Green Java Joint It's not only the dark brew that's organic at Ellwood's Coffee. Just take a look at the baristas' 100 percent organic, fair-trade cotton shirts that proudly display phrases like "drink local" and "made in the shade." Most everything at this socially conscious establishment, which opened its doors in early February across the parking lot from its namesake, Ellwood Thompson's Local Market, is "green," from the biodegradable cups to the bits of recycled material used in the concrete floor. Sip on a local, organic and biodynamic wine or beer while surfing the net on Ellwood's "free-range Internet" and listening to live music. Admire the wall art by local artists, which is for sale and changes every two months. Or dine on a watercress-and-glass-noodle salad, just one of the many options on the menu created by the market's culinary staff. Of course, the coffee turned out by the shop's Clover, an $11,000 machine credited with producing the perfect cup of joe by combining techniques from the French-press and the vacuum brewer, is definitely the main attraction. The 2,500-square-foot cafe has been dubbed a "community place," says Cyndi Watkins, the overseer of marketing and buyer of all local items for Ellwood's — a neat little spot to meet other Richmonders with a keen focus on keeping things local. Breakfast sandwiches are served from 6 to 11 a.m., and fresh baked products are constantly delivered. The hours of operation for Ellwood's Coffee are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and the lunch and dinner menus are served until closing. ( 10 S. Thompson St., 612-1827 ) —Sharon Tully Lessons in Design Studio K by Kambourian, a custom-jewelry shop that opened in March, is owned by sixth-generation jewelers Haig and Melissa Kambourian, but the siblings are doing things a little bit differently: Their store will conduct jewelry-design classes. For a one-time fee of less than $100, students will be guided from start to finish as they work to complete a project, including unlimited bench time to finish the piece. On the retail side of things, Studio K offers a mix of estate jewelry and custom jewelry, all of which is handmade at the shop, as well as repair and appraisal services. "We work in gold, silver and platinum," says Melissa Kambourian, who describes their style as "modern." Every month, the studio also will host a catered, after-hours art show featuring one or two local artists, whose work will be for sale in Studio K throughout the month. ( 3317 W. Cary St., 254-4653 ) —Adrian Brinkley Carytown's New Captain Thom Suddeth, who has helped Richmond runners since 1983 at his shop, Road Runner Running Store (located since 2003 at 3002 W. Cary St.), will now be providing the same kind of guidance to his neighbors as president of the Carytown Merchants Association. He was elected to the position by his peers earlier this year. "He's really proactive," says Julia Battaglini, owner of Carytown's River City Cellars, just half a block from Suddeth's shop. Suddeth, who also co-owns Carytown Bicycle Co. ( 3224 W. Cary St. ), says that his vision is to establish block captains throughout the shopping district, individuals who would maintain consistent communication between the businesses on their block and the merchants association. "If I accomplish anything in 2009, I want to facilitate better communication with the merchants," Suddeth says. "That way, if we set up events, we can have everyone on board." —Bethany Emerson Momo Mia! Momotaro Sushi, which joined Carytown's growing coterie of sushi salons on New Year's Eve 2008, is named for a boy who emerged from a giant peach. Momotaro grew up to be a hero, destroying ogres and demons across the land. The Carytown restaurant has humbler goals — thrilling customers with its sushi and sashimi. Prices for portions of sushi, sashimi and rolls begin at $3.95. The highest-priced item is the $13.95 Carytown roll, filled with tuna, salmon, sea bass, tobiko (fly-fish roe) and drizzled with three house sauces. Jessica Page, a server, often pairs the Momotaro roll — spicy crab topped with a piquant cream sauce — with unfiltered sake, a rice wine with some heft. "Sake was made to drink with sushi," she says, adding, "it's like drinking red wine with steak." For 25 years, Fern Allen and her husband lived near the Sushi Academy of California and often ate what could be considered the best sushi in the country. "[Momotaro] is the only place I will eat my sushi," Allen says. "If the fish is fresh and simple, it's all you need. I just want to eat in a place with a genuine chef who knows how to cut fish," she says. ( 2803 W. Cary St., 355-0060 ). —Sara Daves
