Good afternoon, RVA! We've got some great news ahead in all things delicious including, but not limited, to gourmet mushrooms, new restaurants, dog-friendly events and more, more, more. Let's dig in, shall we?
—Wondering what would take The Viceroy's newly vacant space? The answer, readers, is Buddy's Place, and it looks like most of the trademark Buddy's decor is moving along with the restaurant. (Richmond.com)
—If you're a bit of a mushroom head, Richmond's getting its own gourmet, indoor mushroom producer thanks to Urban Choice Mushroom Farm. I'm salivating already. (RVAnews)
—Rejoice, Bon Air! Perk!, a new coffee shop, is slated to open by the end of the year. (Richmond BizSense)
—MORE NEW RESTAURANTS! Mbargo, replacing M Bistro and Wine Bar in Rocketts Landing, is now open! (Richmond.com)
—For the next month, every week we'll be taking you behind the scenes of our November cover story - Richmond's 25 best restaurants - and into the kitchens of Richmond's top chefs. The first video is already up on the site: Bistro Bobette's Chef Francis Devilliers teaches us the secrets to a perfect Trout Almondine. (Richmond magazine)
—A perfect pairing: The Virginia Wine Expo just named Richmond CenterStage as its charitable beneficiary. Celebrating the arts and wine? What's not to love? (Richmond CenterStage)
—And don't forget to vote for your favorite RVA burger in the Richmond Burger Beatdown, because there can be only one. (Visit Richmond, VA)
—And we're halfway through Richmond Restaurant Week! Be sure to stop in for deluxe prix fixe menus across town, all for $25.14. (RVAnews)
—In upcoming events, this Saturday is the Scott's Addition Pumpkin Festival, featuring local eats, drinks, movie screenings, live music and more. (Scott's Addition Pumpkin Festival)
—And if you're cruisin' for a boozin', Hardywood celebrates three full years of beer on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. with exclusive brews, food trucks and music by The Red Hot Lava Men, Goldrush, and Black Girls. (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery)
—Still thirsty? Head to Center of the Universe for GROWL-O-WEEN, a dog-centric, craft-beer event on Saturday (2 to 5 p.m.) that benefits The Friends of Hanover Dog Parks and the Hanover SPCA. Costumes welcome! (Center of the Universe)
—And don't forget that Fire, Flour & Fork kicks off next week. Even The Daily Meal is talking about it. (The Daily Meal)
—Speaking of which, Richmond's own Sean Brock is returning to RVA for a signing and dinner event during Fire, Flour & Fork. Style Weekly's got the details, and an interview. (Style Weekly)
And now the links that aren't necessarily RVA-centric but are fun nonetheless:
—Here's lookin' at you, Starbucks fans; the chain releases its new holiday drink on Nov. 12. The concoction? A Chestnut Praline Latte. (Huffington Post)
—Speaking of seasonal, embrace the heck out of fall with this quick 'n' easy tutorial on roasting pumpkin seeds. (Food52)
—What's it like to be a "female chef"? Dominique Crenn, a two-Michelin-starred chef, responds to the bigger question: Why does sexism in the culinary world have to exist at all? (Munchies)
—Finnish death-metal cough drops. And yes, there is a video. (Food Republic)
—And in my favorite international news story of the week, one woman mourned the loss of her relationship by spending an entire week inside a KFC, eating chicken wings until she could no longer stand the taste of chicken. This is what Hero Status looks like. Sad, but commendable, Hero Status. (Time)
—And now for my favorite headline of the week: "Chili's Cook Takes Arousing Shirtless Selfies in Kitchen, Gets Fired." (Foodbeast)
And on that note, have an excellent and food-and-drink-packed weekend!