Two dinners in Richmond/Short Pump

[SharonOhio]

We will be picking our daughter up from the University of Richmond and due to packing and other things will be staying over two nights. The first night (Thursday) we will pick her up at the University and are looking to find something good within a 20 minute drive. The second night (Friday) we will all be staying in the Short Pump area so looking for something near there. In both cases we will have either had a long pack or a long drive so don't want something where we can't get a dependable reservation or the wait time will be lengthy.

Generally don't want to spend more than $100 for either dinner for all of us (probably no alcohol being purchased). We eat pretty much anything but would prefer something unique to Richmond.

All suggestions welcome. Thanks

[SharonOhio]

I just wanted to update you on where we ended up going and how we found things. First night's dinner was at Mekong. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and were amazed at the amount of food we had (tons of leftovers which went back to the dorm) and the very inexpensive total bill. Friday night we cancelled our Kenji reservation because we were running late with packing and ended up going to Royal India. I thought it was so-so at best. Again, a very reasonable bill.

Finally on Saturday night we went to Emilio's in short pump (again we were out for a very long day and wanted something near our hotel that we could get in without a reservation). We all really enjoyed that as well. Once again very reasonable price. We had 6 different tapas and a pot of paella (was slightly burnt in one area however) as well as two glasses of fino sherry.

Thanks for all the recommendations. We definitely will tend to eat ethnic on our next trip to Richmond.

[AMFM]

oh - for next time, both malabar and anokha are excellent indian in the short pump area. have been unimpressed with the rest out that way.
those two are very close to each other but have completely different feel and menus.

[Janet from Richmond]

I am dying to try Anokha....I have heard outstanding things about it.

[AMFM]

love it. the tandoori salmon is divine. just drove by and they have put in a new outdoor patio. looks lovely and inviting.

[SharonOhio]

Thanks for the suggestions. Kenji looks great for our night near short pump. A little concerned that Azzurro may be too pricey for our needs. Any other thoughts near the University?

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Azzurro Restaurant
6221 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

[Janet from Richmond]

Azzurro has great pizza (their own wood fired oven) and some of the pasta isn't very pricey. The Tavern near UofR isn't expensive but IMO very ordinary.

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Azzurro Restaurant
6221 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

[SharonOhio]

Thanks for the info. Azzurro still looks to be too fancy for that Thursday night (we'll have spent 8 hours in a car before that and there's no way I'm dressing up). So we're going to do Eurasia that evening and Kenji on Friday night. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll post back early May once we've returned.

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Azzurro Restaurant
6221 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

[AMFM]

the tavern is above average for places i can take my little kids but probably fairly ordinary otherwise. still like it. :)

have fun. and hope you enjoy your time in richmond.

[SharonOhio]

Well new complication added just as I thought I had this solved. We're taking my daughter's roommate on Thursday who is a vegetarian so now probably want to go ethnic instead since Eurasia has only 1 choice for her. The suggestions was to go to Carytown and either do Indian or Thai. Any recommendations?

[LizR]

I no longer live in Richmond, but whenever I visit my family, we go to the Mekong on Broad Street. It's in the west end, so closer to Short Pump and U of R than Carytown (well, probably equidistant to Carytown). Good Vietnamese, huge vegetarian selection. In Carytown, I believe Farouk's house of India is still there--I loved it (20 years ago). My dad still likes Mom's Siam in Carytown as well.

[SharonOhio]

Thanks, my daughter has been to Royal India and recommends that but the girls are up for trying something new so Mekong may be the answer. I don't believe I've ever had Vietnamese food but can't imagine what we wouldn't like

[AMFM]

I honestly haven't been there yet, but don't know anyone who doesn't love mekong. think it would be a great choice.

have heard there's a great new tapas place in short pump (from a reliable source) if you don't want to do asian again the next night. emilio's maybe?

[Janet from Richmond]

There are several good Thai restaurants in Carytown....Mom's Siam, Thai Diner Too and my favorite Ginger Thai. And you cannot go wrong with Mekong on Broad.

[hopkid]

I'm getting here a bit late in the game but I just want to comment that Kenji seems a bit pricey as well. I mean, $16.50 for katsu curry? Chicken teriyaki for $15.50? What's up with that? Their non-teppanyaki menu is pretty extensive so I'll probably have to try it at some point but I still long for a real authentic Japanese restaurant. And one that doesn't feel like it has to do teppanyaki. I swear there are more teppanyaki places per capita in Richmond than anywhere else.

[AMFM]

i still love angela and ichiban at gleneagles.

[AMFM]

I agree with DD33. Have found Azzuro's to be pretty good too. And in a charming area. I also like Eurasia - not too far either.
www.eurasiarich.com

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DD33
3601 Cox Rd, Richmond, VA 23233

[Racheleats]

Yep, I third that...Boathouse is overrated. Nice for the view and a cocktail but totally out of the way and food is mediocre. I love Azzuro and also really like Osaka Sushi and Steak nearby. Delicious sushi, steaks, and seafood. There is also one in Short Pump by the same owners I believe but for some reason, I don't think it's as good as the one on River Road. Little Venice off Ridgefield Parkway isn't too far and has great steaks and Italian specials. Angela's is another FANTASTIC Italian place on Ridge Road that has wonderful seafood and pasta and is family owned, which I love. Not exactly Short Pump area but not too far either. Let us know where you end up!

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Little Venice
10482 Ridgefield Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233

Osaka Sushi
5025 Huguenot Rd, Richmond, VA 23226

[Janet from Richmond]

I recommend DD33 of Cox Road http://dd33va.com/net/home.aspx

For your first night near UofR I recommend Azzurro http://www.azzurros.com/

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Azzurro Restaurant
6221 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

DD33
3601 Cox Rd, Richmond, VA 23233

[nyctripper]

Completely agree with Janet. You can get reservs at both of these. No reservations at the Boathouse.

[BostonCharles]

Ate at Azurro once and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was

[jeffco]

Go to Kenji Hibachi and Sushi Bar. It is the finest authentic Japanese food. It is located at the Park Place shopping center at Short Pump Town Center. It is located on the ring road inbetween hh gregg and pet smart.accross from Nordstrums. It is our famly favorate and when we visit our daughter also in U.R. we all go and we always have a good time.

[Kuhlchix]

http://www.boathouserichmond.com/rock... Very Good & early specials.

[Janet from Richmond]

IMO not very good and nowhere near Short Pump