RECENT COMMENTS
JessOfRVA on then it happens to you...
Becky Metzler on Updated! Guess what's happening on Mosby/Venable?
Mary on then it happens to you...
Sid on then it happens to you...
Becky Metzler on Church Hill Startup Tackles Insurance for Freelancers
Neighbor on then it happens to you...
Dan Rooney on then it happens to you...
Patrick Henry opens MONDAY
06/17/2008 7:52 PM by John M
The new Patrick Henry Pub will be serving food starting on Monday.
Awesome, looking forward to trying this place out!
Good News ! It will be a welcome return, & not too late for cold summer beverage enjoyment. Hope their “smoke eaters” are (MUCH) stronger than the old days. Otherwise, you might just want to b.y.o. filter…(rip one off a Marlboro…)
CHEERS ! NOT ONE STEP BACKWARDS COMRADES !!
YEA! Let’s clear this up real quick though. Are they just serving food or will adult beverages be poured as well? I know how tricky ABC can be somtimes so I just want to be certain that the booze is flowing beginning next Monday.
Arrrggghhh!!!! Here we go again… people preoccupied with booze over a “family” gathering place in the neighborhood.
Cold beer vs “family” gathering place. Hmm. Cold beer wins!
beer beer beer beer beer beer beer
Again… there are plenty of other places to buy beer so why yet another? Can’t it slant more towards family and food – or does family values mean anything these days? People clammer about Church Hill not being family friendly yet want it to be yet on the other hand doesn’t want to do anything towards that direction.
Why does a place have to be dry in order to be family friendly? Are we in Utah?
I never hear any clamor about Church Hill being unfriendly to families. Or even any clamor about places that serve beer, except from one particular neighbor and commenter.
Come on and lighten up!
It doesn’t have to be. That is where proper management comes in to make sure that it doesn’t become just a drunkards hangout. Just that it seems a few here are “only” interested in drinking and nothing else which is shortsighted, narrowminded as well as may have a problem with alcohol. I know, I grew up around alcoholics and know the signs.
And I have seen those who debate the children growing up in Church Hill issue and exposing them to negative influences isn’t helping the cause.
Eric
Didn’t realize that serving adult beverages would exclude “family” patronage of a restaurant. Surely, the new owners weren’t shooting to open a Shoney’s. Customer patronage will show whether the Patrick Henry Pub & Grill has a successful model or if it will have to adapt to something different. Btw, I would enjoy my dinner more accompanied by a beer or a glass of wine. Hell, make that a bottle of wine.
It’s a PUB! And I think it’s a bit of a stretch to conclude that just because a PUB focuses more on the booze than the food that family values are out the door.
Now… when is that Ice Cream parlor on Broad going to open up? Summer is here and they are missing the boat. A “family” oriented business.
Eric
And that “is” the problem… a well liked family establishment that had recognized “food” is now a PUB – aka BAR with food as a secondary interest only to keep a ABC license. But I could be wrong – lets see what the new owner’s intensions are and is the 11:00PM closing time still standing?
Eric
Eric:
Your right, you nailed it, I am an alcoholic. Simply because I don’t have kids (and in fact really don’t like kids at all) and I happen to LOVE a good drink on occasion (ie:everyday!)I am a drunkard. Better not catch me out at night, I might throw up on your shoes…
I believe that Acapella (downstairs) and Patrick Henry were always meant to be pubs. A resturant cannot survive on hamburgers and pasta alone. Alcohol sales are what keep most resturants open, as far as sales go.
I never heard anything about the Patrick Henry closing at 11pm…. maybe I passed out drunk during that conversation! Even the Hill stays open until 2am, it’s the norm these days. There is a lot of money to be made between the hours of 11pm and 2am and I am sure if the new owners have any plans of succeding that they will push for later hours. BTW, what time does Que Pasa close? My point exactly.
PS- Eric, I look forward to not seeing you at the new drunkie hangout.
Late last night at Rosies’ pub in the bottom English parents enjoyed pints while their children and teenagers munched on fish and chips.
In college, my Columbian friend use to invite me over to her family’s parties and everyone from young children to the elderly hung out, danced, ate, and drank into the wee hours of the morning.
Patrick Henry’s upstairs dining room, outside deck, and modest food prices will make for a friendly neighborhood family restaurant.
Why are folk so uptight about this establishment that has existed in the neighborhood longer than most blogging here? Time to loosen that Victorian collar….
…and Bible Belt.
we should have a grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly themed restaurant.
European countries are a bit different as they drink wine with most every meal including the children. We tried to set ourselves above such barbaric behaviour (yes, Victorian)over the years. I see it poor morals and too loose parenting to let children run about freely and exposed to negative influences rather it be music or family surroundings. Time outs are a joke as that has only proven to raise a bunch of rebelious children with no sense of the “fear of God” for their parents and one thing leads to another with disrespectful children who only want to sit in front of a gaming station and get fat eating everything in sight rather than go out and interact with children their own age “outside”. Here we go again about parenting skills… In any event as I ramble on, what I am trying to say that parents should know better than expose children to drinking environments. It sets a bad example for them to only follow.
Gray you make a fine point and I completely agree with you. After having worked in a respectable British pub for years I would agree that families and drunks can unify in one place. An establishment doesn’t have to be either all booze or all family. Ultimately, the decision is up to the parents to find the middle ground.
Eric, You are taking on a lot of endeavors! First, restaurant planning and now parenting classes, whew, where do you find the time? Would a ball pit for the tikes appease you while the parents are sitting around boozing it up?
Never mind… my comments fall on a bunch of deaf – and apparently drunk ears. 🙂 But seriously, the world is in the state it is now because of loose parenting as opposed to the way it should be taking examples from the 1950s conservatism. Kids learn from example and if the parents don’t set a positive one, how are the children to be held accountable? That is all I am saying on that in relationship to children in drinking establishments.
Well, maybe one thing. I grew up in a bar. My mother was not married at the time and was a barmaid. My first home was an apartment above it and the other waitresses babysit me while mom worked. I had fond memories in it BUT that was the 1950s and 1960s where other values and fewer options were in play for children that they MUST follow or else. So I am no stranger to children in bars as I was one… and I also was a child of alcoholics so saw the other side too.
