Adarra Restaurant (Photo by Shawnee Custalow)
70 / Best Restaurants Our team of food writers fanned out across the region to compile this guide to 25 superlative restaurants, from where to find the strongest “Great Gatsby” vibes to where the homestyle cooking is most likely to make you smile.
84 / A Holiday Almanac Richmond treasures its traditions, and we’ve created a calendar highlighting events throughout the season and looking at what gives them staying power, plus what’s new this year.
90 / Hope or Hype? With promises to end pain and wipe out cancer, stem cell therapy is being touted as a miracle cure. But how much confidence should patients place in this new, evolving field? By Tharon Giddens
110 / Driving Development There’s much to do in Midlothian, but you have to drive to get there. By Dina Weinstein
116 / Speaking for the Trees An arboretum takes root on the Chesterfield County government campus. By Don Harrison
138 / Out of the Ordinary It’s important to do your research before bringing an exotic animal into your home. By Eileen Abbott
144 / Seeking an Alternative Nontraditional therapies provide new approaches for pet health care. By Paula Peters Chambers
UPFRONT
18 / From the Editor
LOCAL
26 / Review We revisit a few of the region’s finer and not-so-fine moments from 2019.
28 / Remembrance These Richmonders and their influence will not soon be forgotten.
30 / Prognostication The team at The Peedmont satirical news site offers predictions for 2020.
32 / Picture This Scenes from 2019 as captured by Richmond magazine Senior Photographer Jay Paul
34 / My Take The Richmond Ballet’s “Nutcracker” production models a movement toward inclusivity. By Kristen Green
38 / News Virginia’s chief data officer aims to improve state government by making better use of its information systems.
40 / Flashback The mother of all tacky lights tours began with a bright idea. By Harry Kollatz Jr.
184 / Look Back What is bestselling author and former Richmonder Patricia Cornwell up to now?
A&E
44 / Best of 7 Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” statue arrives, along with the harmony of Street Corner Symphony, comedy from Jen Kirkman, and “Bionic Me” at the Science Museum of Virginia, and a Patsy Cline tribute returns.
48 / Q&A Saxophonist Gerald Albright has played with some big names, but the vocalist at his Christmas show might be his favorite.
50 / Profile A University of Richmond professor’s book looks at courts’ inability to separate hip-hop artists from their lyrics.
54 / Spotlight For the first time, dancers in Richmond will be honored publicly by their peers at the RVA Dance Awards.
LIVING
57 / Style Stocking a holiday bar cart with some Richmond favorites
60 / Fitness & Wellness A champion pickleballer calls Chesterfield home.
62 / Health Five tips to de-stress and detox your life
64 / Travel A taste of Southern cooking in Staunton
68 / Family Give of yourself this holiday season. By James Warren
EAT & DRINK
173 / Ingredient Ginger adds zing to any dish.
174 / 5 Faves Sans-booze sips to celebrate mocktail hour
175 / Quick Take Brewer’s Waffles in Manchester
176 / Q&A The sweet journey of Chocolates by Kelly owner Kelly Walker Wombold
178 / Open Tab Ring in the season with a barkeep’s guide to eggnog on the fly.
