You may know him as the acclaimed Fossett’s chef, but since the middle of February, Craig Hartman has been doing something he calls “a little different.” Hartman and his wife, Donna, have opened a barbeque joint in Gordonsville.
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Fossett’s Chef Craig Hartman says the response to his new Gordonsville barbeque joint has been “overwhelming.” The restaurant is currently open seven days a week from 11am-7pm because, he says, “That’s about all we can handle!” |
The Barbeque Exchange, open seven days a week, is “a place that’s kind of relaxed and casual,” Hartman says. “The kind of place where you feel at home no matter how you’re dressed.” Accordingly, the converted hardware store boasts picnic tables, board-and-batten walls and country music playing throughout the restaurant.
But, surely, it isn’t just the atmosphere that’s brought so many interested diners to the spot. It’s the extensive menu of homemade food: ribs, chicken and pork, all cooked on Hickory wood, plus 12 different kinds of pickles, Brunswick stew, mac and cheese, sugar cookies, whoopie pies…and the list goes on.
Personally, Restaurantarama is looking forward to taste-testing the coleslaw, all three varieties. Says the chef: “People are so passionate about their coleslaw.”
Milano mayhem
Milano owners Mark and Victoria Cave told us a few weeks ago that they intended to close the South Street coffee shop to pursue other projects. Then we heard a few parties were interested in buying the business, which Mark confirmed. Now, he tells us, Milano may be staying open. “The closing of the café has been indefinitely postponed until we can reach some resolution with buyers and/or potential partners,” he says.
In other Milano news, on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, the coffee shop was robbed. Says Mark: “At roughly 10pm, someone kicked in the front door and stole money from our cash register.” As of press time, no arrests had been made.
Hey Dave, pour us another!
Ever wanted to party with your mayor? Starting April 8, Siips is hosting “Celebrity Bartender Thursdays,” when a well-known member of the community—Mayor Dave Norris included—will fill ‘er up for a good cause. Ten percent of the proceeds made in the event’s two-hour weekly time slot (beginning at 5:30pm) will go to a charity of the celebrity’s choice. Norris, who you can find behind the bar on April 22, will be supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters, where, by day, he serves as Executive Director.
And what if the “celebrity” doesn’t know how to bartend? No problem, Norris tells us. “I may not know how to make many fancy drinks, but even I can figure out how to pour a good glass of wine.”
To clear things up
Restaurantarama heard a few rumors last week that deserve clarification: First, Para Coffee is not closing. In fact, shortly after Restaurantarama hung up with owner Eric Kelley to confirm it, he posted this on Twitter: “To set the record straight… @paracoffee is NOT the coffeeshop on the Corner for sale. Thanks for asking. We are doing great! Thanks all!”
Second, we heard that Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, had bought Starr Hill. False. Says an employee of Starr Hill: “We distribute through Budweiser, but are still privately owned.” By Coran Capshaw, we hasten to add.
