Our Closest Restaurants Are…
Being south of the Fan, retail and dining aren’t quite as accessible by foot, but at least our houses were half the price. So, maybe we can still afford a meal out every so often, and we probably don’t mind a short hike to a place that we really enjoy eating. Which restaurants do you like to walk to from the Randolph, Byrd Park, or Maymont neighborhoods? Some of the closest are:
- on/near Cary St: Acacia, Lamplighter, Cary Street Cafe, Bogarts.
- on Main St: Helen’s, Starlight, Little Mexico, F.W. Sullivan’s, Bellytimber Tavern, Avalon, Delux, Sticky Rice, Rowland Fine Dining, Bamboo, Three Monkeys, Davis and Main, Baja Bean Co., Olio, Fu Jian, Bacchus, Six Burner, Home Team Grill, and Rostov’s coffee.
- at Fountain Lake: Sally Bell’s
Did I miss any? What would make you more likely to patronize these places more often? Is the walk safe/clean enough for your liking? Would it be helpful to see a list of reviews and/or blog entries specifically about any of these local restaurants? What kind of restaurant isn’t on this list of local options that you’d like to see?
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My wife and I walk down Robinson and the walk-over to get to restaurants. I am hopefull that the old bus depot will get developed into some nice shops and restaurants making the walk even nicer!
Robinson is certainly a direct route into the restaurant and bar thoroughfare (tho, the intersection at Main is pretty immature on Fri/Sat night). Helen’s does really artistic things with unique flavors right there between the two much lesser kitchens of Star-lite and 3 Monkeys. But, after 10, Helen’s transforms into a hipster bar (from chic to freak, as some like to say). Depending on what you’re into, that’s a good destination for a 10 minute walk.
Personally, I’m blown away by the beer selection at Commercial Taphouse further down Robinson and the incredible liquor line up at the cash-only MacCormick’s Whiskey Grill on the other side of the street. Both are worth going a couple extra blocks.
Walking along Meadow at night, on the other hand, is kinda of a bummer on date night. The whole area feels untended and the empty storefronts don’t help. Since the footbridge to Strawberry is so well lit at night, we’ll sometimes head across to Sticky Rice or Rowland Fine Dining (and The White Dog, before it closed). Otherwise, it’s Lamplighter 2-3 times a week when we don’t feel like making coffee or breakfast/lunch.
I tried Delux last time I was in town (admittedly for brunch, not dinner), and I have to say I was impressed! Nice service, good drinks and very tasty food. Rowlands has nice atmosphere, but not very many vegetarian options for me.
My friends and I used to LOVE Sticky Rice, but it’s gotten played out after a while. I can’t wait to try some of the vegan options at Bellytimber (but their other food options look good too!).
what about sixburner.
Thanks. I’ll update that and add in Home Team Grill and Rostovs coffee.
We bought in Byrd Park specifically because we still wanted to be able to walk to dinner.
We frequently walk in the Carytown directions to Mezzanine, Mom Siam or Cappolla’s, in addition to many you’ve already mentioned. We’ve also been known to skip dessert and stop in a Bev’s for ice cream to accompany the walk!
Not too far from our neighborhood is the New Pescados China St in Oregon Hill.(one block from Mama Zu’s) They serve fresh caught caribbean inspired seafood Located at the corner of China and Pine Sts you can’t miss the fire engine red building They open at 4:30 for dinner. Great food!