Brazen, a new slow-braise-focused restaurant, opened its doors on March 12 at 2028 W. Cary St., located in Richmond’s trendy Fan District. The restaurant, which has been a long-time dream for five friends, promises to bring a unique dining experience to the city with its carefully crafted braised dishes.
A Team of Friends with a Shared Vision
The team behind Brazen consists of co-owners and chefs Neil McLean, Jon Bell, and TJ Hayes, general manager and co-owner Doug Clodfelter, and bartender Jackson Pettitt. With years of experience in the Richmond food scene, including stints at notable spots like L’Opossum, Maple & Pine, and Tarrant’s, the team shares a long history of working together and a passion for food. Despite discussing the idea for years, it wasn’t until last March that they decided to fully commit to opening the restaurant.
“It was kind of an ‘if not now, never’ kind of moment,” McLean said, reflecting on the decision to move forward.
The Space and Design
After scouting multiple locations around Richmond, the team settled on a 1,600-square-foot space at 2028 W. Cary St., which previously housed Lucky Whale (an Asian fusion restaurant) and Olio (a sandwich and salad shop). The space has seating for about 45 people indoors and an additional 24 seats on the patio.
The interior design of Brazen reflects the team’s personal connection to Richmond, with blue walls, polished floors, and frog motifs on the walls, all inspired by their time spent at Texas Beach, a place where many of them met.
Brazen’s Unique Menu
The restaurant’s menu is centered around slow-braised dishes, with offerings like slow-braised short ribs, braised beef Bourguignon, and spicy fried chicken thigh sandwiches, ranging in price from $15 to $20. The sandwiches are elevated with high-end ingredients, such as duxelles, crispy shallots, and house-made sauces, challenging the notion that sandwiches are a lower-end meal.
“We believe you can do anything excellently. Our short rib sandwich is a sandwich, but it’s got duxelles, crispy shallots, and so much flavor,” McLean explained.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
Brazen also offers several vegan and gluten-free options, ensuring that guests with dietary restrictions have something to enjoy. The menu will rotate weekly with specials that allow the team to experiment and add customer favorites to the menu.
Despite the focus on slow-braised dishes, Brazen’s menu is diverse, drawing inspiration from seasonal ingredients, and does not limit itself to any one type of cuisine.
The Name “Brazen”
The name Brazen is a nod to the restaurant’s theme of slow-braised cooking, as well as the boldness required to open a new restaurant in a competitive and often oversaturated industry.
“If you’ve worked in restaurants, you know how difficult it is to succeed, especially with the low profit margins,” McLean said. “It’s a brazen idea, but it’s worth it because we get to do it our way.”
A Business Built on Friendship
The success of Brazen is not only attributed to the quality of the food but also to the strong friendship among the team members. Bell shared, “A lot of people start businesses with people they think are the best in their field, but they realize they don’t even like that person. You have to have that foundation of trust.”
McLean added, “If you’re gonna spend 15 hours a day at a place, you should probably like the people you’re working with.”
Brazen’s Hours and Location
Brazen is open Wednesday through Monday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you’re looking to enjoy a delicious slow-braised meal, Brazen offers a unique and welcoming atmosphere perfect for a laid-back lunch or dinner.
Related topics: