E-edition PLUS unlimited articles & videos
Personalized news alerts with our mobile app farm table restaurant
*FREE access to newspapers.com archives
Hundreds of games, puzzles & comics online
*Refers to the latest 2 years of richmond.com stories. Cancel anytime.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Bamboo Café is celebrating turning 50 this Saturday with a block party, bands, food and more.
With its pressed tin ceilings, old fashioned bar and intimate wooden booths, Bamboo Café has been a Fan staple since 1974.
Bamboo Cafe, located at 1 S. Mulberry St. in Richmond, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a block party featuring live music.
“The club sandwich has not changed since the first day I walked in the door,” owner Adrienne LaPrade said. “Only it might be on better bread now.”
The building itself at 1 S. Mulberry St. was built in 1916 and served as a local confectionary until the mid-1960s when it became a bar.
Bamboo Cafe has been a staple in Richmond’s Fan District since it first opened in 1974.
LaPrade started waiting tables at Bamboo Café in the 1980s. Her late husband, Martin White, took over Bamboo from Ron Houck and Peter Harahan in 1992, and she inherited it after his death in 2004.
“When I started, we didn’t have a liquor license. We could only sell beer and wine,” LaPrade said. “We also didn’t have air conditioning.”
Thankfully, those things changed. But everything else has stayed pretty much the same.
“Nothing changes here. It upsets the customers to find someone new working here,” LaPrade told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last year.
Which is a huge part of Bamboo’s charm and staying power. With good food and affordable prices — $22 flat iron steak anyone? — Bamboo is regularly packed with customers.
“I think it speaks to our place as a neighborhood establishment. Who else has been around for 50 years? The only other place I can think of is Joe’s Inn. Joe’s and Bamboo, they’re the anchors of the Fan,” she said.
In June 1984, actress Mary Tyler Moore took a break between scenes outside Bamboo Café in Richmond’s Fan District. Moore was filming the romantic comedy “Finnegan Begin Again,” which co-starred Robert Preston and Sam Waterston. Scenes were shot all over Richmond, including at the Richmond Times-Dispatch office downtown.
In 1984, actress Mary Tyler Moore filmed scenes from the romantic comedy “Finnegan Begin Again” at Bamboo Café. Scenes from the movie, which co-starred Robert Preston and Sam Waterston, were shot all over Richmond, including at the Richmond Times-Dispatch office downtown.
Bamboo’s 50th block party came about “organically,” LaPrade said. Most of the Bamboo staff are in bands, which will be performing at the block party, such as Tiny Lights, Noel Haven and Piranha Rama. The Prabir Trio also will be performing. Prabir Mehta doesn’t work at Bamboo, but he is a regular.
Mulberry Street will be blocked off on Saturday between Main and Cary streets. Tickets are $10 and will support Richmond Animal Care & Control. Music will play throughout the day, and merchandise will be available, such as Bamboo Café T-shirts with retro 1980s designs.
Where: Bamboo Café, 1 S. Mulberry St.
When: Saturday, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Watchful Waiter Awards Acacia Restaurant on Cary St. View from the porch on December 21, 1998
John Felico, owner of Dominic's of New York, will soon sell his sausage products at selected Ukrops. He is shown in his Willow Lawn Food Court location.
Folks come to the Texas-Wisconsin Border Cafe, shown Aug. 24, 1995, in Richmond, Va., for its mix of Tex-Mex and hearty Wisconsin fare. Or maybe it's because of all the memorabilia from its namesake states, including stuffed animals, football helmets and license plates.
Lynn Cochran and Jim News, the owners of Mr. Patrick Henry's Inn on Church Hill, are selling the place. The stand in the restaurant's lunch room. The restaurant also had formal dining rooms. Photo taken November 15, 1999.
H.L. Reed Design Inc. decorated the Main Street Beer Co. with a poured concrete bar. Photo taken Tuesday, August 3, 1999.
Dennis Hickman at the new Julian's at 1129 Three Chopt Rd. He is holding a framed 1947 menu from the restaurant's earliest days in downtown Richmond.
Edward Martin calls himself 'The Drink Man' at his job with Cafe Mosaic. He moves quickly through his work filling water pitchers, and other drink related tasks.
Carolyn and Bob DeCapri in their restaurant, Cafe' di Pagliacci, in the Fan District.
5/10/04 - Diners prepare to order while enjoying their cocktails at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond Monday.
Sosie Hublitz outside her Gaston-damaged Shockoe Bottom restaurant "The Kitchen Table" on October 6, 2004.
