More Details on Michel Richard's Meatball Shop

News broke yesterday that empire-builder and James Beard Award-winning chef Michel Richard is opening up a meatball-centric restaurant named Meatballs in Penn Quarter. Eater spoke with a manager of the forthcoming restaurant last night to get some more details on what the French chef has in store and, yes, this is as exciting as the initial reports seemed.

The most important thing you need to know is that this was always something that Richard wanted to do — a simple, casual dining experience that's a world apart from the upscale Citronelle. He has also always loved meatballs, which are the "ultimate happy food" for a chef who has written an entire cookbook about being Happy in the Kitchen.

Now for the food itself. As mentioned yesterday, Meatball's menu will include a traditional meatball based on a traditional recipe, a lamb meatball, a chicken meatball, a lentil meatball for vegetarians and other specials that will be worked in. These will be served in grinders or over your choice of spaghetti or a salad and diners can choose toppings that include the likes of cheese, hot peppers and all the way to Fritos. On Sunday evenings, Meatballs will offer a special in which you can get a full meal — meatballs, sauce, pasta, bread and salad — that'll feed 8-10 people for $79.99. It'll come served in Richard's new line of cookware and, if you bring the pot back another Sunday night for a refill, the price drops to a mere $59. Recycling! Finally, please note that Meatballs will be open for lunch and dinner starting in approximately two or three weeks from now. We'll keep you posted on dates and such, as always.

· All Previous Meatballs Coverage [-EDC-]
· All Previous Michel Richard Coverage [-EDC-]

[Photo courtesy of Meatballs]