
Attention getters: Lemaire, Pescados and Manakintowne Specialty Growers will be featured in a national PBS series on chefs and the locavore movement. The series, “America's Heartland,” airs Sunday afternoons in late winter, and is particularly exciting for the local players because of the company they're keeping — Chef Thomas Keller and other restaurant-world luminaries from across the country. Shooting took place here last month, and featured the top-drawer produce of Manakintowne's Rob and Jo Pendergraph, whose business sets the standard for quality and integrity among small family growers.