Eric
Ugh. Eric, maybe you can stage a protest outside of PH on Monday. I bet there’s at least one person in CH who shares your view. Then again, maybe not. Plus, I’ll finally be able to reconcile the image of you in my head.
@Jason – is there anything better than grilled cheese AND a BEER?
Does anyone want to give him sign ideas? Maybe BEER IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE or BEER IS QUEER or KEEP YOUR BEER OFF MY BODY or PATRICK HENRY WAS A BABY KILLER…
Chris… what are your family value standards?
Sure, “A” beer or two is fine but if someone sits at the bar for 2-3 hours having drink after drink getting louder and more obnoxioux while invading other people’s airspace and the management allows it… “that” is the difference.
Eric
Now… all aside beer vs. food and family values… just what EXACTLY is this PUB going to serve as far as “meals” and not just a quick sandwich or appetizers? Can someone put that bit of information up for us to see?
Eric – None of your damn business. Did you really expect an answer to that question? I’m looking forward to not ever seeing you at PH.
eric
i don’t get it. you “grew up” in a bar and seemed to have turned out already. I am a pretty firm believer in the concept that parents play a huge role in how the kid turns out. Going to a pub for dinner with the kids and having a few beers in a responsible fashion is hardly putting them at risk.
g… again it is all about what is happing around you as well, not just what is happening at your own table.
Chris… all bark and no bite huh? If you don’t have any “standards” to stand up for then that tells a lot about you.
It is so easy for those who do not have children to comment on how to raise them. I have lived in Church Hill for all 32 years of my life. I have been here through the Rendezvous, both Hill Cafes, the original Mr. Patrick Henry’s, Poe’s, all of the High on the Hogs, the 2300 Club, Memorial Days in the Park, Irish festivals, non-house tours, etc. My siblings, my childhood friends, and I all turned out fine. I have decided to raise my family in Church Hill and wouldn’t have it any other way. It is all about balance and teaching our children to make the right decisions.
True Queen but you have to be a good parent to raise good children. Unfortunately there are too many parents who still act like kids and want to be friends rather than responsible parents to their own children. If the parent can’t make proper and responsible choices then how can their children? And you don’t have to have children to “see” this is going on these days.
What is going to be on the menu?
Is it Italian?
Eric, didn’t you mention in a post once that you have chosen not to have children?
Yes… back to the menu. Is the silence telling us that there won’t be any legitimate “meals” on the menu but only fast foods? I am sure the owners and/or workers of the PUB are here reading this thread and can point us to a website for the business that has the menus or post some items here… what’s the big deal unless there is something to hide? This question was asked before on a different thread and was danced all around but not directly addressed.
Eric
Queen- I couldn’t agree with you more. I have called Church Hill home for 30 of my 35 years on this earth, and I wouldn’t consider living anywhere else.
I loved this neighborhood as a child, and although I don’t have children, I believe CH is very child friendly. If you take into consideration the park to bar ratio and compare that to other neighborhoods and you will quickly see that Church Hill is one of the more family-friendly neighborhoods in the city.
Respectfully submitted,
The Duchess of Church Hill
Eric – you’re right, it sure does. What possible purpose could posting my closely-held beliefs serve? Do you really need that badly to write another sardonic reply. If I were a nicer person, I would feel sorry for you.
And – did we ever get an answer to HB’s question: Will there be BEER on day one or not?
beth.. does it really make a difference? Are people that desperate for a beer? Or just desperate? Can you say A.A. ? When a person lives to drink… even beer, they have a problem.
As for the 11:30 closing hour – I know it was discussed before on a different thread and comments made that possibly 1) the owner was testing the waters and/or respecting the neighbors or 2) his ABC license are restricted?
So… if a pub serves beer my kid is going to get screwed up?
Somebody get Al Gore on this STAT!
Again, can someone please tell me what the menu is going to be – sheesh!
Who’s this Eric dude with all the “family” posts? Tell him to go to the mall food court. They have convenient little tables grouped in a large round center tile pit where those little germ carriers can cavort and frolic around wiping sampled skewers of “hibatchi” chicken and Mrs. Fields cookies all over each other. And no alchohol anywhere! Just lots of pop!
Didn’t Eric see on the application that living in Church Hill requires a well-versed background in beer? Dedicated drinking is a prerequisite. In fact, beer is responsible for the start of many great families, intentionally or not. Also, without beer, some families could not communicate with each other. It can ease the anxiety of having to actually associate with family members you otherwise would not give a rats-ass about. Come together, right now, over beer!
Thank God I’ll have another option in addition to that “family” restaurant over there on 28th St. Those family places are so noisy! All that yammering on about dandelions, T-Ball, and lack of parking interrupts my focus on drinking my beer. So let’s raise our glass and welcome back an old friend, and member of our family, Mr. Patrick Henry, and his beer!!!! Cheers!
Seriously? What’s on the menu? Will there be alcoholic beverages? It’s Wednesday. You can’t wait five days for the answer to either question? Do you also throw a hissy wondering what’s taking the microwave so long? Five days. Five short days.
Mr. Package… I rest my case… you are a classic example of what I have been talking about. A “could care less about others” and will instill that so called “value” through your own kids. And can’t have quality family time without getting loaded first?… you have more problems than drinking I am afraid when it gets to that point and need to re-evaluate your life!
Eric
Honestly, this is one of the angriest threads I’ve seen.
At least we’re asking questions relevant to the post. Are these not reasonable questions?
Welcome to dysfunction junction!
I think somebody was using sarcasm. Don’t you get it? He was making fun of you.
menu…menU…meNU…mENU…MENU!!!! Where is it?
NEWS ALERT. THIS JUST IN. PATRICK HENRY PUB BOWS TO PRESSURE FROM INFLUENTIAL RESIDENT, ERIC.
THEY WILL SERVE TEA AND COOKIES.
DEVELOPING STORY….
beth… on this post who can tell who is being bullheaded or who is playing around? At this junction I have to take everything seriously… just my nature.
paz… “If you take into consideration the park to bar ratio and compare that to other neighborhoods and you will quickly see that Church Hill is one of the more family-friendly neighborhoods in the city.”
Are you serious about that comment? This is shallow thinking and have no relevance towards a “community” vs “neighborhood”.
hillkid… thanks for the last post and giving me a smile… how true!
Eric
Posting on this site is like walking through a shooting gallery!
Incoming!