Vinny Sanzone of Carini's Restaurant with a large pizza, in the newer section of the Italian restaurant in 2005. Photo taken Oct. 12.
Jen Clayton, a manager at Gutenberg Cafe', explains the flow of the high water which severely damaged the restaurant in September of 2004, when remnants of Hurricane Gaston flooded Shockoe Bottom. Photo taken Sept. 29.
Sosie Hublitz's Gaston-damaged Shockoe Bottom restaurant "The Kitchen Table." Photo taken October 6, 2004.
Interior of Avenue 805 restaurant on September 18, 2005
This sushi and sashimi combo plate is one of the items on Ichiban's menu. Photo taken Friday, October 21, 2005.
Avenue 805 features Sunday brunch. This is French Toast with fresh local figs, toasted almonds and maple syrup. The Rail Bloody Mary is a signature brunch beverage. Photo taken Sept. 18, 2005.
The Tavern salad in The Veranda at Michelle's Tavern in Hanover Courthouse . September 21 , 2005
Barbara Roll is one of the items on Ichiban's menu. Photo taken Friday, October 21, 2005.
Peter J. D'Amelio, president and chief operating officer ot the restaurant division at The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, photographed at their Short Pump restaurant Monday, September 27, 2004.
Cheesecakes and desserts are ready to be served up on Monday, September 27, 2004, at The Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Short Pump.
Vitello's is located at 101 N. Fifth Street Sept. 22, 2004.
A table set in front of the fireplace at Azzurro Restaurant in 2004.
French artist Gilles Cheramy, right, poses beside the butterfly-shaped bar he has created for The Can Can restaurant at 3120 W. Cary St. in Richmond, VA, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, as his assistant, Bruno Perrigouas, left, polishes the edge.
“To the dining community: Don’t forget to bring joy wherever you can; it will go a long way.”
Stella Dikos, namesake of Stella’s and Stella’s Grocery
The driver of this pickup truck was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2005 after Hanover authorities and patrons at Mulligan's Sports Bar said he drove into the restaurant after being kicked out.
Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar. Rack of Lamb, field greens and shrimp cocktail. November 28 , 2005
Beverly Mazursky, owner of Bev's Homemade Ice Cream shop in Carytown in the Carytown store on Thursday, February 10, 2005.
Cluck Bucket (left), Gravy Fries and Perogies from The Pour House om 2005. Photo taken Dec. 3
Using savory custard with dijon mustard in filo shells as the base , David Shannon of Dogwood restaurant created seven holiday party foods using leftovers . December 20 , 2005
Kevin Brown (left) and Nancy Cohen in the kitchen at Cafe Mandolin Feburary 18 , 2005
Looking out of the front window into the "sidewalk cafe" portion of Escabar at 5806 Grove Ave. December 21, 2005
Lunch crowd at Perly's on Grace St. March 11, 2005
India Garden & Grill WAS a family-owned Indian restaurant off of Midlothian Turnpike. Pictured here in 2005 were masala dosa (front), an Indian-style thin pancake served with onion and potato stuffing, curry and coconut chutney sauce, and vegetable jalfrezi (behind), a mix of cauliflowers, carrots, beans and green peppers sauteed in ginger, garlic, dry fruits and authentic Indian spices.
A fire broke out at Firebirds in the Short Pump Town center on December 20, 2005.
The Lucky lounge, located on E. Cary St., opened December 28, 2004. This restaurant/bar also offered live music, including Jazz on Thursday nights.
The bar area of Shula's 2 restaurant at the Sheraton Richmond West November 6, 2004.
Guests dining at Cielito Lindo who might be in the mood for something sweet can try the flan de calabaza, the pumpkin flan. March 15, 2005.
Christopher Bak, chef at Fusion, watches over chocolate truffle cake. Photo taken Monday, March 7, 2005.
Among other dishes, guests at Can Can, a brasserie on Cary St., can savor the roasted salmon served with lentils, wild mushrooms and red wine shallots. April 20, 2005.
The Brasilian Cafe is located in the basement of Stuart Circle Apartments on Monument Avenue. Photo taken Sunday, January 20, 2005.
Chef F. J. Sabatini, with his Seafood Bouchee, in the restaurant in the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland on March 28, 2005
Marie Antoinette Elbling grew up on a farm near the village of Thanville in Alsace, France. Her family ate seasonal food only at three meals. After moving to Richmond 34 years ago where she and husband, Chef Paul, opened La Petite France, she eats the same way. She doesn't exercise because she is in constant motion. Life is her exercise. If a light bulb needs changed in the restaurant, she'll grab a ladder and do it.
