Today is overcast. That's OK. Let this drink photo, and the news of Quirk Hotel's new rooftop bar, get you through this weather until warmer days return. (Photo by: Stephanie Breijo)
Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? This week's Food News is packed with kolaches, craft cocktails, roofs and coops and more:
- Great googly moogly, Quirk Hotel's new rooftop (bar) is finally open and it is glorious. Weather permitting, this stylish 200-capacity downtown spot is open daily from 5 p.m. until as late as midnight, and it offers its own unique cocktail and small bites menus, a special Hardywood beer collaboration on draft, and great views of the city in just about every direction. Eventually, we'll see an expanded food selection, dining pop-ups, early morning yoga and possibly even weekend brunch. It slices, it dices, it does it all. We've got a slideshow and more details this-a-ways!
- In more openings, Citizen Burger Bar, or CBB, is now serving up burgers and 100+ beers in the former Portrait House space at 2907 W. Cary St. Carytown's now got its very own version of the Charlottesville-based concept, and will feature some RVA-inspired menu items soon enough. It's also got a new spot for watching all of the sports imaginable, because it feels like it's got all of the TVs imaginable (including, even, semi-private screens for the high-top tables). Would you like to know more? Want to take a look around? We've got your back.
- Coming Soon: After Secco Wine Bar locks up the doors at 2933 W. Cary St. in Carytown and heads to the Fan this summer, Capital One will move on in and open, hold on, what? Yes, a coffee shop. But it's also a bank. But it's a bank that isn't really a bank, it's a bank that doesn't fully manage your accounts but just lets you know about online banking with Capital One. It's a quasi-bank and a café. I don't know, just go with it. (Style Weekly)
- In more coffee news, the Eastern Shore-inspired Shore Dog Café is now open at 435 N. Ridge Road in Henrico, serving up caffeine creations along with beer, wine and entrees such as flatbread pizza. (Style Weekly)
- I'm thinking of getting a petition going that'll rename a three-block stretch of West Broad Street to "The Coop Route," because the site of the Arby's, a Broad landmark for 48 years, will become a Zaxby's by fall. Right next door is Chicken Fiesta, and a couple blocks down is Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. It's like a different type of playing chicken, where everyone wins. (WTVR / CBS 6)
- Do you remember when we told you about Craft Kolache, the local bakery concept that's bringing the Texas-Czech treat to Richmond? Over in Church Hill, it looks as though it's found its new storefront at 600 N. 29th St., the former space of Chocolates By Kelly. (If you'd like to drop in on what those guys have been up to in their new facility, click right here.) (RVANews / Richmond magazine)
- In brew news, Hardywood is heading west (again), this time to Charlottesville! Its new C-ville brewery, taproom and beer garden will focus more on collaborations and experimental techniques, and should be open by September. Meanwhile, the brewery's new facility in Goochland is still on track to open its first phase next year. (Richmond magazine)
- Looking for a more immersive way to dine? Might I suggest the tasting menu, wherein you take a seat and let the chef cook for you whatever their heart desires, with food allergies and requests taken into account? It's an adventure and an experience, so grab a few of your favorite dining companions and check out some of these spots around town that offer plate after plate of creative dishes you can only find on the tasting menu. (Richmond magazine)
- Now let's fast-forward to June, when ramen enthusiasts can find can find Shoryuken Ramen's Will Richardson launching Shoryuken Naam, his new pop-up venture out of Lunch/Supper in Scott's Addition. Beginning June 6, Richardson will merge both his Eastern and Southern heritage every Monday and donate some of the pop-up's proceeds to the Southern Foodways Alliance, which helps to further and preserve Southern American food and culture. And don't forget: There's still time to visit Shoryuken Ramen in the Fan one last time before it shutters. Please be sure to stop by and thank Shoryuken partner Sarah Choi and all the ramen ninjas for their hard work and delicious food. (Style Weekly)
Ready for the weekend? It's ready for you and it hopes you brought your appetite:
- Celebrate spring at Maifest, Metzger Bar & Butchery's block party that's giving the ol' finger to Ol' Man Winter. Expect German beer, DJ sets, oysters and German-inspired snacks available for purchase, all from noon to 9 p.m. (Metzger Bar & Butchery)
- BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! Also on Saturday afternoon, you can head to Ardent Craft Ales for ZZQ's first day of its weekly residency. Every Saturday from noon until the food runs out, you'll find the 'cue team slingin' brisket, pulled pork and other goodies, including new sausages, sides and more. Want more details? Got your back.
- And on Saturday night, dine for an excellent cause at the 14th annual SCAN Progressive Dinner & Auction. Enjoy bites from Richmond chefs in a number of lovely West End and Near West End homes, and your ticket proceeds help to fight child abuse. Begin at 5 p.m. and taste your way through beautiful settings. Nothing not to love.
- Then on Sunday, bite into something sweet at a tasting from Chocolates By Kelly and Ironclad Coffee Roasters at Perk! Coffee + Lunchbox from 2 to 4 p.m. Five bucks gets you four tastings, or enjoy it for free with any $10 purchase at Perk! (Perk!)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- There's a new act in Congress that could change the lives of young would-be farmers forever: Under the Young Farmer Success Act, farmers could have their student loans forgiven after working one decade on an eligible farm and making regular loan payments during that time. This could be a gamechanger for the farming industry, which is currently seeing sweeping bouts of retirement but few to carry the torch (or any of those crops) and pick up where they left off. (Civil Eats)
- Guilty pleasures: We've all got 'em. Here, a few acclaimed chefs weigh in on their favorite fast-food finds. Honestly, I don't even consider In-N-Out to be fast food because it's really sort of just a way of life, you know? (GQ)
'Til next time, I'll take that Double-Double Animal Style, please.