Jason… God Save The Queen! This is bloody good news my man. 🙂
Time to lighten up… all has been said that can be said and we are beating a dead horse to some as they will do as they please no matter who they… well… And I am not going to lower myself to their standards. If they want to be drunks and let their kids drink beer at age 10 and run wild on the streets by age 14… while they are laid up at a bar somewhere or passed out rather than spending quality at home… let them. I’ll keep my doors locked and a gun at hand just in case.
Well, this thread has made my day. I’ll be leaving the office giggling about these comments.
Where is that frickin’ menu?
Eric:
Why don’t you just head down there on Monday and see for yourself what their menu will offer instead of going ape crackers about it on this forum?
Or better yet, head down there, knock on the door, and lecture the first person who answers.
I am not the only person asking about the menu nor is this the first mention on a thread. There should be any mystery about the menu. In fact they should be proud of what they are serving – that is IF they are serving legitimate meals and not just fast food to keep an ABC license and stringing people along believing otherwise? I am sure menus have already been printed and surprised they haven’t made flyers of them for door-to-door distribution, mailers, or an insert in the last Church Hill Association Newsletter. And if Acapella can create a website that shows their menu, catering options, and interiors – why can’t this new owner and have everything planed, in order, and up and running by Monday which includes promotions rather than sliding in under the radar?
Eric
“There should be any mystery about the menu.”
Because no one know that posts here on this board the menu is now a mystery? Maybe know one knows yet… MYSTERY SOLVED!
Because someone has a beer they are a bad parent?
What a drama queen…
mike… you completely miss the point and reading what you want to read rather than what I am saying.
No where did I say that drinking a beer makes you a bad parent.
I did say drinking abusively in front of children is a bad parent or subjecting them to such enviromnents where there are drunk people.
as for the menu… here are people here that live in the building, work for the new owner, said they have seen the menus a month ago, or even own the business and have posted here so know that “someone” knows the menu!
Eric
Eric,
You appear to have missed my point, please allow me to clarify. The reason why I choose to live in Church Hill is because of the strong sense of community.
I grew up here in CH feeling like part of a larger, extended (occasionally inebriated) caring family. Church Hill residents have a reputation for looking out for one another. Why do you think the Queen mentioned that she and her peers have turned out just fine despite The Rendevous, HOTH, The Hill Cafes, The crack epidemic, etc?
Part of community is embracing your neighbors and neighborhood, and not sitting on a soap box berating people about their personal decisions.
Again respectfully,
Paz the Duchess (on the left hand side) 🙂
Eric-don’t jump to conclusions. My current life evaluation-no plans for kids. So don’t get your underwear all in a bunch worrying about my procreation possibilities, or lack of sober sociability. The world is too overpopulated now, especially with preachy types like yourself. And oh, hey-f.y.i.: My father was an alcholic, and died from it in his late 40’s, and my stepfather was a mean s.o.b. when he was drinking. That doesn’t make me a moral authority on the topic. Everyone has the free will to decide what is right for themselves, and the government mandates who can drink and who can’t. It’s called the legal drinking age, and last I checked, it’s still 21(adults only). No kids allowed. So don’t worry Eric, if people can’t parent their children, then by God, big brother will!
Well paz… maybe on your block people look out for one another but can tell you on ours there seems to be a “whoever is most popular at the time” camaraderie. Meaning that you can be the best of pals one day with a neighbor then the next they will be best friends with a different group on the block and stab you in the back while lying to your face. Then they try to get back in your good graces when things go wrong for them. Then there are those who keep to themselves no matter what, those who bully their way to be top dog on the block, and those who put up racial barriers. And that is just one block! Not so sure your blanket statement about Church Hill works here.
Eric
Whew!!! There are some judgemental folks on this blog, tonight. Eric, I thought you were a focused person for the neighborhood with your concern about 401 N. 27th St. (which, by the way, is now in foreclosure). I’m disappointed that you would go off on a tangent about drinking and Patrick Henry’s. Let’s let people do what they are going to do and not judge the motive. As far as the menu for the restaurant goes, let’s wait until they open up and decide if we will patronize the establishment. Que Pasa is a good example of people deciding if they are going to go to a restaurant for the food, service, and the liquor licence. The bottom line is not the liquour license but the quality of the food, service and do you really want to spend the money to buy what they are offering. I used to run a restuarant and I succeeded because I gave the segment of my patronage what they wanted. I didn’t please everyone, and not everyone came to the restaurant. So be it. Let’s give PH a chance to prove what they can do and let the public decide. Drinks are not the big issue, here.
OMG & LOL! It’s a restaurant, not an opium den. If you don’t like to be around alcohol then don’t go there (assuming the Pub even serves alcohol).
If you like an adult beverage with dinner then go or don’t go. If the Pub serves alcohol, but your kids have never seen you “drink” then don’t bring the kids.
If at dinner at home you don’t have wine in front of your kids then don’t have a drink at the Pub or don’t bring the kids. Go to McDonald’s or fix dinner at home.
No one is forcing anyone to patronize the Pub. If it becomes a public nuisance call the cops. Does anyone know how many times the cops have been called to the Hill because of public drunkeness? I don’t think many, but I’m sure the data are available.
The Pub will rise or fall based on its food/price/value ratio, not its alcohol, which we can get just about anywhere.
Eric,
What block do you live on? Good Lord! I want to know in advance so I never move over that way. I’ve been in Churcgh Hill for a little under 5 years and have some of th best neighbors I’ve ever had anywhere… I’m sorry to hear that your block is in such bad shape. I highly suggest the 700 block of 23rd…great area and truly great neighbors!
again with this faux reactionary bullshit masquerading as concern for the neighborhood from this old lady “eric”. how about a little MYOB (mind your own BUSINESS)til they get the pub open. no restaraunt in va. can open w/out serving a full menu. once again a know it all dork takes dead aim at an issue and misses the point completely. eric nobody said you had to go to the pub so dont. in the meantime if you feel the need to pontificate pull your head out of your ass because your shrill little voice seems a little muffled. give it a rest eric . i am barely computer literate but your never ending selfserving crap would gag a maggot.how about giving it a rest so others can weigh in on an issue?not trying to quash your free speech rights but jesus dude dont you ever get tired of acting like a horses ass. if this seems a little harsh sorry but really dude are you this much of a geek or is this just your screen avatar lord hawhaw?
