Promenade Renovation Brings New Dining Options to Westminster Canterbury Richmond
The Promenade at Westminster Canterbury Richmond is back, and with it comes new and exciting dining options. We can’t wait for everyone to get a taste of the reconceptualized Promenade restaurant. Additional experiences include a coffee bar, bake shop and lounge. With a convenient, central location and new flexible dining options, we created a more social atmosphere for residents and their guests. From concepts to menus, we aimed to ensure the choices available represented everyone’s tastes and preferences. Whether you’re moving in now or have reserved a residence in our Vibrancy! expansion, these new dining options are open for all.
New dining options
From the same design and construction partnership bringing us the Vibrancy! expansion, each detail was meticulously considered during the planning process. Director of Dining Scott Jonté spent a lot of time speaking with residents to learn what kinds of things they would like to see on the menus. What he found was that their tastes had evolved over time. Adventurous eaters, otherwise known as “foodies,” are becoming more of the norm than the exception. Outings to new and noteworthy Richmond restaurants are some of the more popular activities at Westminster Canterbury. So it’s no surprise that residents desire unique and refined meal options on campus.
Replacing the former buffet style dining option, the updated Promenade restaurant has been converted into a traditional sit-down restaurant. Additionally, a coffee bar and lounge have been built within the Promenade. Much like your local coffee shop, the new Camilla’s is where residents can find an invigorating selection of teas and espresso drinks by day. In the evenings, it’s converted into a cozy lounge serving beer, wine and cocktails.
Adjacent to the new Promenade, an all-new dining venue will surely impress residents and their guests. Bella’s is a 50-seat, upscale, open-kitchen “tasting” restaurant. The idea behind this chic location is based on farm-to-table cooking, using the freshest local ingredients our kitchen can source. Small plates and epicurious, multi-course menus are designed to share and bring guests together. A wide variety of wines and wine pairings will also be available at Bella’s.
For those with a sweet tooth, perhaps the most exciting part of the update is the bake shop. Follow the scent of freshly baked pastries, pies and cakes right to the Promenade. The bake shop will also provide handcrafted breads each day for all the restaurants. As part of our strategic initiatives, Westminster Canterbury plans to introduce a culinary internship program in the future.
A place to gather
Restaurant culture is popular in Richmond, and residents were hungry for new dining options on campus. Inspired menus and updated locations are sure to bring new and old friends together. That’s why we’ve created an additional area that has casual cafe seating with excellent views of the Promenade.
The fine dining restaurant, Canterbury Room, and the fast casual option, the Marketplace, have remained open during construction, but the reopening of the Promenade and Camilla’s will give residents additional outlets for socializing. Open seating by the coffee bar and lounge makes it easier to join friends and neighbors for a quick cup of coffee in the morning or unwind over a glass of wine in the evening.
Open kitchen designs in both the Promenade and Bella’s allow guests to interact with the kitchen staff and see how a top-tier culinary team works together. Westminster Canterbury brought on more staff to keep up with the demands of the new restaurant concepts. Staffing plays a huge role in resident satisfaction, and we strive to bring on team members who treat residents like family.
Residents can also choose to entertain guests and large groups in the Promenade restaurant. Hosting business or banquet functions is made easy in our fully A/V operational Virginia Room.
Something for everyone
They say you can’t please everyone, but we beg to differ. Food is something that brings us together. In a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) like Westminster Canterbury, we know residents have chosen to make their home with us because they like gathering with others. Creating memories with friends and neighbors is always done best over a satisfying meal. One of the main intentions behind updating the Promenade was to create ambient atmospheres for people to enjoy the kinds of dishes they crave with good company.
Westminster Canterbury caters to a wide range of palates, and it’s important to make every resident feel reflected in the style of dining as well as the cuisine. For some, there’s nothing better than complex flavors and imaginative plating, while for others traditional comfort foods are more accessible. Our goal is to ensure that no matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s a seat at the table for you in one of our dining spaces.
The three new dining venues hosted an open house in September, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This was the first opportunity residents got to see and familiarize themselves with the new spaces. Regular service began the following day.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our newly renovated dining experiences as well as invite you to tour our expanding community. Book your tour with a sales counselor today at 800-445-9904.