Why are Richmond restaurants burning down? A devastating fire broke out at the 40-year-old Tobacco Company Restaurant this weekend and management says that it will be closed indefinitely. It follows a blaze July 1 at Carytown taco spot Don’t Look Back, which will take six months to repair, according to owner Hami Shamooda. Last year, both Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream and Rappahannock suffered fires, but are back in business.
Amazon hasn’t ramped up its Prime Now pantry delivery service since the deal to acquire Whole Foods was announced, but it looks like another delivery company has taken notice. Instacart has moved into the counties surrounding Richmond, reports the Times-Dispatch. Right now, however, there’s somewhat
spotty service in the city. Some lucky folks, though, can order from Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Petco and CVS. Service for Publix starts this weekend. Here are the zip codes with delivery service: 23146, 23059, 23060, 23228, 23294, 23233, 23103, 23238, 23229, 23226, 23230, 23173, 23221, 23219, 23225, 23235, 23113, 23114, 23236, 23112, 23832. instacart.com.
Brenner Pass, Metzger Bar & Butchery’s the Swizz-inflected sibling located in Scott’s Addition, will soon have company. Richmond BizSense reports that the owners plan to open Chair Lift, a coffee shop serving sandwiches and baked goods, in August. brennerpassrva.com.
And coffee shop Cafe Zata is planning to open a second location in Manchester at 700 Bainbridge St. in August, Richmond BizSense also reports, which — be still my heart — is within walking distance of Style’s offices. There will be a patio, sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, doughnuts based on recipes from Dixie Donuts and Gelati Celesti ice cream. cafezata.com.
A self-described dessert cafe will soon open the doors of 306 E. Grace St., the old Monumental Coffee space. Mason and Ajin Gray will open Monchou, reports the Times-Dispatch, and will focus on French pastries and coffee. instagram.com/monchourva.
Two other spots, sadly, bite the dust. The Jerk Pit, at 2713 W. Broad St., is no longer in operation. Sabai and Ya-Ya’s Cookbook’s Joe Kiatsuranon plans to open a restaurant in the space, reports Richmond magazine. And Vietnamese restaurant Royal Restaurant in Gold’s Gym Plaza closed on Monday, July 3.
