June 21, 2016

HENRICO, Va. – – Shagbark, the restaurant of Virginia native and acclaimed chef Walter Bundy, will open on Wednesday, June 29.

Its namesake is taken from a hickory wood that is common regionally, and the wood will be integrated into the décor.

The regional theme will make its way to the plate as well.

Bundy, the executive chef at Lemaire in Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel for nearly 15 years, was known for his ingenuity with authentic farm-to-table dining and often credited for helping put Richmond on the map as a culinary destination.

Dinner will be served daily and the menu will provide seasonally-driven, Southern-inspired small plates and entrees ranging from $8 to $30.

Highlights include chicken-fried Chesapeake Bay oysters, Beaver Creek Farms slow-grilled quail, and butter-basted day boat scallops.

At the bar, expect specialty Virginia-inspired cocktails, a selection of microbrews, eight regional craft beers, locally-made wines by the glass or bottle, and four wine varieties on tap.

A special menu will be available in the bar and 25-seat patio featuring small plates and snacks for grazing. Highlights include barbecued clams, rabbit-filled hand pies, johnny cakes with chipotle shrimp and flights of fresh oysters.

Patrons can head west to find Shagbark at 4901 Libbie Mill East Blvd., Suite 175 near the intersection of W. Broad St. and Staples Mill Rd.  In five years, this area will look very different; the under-construction, 80-acre development will host townhomes, apartments, offices and retail.

Bundy’s 5,800-square-foot restaurant includes seating for 60 in the main room, a bar that accommodates 30, two private dining areas, and a 25-seat outdoor patio.

Local firm Helen Reed Design created the interior atmosphere to balance rustic, natural elements with a sleek shell. Custom pieces abound throughout, including whitetail deer antler chandeliers made by Alaska Antler Works, wall coverings hand-painted to resemble fish scales, hand-blown glass light fixtures crafted by Wendy Umanoff, and a community table by Wellborn + Wright fashioned from a Civil War-era shagbark hickory tree.

Shagbark is open daily for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bar is open at 4 p.m. daily. For more information, call 804-358-SHAG (7424), visit shagbarkrva.com, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.