RECENT COMMENTS
New pub menu at Acappella
Acappella Restaurant and Pub, one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets, has announced a new pub menu.
Photo from the Acappella website.
From the email going around:
We now have entrees in the pub in addition to the sandwiches, and nothing is over $9! The price of desserts has been cut down, too, and added to the pub menu.
Some of the things added include a cheeseburger, portabella burger, gyro (we actually have them now), basket of fries, pork chop, chicken fingers, and an assortment of Italian pasta dishes… plus more. Come try it out and tell us what you think!
Updates and more details soon about our upcoming project: turning the upstairs dining room into an extension of the pub. Redecoration, introduction of pub menu upstairs, and a fully stocked upstairs bar to follow in the next two weeks!
sweet!
this is my favorite bar in richmond, altho’ they should consider a new smoke-handler, cuz on Fri and Sat nites, it’s smokier than a Philip Morris Bingo Hall
It’s a shame the owners are not sensitive to the loud noise from it’s music and patrons that keep many neighbors up at night. They should take a cue from Hill Cafe. The pub is NOT a welcomed addition to the neighborhood for those who happen to live in close proximity to the place.
i was kind of thinking the same thing, steve. it’s the type of block that i wouldn’t think would tolerate such a thing. no offense, of course. just seems like a wealthier, affluent scene on broad. the kind who have connections (or who are) to lawyers, judges, the senate, the southern mob, et al. perhaps the bands should play earlier? unless it’s mammy, of course. they can play whenever they want.
Not to be a wet blanket here, but bars/pubs have to have a special license beyond the regular ABC license in order for a band to play in them. Does Acapella have such a license? Might be worth looking into…
At the same time, Acapella/Patrick Henry Inn’s restaurant has been there for a very long time. The Pub has been there in some incarnation for equally as long. It seems to me that anyone living in close proximity to it, should have considered this when they decided to buy their house.
I think Acapella is a wonderful, WELCOME addition to the neighborhood, and only adds to the value of living here.
Went to their website. Tried to look at the new menu. Don’t they know not everyone has Microsoft Word?! Can’t they at least provide a PDF, or hell, just put the menu up in HTML?!
Echoing the previous post– Acapella, along with Captain Buzzy’s, Jumpin Je’s are all WELCOMED additions to the neighborhood and we should be encouraging more commercial and retail in the neighborhood. To be a vibrant thriving (of course with respect to the adjoining neighbors)
I am excited about the new potential changes at Acapella and think that the menu and expanded pub space would be great. I might start going up there more if I knew there would be room to sit( the basement gets a bit cramped!!)
weird… my previous post got garbled… to restate- to be a vibrant thriving urban neighborhood we need to have places to eat, drink and be merry!
Noise in an urban neighborhood? Such an outrage! It’s almost as bad as that pesky airport that tortured me during my period of Sandston residence. Perhaps Steve and I should found the CH chapter of Pantele’s Party Patrol!
good idea. great bar, so-so restaurant. me and the missus joke about the hot dog filled lasagna you could conceivably order there. Now all they need is a softball team.
It never ceases to amaze me the way that some people who consciously decided to live in Church Hill and participate in its revitalization object to any sign of vitality.
I’m a lawyer. I live on Broad. I moved there BECAUSE of The Hill Cafe (among other reasons). I argued with people who objected to Captain Buzzy’s — people who said with a straight face that the building would be a better contribution to the neighborhood as a coin laundry or law firm. I see people on this site complain about the Irish Festival. Let’s face it, if you have moved to Church Hill (in the last 10 years) and you think these things are nuisances, you have only yourself to blame. You knew or should have known that the neighborhood was going to be active.
I encourage you all to embrace the vitality of the neighborhood.
Amen, Archie. If anyone wants true peace and quiet, I can give you directions to Western Hanover. Unless you have any objections to cows lowing in the fields. Otherwise, CVS sells cotton balls.
Archie’s right on.
I’m *happy* to see businesses springing up in and around Church Hill! We need *more*!
Now where’s my Church Hill Market?!
I, too, am continually amazed and frustrated by those who choose to live in an urban neighborhood but are annoyed by the urban aspects of that neighborhood. Church Hill is a great place to live and I love that we have such a variety of eating and night spots in close proximity. I moved here (and am raising my family here) here because I love that urban atmosphere. If I wanted complete peace and quiet, I would have bought in the suburbs.
wait. you live in a city and yet complain about noise? please.