The bar at the Grafiti Grille in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center. Feb. 27, 2005
Gade Reddy, of Wilmington, Delaware, eats a meal at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street Tuesday, October 6, 2003.
Chicken Biryahi, adorned with egg, is available at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street. Photo taken October 7, 2003.
Chef Peter Caserta is opening a second Pasta Luna restaurant in addition to the West End location. The new location is in the Commonwealth Center at 288 and Hull Streets.
From left, Thomas Haskins, Andrew Williams, and Fred Middleton preparing food in the kitchen of the Positive Vibe Cafe in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center.
Little Europa Strogonoff (stroganoff) at Little Europa Restaurant and Gourmet Deli in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center on 11/5/03. Flambe version.
Lois McCarn of Richmond (center) eats lunch with her daughter Carolyn Barker of Richmond in Brio Tuscan Grille at Stony Point Fashion Park
A list of restaurants supposedly available at the Sixth Street Marketplace, but alas, several are closed down and one whole block of restaurants listed has been demolished.
Rod Bennett (right) a partner in the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar venture, said that the 1911 West Main Street restaurant will boast 85 martinis on the menu. It will also offer certified black angus beef, duck, and lobster.
Darryl and Pramvdee U. McGuire owners of Thai Country Resturant on Staples Mill Rd. .
Wingstop Restaurant featured a variety of wings for every palate. From left: Lemon Pepper, original hot wings, and a mild variety. They are served here with fresh-cut seasoned fries.
A wooden casket containing a dummy corpse is brought into O'Toole's Restaurant as part of a "wake" that harks back to a centuries-old papal dispensation that allowed Irishmen normally abstaining from drink during Lent to drink in the event of a wake for the dead. The ritual with the dummy corpse is a tradition of many years at the restaurant/bar on Forest Hill Ave.
Mr. Bojangles restaurant is located at 550 E. Marshall Street.
Contractor W. Samuel West, West Builders LLC, (right) was instrumental in rebuilding many flood-damaged restaurants in Shockoe Bottom including the River City Diner in which this photo was taken.
Bryn Purser (foreground) and Adam Schumm (background) working in their restaurant, Zuppa, at 104 N. 18th St. in Shockoe Bottom in 2005
Brasilian Cafe owner Rogel Venson and employee Isabel Gonzalez inside the restaurant on April 14, 2005.
Bottoms Up staff prepares for dinner customers beneath a reminder of Tropical Storm Gaston's flood damage on August 11 , 2005
Thyme crusted rack of veal served with asparagus flan and prosciutto wrapped asparagus is one of the entrees served at Bistro R, on W. Broad St.
Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. 5/13/05
Isabel and Mehmet Akpinar, owners of Zorba's Restaurant June 1, 2005.
Homard en Poche, Rock Lobster Tail & Oyster Mushroom Duxelle baked in a Beggar’s Pouch. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.
Visitors to Trick Dog Cafe in Irvington, Virginia, can rub this trick dog statue for good luck. Photo taken Wednesday, July 19, 2005.
Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.
Chef Matthew Tlusty with two Rock fish at Limani Fish Grill on W. Cary St. July 14, 2005
Joe and Camilia Trak (center) with their children John and Mona, with some of the items on their extensive Greek-Italian menu, including Greek and Italian wines. Trak's Greek and Italian Ristorante
La Casita's home made sauces - Red, (Medium) White, (Hot) and Green, (Very hot) compliment the restaurant's Shrimp Quesadilla, served with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.9/6/05-
Diners munch under the festive lights strung over the dining room at La Casita Restaurant in Richmond Tuesday.9/6/05
Harold Thomas III, 14, works at Harold's Kitchen every day after school. The restaurant has been in the family since 1971, when the first Harrold, Harrold III's grandfather, opened it.
The Edible Garden, 12506 River Road, Goochland County. Phot o taken June 17, 2005
Satoru Sato, head chef at Hana Zushi Japanese Restaurant, prepares a variety of sushi delicacies February 18, 2004
Anthony Clark, a host at Croaker's Spot in Jackson Ward, waits to greet guests as they enter the restaurant on December 19, 2003.
Interior of Valentino's Italian Pizza and Restaurant. Photo taken Dec. 2, 2003
Valentino's Italian Pizza and Restaurant, December 2, 2003.
Coctel De Camaron, (Shrimp Cocktail) at Los Rios Mexican Restaurant on Tuckernuck Road, November 12, 2003.
stools George Porcella, general manager of Pasta Luna restaurant in Richmond, VA, holds a menu as he talks about how the mad-cow scare has affected their business Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003.