What I'm working on
I feel as if I've spent all afternoon on the phone trying to track down an opening and a closing.
Victoria's is supposed to open in Columbia at 8201 Snowden River Pkwy. where a Bennigan's was. God forbid they should actually want some publicity and call me about it. Instead, Good Eater Helen saw a sign on the door when she was in the area and alerted me.
More digging unearthed the fact that...
(Image courtesy of the Accidental Hedonist)
...there was a connection to the Iron Bridge Wine Co., but it turned out that there wasn't much of one. A chef and general manager from there left to open the new place, Victoria Marriner and Joseph Krywucki.
By the time I got around to doing what I should have in the first place, call the Howard County liquor board, it was closed for the night. Stay tuned, or better still, post any info you have below.
Meanwhile, I've been trying to get someone, anyone, at the Cosi corporate offices to call me back about the abrupt closing of Xando, the coffee shop and bar at 3003 N. Charles St. Again, it's nothing but rumor, but I've heard that fine dining may be going in that space.
Comments
I live in Columbia and passed by Victoria's Gastro Pub the other night and didn't see any signs of it actually being open. I just saw work trucks and signs hanging that said "Now Hiring". I could be wrong though
No, I don't think it's open yet.
Posted by: FoodBooty | December 4, 2007 9:53 AM
I think the restaurant is called the Victoria Gastro Pub.
Posted by: TS | December 4, 2007 10:20 AM
Yes, Xando has closed. They closed on Sunday, December 2. It was very sudden, as the SLAMicide Poetry Slam (which I help run with other poets in the Baltimore area) was not informed until the Monday before the close. That left our Slam without a lovely basement coffeeshop (which we inhabited for seven years) to perform in every Monday night. On the bright side, now we're in Fells Point at Slainte. Delicious!
Posted by: janna | December 4, 2007 12:03 PM
Also, with Xando closed, I wonder where else we can make s'mores at our table, or drink a delicious chai, described by one of our poets as "licked up and down by the tongue of God?"
Posted by: janna | December 4, 2007 12:14 PM
What I do know about Victoria is there is an owner and two chefs. One chef I know - Roddy (Rudolfo) Domacasse - who was at Linwoods, B. Tatian and Linwoods the first time. It's supposed to be a Gastropub - the menu items I saw remind me of Salt including duckfat fries. From what I understand, the reason for two chefs is to get the concept tested/established and open a second one someplace in the metro area.
Good intel. Thanks!
Posted by: EdG | December 4, 2007 1:28 PM
My dad just ran into one of the new bartenders for the place and he said that they are opening on Monday. I have the card for the GM and email address if you need it. http://www.victoriagastropub.com/
Thanks! The liquor board actually gave me the name and number of one of the owners, so I tracked him down that way.
Posted by: FoodBooty | December 6, 2007 6:29 PM
Janna, Cosi in Columbia serves smores at your table. It's in the Columbia Crossing II shopping center off Snowden River Parkway and RT. 175. They're next to the Chipotle. They have a turkey and brie melt that is fantastic.
Posted by: Cat | December 13, 2007 1:48 PM
I would love to have the number there. I'm seeking employment there
Posted by: Lexi | December 18, 2007 12:22 PM