Ah, Style’s State of the Plate 2008…The issue we (at least, I) have all been waiting for. Definitely pickup or read this issue online. Some quick observations:
- Millie’s is Style’s Restaurant of the Year. Yeah, I totally get this choice. The writeup argues that this is probably the Restaurant of the last decade or even score.Â
- Judging from the articles, my prediction for next year’s RoY is Cafe Rustica. There is a lot of love for this fairly new restaurant (two mentions in Best Dishes, praise for using local ingredients in the Green article, new addition to the Top 50 list (see below), and even a compliment on their rustic interior design).  Â
- This action packed issue has a bonus interview with NBC12’s Ashley Swann (probably, known as the Grim Reaper amongst the restaurant crowd). The NBC Restaurant Report is a real service to the community keeping kitchens honest and, hopefully, cleaner.
- Top 50. As you may know, I love me some lists. The curious data geek in me compared this new list to the 2007 one. Â
- Restaurants added to the list:
- Angela’s Ristorante
- BacchusÂ
- Buckhead’s
- Café Rustica
- Chez Max
- Cous Cous
- Dd33
- Little Venice
- LuLu’s
- RelishÂ
- SÃ
- The Ironhorse
- Zed CaféÂ
- Tastebuds
- Removed from the list:
Some surprises: Wow, the critic darling that is Full Kee is no longer a Top 50. La Grotta, Mary Angela’s, Michelle’s (stretched out too much?) and Six Burner (son of Acacia…speaking of Acacia, where’s Acacia on this list?) were surprises.  Â- Café Gutenberg almost closed
- Coppola’s Deli
- Da Lat
- Dogwood Grille & Spirits closed
- El CaporalÂ
- Fox Head Inn closed
- Full Kee Dim
- La GrottaÂ
- Mandarin PalaceÂ
- Mary Angela’s PizzaÂ
- Michelle’s at Hanover Tavern
- PegasusÂ
- Perly’sÂ
- Six Burner
- Maintained Top 50 Status
- 1 N. Belmont
- Amici Ristorante
- Azzurro
- Bistro Twenty-SevenÂ
- Buz and Ned’s
- Can Can BrasserieÂ
- Chez FousheeÂ
- ComfortÂ
- Croaker’s SpotÂ
- Davis & MainÂ
- Edible Garden
- Edo’s SquidÂ
- Enoteca Sogno
- EuropaÂ
- Havana ’59Â
- Helen’sÂ
- IchibanÂ
- Ipanema Café
- Julep’sÂ
- Kuba KubaÂ
- Lemaire
- Mamma ’Zu
- MekongÂ
- Millie’s Diner
- Nile Ethiopian RestaurantÂ
- Patina GrillÂ
- PescadosÂ
- Pomegranate Euro BistroÂ
- Rowland Fine DiningÂ
- SensiÂ
- Shackleford’sÂ
- Tarrant’s CaféÂ
- The Dining Room at the Berkeley HotelÂ
- The TrackÂ
- Zeus Gallery CaféÂ
- ZuppaÂ
- Restaurants added to the list:
Thanks for your interest, 804. You’re right, Full Kee is not on the list but should be. The favorites could easily have stretched to 60 this time out, and we hoped to honor some of the classic, hard-working family businesses (Angela’s for example, which is first-rate) and those that have stepped up their game recently (The Ironhorse, Zed.)
We intend no harm to the others and hope they continue to find some solace in our full listings of their businesses in the paper and online.
Readers who beg to differ with anything in Style are encouraged to weigh in.
We thought it delightfully modest of you not to note your own mention in the issue; clearly a major development in the dining out scene here and internationally is the blogging community. Richmond is seeing a proliferation of food-related sites, including some artfully written prose and opinion avec photos. If it’s food porn, it’s still legal. So thank you.
During a recession these guys in food service are feeling it. Customers may be drinking more but eating out less, particularly on weeknights — and quite a number of owners have told me business is off significantly from last year. Not sure how to stem that problem but to encourage readers to support the independents and keep the dining character of Richmond all that it can be. And please contact me anytime with your comments, story suggestions, complaints, etchings, whatever. We stand (or sit, actually) to serve. Best, Deveron Timberlake
food & drink editor, Style Weekly, 1313 E. Main St. RVA 23219 804.358.0825 ext.356 dctimberlake@comcast.net
Comment by deveron timberlake — March 19, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
I’m in this week’s Style?
On the Top 50 observation, not criticizing, just pointing out…
Totally, agree with you on supporting the independently owned restaurants (yeah, Angela’s has indeed been a Ridge Road rock). I just don’t get why Richmonders continue to patronize the big national chains, even waiting in freakin lines for mediocre fare! It’s proven that local businesses put more money back in the community, and they do a superior job on the food end. How is this not a no brainer? Would love to see Richmond break the souless strip mall habit. Kudos to your publication for not listing any of the chains.
Comment by the804.com — March 19, 2008 @ 5:59 pm