Good afternoon and happy end o' the Friday to ya. We've got so much goodness coming our way: new restaurants and coffee shops, incredible events, waffle bars, Restaurant Week, Taco Bell home delivery; it's a wonderful time to be alive and eating, Richmond.
- Spring Richmond Restaurant Week is almost upon us! Start planning your week with these participating restaurant menus, then begin your jaw stretches/eating training montage. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- When I say classic rock, you say pour-over coffee! OK, maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but the bound-for-Broad Street coffee shop, Classic Rock Cafe, says otherwise. (Richmond BizSense)
- And if you're looking to sate some cravings for fried fish, Jus' Fish is now open in Church Hill and serving up some sea life. It looks like they also sell fries, but for the most part, it's ... wait for it ... jus' fish. (Church Hill People's News)
- What could be better than Ellwood Thompson's Local Market's expanded menu and glassed-in dining area/performance space/community discussion room? (Whew.) A waffle bar, obviously. The healthy-food hot spot is revamping its look and doubling its juice bar, plus much more. There's a lot of good stuff to come (breakfast sandwiches!), and we can expect it all by June 1. (Richmond magazine)
- Speaking of eating healthy, the time for great produce is N O W. Thanks to this handy guide to Richmond-area CSAs, eating fresh, healthy and local has never been easier. (Think "Pumping Iron" but instead of a movie about weightlifting, it's your new leafy greens ingestion mantra.) (RVANews)
- And let's not forget the most wonderful time of the (produce) year: 'Tis the season for ramps. What are they? Where can you find them? What are some of this season's best dishes featuring this allium angel? We're here to help. (Richmond magazine)
- New location, new swagger: Citizen is moving to a larger spot, with nearly double the seats! The new space at 1203 E. Main St.will also bring extended hours, real flatware and beer and wine. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Meanwhile, over on the South Side, Tazza Kitchen just fit an enormous pizza oven into its new location! (John Haggai)
- In the West End, Hutch is now serving lunch! (Hutch)
- And over on Cary Street, Dinamo starts its new delivery service on Monday, April 13! (Dinamo)
- According to Buzzfeed, one of the best places in the country to get a slice o' pie is, as we're all already well aware, Proper Pie Co.! Welcome to the fold of fanatics, guys. (Buzzfeed)
- And #RVAdine got another national shout-out this week, specifically Lemaire, Stella's, Sally Bell's, Pasture, Croaker's Spot, Rappahannock, Perly’s Restaurant & Delicatessen and The Daily Kitchen & Bar, plus chefs Lee Gregory, Peter Chang and Dale Reitzer, all mentioned in Forbes Travel Guide's "Spending Two Perfect Days in Richmond, Virginia." (Forbes)
Whatever the weather, food events are there for you:
- Tonight's Swine & Brine event at Ardent Craft Ales is sold out. If you're going and want to anticipate every moment/sip/bite, read our preview. If you didn't get tickets and you're a total masochist, you can also read our preview. (Richmond magazine)
- By the by, happy 21st birthday, Legend Brewing Co.! Everyone can celebrate on Saturday at their family-friendly anniversary party featuring live music, BEER, discounts for designated drivers and, of course, BEER. (Legend Brewing Co.)
- After your "congratulations on turning legal, Legend!" afternoon, head to Robinson Theater Community Arts Center for the Church Hill Prom for Grown Folks, the Richmond Cycling Corps benefit that features bites from Metzger Bar & Butchery, Dutch & Co., The Roosevelt, Sub Rosa, Patrick Henry Pub & Grille, Proper Pie Co., Union Market, WPA Bakery and more. Will there be dancing? Absolutely. Will there be awkward prom-like moments? Possibly. (And you get bonus points in my heart if you show up in your actual prom attire.) (Church Hill Prom for Grown Folks)
- And on Wednesday, April 15, you can catch a special pop-up at The Cask Cafe featuring food from Mike Braune, the so-talented chef of The Roosevelt and formerly of Secco Wine Bar. (The Cask Cafe)
- Next Thursday, April 16, you can catch a Spanish wine tasting in The Room at Secco, and because we live in the best of all possible worlds, there will be tapas. Join the founder of De Maison Selections, plus winemaker Antonio Arévalo of Garcia Arévalo, pouring glass after glass of wine, for only $40 (this includes food, tax, gratuity, memories, laughter, etc.). (news release)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Cheese is love, so why not spread it to everyone, including vegans and the lactose-intolerant? The next big trend could in fact be gourmet cheese made from nuts. Here's a fascinating piece on the science behind how it gets made. (NPR)
- Cut through the density of that dressing and the sugar of that starch with vinegar. A handful of chefs share handy tips on what to use, and when. (See also: vinegar cocktails.) (Serious Eats)
- And because the Taco Bell could toll for thee at any time, the company just announced it will begin testing a delivery service this year. I'm not crying, you're crying. (Food Beast)
'Til next time, please order me a 7-Layer Burrito.
