3 Monkeys Bar & Grill
By Dana Craig
Richmond Times-Dispatch
05/26/2005
I've never seen it, but I have a strong suspicion that there's a handbook on how to create a lucrative casual dining spot in the Fan. Chapter titles probably include Burgers and Baked Spaghetti: A Menu for Success, How to Use Dark Wood to Your Advantage and Pabst Equals Patrons.
These are the qualities that make many Fan joints so comfortable, so welcoming and so . . . the same. Don't get me wrong. I love washing down a club sandwich with a frosty pint of Legend. Those signature big wooden booths and smoky, dimly lit interiors are what keep me coming back.
I inevitably find myself ready to scream if I have to eat one more boring Caesar salad, but I don't want to break the bank at a pricier establishment just for more options.
I can now thank Johnny and Katrina Giavos (owners of Stella's and Sidewalk Café) and their partner, George Tsipas of Paul's Deli Restaurant in Williamsburg, for filling the void with 3 Monkeys Bar & Grill, a corner café with a big-city feel and a menu to match. (more)