Opening Alert: Chicago Alums Plan to Show NYC How It's Done at Virginia's

Charlie Trotter’s alums Christian Ramos and Reed Adelson broke in their new petite Alphabet City restaurant Virginia’s this weekend with friends and family and are officially opening their doors tonight. Inside, the restaurant has a clean white-washed feel, tan leather banquettes, vintage framed menus, and accordion doors that open to the street for those warm summer nights we’re headed towards.

While much of their team has Chicago-based pedigree like beverage man Conrad Reddick, who was the wine director at Grant Achatz’s Alinea and sous chef Lauren Calhoun who also worked at Charlie Trotter’s, most of the staff isn’t new to NYC. Ramos and Reed put in time at Per Se and Locanda Verde respectively and Calhoun, who is crafting the dessert menu is a Roberta’s alum.

The Menu: The small menu is “new American," which in this case, means it’s seasonal (pea leaves! fava beans! green garlic!) and has some Asian and Italian leanings. Calhoun is serving just three desserts for the opening including a chocolate beet cake, with beet cream, Oaxacan chocolate, and amaretti. Check out the opening menu below.

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