It’s no secret that this city is brimming with food news. And, judging by all the developments coming out of the Main Street Market, the midtown shopping center might just be the nucleus of all that foodie fodder. Let’s explore.
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The wait is over: Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates, in the Main Street Market, recently debuted its dark chocolate caramels, which owner Tim Gearhart says customers have been requesting for years. |
Tim Gearhart, of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates, says his shop recently premiered some new items: roasted pistachio toffee and chai-spiced pecans and a dark chocolate caramel, to name a few. The latter candy is flavored with the slightest hint of balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper and finished with smoked sea salt. And the Main Street Market news doesn’t stop there.
Over at Feast, owners Kate Collier and Eric Gertner have been selling their Gaucho Green Chimmi Churri sauce—adapted from a recipe Collier’s dad brought back from Argentina nearly 20 years ago—since 2001. Not exactly news. But, Gertner says their efforts to market the popular sauce—at one point, Williams Sonoma was selling it—have been put on the backburner while they work on the store. This summer alone, the couple added a slew of new products, including two artisan charcuterie selections from Pine Street Market and Alibrandi in Richmond, and they transformed the galleria area for better traffic flow.
Restaurantarama reported a few weeks ago that Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar was hosting pasta nights ($18 gets you two courses), and the eatery hosts wine dinners periodically, but it’s recently added a deal that certainly whets our whistles: $5 glasses of wine on Thursday nights.
Over at Seafood @ West Main, Chris Arsenault’s team is serving up some—ready for a no-brainer?—premade sushi. For under $7, choose from six different types of rolls (12 pieces), ranging from salmon and tuna to eel and California. We probably don’t need to spell it out for you, but sushi made from West Main’s fresh fish? Look out, taste buds.
Around the corner, the Seasonal Cook is beginning its fall class schedule by introducing a new teacher. You’ll recognize instructor Justin Hershey’s name from Zinc, where he is currently head chef. He’ll be leading a class in “The Nature of Braising” on Wednesday, October 18. Until then, catch classes with chefs Mark Gresge (of l’etoile) and Marisa Catalano Tuesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 14. Call 295-9355 for more information on upcoming classes.
With all this activity at MSM, it’s no wonder the building’s owners, Gabe Silverman and Allan Cadgene, are expanding across the street. But don’t get in a food frenzy just yet, folks. Silverman tells us he’s looking to turn what he’s calling the Main Street Market Annex into a community-centered complex for medical offices and the like. Keep your eyes on C-VILLE’s News section for updates on that story.
Not so fishy anymore
Fear not, lobster lovers! The construction of the new Red Lobster you’ve witnessed at the corner of Rio Road and 29N is complete and the restaurant will have its grand opening Wednesday, October 20. Meanwhile, the Red Lobster on Emmet Street will officially close its doors Monday, October 11.
