Belle

Style Weekly Review

kunalshah — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:00:16 +0000

East Main Street is a desolate stretch of road, at least as far as restaurants are concerned. While office buildings and their enormous parking garages dominate the landscape, the downtown core of Richmond has remained bereft of full-service restaurants that stay open past the crush of lunch-hour queues.

The local dining scene has seen the number of excellent restaurants increasing, but the financial district has remained overlooked and underserved. The longstanding success of Capital Ale House and the slow but steady growth of residential housing seem to indicate potential — something upon which newcomer Belle & James hopes to capitalize.. Read More

Richmond Magazine Review

kunalshah — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:00:09 +0000

Good day, ladies and gentlemen of the #RVAdine jury. My name is Genevelyn Steele, chief dining critic for Richmond magazine. You’re reading because you want to know about hot new restaurants: what they serve, their décor, the level of formality you’ll encounter. You want to know how the staff will treat you and what the beverage program entails. Most importantly, the question you want answered is: “Should I go?”

This month, as both prosecutor and defender, it’s my intent to acquaint you with Belle & James, fronted by D.C. restaurateur Kunal Shah, and to persuade you that though it has a few crimps to straighten, it’s worthy of your visit… Read More

Richmond Times Dispatch Review

kunalshah — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:00:01 +0000

The big idea behind Belle & James when it opened in downtown Richmond in late 2015 was to combine the foods of France and the American South. The concept still stands, only it’s expanded over time to focus on the warmth and hospitality that so characterize the two cuisines. Mission accomplished. The place does, indeed, feel good.

On a recent Saturday night, Belle & James was filled with diners. They shared appetizers, dug into homemade pasta, chatted with servers dressed in black and clinked glasses to celebrate a weekend night out.. Read More

Passport Pop-Up Release by Richmond Magazine

kunalshah — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:21:01 +0000

A flight to the Philippines on April 23 will cost you a cool $600-plus, but fortunately for all of us, the flavor of the islands is coming to Richmond that night, and it’ll only set you back a fraction of the cost. Chef Mike Ledesma, corporate executive chef of Richmond Restaurant Group and the former executive chef of Patina, is launching his Passport Pop-Up series that Sunday evening, showcasing his family recipes and the food he’s always wanted to bring to Richmond’s restaurant scene.

“I’ve been trying to sell lumpia in Richmond for the last five years,” he says. “Now, I think it finally has a little bit of traction.” The chef only showcased his familial cuisine with lumpia, or Filipino egg rolls, at special events such as Broad Appetit, or on the menu of Patina. Beyond that, he’s never put Filipino food in front of guests, until now… Read More

Passport Pop-Up Announcement by Style Weekly

kunalshah — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:20:55 +0000

Not all chefs start out hungry for the job. Some, like the executive chef of Richmond Restaurant Group, Mike Ledesma, come from a part of the professional world that has little in common with cooking.

Ledesma is a former stockbroker — although you can’t tell by looking at him. He arrives for our interview in an apron, and he has the scarred hands of a chef. He’s the son of Filipino immigrants, and his departure from a successful field was puzzling to his parents … Read More