New café opens near Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new café has opened near the Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond, serving salads, sandwiches, coffee and more.

Daisy's at Tredegar is located at 500 Tredegar St. and opened to the public on Saturday, July 12. 8News spoke with the cafe's owner and chef, Matt Kirwan, to learn more about what patrons can expect.

Kirwan said he did catering with NewMarket Corporation for a couple of years, helping its chef, Rawleigh Easley, who is now Kirwan's business partner and co-owner of Daisy's.

"NewMarket, the people who built all of this and the amphitheater and whatnot, they asked us if Rawleigh and I wanted to be a part of Daisy's, and we of course, said yes," Kirwan said.

New cafe Daisy's at Tredegar, located at 500 Tredegar St. in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

The patio area of Daisy's at Tredegar in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

An iced dirty chai served at Daisy's at Tredegar in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

(Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

A coffee made at Daisy's at Tredegar in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

A chicken Caesar wrap served at Daisy's at Tredegar in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

NewMarket chose the location for the cafe on Tredegar Street. They also own The Foundry at Historic Tredegar next door to the cafe, which is an event space that Daisy's will do catering for weddings, parties and more.

"Originally, [Daisy's] was supposed to be a kitchen to cater to [The Foundry] and some amphitheater catering, but then they decided to have a restaurant here as well, and that's really how it all snowballed together," Kirwan said.

Kirwan said Daisy's will have an "exciting" cocktail, beer and wine menu.

"But food-wise, the breakfast burrito is a must-try," Kirwan said. "As far as lunch menu goes, the mortadella on a focaccia sandwich is one of my favorites. I'm originally from New York, so I love a good chicken cutlet and Italian sandwich, so those would be my two favorites on the lunch menu."

Kirwan said Daisy's is working with Sunday Bagel, and is reportedly the only restaurant in the city that will have Sunday Bagels to make breakfast sandwiches.

The story behind the cafe's name comes from NewMarket's Chief Operating Officer's daughter, Annie Hazelgrove, who is the event coordinator for NewMarket and The Foundry.

"[Hazelgrove's] dog's name is Daisy. That dog there in the middle," Kirwan said while pointing to a picture of a dog hanging up on the cafe's wall. "She's kind of like our mascot. She's always around, hanging out too."

Pictures hanging on the wall at Daisy's at Tredegar in Richmond. (Photo courtesy: Marysa Tuttle, 8News)

Starting Saturday, July 19, Kirwan said the café hopes to be offering a happy hour for the shows at the Allianz Amphitheater.

"Our hope is, by Saturday for the Jason Isbell concert, to be open for happy hour and kind of treat like a pregame for the amphitheater, and do some exciting specials and stuff based off the artist," Kirwan said.

Daisy's offers breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and brunch on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Kirwan said every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as any night there is a show at the Allianz Amphitheater, the cafe will do a happy hour and shareable snacks option from 4 to 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

"We want to be more than just a restaurant," Kirwan said. "We're going to offer a chance to rent out the restaurant and the patio, or both for all sorts of events, happy hours [and] fun stuff," Kirwan said.