Chef Robert Newton, right, serving up fried catfish with Burmese tofu at last year's Off Broad Appétit event (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
Downtown Richmond's about to get a piece of the Big Apple, by way of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Robert Newton. The Nightingale Nine, Wilma Jean and Smith Canteen chef has been busy with Black Walnut, his new Brooklyn restaurant opening this winter, but today he took a moment to share his next venture via Instagram.
"So exciting. Can't wait to build this thing. I come in peace Richmond," wrote Newton, who is not currently taking press queries on the project. But Newton's photo of soaring Art Deco-era ceilings and architecture is recognizable; the chef's first Richmond restaurant will be housed in the stunning, three-story-high lobby of the former Central National Bank Building at 219 E. Broad St., now an apartment building known as Deco at CNB.
"As far as details about the restaurant, we haven't heard many specifics yet, but we're very excited," says Brian Clay, the building's property manager. "The original bank lobby is absolutely gorgeous, so of course that's the question on everybody's mind when we're doing tours, and residents are asking, too: What's gonna be here?"
Newton's been a longtime fan of Richmond, and a visiting chef at culinary events such as Off Broad Appétit and Fire, Flour & Fork. The chef's talents and projects run the gustatory gamut, from Vietnamese and Cambodian flavor to by-the-book Southern classics; there's no word yet on which way his Richmond restaurant will lean, though it is slated as — but not limited to —fine dining.
"For a long while, we were hoping we would have a really nice restaurant, something fine dining, and sure enough!" says Clay. "Everyone's very excited about it."
Robert Newton's first Richmond restaurant will be located in the historic former Central National Bank Building at 219 E. Broad St., and of course we'll update you with more information as the project nears its opening.
