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Hill Cafe closed for renovations
09/18/2017 3:18 PM by John M
The Hill Cafe will be closed for renovations for a few weeks:
Dear #RVADINE we are temporarily closed for renovations. We will see you in a couple of weeks. Check back for ETA, but we anticipate about 2-3 weeks.
Nooooooooooo
From what we heard, it was supposed to be completely gutted, walls painted white and modernized. That will completely change the cozy historic vibe but also understand about having to go with social changes. I just hope it doesn’t end up with a feeling like you are eating in a hospital cafeteria. We have been eating there for 18 years.
Been over 3 weeks and they are nowhere close?
Sorry, with what I am seeing with the paper down on the windows, is not impressive and a bit disturbing. The wood bar and walls is just another “cookie-cutter” look of Dutch or Liberty. The “historic” atmosphere is gone and not sure how older, long time dining customers will accept it all? Half of the dining experience is atmosphere, which we had come to enjoy about the old Hill Café.
Looks like they may be going for the modern like The Daily. It’s not my impression that business was down, hard to see how they’re going to recoup costs without raising prices. Certainly misjudged how long it would take
Being 60 years old and creatures of habit, as well as establishing rapport with wait staff to where they know what you order without ordering, we are a bit leary about this remodeling.
We were told that The Hill Cafe would be reopening tomorrow, Monday October 23rd. And it has been 5 weeks since they closed for “2 weeks” to renovate. We went by today and it is still nowhere ready to open. What is the status? Will our regular waitresses be back when it is open?
Not happy with the “trendy” rather than historic look we can see thus far, having the same cookie cutter feel (look) as Liberty or Dutch, instead being unique and true to the building’s 1890s heritage. The painted signage wall is all that is left and the rest has that reclaimed industrial look, ugh.
@4 Keith West, we too will be concerned that the familiar menu will change and prices go up, which will will deter our 18 years of patronizing “The Hill”.
Hello all, rest assured we are not trying to “change” The Hill Cafe. Business was not down, in fact last year was our best year yet. We’ve operated for 17 years without redoing almost anything. It was time to repair and refresh the space we all love so much.
The menu is largely untouched. We only removed a few of the underperforming items and replaced them with more items in keeping with our southern comfort roots and added some new options for vegetarians.
The look is very similar, although new. The footprint is unchanged. The walls are still orange, the wood is still dark, the murals remain. We will have seating that is more comfortable, new table tops, new bathrooms and new kitchen equipment.
We look forward to welcoming all of our neighbors and friends back next week when we reopen. Thanks for bearing with us. See you all soon!
Michelle, you could offer half price gourmet food and SOMEBODY up here would complain!
I peeped in the window and thought it looked great.
First time I think I’ve ever agreed with Jean McDaniel!
@7 Michelle
I think the one disappointment we saw was the beautiful mahogany wall bar gone and replaced with pipes and boards? Also, seeing what looked like the same reclaimed type wood look on the walls and the bar, just looked like the same as in Liberty, which is not our cup of tea in decor. We believe atmosphere is half of the dining experience. I know the last time we visited for dinner, our waitress wanted us to voice her (our) opposition to the owner for what she thought was going to happen – white painted walls, modern look, etc…
As for the menu… as long as the Filet Mignon (medium rare) remains, which is what Jim orders every time we visit, then we are okay. I did hate it when you removed the blackened steak with the bacon and blue cheese, which was my splurge item.
People were complaining on Nextdoor about the wait staff being horrible. We have only had bad service when the place is packed. Also, we tip our waitresses well… usually around 30% (or more) and don’t forget the bartender. If you tip well, they remember and you get better service! That is how it works since they work for tips. We could walk in any day or night and if we have one of our regular staff, they will know what we drink and have it to us without even ordering, even months later. And that we only use linen napkins, even at lunch time, and they will switch them out when they see us. 🙂
Eric
Full disclosure. The only complaints we had were:
1) the inconsistent quality and portions of the food, depending on the cook.
2) the small mini booths which were hard for large or tall people (I am 6’4″ and have to wiggle out of them).
3) the airplane size, gas station style mens bathroom with no privacy on the other side of the door.
And the lack of proper cleaning – lots of dust everywhere which could get into food.
What is going to be done about wall booths and sizes? I remember when they were put in for the first remodeling and were cut down in size from what was there I believe due to fire codes? Have also seen many menu and chef changes, as well as awards won and accolades, which over the years seemed to dry up? But we remained loyal.
I think it looks great (peaked in the windows last night!)!! Looking forward to coming in when y’all are finished!
@10,11 You can’t have the super deep wall bar and full sized booths. The bar is giving way to bigger booths.
Drove by and see from the road that the woodwork is now dark but they are so far behind that I am sure they will not be ready by next Monday either that they said?
What is the status? Was going to be last Monday then thi Monday. Will you be open tomorrow?
Heard from The Hill and said they are still waiting on the city to do their electrical and final building inspections. Par for the city dragging their feet.
I heard they’re renaming the Hill Cafe, The E.S. Huffstutler Cafe.
@17 MP, was that necessary? A bit childish and actually not worth a response. I am just being proactive and a concerned neighbor and community citizen. That is how people learn what is happening and things get done.
Can’t wait to see the renovated space. My husband and I love Hill Café and are looking forward to bringing it back in our regular restaurant rotation! We’ve missed it!
It may not have been necessary but it was laugh-out-loud funny!!