Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe Opens in the Near West End
I just drove by the Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe on Patterson, at Libbie. The sign says “Now Open”. But I’m struck by just how vacant the place looks. With out the coffee tie-in and and with Cafe Cattura just down the street will they succeed? I want to like this place, but I’m just not drawn in, the way Cafe Cattura draws me in with their gas lights, stonework, real wood indoor/outdoor fireplace, great design and great food. So, before I say much more, I’m going to go visit the inside of the Barrel Thief. My wine-loving friends love the Far West End location.
But to make matters worse, when you click on their website “menu” all that is provided is the info that they offer take out, with no actual menu. I mean at least they could have copied over the menu from the Short Pump location. It looks like some great (but expensive) food. I’m sorry but $9 for a veggie wrap or a reuben is kind of extreme.
When you click on wine, all it says is “Our by-the-glass featured wines change every few weeks.” How lame. I mean, why bother with the link at all. Their Thief Staff link is shamefull. I mean, do they know this site is live?
On Saturday, my mom took me out to lunch at Caturra and we snagged the last seat in the joint. I mean the place was packed! And at 1 p.m. when we left, folks were standing waiting for tables. The bad economy appears not to affect this crowd at all. There were plenty of families treating thier kids to very expensive grilled cheese.
Let’s hope the Barrel Thief does food and wine better than they do the ‘Net. Look for an update soon on my actual first impressions. I really want to like this place. And I do want to give them kudos for hosting a wine forum. Seems like they’ve got good ideas, maybe just need more follow through. Then again, the forum, for the most part hasn’t been used since August.
It would have been more useful to me, as a reader, had you saved your opinion, and your write up, until you had visited this establishment. Using the phrase “…before I say much more…” in the first paragraph and then including four more paragraphs of opinion seems unprofessional and, I have to say, slightly confusing.
I wish any new business the best of luck. The more variety in our neighborhood, the better!
Ignore Jane. That’s what blogging is for. I enjoy both the newsy aspect and your opinions. Keep ‘em coming!
Thanks for the info.
I agree, ignore jane. I agree with her on the more variety the better, but blogs are for commentary and opinion. Thanks!
Was planning on checking this out this weekend, but I was hoping the food prices were cheaper than Caturra. Lack of coffee is a bummer too!
As the owner of Barrel Thief it is always nice to hear customers thoughts. I think it would be best to form an opinion about Barrel Thief after you have visited Barrel Thief, but that is my opinion. We are a real wine bar that charges retail price for wine in the restaurant. We do not make espresso, or charge $7 for a glass of wine that retails for $10. We are a retail shop first, but we take the restaurant very seriously. We use the best ingredients we can get our hands on. I am sure we are the only restaurant in Richmond that has tuna flown in from Browne Trading everyday. Our food will never be cheap (our salad greens cost 5 times what most restaurants pay), but I think we offer an excellent value. I am sorry you had problems with our website. It works fine for me and I do not consider it “lame”. In fact when I click on the link you provided for our menu it worked great. You are correct in that we have not had time to update our staff link. We have been very busy. As for the forum it is still a work in progress. I am starting to think something like Facebook might be a better vehicle. What do you think? I hope you stop in soon and experience what we offer. We already fill up fast so please try to get here early. Cheers.
Ross, Thanks for the comments and explanation of what you offer. Also, I’m glad your website menu is now working. I can’t wait to stop by and check it out!
While I don’t want to get into a debate about it, I want to be clear (and I really thought I was) that I am not saying I don’t want to hear reviews/opinions but that they are best left until after an establishment has been visited.
Wait a sec, Jonah, you just *admitted* that you haven’t checked this establishment out yet you initially slammed it within the post?
Wow.
I am Barrel Thief regular and lover! I visted the SP establishment anytime I was out that way and am completely ecstatic that they are now close to home. I find their food, atmosphere, and wine the best in the area. The prices are not cheap, but definitely affordable. I will admit I am not a wine conousseur (nor can I spell it), but everytime I walk in I am treated like VIP and get a glass (or bottle) of wine I love. Ross and Ned are amazing owners and good example of local business owners who know their stuff. I recommend everyone give them a try!
[...] pretty. It was close to 5 p.m. and too early for to be busy with customers, but me and my daughter checked out the place in person. It has a clean look with nice hardwood floors and a really interesting exposed brick [...]