Found the menu on a previous post:
“Owner Eric Werner, who used to own Sausalitos on E. Grace St., has turned the former German restaurant into one specializing in Northern Italian fare, with a few pub sandwiches and appetizers thrown in the mix. Most entrees will be under $15.”
Thanks Bill… I will lighten up and you are right, it has gotten out of hand.
As for 401… it is at the Planning Commission stage and hasn’t hit the dockets yet. May be as late as the September session. Where did you hear forclosure? To keep this thread on target, please post on the Neighbor vs Neighbor thread or another 401 thread.
Eric
hillkid… that is too vague. Would like to see an actual menu reproduction before I can say yeah or ney.
Not to distract from the high quality discourse happening in this thread, but any one know when Bev’s is opening? What are “construction delays.” I am getting worried this is another case of the Church Hill Market.
Geez people! You don’t have to be a drunk to enjoy a good pint or scotch every now again. Also, an establishment shouldn’t be categorized as a bar because they serve alcohol or as a family-friendly place because they don’t. Let just give it a try and see what develops. After all, isn’t that fact that there is revenue coming back into the community a good thing?? From what I have seen lately a majority of people seem to have been a little too eager to judge the place based on speculation. It’s not even open for business yet and half the blog seems ready to boycott! I am not condemning anyone but I wish we could all keep an open mind and atleast try it once; you could be surprised, and if not, then your validated and never need to return.
Love and peace to all the Hillies!
A. Fan
What is Bev’s?
I am still trying to find out about the Ice Cream Parlor at 2505 E Broad – when it will open? Says Marshall Hall LLC owns the property and construction permits obtained by B.F. Johnson and S. Jones – last one being 11/2007. I wonder if B.F. Johnson is judge Buford Fleming Johnson? The building was once owned by Gov. Doug Wilder (now mayor).
Eric
Sorry – that should be judge Bradford Fleming Johnson – don’t know where Buford came from???
Think the parlor is called A Taste of Heaven? not sure as it has sat “as is” with the Coming Soon sign for so long and summer is slipping away – a perfect opportunity. Can’t say liquor license is the issue here!
Eric
Acapella Fan… I was thinking the same thing as I was even posting… ready to sentence the prisoner without a trial. For that I am sorry but at the same time the owner should be more out in the public about his endeavor and keep us in suspense. Like he isn’t proud of it or something? If he would have been from the start, I doubt most of what has been posted would be here now.
Eric
how about you let the pub open before shutting it down granma eric? MAYBE THE OWNER IS BUSY DOING REAL WORK TO GET HIS PLACE OPEN. jerking yourself off on this blog to impress everybody with your seemingly endless acumen is no substitute for actually pursuing a goal.lets judge the new place by trying it and not by seeing how many angels can dance on your pinhead.(my apologies to any offended theologians)
“If he would have been from the start, I doubt most of what has been posted would be here now.”
So now your insane rants are the fault of the Owner? From screaming “Menu menu menu” from your rooftop to calling the patron’s of the pub drunks and deadbeat parents…
It is obvious now that your only hobby is posting contrary comments on a neighborhood blog…
I am ready to eat & drink whatever Patrick Henry has in mind!! I will be there enjoying the old Acapella with the regulars that I’m sure are more concerned about a fun establishment being re-opened rather then what type of food they will be serving.
Eric, I frequently see the owners there working on the place and whatnot. Why don’t you sit outside and then wait until you see someone and berate them about the menu. Clearly no one on this blog has too much insight as to what will be served up.
I don’t have time to read all of this but… I grew up in a ‘family’ restaurant; opened when I was 4 with a full ABC license. I spent much time there growing up, sitting in the bar and chatting with the ‘drunkards’. I happen to think I turned out all right (graduated from college on time, full time job, not in prison, etc.)
But, you know, whatever…
I just wanted to be a part of this very important thread.
I second Buddy’s motion.
these threads made me very thirsty ….. time for a refreshing bud….lock your windows…
i remember eric saying he was a lawyer, which i guessed long ago. (not sure why it was so obvious.) is he billing his time writing on this blog to his clients, i wonder? that’s 100 bucks an hour or more he’s getting paid to write this stuff.
maybe we have all misjudged him. he may be the smartest guy ever. i will investigate and post all of my knowledge on this very blog. stay tuned.
I know me and my friends can’t wait to be able to walk just 9 blocks to get a drink. Walking down the hill is cool and all, it’s getting back up after you’ve had a few that is the problem!
Egads! And I’m a mom, too! 😉
I hear Nick (who worked at Millies) is in charge of the kitchen!
So what ever maybe on the menu, its gonna be AMAZING I’m sure. See you there!
Nope… not nor wish to be a lawyer. I “work” at a law firm but there are many other jobs besides an attorney that makes up an office… secretaries, paralegals, various support staff, IT, S&T, managers, etc… and my job entails being on the computer a considerable amount of time.
Eric
Wow, Eris if I had any idea that your response to my ” give Patrick Henry a chance” posting would have garnered so much hatred aimed at you, then I would not have even bothered. I am sorry. Please posters, remember that the beauty of our living in the U.S are those oh so precious freedoms that we may take for granted…like freedeom of speech. Stating one’s opinion is one thing, slander is something far different. After all, wew are discussing food and drink venues here, not the impact of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists.
Acappella Fan:
Great comment. You are a class act. You have given me renewed optimism in commenter’s on this site. Have a great weekend!
Awww, thanks Hillkid. You have made my otherwise overworked and bleak day! I can now make it until closing time!
Thanks again and you have a wonderful weekend as well! As a matter of fact, I wish all of you bloggers a wonderful, food-filled weekend!
Permettez au parti de commencer!(Let the party begin!)
LOL Do you folks realize you’ve amassed 84 postings speculating about a restaurant that ISN’T OPEN YET?! Yea, I know, you’ve gotten sidetracked on morals and values and…issues….also….booze…On the other hand, your speculation has given me great laughs at work…from where I seem unable to post, which is just as well. (I suspect that if I tried to post several times from work, it would eventually work, something about the IP address being recognized, but so far I’ve not tried very hard, only once and it got lost in cyber space…)
Anyway, having seen all this stuff evolving all week, all I have to add is, CALM DOWN, LOL! It’s going to open. Maybe with, maybe without an ABC license. So why not go check it out for dinner on Monday? I heard the same thing Sorvino (#80) did, that the chef is formerly from Millie’s (and somewhere else but I’ve forgotten where except it was respected for good food), also that he’s supposed to be an excellent cook.
