Virginia Boiled Peanut Hummus at Gather & Hem (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Virginia Boiled Peanut Hummus
$16 at Gather & Hem, 501 E. Broad St.
At Gather & Hem, a swanky new cocktail lounge inside the Hilton Richmond Downtown, the kitchen has remixed a classic app with a Virginia mainstay. Boiled peanuts are blended with tahini, Mediterranean spices and Greek olive oil, resulting in a shareable, delightfully crunchy accoutrement to a cocktail. —Eileen Mellon
Peking Duck
$MP at Full Kee, 6400 Horsepen Road
A multiday process yields a highly coveted maroon veneer of crackling outside and juicy, tender meat within, served with a stack of thin pancakes meant for wrapping strips of green onion, crunchy prawn chips and a sweet bean sauce. To secure a whole or half duck, you’ll need either impeccable timing or to call ahead and reserve one. —Stephanie Ganz
Gus’ Classic Club
$14 at Gus’ Italian Cafe & Sports Bar, 7358 Bell Creek Road
Gus’ Classic Club has been a longtime go-to for this Mechanicsville native. Its deliciousness lies in its simplicity: ham, smoked turkey, bacon, provolone and American cheeses (try substituting cheddar) layered between crisp slices of sourdough. —Nicole Cohen