Noise, smoise, what was that I read about a “Pantless Party Patrol”? I want to join that.
If only we could be more like Rome, Barcelona, or Athens where people are just coming out for the evening at 10 to eat at the cafes lining the streets serving wonderful smelling dinners and great wine and playing beautiful music, but we’re not. We are an historic, beautiful, fun, vibrant neighborhood with a bunch of people who would love the kind of ambiance I described above. So let’s get rid of all the whiners, keep the winers (get it, ha ha) and really make Church Hill fantastic.
I’m in agreement about the smoke handler.
We (when we lived in CH) walked in once and had to turn around at the door because the smoke was so bad.
I’d have loved to been able to hang out as it looked like a great place but that was a no go for us.
Wow, I wonder where all these people that are encouraging more noise live, and how many of them are property owners. If we want urban renewal, we shouldn’t chase property owners out by abusing their “property rights” by a bunch of revelers, loud music/noise and trash. These revelers leave beer bottles, releive themselves on your property, then go home. Encouraging some commercial and retail is one thing as long as it is compatible to the neighborhood and the immediate neighbors. Also, keep in mind that the owner of the restaurant doesn’t live in the neighborhood,or for that matter, Richmond, nor does the owner of the building. Licenses will be checked as a “change of use” has occurred on their Special Use Permit. Also, when property in this neighborhood is reaching $1million, we don’t need to encourage commercial hoopla. People want to enjoy their homes. Remember your home is your castle.
Loud outdoor bands are not part of the urban scene. Acapella does not have the proper permits and zoning approvals. Their petition has been rejected by the city in the past. What we don’t need in Church Hill is people who will bend and break all the rules to make a buck–without considering their neighbors.
Well said “neighbor”…Responsible
growth and development is usually embraced by all folks in the neighborhood. You make a very valid point–when business begins to change the quality of life and enjoyment of the homeplace, there will be understandable objection. There are plenty of spaces in Church Hill that can tolerate loud music and vehicle traffic–we should make sure those spots are utilized for those type of venues. Many folks supporting “noisy establishments” would probably change their minds very quickly if something like this was going to set up shop beside their home. No, no…not in my back yard! Yes, this is an urban neighborhood but realistically…it is more residential than anything else…there are not that many businesses that drive footsteps in the neighborhood. So… to the folks stating that “when you purchased here you should have known better….” huh? Church Hill has not seen a thriving business community for as long as most of us can remember. 10 years ago…most of Broad St. was either vacant or boarded up….
Neighbor:
Please use another name. I’ve been using the name “neighbor” for some time and as common as it is, I’ve used it first on this site, and on this thread for that mattter. I don’t want people to think that your views are mine – because they aren’t. I’m glad that Acapella is here whatever the noise situation.
Thank-you.
I just don’t think being a property owner that lives in the community gives you the power to make all the decisions for the neighborhood. Many folks have rented on the hill for years and are just as committed to the neighborhood.
I also don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing for someone to own a business in our neighborhood and not live here. Lots of people do that. It seems that people are seeking to divide property owners that live here from property owners that don’t live here from renters who live her from business owners that don’t live here from business owners that live here from anyone who happens to frequent our businesses but doesnt live here….it is all so divisive and prejudicial. Why does everyone have to have a label?
Living in a urban neighborhood sometimes means listening and working out a solution that best meets everyone’s needs and desires. I think Accapella is a wonderful neighborhood gathering place and I am certain they want to be a good neighbor. I think they should be given a chance before being shot down by a few.
neighbors, I have a novel idea. why don’t you just use your own first name? it might be less confusing that way.
All neighbors,
Aren’t we all neighbors? Please change all you neighbor names by order of significance. I am “neighbor 51.”
“Wow, I wonder where all these people that are encouraging more noise live, and how many of them are property owners.”
I told you. I live on Broad, in the 2700 block.
If you think the noise is excessive, why not talk to the owners and see if you can work something out? Wouldn’t that be the “neighborly” way of doing things? Certainly more “neighborly” than sniping on a public message board and objceting to their permit application.
