Tim Bereika, the inventive and attentive chef at Secco Wine Bar, launches a two-night pop-up affair at a restaurant that’s not his own. He and chef Collin Wagner are calling the thing Meddle. “It means to invade, in a fun way,” Bereika says. “We’re taking over the kitchen at The Roosevelt — with their permission, of course. They’re just as excited about doing something different as we are.” Roosevelt owner Kendra Feather and chef Lee Gregory are the willing co-conspirators.
Meddle runs Feb. 19 and 20, with staggered seatings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 for food, tax and tip. Drinks (and drink tips) are extra. The menu was just announced via Twitter and the chef’s blog, timbereika.tumblr.com. “It seems like a good time to do this,” he says. “It’s just a chance to bring something new to the Richmond dining scene that’s fun.”
Ready to go: Blowtoad is set to open Jan. 17 in Carytown, and chef and owner Jimmy Sneed says he’ll run some regular promotions to drive business. Look for Byrd Tuesdays, when the special will be fried chicken served with two tickets to the Byrd Theater across the street. Pizza, craft beer, sandwiches on house-baked bread and Sneed’s intensely focused management style will give this new restaurant a character like no other in the neighborhood. Happy the Artist designed the pizza box illustration, which features a smiling brick oven and the artist himself, a longtime Sneed devotee whose work has adorned all of the chef’s restaurants.
Now serving: Phil’s Continental Lounge is back in business a block west of its old Westhampton location. Specials include dollar tacos, burgers and dogs Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Karaoke is Thursdays at 9 p.m. 5808 Grove Ave. 288-8687. Philscontinentallounge.com.
Signs of silence: Coast, the seafood restaurant at 5806 Grove Ave., has been closed for several weeks. Signs on the door and voicemail messages have offered varying dates for a reopening, but calls for information were unreturned. Coastrva.com.
Coffee empire: Work is in progress for an expansion at Café Caturra’s busy Short Pump location. The local chain has expanded its reach to seven units in three states, with catering operations on the way and more locations in the long-range plan. Cafecaturra.com.
Live from Manhattan: Slow Food RVA holds a viewing party for “Changing the Way We Eat,” a webcast that explores sustainability and other food topics. Gallery5 at 200 W. Marshall St. is the setting for the Jan. 21 event, which runs 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. tedxmanhattan.org.
