The Wall Street Journal-20080216-WEEKEND JOURNAL- Food - Drink -- Power Tables- Where the Business Elite Are Eating
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WEEKEND JOURNAL; Food & Drink -- Power Tables: Where the Business Elite Are Eating
Full Text (441 words)TJ's at the Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Va.
With numerous conference rooms, two restaurants and plenty of history, the Jefferson Hotel is a popular spot in Richmond, Va., for both business and pleasure. The more casual of the two eateries is the regional-cuisine-inspired TJ's (named for Thomas Jefferson), where the capital's elite pop in after work or hotel events. TJ's lounge looks out to the 113-year-old hotel's grand rotunda and marble staircase, where hotel legend holds that scenes from "Gone With the Wind" were shot.
RECENT SIGHTINGS
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was part of a larger group at table 41. Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana ordered a snack at table L5 after taking part in a recent benefit at the hotel. PGA Tour golfers Rich Beem, John Rollins, Daniel Chopra, Tom Pernice Jr. and Lucas Glover took over the entire area when they got together at table L10. Actor David Morse ("The Green Mile," "Disturbia") sat in the lounge area.
THE REGULARS
During his relocation to Richmond from New York four years ago, Philip Morris USA Chairman and CEO Mike Szymanczyk would often stay at the Jefferson. He's now there up to three times a month for meetings and events, and when he dines at TJ's, he sits at table 40.
Well-wishers say hi to former Virginia governor and current Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, a weekly lunch guest, at table 40.
David Boardman, CEO of Dynamic Brands, the parent company behind Baby Jogger and golf companies Bag Boy, Slotline and AMF Golf, stops by with friends or colleagues weekly, either in the lounge at L4 or in the dining room.
S&K Menswear Chairman Stuart Siegel hosted his wedding brunch at the Jefferson and is a regular at the Sunday brunch in the Rotunda. He has lunch meetings at table 41.
Weekly guest Alan Kirshner, chairman and CEO of specialty insurer Markel, hosts the company's annual shareholder meeting at the hotel, and its annual holiday parties are held at TJ's. He has sat at table 42.
THE POWER TABLES
There's ample space between the tables, so eavesdropping is no worry among power brokers in the clubby dining room. Top tables 40-42 all are near the windows, so passers-by are a concern only on one side. Table 52 is popular for larger parties. Raised tables L1 through L5 in the lounge area overlook the Rotunda and the Grand Staircase. Off to the side are the more casual lounge tables L6 through L11, where customers can watch sports on a flat-screen TV.
(See accompanying graphics -- WSJ February 16, 2008)
TJ's at the Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin St., Richmond, Va.
804-649-4672; www.jeffersonhotel.com/dining_tjs.aspx