Acappella Fan – well put, your post #82, even though I don’t always agree with Eric.
Hey Sorvino, are you working at the new place? I’d love to the old downstairs crew back behind the bar…
Oh, and Celeste- isn’t wild-ass speculation on morals, values, booze and entities that don’t yet exist exactly what the intardwebs is all about? 🙂
how ’bout y’all just stop by this upcoming week and check out what it is really like
we’ve sure been having a good time trying to get it up and rolling for the neighborhood
serving food as of monday!
Hey BGW, yes the gang ( James, Crystal, Caitlin and I) are all back with some new additions. There is now a daytime bartender, and a whole lot of new faces waiting tables.
Same wonderful gang plus a great menu with tasty treats like sauteed calamari, big bowls of mussels, crustinis topped with sausage and cheese and a solid list of entrees including hearty portions of yummy pasta topped with meatballs, cheese, or shrimp, beans, and eggplant all for a modest neighborly price. I’m impressed.
Go check it out, they are open for lunch and dinner today.
Lunched there today – very nice menu and the calamari are to die for. We are happy to have them in the neighborhood and look forward to the opening of the porch and to their obtaining their liquor license.
Bunch of us went there for dinner. Everything was great! Hope the HIll will support this place.
My boyfriend and I went there for lunch yesterday and enjoyed every bite! They don’t have an ABC license yet, but we were told that they should be receiving it soon. Good luck to them.
Can’t wait to sit at that bar again! Good times.
Delicious! We enjoyed a late dinner last night. The calamari was sauteed in white wine/garlic sauce (thankfully, NO deepfry breading). Caesar salad was excellent with homemade croutons. Eggplant parmesan was perfect with a generous side of garlic/oo/pineola nut linguine.
Best dinner I’ve ever had in Church Hill. Not kidding. Friendly staff. Can’t wait for the back yard deck to open…but it’s gonna take bodies in the place to make than extra investment worth the trouble for management. C’mon people, we’ve got a great new business here, they’ve busted their asses to get this place re-opened, and it’s wonderful. Let’s support ’em and watch ’em grow.
Thanks UnionHill RVA for some of the dinner menu item critique. I am not a calamari person (like eating a cooked condom) but the eggplant sound great and like they have “menu” items rather than quick foods. What I was hoping for.
Eric
have you often eaten condoms -cooked or raw?
“…cooked condom….”
It is Eric’s creative way of saying rubbery and the squid bodies do look like condoms. Plus the hard “c” sounds make it terse and the “d’s” give it rhythm.
Despite the lack of ABC license (I hear another week or two) I went and enjoyed a WONDERFUL lunch today at Patrick Henry. Definitley not bar food. Crazy-good selection and super affordable prices are sure to be a hit for the neighborhood.
My husband and I wanted to taste everything but settled for sharing the pork app, mussels in white wine, and fried zucchini and eggplant. All of them were wonderful and the mussels were suprisingly more then I expected. I have high standards for mussels and they were most certainly met! Not to mention that all the portion sizes were more than sufficient. Praise of the day – the pesto sauce that comes on the side of the eggplant zucchini app is out of this world!! Our friends had the caprese salad and the caprese sandwhich. Again, both good size portions and reasonable prices. We will all be returning and look forward to enjoying a beverage with the meal next time. Not that I am in the business of “drinking” with lunch though. I would recommend the new pub over and over again! Good job Rick & Eric and everybody else that has put time and effort into getting this fine establishment re-opened!
I, along with a couple of other folks, went to Patrick Henry’s last night for dinner and I just had to post something on here to let others know of our experience. When Acapella was around, we had eaten there once and, while the food was good, we hadn’t been back. I can assure everyone that we will definitely be back to Patrick Henry’s! What a fantastic place and great addition to “The Hill”.
Let’s start with the food. I had the Chicken Parm and my roomie had a burger. The chicken was delicious…the home-made marinara was exceptional (most definitely not the kind you usually find in most restaurants in the city). There was enough chicken on the plate to share (and I did) and it was made even more delicious with a nice presentation…they even added some basil oil which was a wonderful addition! The chicken was accompanied by an order of Aglio Olio linguini which was also quite good. They even added pinoli as a garnish. I would have liked to have had toasted pinoli; however, that’s just a personal preference. All in all, by meal was WONDERFUL. Roomie had the burger which was fresh and cooked to order and quite delicious! It was also portioned well and they were quite generous with the gorgonzola (nice and gooey after coming off the grill). The fresh cut and cooked fries were also quite a hit. We’re looking forward to going back to try some of the other menu items which, we’re sure, will be equally delicious.
We also wanted to comment on the service. James, the bartender (and also our server) was so very pleasant and friendly. He was knowledgeable about the menu and made us feel genuinely welcome. We had the opportunity to speak with him briefly after our meal and he really made us feel like he was glad that we had come that evening. This is so very rare in most restaurants and quite refreshing at Patrick Henry’s. We are definitely hoping that we have the pleasure of having him again the next time we visit.
While we’ve seen some restaurants come and go while we’ve lived in Church Hill, we sure hope that Patrick Henry’s will stand the test of time. With the WONDERFUL food, EXCELLENT and FRIENDLY service and refreshing libations (hopefully soon), this restaurant will be an instant hit on The Hill. We look forward to our next trip and encourage everyone in the area to give it a try. You’ll be back!
Thanks to everyone who worked hard on reopening this gem. Patrick Henry’s is and will be a true asset to the Church Hill area.
The menus sounds like it is heavy on Italian and a lot of seafood types (not my fave as I am more of a broiled or fried seafood person) but some of the other items do sound interesting. How about the atmosphere. We like dim romantic type lighting and does the fireplace in the basement where we use to eat still burning? It was a nice atmospheric addition plus it helped draw out the smoke 🙂
Thanks Gray, at least someone knew what I was talking about “creatively”.
Eric
We heart James.
Eric, the menu is a little heavy on the Italian side (kind of goes with having a Northern Italian restaurant) but they do have other options (steak, sandwiches, etc.) that look quite good. The atmosphere was quite nice as well (we ate in the pub last night) and it was dimly lit. A little warm for the fireplace to be burning but perhaps when it gets colder outside…they have installed two smoke eaters in the dining room area of the basement and they seem to work rather well drawing the smoke out. If you haven’t tried it yet, stop by one evening…it will be well worth your time.
I also went to eat there the other night with the CHA board folks. The food was wonderful and I really enjoy the art work that has been provided by the gallery across the way.
I had chilled roasted red pepper soup and mussels that were fabulous. The real winner was the parsnip cake! That alone will be enough to bring me back. Thanks to Eric and Rick for showing us such great hospitality!!
ok, so this thread made my morning. i really need to read CHPN more often.
some thoughts:
eric: get over yourself.
buddy: can we get married? i heart you.
and this: name one good restaurant (NOT a chain) in richmond that serves dinner that doesn’t serve alcohol. (by choice, not by abc problems.) i for one can’t think of any.
elphaba… please don’t stir things up again as my ranting has subsided but when taunted I will defend myself.
I never said that a restaurant should NOT serve alcohol. My concern was a place that a bunch of drunks just sit and drink all night long rather than come for a bite to eat and a “couple” of responsible drinks. A place you would not worry about taking children (or adults with certain beliefs) to without them getting the wrong messages or people cussing and staggering around them. THAT is what I was complaining about. If you want to just drink and get drunk 1) do it at home or 2) go to a bar in the bottom and not a restaurant.
Eric
dude my four word comment about you really didn’t necessitate your response. i read the thread. i get what you are saying. i didn’t need a re-cap.
Why does the bar have to be in the bottom? Every neighborhood needs their niche. There are a lot of people in Church Hill that do like to partake in a a number of beverages at any given time. I believe they are being responsible by staying close to home and drinking at a nice spot (with yummy food!) and then walking home from there. The bottom isn’t always a fun walk home (uphill) and why not support a place that is in your own neighborhood. No matter what your thoughts are on ABC + food you cannot segragate drinkers and drunks to one bar or one central location, and do not even begin to try and decipher the “casual drinkers” from the “drunks.” If you don’t like seeing people sitting at the bar all night and getting wasted then my advice would be to take yourself home.
how would anyone going out for a “bite” and a couple of “responsible drinks” before going home be in a position to know how long another patron has been there and how much they may have consumed?
mind your own buisiness!
and why, oh why does it always seem to come down to the kiddie factor? when the brats can pick up the tab i’ll be willing to pay attention. until then…cheers!
Enjoyed a generous serving of clams in their shell on linguine last night in the pub.
[quote]posted by larsson at July 3, 2008 9:16 am :
how would anyone going out for a “bite†and a couple of “responsible drinks†before going home be in a position to know how long another patron has been there and how much they may have consumed?
mind your own buisiness!
and why, oh why does it always seem to come down to the kiddie factor? when the brats can pick up the tab i’ll be willing to pay attention. until then…cheers![/quote]
Spoken like a responsible adult in the “ME” society! Think about it.
larrson, so true! but realistically, if children are out and eating during the appropriate DINNER hours, then it really would never be an issue to begin with. if your kid is at the hill at 12:30 am, then we have other issuse to deal with entirely.
be careful about taunting mr. nutsnuffler(did i spell that right?) if you taunt him some of his serial fellow know it alls will accuse you of hating him. hate is a strong word when it concerns a constantly mewling windbag living in a fairytale world. buddycorbett
be careful about taunting mr. hufnhitler(did i spell that right?) if you taunt him some of his serial fellow know it alls will accuse you of hating him. hate is a strong word when it concerns a constantly mewling windbag living in a fairytale world. buddycorbett
thought about it…pedantry and a lack of humor.
my aologies. i reposted that last comment due to difficulty with my submission. apparently you can only vomit invective if you are a teachers pet ala lil eric. bc
Not a fairytale world. It is sadly what the world is becoming that is a problem.
No one has moral values any longer and they only think of themselves. Not everyone but a few want to spoil it for others by being in their faces about it. Take for example the woman who died in NY recently on the emergency room floor while everyone ignored her and then employees kicked her like a dog to see if she was moving. Then falsified the reports even though cameras caught everything. How coldhearted can people be!?!?! In years past someone would have stood up for her and even insist on doctor’s seeing this woman “before” them. Not today… again, it is an all for ME society and extends to all parts of the globe in all aspects of life including Richmond. It doesn’t have to be that way and should not be. Education begins at home.
No, children should not be out after a certain hour…true. But you have people who start early and drink all day long.
True.. having a local bar so people don’t have to drink and drive is a plus but again, it opens up the opportunity for abusive drinking in public.
I have seen it at the Hill Cafe too… I see a particular woman every time I go eat brunch. She sits at the bar with “2” drinks in front of her at once before noon. That to me is a person with issues. If you wake up to live for beer or other alcoholic drinks as soon as your feet hit the floor.
Mind my own business? When you invade my space in public it becomes my business and if you had an ounce of decency for your fellow man it should be yours too.
And as far as niche bars in Church Hill vs. the Bottom.. how many Hill Café’s do we need concentrated in Church Hill when there seems to be an abundance of “drinking” establishments already at the bottom?
Eric
Mr. Stuffnutler (did I spell that right?)
I am sorry my apologies to Mr. Buttmuffler. Wait I meant Mr. Huffandpuffler? Or is Muff-fluffer? No its Mr. NutterButter? Or it Mr “I am not gonna pay alot for this muffler!”
Why do you care?
“If you wake up to live for beer or other alcoholic drinks as soon as your feet hit the floor.”
I don’t see a problem.
Why do I care?!?! EVERYONE should care about the world and its surroundings and the people who live on it! If you don’t then you are one of the core reasons why the world is in the rotten state it is in today.
Eric,
“How many Hill Cafés do we need concentrated in Church Hill…?” I agree, we don’t need anymore Hills but we do need our Patrick Henry Pub and Grill.
what in the name of pete is your problem eric?
“invading your space in public” (which makes no sense at all) “decency”, “education” & “morals”. the pomposity of it all astounds me. clearly you have an over inflated notion of your own righteousness and a very low opinion of all around you.
to boot you have the nerve to accuse those who may dissagree with you of being obsessed with “ME”. you must be having a laugh.
