Let me start with: my bad.
When I wrote last week that FanHouse was closed, I was wrong. Well, not wrong; it was closed, but I also wrote that my sources were telling me a sale was in the works if not already done.
It wasn’t. Yes, FanHouse was closed, but only temporarily. Only for about three weeks so that new managing partner and GM Bobby Kruger could get in there and make a few tweaks. Fine, a lot of tweaks.
Heard of Bobby Kruger? Of course you have; he’s the guy who’s been running the bar down at Julep’s for forever and making it into what’s widely considered to be one of the best spots for cocktails in town (among other things).
He was a mixologist, before being a mixologist was cool. Or even a thing.
So what’s a guy who’s all about cocktails going to do with a restaurant where the menu was failing but the bar scene was embraced?
Um, expand the bar scene? Tweak the menu? Create an entire restaurant experience that’s the best of being at a bar (the drinks, the bartender, the casualness, the small plates) combined with the best of dining at a table (the seating)?
Yup.
And it’s never been done before, not in this town, anyway.
The concept is this: no waiters; bartenders-only who serve the tables from the first-floor bar-station (not a bar, the neighborhood fought that) and the second floor regular bar. You order cocktails; you order craft beer; you order sake and fabulous wine and you’ll even be able to create your own cocktail – sushi-menu-style.
And it’s all served by bartenders. Good bartenders. Strong bartenders. Richmond-famous-borrowed-from-other-restaurants bartenders.
Kruger is still working out the cocktail menu, along with the wine and craft beer list (all-craft, all-the-time), but he promises it will be something very, very good - and – and! he plans to have a fantastic happy hour. A Joe’s Inn-kind of affordable happy hour.
And FanHouse will have an especially good happy hour during their soft opening since they’re trying to get rid of the already-stocked domestic beers, wine and flavored vodkas.
But this is a restaurant, so what about the food. Well, Kruger and Sunny Zhao (yes, Sunny is still in!) are bringing in a chef. A real one. One who’s name they’re not ready to share, but one who will work with Zhao to combine the best of the old FanHouse menu with new and exciting options.
What you can expect is a lot more Asian, and a menu comprised primarily of small plates (it’s all about that bar vibe), likely priced in the $6 - $12 range. You can also expect whiskey and beer-themed dinners and special occasion brunches (FanHouse will not regularly be open for brunch); a gin and sake-heavy cocktail list (Asian-influence); and cocktails pairings listed with each and every menu item.
All and all, what you can expect from the newly reopened FanHouse is a restaurant that’s learned from its mistakes, and its successes: more bar; better, more consistent food; and stronger service – plus something entirely new.
FanHouse had its soft reopening on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. The restaurant will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 5 p.m. on thereafter, but expect a soft opening throughout September.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement