It’s getting hot in here. And we’re not just talking summer heat—we’re talking fire. Last week’s blaze at Wild Wing Café, which is still being investigated, temporarily shut down the restaurant. And, while the eatery at the Amtrak station reopened this week, the patio where the fire originated remained closed at press time. General Manager Kiersten Kaufman says they hope to have the patio refurbished by this weekend.
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Wild Wing Café General Manager Kiersten Kaufman says most of the damage to the patio area was caused by water and smoke during the extinguishing process. The entire restaurant—patio and all—should be open this weekend. |
Since this is such a hot topic, Restaurantarama wonders: What can other restaurants do to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen to them?
Says Assistant Fire Marshal Steve Walton, be prepared. The city fire department offers training to restaurant staff about fire safety and evacuation procedures, should there be an incident. Most restaurant fires start in the kitchen, he says, igniting from grease buildup in the hood system. Walton advises that the hood system be cleaned every six months.
That doesn’t explain what happened at Wild Wing, where the fire was confined to the patio, away from restaurant equipment. Walton says they’re still figuring it out. Kaufman says it’s suspected the fire started from a cigarette that was left in one of the planters, but Walton says the fire department is also exploring the possibility of faulty electrical work. “[The fire at Wild Wing] was quite unusual,” he says, “being on the decking.”
Beer here
In July, Restaurantarama reported that four local breweries—Starr Hill, Devils Backbone, Blue Mountain and South Street —were gearing up to collaborate on a new beer. We’re here to tell you: They’ll preview The Brew Ridge Collaboration Ale this Sunday from noon until 5pm at Starr Hill’s facility in Crozet. If you miss it, you’ll have a few more opportunities for a taste test before the official unveiling at the Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival on August 21.
Can’t get enough of beer fests? Visit the Charlottesville Pavilion on September 11 for a Starr Hill and Beer Run co-sponsored event that will feature microbrewers from up and down the coast. More on that in the coming weeks.
In other beer (and wine) news, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza—located in the former Boston Market space at Barracks Road—has applied for an ABC license.
Ten after dark
Good news, late-night snacksters: Ten recently joined the list of available after-dark eateries Downtown. In addition to places like C&O Restaurant, Christian’s Pizza and Miller’s, the restaurant above Blue Light Grill will offer yummies like Yakitori and the Raspberry Walu Roll until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.