Top Chef's Richmond restaurant opens Wednesday

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - A highly-anticipated restaurant will open its doors in downtown Richmond on Wednesday.

Chef and owner Mike Isabella announced Friday he would open Graffiato at 123 West Broad Street on September 10, in the space formerly occupied by Popkin Tavern. Isabella is a Washington D.C. restaurateur and was runner up on Top Chef All-Stars on the Bravo network. The Graffiato location in Washington, D.C. has been open for three years and was named one of the top 100 restaurants in DC by the Washingtonian.

Isabella partnered with Travis Croxton, owner of Rappahannock Oyster Co. , which also boasts restaurants in both cities. Hilda Staples, a partner in Graffiato D.C. is also partnering on the Richmond location of the Italian-inspired restaurant.

"Richmond is such an exciting place to be right now. It's an up and coming city with the makings to become a top-notch food scene," said Isabella. "I'm thrilled to bring my take on Italian-American food to Richmond. Much like D.C., everyone from the farmers to our new restaurant and bar neighbors has been warm and welcoming. We can't wait to open and become part of the restaurant community."

Matthew Robinett will serve as chef de cuisine after serving as executive chef at Petit Louis Bistro and as sous chef at Pazo Restaurant in Baltimore.

Diners at the D.C. outpost will notice several familiar items on the menu, like sweet corn agnolotti, hand-cut spaghetti, roasted cauliflower and chicken with pepperoni sauce. Other dishes are being made specifically for Graffiato Richmond, including crispy artichoke with boquerones, capers and lemon, a dish of hearty eggplant caponata and house-made cannelloni stuffed with shrimp and scallops.

Other highlights promised by Isabella include roasted meats and local, seasonal vegetables from the wood-burning oven and hand-crafted pizzas. Beer and Prosecco will be on tap, along with a wine list and craft cocktails.

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