Obviously we have a few irresponsible and childish DRUNKS on this thread. Just ignore them and continue with the “business” at hand – the “restaurant” and its menu.
Eric
“irresponsible”, “childish” & “drunks”.
you should be sued.
larsson… invasion of one’s space in public is a real thing. Take smoking for instance. Just like there are laws against pubically verbally abusing people or playing music too loud especially offensive music (noise pollution), etc… I am not sure how often they are enforced? I know in my area if people are too loud beyond the city enforced “quiet hour”, I am calling the cops!
larsson… did I name names? I am speaking in generalities.
And “why would you care” as someone asked me?
Eric
Good Grief. E.H., your posts are becoming just as iconic as “Karen Leigh Crook’s” on the River District News: http://riverdistrictnews.com/2008/02/24/club-velvet-owner-arrested-in-late-night-raid/
key point here is that a restaurant is NOT public space. there is a park a couple blocks away, now that is PUBLIC space. sorry, just wanted to point that out.
WE go into the the Hill Cafe late at night sometimes, but not as much as we used to.
Around 10:00 pm the music gets turned up so loud that I can’t have a conversation with anyone and the place gets pretty raucous.
I guess that’s how they make their money, but I know that the surrounding neighbors are trying to get the ABC license changed so that the place closes earlier. Apparently they feel that the place has gotten out of hand, but might be hard getting the license changed. And, I bet that late night crowd keeps the place open.
Well, you can’t say I don’t stand up for what I believe in! May not be what I want to be remembered for by many – oh well, I am not out to win any congeniality contests. Just want to be accepted for who I am and what I stand up for.
I am not a bad person… honestly. Maybe my ideals are a bit dated but at the same time society as a whole has gotten too undisciplined and uncaring for their fellow man. That is disheartening.
Eric
generalities, banalities.
my interest in combating self appointed meddling morality police is exactly that.
if any of it had any cohesion i would have some sympathy but you, son, are all over the place.
Thanks g… but restaurants are public places or public gathering places and ran with that in mind. When it comes to “property” issues, that is different.
hillkid… boy do know about the music and forget sitting at the window tables. You can’t even hear the person sitting in front of you talking. It is that sort of pub/restaurant mix that doesn’t work very well as they are too close in proximity and people who come to relax and eat are overwhelmed by loud people at the bar.
Eric
To Mr. Eric S. Huffstutler –
I live very close to the new Patrick Henry establishment and I must ask you – have you been inside to see their renovations? Their menu? To meet their staff? To have a meal? I have. And I was very happy with the whole experience. You seem to have perched yourself on a very high horse, while pronouncing judgment on anyone who would dare to be in support of this NEW BUSINESS in our neighborhood. So, I understand that since I openly support them that makes me an ‘irresponsible and childish drunk’? FYI – the new chef who is heading up the kitchen at Patrick Henry’s is an alum from Millie’s. So, that should tell you all you need to know (If you are as smart as you think you are). Would you rather this building stayed shuttered? Or maybe dilapidated, rundown and ignore? It is a BUSINESS – a pub and restaurant that will eventually serve alcohol as well. Those of us who are happy about this new place (only the third restaurant in the neighborhood) have no less values or ethics than you do, and are not worse citizens or neighbors. I support Church Hill, am a very good neighbor, and a good citizen. A word of caution – don’t pump yourself up with so much moral pomposity until you’ve walked through the door to see if you’re assumptions are correct. I have been there. And you’re wrong.
I propose a meeting of peace, Mr Nut-tuckler! Chili & daiquiri’s at Velvet!
Make sure you brink plenty of singles.
They make specialty burgers. Try the Stuffedbuttler! (It has an extra slice of cheese!-but the pickle is very limp.)
Morality police… well, sorta but on the other hand everyone should have them and not live just for the moment.
Son? I hope you are about 80 years old as I an goping on 51 years old!
And to clarify the public gather issues… of course it is up the management to run an establishment inviting to “everyone” and not just a certain niche. At the same time not every new establishment should cater to a certain same niche of people but you need variety in the neighborhood.
Now… why hasn’t anyone chimed in on that Ice Cream Parlor not being open yet issue? Yes, I am changing the subject. No use beating a dead horse and I am tired of being on the soap box surrounded by people who have little consideration for others.
Eric
my point is that all this discussion amongst ourselves is meaningless. the decision to allow people have two simultaneous drinks at noon is not our decision, but that of the Hill Cafe or of Patrick Henry, or any establishment. perhaps your discussion should be directed to the owners of the place.
Whodat! Yeah, real adult and constructive. I can see what type person you are. How about a little one-on-one just you and me… out in the alley right now like adult men! We’ll see who is crazy or crazier!
good greif eric!
settle down old man, at 50 you’ll give yourself a coronary.
i’d love to buy you an ice cream cone to soothe the nerves but the wretched place is’t open.
Jebus, Mr. Fuddrucker!?! I just wanted some chili!?! (Any you want to be “adult” in an alley? There has to be some type of law against that?) Okay-how about just some cooked condoms at Patrick Henrys? (BTW ate there the other day. The food is good.)
And what do you propose to do in that alley?
i’m at a loss but i’m sure there will be no smoking, drinking or smiling.
Edge,
I belive he wants to use some type of electric massager called a “Ruffstuffler” on me! (I could use an icecream cone after that!)
vanilla be best baas.
“EVERYONE should care about the world and its surroundings and the people who live on it! If you don’t then you are one of the core reasons why the world is in the rotten state it is in today.”
Altruism and being able to enjoy a drink or two, or maybe even 3-4 in a place that isn’t over-run by knuckleheads (i.e. Shockoe Bottom) are not mutually exclusive.
All I ask is for Church Hill to be more open to new ideas and variety instead of falling into a rut with carbon copy establishments. And that people get along with one another rather than run all over them for their own benefit.
Enough said… life is too short to keep being upset over something that no matter who it is said to, how it is said, nor how many times, some people just don’t want to listen.
Eric
Lendo… drinking and an attitude towards life and respect for others are completely different things but far too often mixed with negative results.
Eric
ah, the zen of it all.
Eric is your favorite movie Footloose…all those pesky kids dancing and singing?
You talk of constructive comments… where exactly have you offered anything constructive…i’ll wait…hmmmm just bitching.
You sit there and insult people and when they come back at you, you climb up on your cross and scream that you are being victimized.
