A flavorful collection of the latest Food News awaits below. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Losing Stock
Open for nearly 40 years, Carytown grocer Ellwood Thompson’s is experiencing growing pains. A group of local farmers and purveyors say they have gone months without payment from the store, which was acquired in 2023 and may be part of an upcoming merger. Some suppliers have stopped deliveries; others say they are weighing whether to do the same. (Richmond magazine)
‘Hot and Heavy’
Prepare to enter a pint-sized pizza shop with hefty portions. The Sicilian-inspired, nostalgia-inducing Pizzeria Delores is now open in Scott’s Addition, slinging thick, square pies and serving up serious cinematic vibes. (Richmond magazine)
Best & Worst: Food and Drink
Every year, we call on readers to share their local favorites, and the results of our annual Best & Worst survey are in. Looking to snag a reso at the hottest dinner spot in town? Searching for the top neighborhood lunch spot? Plotting where to take your vegetarian parents or the taco lover in your life? A bounty of answers awaits. (Richmond magazine)
Farm Foundation
A Richmond-born farmer and food justice advocate, Duron Chavis has long championed community-based agriculture and food sovereignty. We caught up with him to talk about the future of farming, his local vision for cultivating agri-communities and more. Chavis’ Happily Natural Festival returns for its 23rd year this Saturday, Aug. 29. (Richmond magazine)
Mark Those Calendars
Ashley Williams, founder of The Well Collective, is bringing together eight chefs from three Southern cities for a benefit dinner on Sept. 3. Set against the historic backdrop of the 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom, Rooted: A Celebration of Food, Place and People is a multicourse gathering featuring wines from Afton’s Valley Road Vineyards.
Tickets are live for Old School vs. New School Volume 3 on Sept. 24. A battle of the bottles, the dinner features two distinct wine pairings for each course and invites guests to determine the top fit. Sommelier Justin Ferguson will be representing the OG, more classic options, while Troy Hancock, formerly of The Roosevelt, plans to pour more modern choices. In the kitchen: James Beard Award-nominated chef Leah Branch, also of The Roosevelt.
ICYMI
Fresh-baked bread and simple ingredients are the premise behind the newly opened Antonelli’s Deli on Patterson Avenue. (Richmond magazine)
The neighborhood ice cream truck isn’t disappearing, it’s evolving. (Richmond magazine)
Budding local bartender Anja Reyes shares her potions. (Richmond magazine)
Take a trip down memory lane with a visit to longstanding West End favorite Melito’s. (Richmond magazine)
RVADine Adieus and Debuts
- If there was one sure bet during my first-year of college debauchery at Virginia Commonwealth University, it was that my roommates and I would be dialing in and ordering a late-night pie from Assante’s Pizza to soak up all the booze-filled adventures prior. After 20 years in business, the Broad Street takeout pizza shop has shuttered. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Charlotte’s Southern Deli, the eatery fueling the downtown lunch crowd since 2019, is closing its doors Sept. 4. Owners Paul and Nikki Polk plan to find a new space and introduce Viola’s, a restaurant dedicated to the grandmothers of Virginia.
- After 13 years in Carytown, The Daily Kitchen & Bar will close following its final brunch service on Sept. 6. During its run, the health-conscious restaurant became a destination for vegetarian and gluten-free diners. While parent company Richmond Restaurant Group plans to keep The Daily’s Short Pump location open, the Carytown space will be reimagined as a new dining concept.
- After nearly eight years of smoking meats in Manchester, Pig & Brew has closed.
- New owners have purchased Tokyo Market — run in recent years by the family of late owner Chong Akiba following her 2024 death — and will reopen the shop as Haru. (Richmond BizSense)
Late-Night Latkes: Jewish deli Susie’s is keeping the party going into the wee hours of the evening. Starting Sept. 1, the Cary Street restaurant will stay open on Tuesday and Wednesday until 10 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday until midnight. Expect latkes, fries by the bowl, za’atar chicken wings and a condensed sandwich menu, along with their spritzes and other sips.
Dolly Forever: We’re collectively mourning the loss of the legendary Dolly Parton — a country icon, fearless feminist and deeply generous humanitarian. To celebrate her spirit, Bon Appétit shared some of her best food-centric quotes, including a classic shout-out to spuds.
Little Bites
- Scott’s Addition restaurant and bar Harry’s at Hofheimer was hit with a nearly $60,000 erroneous water bill. (Axios Richmond)
- Foragers and fruit fanatics, there have been whisperings of pawpaw sightings in the woods and near the river banks — time to do some exploring. The native fruits reminiscent of banana and mango appear each year and are gone just as quickly as they appear.
- Cherry Almond Kirby Rolls and other Nintendo-inspired treats await at Minglewood Bake Shop. The Carytown vegan bakery is currently running a special menu dedicated to classic video games.
Upcoming Events
- SoBar: A Sober Speakeasy, Alchemy Coffee (Aug. 28): Every Friday, the cafe transforms into a nonalcoholic bar.
- Lisa Makes Pie Pop-up, Outside Ninja Kombucha (Aug. 28): Grab a pie from this local maker during the Final Friday block party.
- Cars & Coffee Richmond, Stony Point Fashion Park (Aug. 29): The morning meetup of cool rides, coffee encouraged
- Flavors of Morocco, The Kitchen Classroom (Aug. 30): Learn how to whip up dishes including saffron and herb couscous and Moroccan lemon cake.
- Somm Showdown, Lillian (Aug. 30): Two sommeliers face off to present their version of the best pour.
- RVA Girl Dinner, Bar Buoy (Aug. 30): A craft session paired with seafood, drink specials and a bit of bonding
- Dosa Waffles, Pi’s Coffee (Aug. 30): A special breakfast of dosa waffles with a themed drink menu
- Southern Italy: Volcanic Wines and Coastal Reds, Echelon Wine Bar (Sept. 2): Sip on wines from regions where ancient soil awakens minerality.