If people are pissing on your property, that’s a different issue, one that is best dealt with through a combination of lighting and police presence. The beer bottle issue is just BS. There’s no way that Accapella is letting people take beer bottles out.
Wow, again. Someone who lives on the 2700blk of Broad St. is now an expert on what goes on in the 2300bl. We have heard reveling as late, or early as 4:00am, so don’t tell me “there’s no way that Accapella is letting people take beer bottles out”, and or that they even know what’s going on at that hour. You and the owner’s are home sleeping and don’t have a clue.
If the owner’s truly applied for a permit application, wouldn’t the “neighborly way of doing things” be -contacting your immediate neighbors before abusing them further,and showing no respect for a buck? We have lived here for 17 yrs.,paid a lot of $$ for our property, have been abused by that property, know the history of that property, so don’t tell me what’s good for me and what we should and shouldn’t do!
Maybe as a lawyer, you can use your influence to get “a combination of lighting and police presence”. When your quality of life is affected you might gain some creditability and be heard. Until then, Mum is the word.
For cryin’ out loud. You live in a city people, THERE ARE BANDS AND FESTIVALS AND NOISES OF ACTIVITY IN ACTIVE CITIES (ever heard of St. Patty’s Day in Savannah???)If you want total peace and quiet move to the county. 8 years ago there wasn’t a thing up here other than the Hill Cafe (and a sketchey Comm. Pride down 25th). Now one can stay at home for a weekend and never use the car and have coffee, choice of food, groceries and movies! And YES, I’m a home owner (for the one that asked) and live 1 1/2 blocks from Accapela. Haven’t heard their music but have heard some thumpin’ bass coming from cars on Broad, but hey, that’s the city…
PS – yeah, what a great concept, talking directly to your neighbor about something bothering you instead of ratting them out with the city. WOW!
There’s an article in the RTD today about one of the founders of Wikipedia starting a new online encyclopedia called Citizendium because he felt that Wikipedia has lost some of it’s credibility due to annoymous postings, and that sources and facts aren’t verified.
One of his collegues went on to say that “When you put everybody in a system that is flat, where everybody can say yes or no, without any sense of authority, what you get is “tribalism.” “What has gone into the article of creation is very often the result of this dysfunctional system.” Anonymity can take away accountability sometimes.
But, I know that some of us post fake names because we have sensative jobs, or are involved in some sensitive civic causes. In any case, blogs can, at times, seem to be the cyber equivalent of writing on the bathroom wall.
So true, everyone seems to be speculating without knowing the facts. What a concept.
my wife and I recently moved to the Hill from the FAN and prefer the Hill to the FAN. However, we need more restaurants and shops.. All these apts and condos are being built and the number of restaurants and shops remain the same. Dinosaurs and people with nothing better to do but bitch are keeping down the true growth of the Hill. I love Acapella, I love JJAys, I love being part of the Hill and seeing the Hill the way it should be…with Que Pasa and whatever else a true urban experience brings. We are the Hill.
i agree i prefer the hill to the fan. but i dont want to see the hill turn into the fan. i may be wrong but i think the people bitching are people such as yourself. new to the hill. anyone who has lived here for 10 years or more are thnkful to see the area coming around.i remember when anyone passing your house might piss on your yard. and forties bottles litter the streets.
all these well to do people come into my neighborhood and try and change it. shuting down what resources were here and replacing them with crap. i loved the little chinese market where captain buzzys is now. they were a true community mrket. they would even front you merchndise if you were little short on cash. 2 dollars for cup of coffee give me a break. you love your communtity dont you captain buzzys. even the employees act like their crap dont stink. . i like churchill as a working class community where people tried to get along not whine and bitch about everything and anything. i wish south of broad would hve stayed south of broad. i guess thats why i live in fairmont now. please sty on your side of m st and i will stay on mine.
Ahhhh, the good ole days when people would piss on your yard. Honestly, thepinch, is that what you want? I liked the little quickie mart, too (by the way, I believe they were Korean, not Chinese) for the convenience factor, but it was poorly stocked, was dirty and smelled. I’ll agree that the staff can be stuffy at times, but they have usually been very nice.