I am glad you desise this place so much. I have someplace to go and have a 100% chance on not running into you.
You are still asking about the menu… get off your lazy butt and go over there and check it out.
” I am tired of being on the soap box surrounded by people who have little consideration for others” Oh poor baby… have you ever thought few people care about what you are saying? Especially in the ranting nonsensical manner in which you try to position your argument.
“it is up the management to run an establishment inviting to “everyone†and not just a certain niche” WRONG!!!… you must have never been in business before. You don’t cater to everyone that’s impossible. You cater to your client base. This place is most likely going to do a gangbuster of business where as any of your ridiculous ideas would fail miserably.
When are old fashioned and respected moral values nonsense?
Did you also miss my post about having diversity in the neighborhood so those who don’t wish to drink can also have a place to go too without being so self centered and only one way?
If people go to the restaurant, and have time to answer my posts, then they can critique a simple menu – right? Logical and yet unusual that no one wants to? some people would be all over the chance to do just that especially the owner when trying to promote his place!
Eric
Has this thread turned into an “attack and taunt Eric”? He has a right to his opinions whether we like it or not. Let’s move on. Let’s all check out the Restaurant for ourselves, then decide if we like or don’t like it.
“When are old fashioned and respected moral values nonsense? ”
When the person touting them acts like a prohibitionist circa 1919. Having a drink or 10 on a friday doesn’t make you evil, a drunk, or anything else. What moral value…specifically, don’t pontificate or get off on some silly ass tangent… says one can’t drink?
“then they can critique a simple menu – right?” What do you care? You aren’t going to be a patron anyway? On a side note people HAVE been saying what they ate there and what was good…
“the owner when trying to promote his place” See that’s what’s neat about a neighborhood place in a neighborhood… he doesn’t even need to promote. The desire for the establishment was so great that simple word of mouth is going to fill the place.
I guess my question would be why can’t we in Church Hill have a restaurant along the lines of a Sensi, or Juleps, or even a Bistro Twenty Seven? They all serve alcohol but also cater to everyone and a little more class. If you want Church Hill to grow you need to think outside the box and be more diverse and not have the same old-same old with each new opening.
Eric
Thank you Bob!
Eric
“When are old fashioned and respected moral values nonsense?”
see the thing is eric, that you have no respect for OTHER people’s values or opinions. if you did you wouldn’t have been trying to refute them this entire thread. its the constant calling everyone else “drunks” and “morally loose” that umm… REALLY IS OFFENSIVE. thats why everyone is having such a blast ‘attacking you.’ and i hate to break it to you, but just because something is ‘old fashioned’ doesn’t make it better.
one thing i will say though, is that this thread has really made me want to get to the pub ASAP. it also makes me really thirsty.
and “a little more class” in your more recent post? if i could afford to eat at those restaurants every day i certainly would, but i can’t, so i guess that makes me classless. and i think there are a lot of other indivuduals in church hill in the same financial boat as me. oh well!
elphaba..
Like no one is forcing me to go to the Pub, no one would force you to go to one of the other type restaurants I mentioned. Diversity.
Eric
Simple question. Have you gone inside and dined at Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grill?
If yes, then commentary about the meal, the service, the atmosphere, etc. are probably worth sharing. If no, then there is absolutely no value to your opinion. How can you tell the temperature of the water without putting your toes in the water?
LC… this is very true and I even corrected myself in the past on this. But if there was no major remodeling especially in the basement area then it will basically be the same setup as Acapella. My last experiences there was not good as the waiter was also tending bar and basically ignored me and my guests there for dinner while they socialized at the bar. And at that time the smoke was so thick you could ride on top of it!
Eric
That was then , this is now. So the answer to the question is no, and your opinion is worthless.
go LC
classless loser that i am, i just had lunch there today. ate mussels, drank a coke (good god!) and smoked a cigarette. the food, atmosphere, service and decor were great. given a guided tour by nick (ex of millie’s) and shown all the improvements these hard working people have made.
eric, you are hereby commanded to utter not one more word until you can truthfully say you have visited the establishment. anything else is pure unadulterated guff.
Maybe Mr. Tuffgruffler could open an establishment catering to more diverse needs? How about a place called “Bean Bags”? It would be filled with tuff, gruff, buff men who puff in speedos?
Okay. I have stopped hysterically laughing enough so that I can type this remark. Good on you Whodat! I think that comment might just be a wonderfully fitting end to this endless debate with Mr. Snotty Pants Judgmental Guy who classifies the rest of us as worthless, childish, classless drunks.
God,are you all in junior high? John_m: Sorry for insulting the age and disposition of your students. They are probably more mature than this lot.
I’m not in Junior High. Seems I’ve been able to keep my sense of humor…
What a pompous, overbearing “my way or no way”, judgemental, boor and bore Sir Galahad or is it Mr Carrie nation, is!
\
Never been in the place but knows it frequented by drinks, chose to wish to imose his own values and judgments on some one who chooses to have two drinks in front of her?
Please, Huffstetlet or whomever you are, enough is enough.
I don’t find homophobic name calling funny unless it’s on South Park – and you folks aint no South Park.
It’s good to know that there’s at least one appropriate forum for homophobic name calling.
Homophobic? That’s a big word for a “kid”. Do you like other big things?Really big things you can’t tell anyone about?
(All I want is sucess for Patrick Henry’s. Give me fries or give me death!)
Whodat! i agree but i would change it to ‘give me beer or give me death!’
elphaba:
titter, chortle, GUFFAW!!!!!
Well…having spent far more time in the Acappella pub than I probably should have, I can say I never had poor service. Sure, food service could slow down when the place was jammed, but that happens everywhere. I suspect you were either there on an unusually bad night, or someone other than Sorv, Crystal, James, etc was working. And I’m not only a nonsmoker, I hate smoky places with a passion, yet I never really had a problem there. I’d suggest actually giving the new place a try before damning it.
Then again, I’m one of those drunks who tended to have 4 or 5 drinks before walking home, so my judgment is obviously suspect.
where do you get homophobic? as an earlier poster said its a clever device using alliteration and other you know literary stuff to make a clever point and yes to bait a guy who at least has the cojones to post with his real name . mean,yes, homophobic,no.quit looking for bones in animal crackers(ooh i said bone)buddycorbett