Game Day ready for game day

It's hard to believe that someone hadn't thought of this before. A sports bar on Fontaine Avenue offering tailgate catering for UVA football games just a half-mile from Scott Stadium, and in the thick of the area where fans park and walk to the games. And on cue, Game Day Restaurant, Bar & Grill plans to open this Saturday, August 31, just in time for UVA's home opener against BYU.

As previously reported, the team of owners launching Game Day know something about football, UVA football specifically, as former Cavs D.J. Bell (lineman, 2002-2004) and Merrill Robertson (linebacker, 1999-2001) are part of the management team, along with general managers Brian Smith and Tim Fairfax, who manages Hellas Restaurant & Sports Bar in Hope Mills, North Carolina.

"D.J. and Merrill are very excited to bring something back to the community," says Fairfax, who has been in town to help prepare the restaurant for game day on Saturday.

Indeed, Robertson, who also co-owns an investment management company in Richmond, walks the walk when it comes to giving back. His company recently donated $50,000 to the football program at Virginia Union University, where he also played before transferring to Virginia.

In addition to being a sports bar, where you can watch the game on TV, Game Day will cater your tailgate party up at the stadium, as well as provide a real party atmosphere for the game, complete with music and outdoor seating in front of the former Carmello's building.

Open for lunch and dinner, Game Day's menu is diverse, offering bar food like wings, potato skins, fried pickles, and burgers, but also more exotic fare like pan-seared salmon, penne alfredo, gyro salads, and Thai chicken wraps. Oh, and students will love this: they'll be offering late-night delivery.

Also, this isn't the first Game Day; its the third installment of a budding chain, as Robertson and company have already opened two Game Days in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

"I think the town will go crazy over it," says Fairfax.

Well, see you at Game Day on Game Day!