Head below for the latest helping of Richmond Food News. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Good Vibrations
It’s been a minute since the Richmond dining community gathered for a big event under one roof, and The Positive Vibe Foundation — the nonprofit that trains young adults with disabilities for careers in the culinary field — is looking to change that. Executive Director Michele Jones and board member Jason Alley, best known for giving us the dearly departed Comfort and Pasture, are bringing together some familiar faces from the local dining scene and a few out-of-town industry pals July 15 for the organization’s inaugural fundraising soiree, Positively Delicious. (Richmond magazine)
Pool Party
Hear that? It’s the “pool attendants” at Snack Bar blowing their whistles and calling on guests to break for frozen cocktails and hot dogs. Offering a more casual, walk-up option, the sister concept adjacent to tropical hideaway Little Nickel is now officially in action. Channeling the poolside bars of Palm Springs via easy bites and slushy-style sips, the weekend-only watering hole is serving serious summertime nostalgia. (Richmond magazine)
She Got the Beet
The smooth(ie) operator behind The Beet Box, Ashley Lewis deems one ingredient an absolute must. In our latest Spotlight feature, the mom and West Coast native behind the multilocation juice bar biz also shares her preferred pick-me-up tunes, off-the-clock activities and favorite place for a spa day. (Richmond magazine)
Pass the Plate
Recognizing the difficulty of making new friends, and the ease of connecting over a shared meal, Richmonders Melisa Ross and Gianna Stanley have formed their own version of a Meetup group, with food at the forefront. Through Social Club RVA, the duo host a monthly dinner series that invites strangers to gather at local restaurants with the goal of leaving fed and, perhaps, with a new pal. (Richmond magazine)
Roll With It
Succulent meat, melted butter, toasty bread — there’s no denying the allure of a lobster roll, and during its first major event, food truck Saltys Lobster & Co. sold nearly 10,000 in a weekend. Hailing from Roanoke and now rooted in Richmond, owner Jonathan Kelly talks about the beginnings of the business and its quick expansion. P.S.: Peep the latest menu addition, an uber-Instagrammable, soft-shell-meets-crabcake titan of a sandwich dubbed the Crabby Patty. (Richmond magazine)
Departures and Debuts
After six years of serving brasserie-inspired fare at The Shaved Duck, owner Joe Kmetz announced the Midlothian restaurant will be shutting its doors at the end of the month.
Earlier this week, Sincero bid farewell to Hatch Local after serving as one of the OG vendors at the Manchester food hall. New tenants taking over are TBT El Gallo, the eatery from Carlos Ordaz-Nunez with a triple threat of tacos, burritos and tortas, and Mediterranean restaurant Greek on Cary. (Richmond BizSense)
Joining the growing Westhampton corridor, The Pit and the Peel debuted its fourth area location at 5820 Patterson Ave. after closing its Carytown outpost earlier this year.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, open since 2014 in Short Pump Town Center, has closed its Broad Street outpost. (Richmond BizSense)
ICYMI
North Side’s newest resident, Neighbor is serving up traditional bar fare paired with a come-back-and-see-us hospitality. (Richmond magazine)
Sweetness and spice team up for a delectable combo in creations from a mangonada to a plantain-based sandwich. (Richmond magazine)
A salmon- and shrimp-studded masterpiece, Axelsdotter bakery’s Swedish sandwich cake, smörgåstårta, is back. (Richmond magazine)
Just in time for those spirited summer sessions with the pals, Belle Isle Moonshine has released its latest infusion, Prickly Pear. Destined for margaritas, spritzers or a simple seltzer, the tart-sweet libation is available at the distillery or online.
Goatocado owner Ian Newell has been gaining inspiration for his latest project during the past decade while calling Varina home. Stay tuned for more details on Celeste Farms, a dreamy destination for al fresco dining experiences along Route 5.
Back for its third go-round, Summer Supper Somm is celebrating tomato season with a series of events dedicated to the fruits of the vine. The showcase of Hanover tomatoes and wines from Barboursville Vineyards kicks off June 26 at Shagbark, with stops at Lehja, Yellow Umbrella Provisions and the Michelin-starred Marcel’s in Washington, D.C.
Marking a serious leveling up in her culinary career, restaurateur Brittanny Anderson of Brenner Pass, Black Lodge, and Metzger Bar & Butchery is now the sole owner of all three concepts.
Nate’s Bagels owner Nate Matthews and his wife, Lauren, have bought into the always bustling Scott’s Addition. While the plans are unclear as yet, the Matthews did purchase a 3,500-square-foot building at 1219 Highpoint Ave. Bagel factory, perhaps? (Richmond BizSense)
RVA Love
“Broad City” star and creator, stoner queen, and stand-up comedian Ilana Glazer brought her vivacious energy to RVA last week — even dropping it low in the streets of downtown — with a performance at the Dominion Energy Center. Beforehand, like a true New Yorker, she secured a seat at the city’s retro Jewish diner, Perly’s.
Veteran- and woman-owned Three Crosses Distilling Company in Powhatan was named the Virginia Flavored Whiskey Distillery of the Year at the 14th Annual New York International Spirits Competition. (News release)
Upcoming Events
- Bad Name Pop-up, Homme Essentials (June 16): Young Mother’s Daniel Harthausen rolls out a menu of LA-inspired burritos.
- Summer Rosé Tasting, The Kitchen Classroom (June 16): Sample the pink bubbles of the season from Barrel Thief, paired with tips from cheesemonger Sara Adduci and plenty of nosh.
- The Juneteenth Vegan Experience, The Diamond (June 17): A multicultural vegan mini conference featuring music, vendors, and food from local eateries and Atlanta-based SluttyVegan ATL
- Daddy Issues Art Market, Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop (June 17): Dayum This Is My Jam hosts the queer makers market with over 20 artists and makers. Bonus: Snag a sessionable variety pack from the taproom.
- Keg ’N’ Oyster Fest, Hardywood West Creek (June 18): The ninth annual briny Father’s Day tradition is back, with local bivalves, the release of Oyster Stout and live music.
- Juneteenth Block Party Festival, Diversity Richmond (June 18):The third annual celebration hosted by The Black Village of RVA features 100-plus vendors with food trucks and tunes.
- Juneteenth Menu, Sunflower Gardenz (Pickup June 19): Preorder now from a menu inspired by food the owners grew up enjoying at their “grannies house.”
- Garden to Garden: Tea Garden Cocktails, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (June 20): Mixologist Beth Dixon leads a demonstration on how to whip up three herbaceous twists on classic sips.
- Wine Pairing Dinner, Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen (June 21): A five-course dinner from chef David Dunlap paired with Terra D’Oro wines
- Essentials of Craft Beer Class With Lee Graves, Ardent Barrel Room (June 21 and 28): Author and hop head Lee Graves explores the fundamentals of beer in this two-week course.
