Blue Moon on Draft a No-Brainer

Blue rules at an under-construction restaurant near Regency Square. Indigo light fixtures, a sky-scene mural, Labatt Blue beer and blue cheese across the menu might give a clue that The Bleu Bistro takes its color theme seriously. Music, no surprise, will be live blues and jazz. Randy Hoagland and Kelly Strickler (formerly consulting with The Tobacco Company and the Country Club of Virginia) are “trying to create the American bistro,” Hoagland says, “with everything from burgers and Italian to filet.” Chef Jason Ashley is at the helm.

The restaurant was The Jewish Mother and Little Italy in previous lives and is located in a strip mall at 8982 Quioccasin Road. Look for an opening before the winter holidays, Hoagland says, if all goes according to plan.

Fish to a Higher Power

Chef Matthew Tlusty, whose Limani Fish Grill features the most extensive menu of fresh catches in town, hits the airwaves this month with a cable-TV commercial designed to fight off the chain-restaurant mentality and recapture a daytime clientele. He is resuming luncheon business on weekdays at the end of November after serving only dinner for the past year.

“I’m very excited about what’s happening in Carytown — the diversity of choices,” Tlusty says. “And the opening of Can Can has helped our walk-in business a lot.” He’s also pleased that Gov.-elect Tim Kaine and his family celebrated their win the night following the election with dinner at his establishment. Kaine ordered oysters on the half-shell with wasabi vinaigrette.

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