Gentrification is comin’ … and it ain’t stoppin’ at M Sreet.
my apologies for saying they were chinese. i didnt find it dirty or smelly nd could always find something to eat there. they helped me through some tough times. and thts what churchill is about to me. i liked the working class community that was churchill.i dont get the hello most people sy they get from strangers on the sidewlk in churchill. not past leigh st anyhow. even if i say hello first i tend to get brushed off. my just as well be in the west end. it seems to me people there now are not as friendly as the used to be. even the guy pissing on your lawn usully turned out to be a nice guy. tht is how the neighborhood ws when i found it and i found no reason to try and change it. i cleaned my little area up of litter and kept the sidewalk free of weeds but never complained tht no body else was doing it. live your life and let others live theirs. to me that is what churchill has and should always be about. on a side note does anyone know why charlies laundrmat closed down. 27th and clay. he is a great guy and i hate to think someone put him under in hopes of the Korean market becoming a laundry.
I think we all want nice neighbors, and if they aren’t saying “hi” to you, I can understand how you feel (even though I’m from DC and nobody-but-nobody says boo to anyone on the street there). I’m not a chatty neighbor but will say “hi” or “howsitgoin'” to pretty much anybody (except maybe the guy with the headphones … ’cause, well, he’s wearing headphones … I’ll just give him a nod if he makes eye contact, which he usually doesn’t). All in all, though, I’m not too worried if my neighbor doesn’t want to talk about the weather and such. Nice guy or not, I don’t want anyone pissing on my lawn. I’d much rather my neighbor be finding ways to beautify the neghoborhood by planting trees and fixing holes in the sidwalk. Not everyone has to be that kind of neighbor (as much as I like it, I’m not the one doing it), but I don’t think it’s too much to ask to not be the kind that pisses on the grass and leaves 40s laying around … or lets their geese poop everywhere … or breaks into my house (a reference to another thread).
The biggest change I see in the neighborhood in the last 6 years has been an increasing number of younger people with kids. I now see parents out walking with their kids all the time, whereas it used to be rare. This is great for the area because it is helping to rebuild the sense of community that had been slowly dying for a long time (well before I arrived). To continue to get these people to move to and stay in the neighborhood there needs to be things like Buzzy’s and J’s and The Hill Cafe and Acapella and the Church Hill Market (if it ever opens) … and ultimately, the schools need to improve. I don’t see how any of that is a bad thing.
i like you archie bunker. i like the wy you think and the way you express yourself. id like to buy you a two dollar cup of coffee. i agree that the area is a safer one by everyway possible. i am not a chatty person either but if someone makes eye contact with me ill always say hello, usully ending it at that. that is just good manners. and a show of at least a little respect. there ws alwys a sense of community here. it is just a differnet community now. i do love the way houses are loved and treasured now, i too hope to one day have my house restored but it is going to be a slow process due to funds. i only hope im not run off before i haver a chance too. all i really wnted to say was i lke your style archie bunker. i dont mean to bunch everyone into one group i know to take people as they come it just seems more and more disrespectful people are popping up nowadays. i guess i just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. im going back to lurker mode. thanks for helping me through this episode archie bunker. you seem like one of the good ones i prejudged. sorry bout tht. till next time.
No worries. There are good and bad neighbors everywhere and more densely populated areas are bound to have more of both.
Can I get in on that coffee with Archie Bunker? I like both of you guys. Peace.
I have not been on this site for a very long time because I get so frustrated when I do view the site. However, today I happened upon the site as I was looking for something else. Of course, I began reading the comments, and here I go again…
What is wrong with you old fogies? Have you ever been to D.C., Downtown Charlottesville or even Downtown Fredericksburg? For goodness sake… I live next to an Elementary school, I have an abandoned house next door and my neighbor has decided to invite every wild, insect infested cat in the neighborhood to her home by placing plastic containers of food and loose rags on the ground behind her home.
We need businesses like nice restaurants, pubs, floral shops, bakeries, specialty shops, law firms, upscale clothing shops, sandwich and coffee shops, alteration shops, etc. We do not need laundry mats, “drug dealing stores” that call themselves corner makets, mechanical garages, McDonalds and the likes.
If you want peace and quiet… then you probably should not be living 4-6 blocks from the freeway, 6-8 blocks for one of the largest medical universities and colleges on the east coast, 1 block from the main bus line route, 4-5 blocks from the train station, 6 miles from an international airport and blocks from fire and rescue and police departments. Nor, should you have a piece of property the size of a postage stamp. MOVE to the country.