Hi and hello! This week brought us big news, daiquiris galore and some national recognition, and the week's not even over yet. Read ahead, barbecue enthusiasts and seekers of star-chef events. This is the post for you:
- Prepare your palates for some major food news now, and some major flavor down the road: Travis Milton, chef of Comfort, is leaving the restaurant at the end of June to launch his own spot, Shovel and Pick, an Appalachian-inspired concept set to open at the end of this year or the start of 2016. Check out our full preview here for more information about what you can expect, what will happen at Comfort, and news on Milton's upcoming pop-ups at The Shack and Shoryuken Ramen. We can taste that heirloom produce already. (Richmond magazine)
- On the cocktail front: Reach frozen-drink nirvana with our guide to 10 spots offering blended drinks and slushies galore. (See also: Saison Market now has a daiquiri machine.) (Richmond magazine)
- Did you know that Richmond is home to some of the coolest restaurant and bar merch shirts around? It's true. It's science. It's empirically proven or something. Click on this sweet piece about some of RVA's best tees, what inspired 'em and how to get 'em for yourself or that special Metallica/pentagram/palmistry/Ryan Gosling fan in your life! (RVANews)
- Last week we announced The Jackdaw, a new Asian pop-up that pairs Chinese food with punk rock. This week, we're back to tell you its launch date is July 12 at Shoryuken Ramen, serving 125 to 150 people, first come, first served. We will see. you. there. (Richmond magazine)
- This week, Pasture held a toiletries drive for area foster children during its Case for Hope event on Tuesday night and filled, wait for it, 400 to 500 bags with much-needed shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes — you get the idea. Good on you, Richmond, and thank you to Pasture for hosting! (As a side note, we're selfishly glad to have your focus 100-percent back on Richmond, with the closing of PastureQ in Charlottesville. Keep up the excellent work here, guys.) (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Speaking of Pasture, Off Broad Appétit is less than two weeks away! Get your tickets now and celebrate plate after plate of food there from Michelin-starred and James Beard-celebrated chefs the night before Broad Appétit! Essentially, eat so many things before you eat so many more things, but do it for charity (proceeds benefit FeedMore), great company and food from the likes of chefs Bryan Voltaggio, Brad Farnerie, José Enrique and Chad Colby.
- Meanwhile, on the beer front, Richmond's craft beer scene is growing and with it, a number of ladies are looking to break into the male-dominated community. Take a peek into RVA's female-focused beer groups for home brewers and casual enthusiasts alike. (Richmond magazine)
- Please DO check out this fun interview with Metzger Bar & Butchery's chef and co-owner Brittanny Anderson, via the great video series "Coffee with Strangers." Anderson talks leaving New York, opening Metzger, how much coffee she drinks in a day (not-so-spoiler alert: many cups), and more. (Church Hill People's News)
- And here's a shout out to Blue Bee Cider, whose Fanfare cider was just picked as one of Wine Enthusiast's best easy-drinking ciders for the summer. (How many times can I say "cider" in one sentence? Apparently three.) (Wine Enthusiast)
Jump on into that weekend with beer, culture and some (OK, a lot of) barbecue:
- First off, the Greek Festival starts today! Head out to snack on some souvlaki at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and grab some galaktoboureko for the ride home. BONUS: Did you know you can place orders ahead of time? We truly live in the best of all possible worlds, though we do recommend sticking around once you've grabbed your food; you don't want to miss that agora full of vendors and crafts. (Richmond Greek Festival)
- Saving up for a cheat day? (Is that how those things work?) If yes on both counts, Saturday could be the time to use it because it's time for the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ festival at Richmond International Raceway. There will be beer, there will be bourbon, there will be barbecue, there will be live music, and we hope there will also be Wetnaps. (Beer, Bourbon & BBQ)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- And now for something completely expected but still wondrous: a compilation of Gordon Ramsay's greatest insults. (Buzzfeed)
- Up in New York, Russ & Daughters just released a limited-edition skateboard featuring a giant photo of smoked whitefish and I will tell you right now that I will risk breaking my arm/jaw/every bone in my body by doing unlimited Ollies if I can get my hands on one of those. (I don't actually know how to do an Ollie.) (First We Feast)
- Other ideas for looking (and keeping) cool this summer: iced coffee pops, plus how to make 'em at home. (Mashable)
'Til next time, put the lime in the coconut.
