Happy Friday, and happy Friday the 13th if your name is Jason. This week, we've got a slew of great news items, including, but not limited to: hops-infused vodka! A new restaurant with a patio! More doughnuts! Fried chicken! Let's jump right in; the water's fine.
- Kicking it off with some extra-exciting news, the highly anticipated Rancho T has picked its chef! Aaron Cross, formerly of Keswick Hall and Lemaire, will head the kitchen of the new restaurant from Tuffy Stone and Ed Vasaio, and he'll give Richmond a taste of the menu at the next Hill and Holler dinner. (Note: Our original post now includes the finalized Hill and Holler menu!) (Richmond magazine)
- In more extra-exciting restaurant news, Hutch — the bound-to-be-delicious spot from the owners and chef of Toast — opens on Monday with roughly 100 seats and a patio. Its menu sports prime rib poutine, which will probably be the only thing I dream about tonight. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- And if you're craving something sweet on the West End, Country Style Donuts just opened its second location, at 8902 W. Broad St. Sugar for all! (Richmond BizSense)
- Sweet news to keep on your radar: Shyndigz is opening not only a to-go outpost, but a biscuit spot as well! Shyndigz 2go — opening at the beginning of April — will offer a selection of retail items (as well as those so-popular Shyndigz desserts) and The Fancy Biscuit — opening at the beginning of May — will offer brunch in addition to, well, fancy biscuits. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Comfort's fried chicken is still in the running for best dish in the state, and voting ends on Monday. What are you doing still reading this? Go vote! (Virginia Tourism Corp.)
- In beverage news, Capital Ale House is now infusing vodka with hops. What are you doing still reading this? Go drink in the name of science! (Richmond magazine)
- No, that green-dyed Bud Light doesn't count as Irish beer, even if you're drinking it on St. Patrick's Day. There are some fantastic Irish-style beers out there, though, and Triple Crossing's co-founder wants you to try them. Check out his great recommendations for Irish-influenced beer available around town. (RVANews)
- Do you like to eat for free? Sure you do. Lemaire's giving away a $50 gift card to anyone who visits between March 16 and April 6, takes a photo of their food and tags it "#ShareLemaire" on Instagram. Easy, peasy. (Lemaire Restaurant)
- COFFEE ALERT: Head on over to The Dog & Pig Show in Church Hill for free coffee all day with the purchase of any sweet; might we suggest trying their butter coffee? (And don't forget to pick up a bag of Pig Candy while you're at it.) (The Dog & Pig Show)
- One of the toughest, most time-consuming hang-ups of opening a new restaurant is securing a Virginia ABC liquor license. If you're looking for tips on how to get through this process alive, or are simply curious as to how it all happens, check out these tips on navigating those lengthy roles of red tape. (Big Spoon Agency)
- And last, but certainly not least, a huge congratulations to Metzger Bar & Butchery for taking Style Weekly's Restaurant of the Year award! (Style Weekly)
Step into spring with these events:
- Tomorrow, Saturday, check out the Blue Bee Cider release of the new Smokey Winesap at Camden's Dogtown Market. Each apple was hickory- and applewood-smoked for 90 minutes, so that's fairly intriguing, plus there will be barbecue and a live string band! Suh-weeet. (And smoky.) (Blue Bee Cider)
- Then on Sunday, head to Gatherrva at 409 E. Main St. for a panel discussion on food in Richmond! Why does our city need a food co-op? What good does it do? How do we make food accessible to all? Find out, plus learn more about food sustainability from a panel of experts. (news release)
- Shamrock the Block takes over Boulevard on Sunday, with over 20 food vendors involved, plus wine on tap and beer that will most certainly be flowing in a near-constant stream (possibly directly into your mouth). If you're venturing out thattaways, be sure to hit up The Diamond for all your free-parking needs. (Richmond magazine)
- Next Wednesday, March 18, celebrate 10 years of Blanchard's Coffee with a party, limited-release coffee and limited-release coffee beer at Ardent Craft Ales. Happy anniversary, Blanchard's team! (Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Every now and again Foodbeast does something that's over-the-top wonderful. This week, they published a video of chefs reading 1-star Yelp reviews that customers have given them. What ensues is hilarity and magic. (Foodbeast)
- Looking to up your plating game? This new feature provides a few handy pro tips that'll help. (Food52)
- Paula Deen just released a cooking game app. Why she didn't call it "There Will Be Butter" is a complete mystery to us. (First We Feast)
- Powdered alcohol is a perfectly legal thing, and you'll probably see it popping up on shelves in the not-too-distant future. Apparently it's also legal to snort it, but we don't really condone that. (We're looking at you, L'OPOSSUM.) (Gizmodo)
'Til next time, start foraging for spring veggies.
