IT'S PIMENTO CHEESE O' CLOCK. It's actually always pimento cheese o' clock, but now we have a day devoted to it. What? Yes! Read more, below. (Photo: Justin Vaughan)
Hey there! How do you feel about green chile mac 'n' cheese? What about beer and wine? What about being in the TOP 10 DINING DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD? I thought so. Read on:
- First off, in #breaking news, there's a new restaurant heading to the Gleneagles Shopping Center in Henrico County. Though we were sad to see The Urban Tavern close (in fact, it was one of our Best New Restaurants of 2015), we're excited for Union Table & Tap, set to open on Feb. 4 with items such as green chile mac 'n' cheese and braised short rib nachos, plus live music. Check out the full details here. See also: chorizo sliders. (Richmond magazine)
- And the day after Union Table & Tap's opening, you'll find 1927 in the lobby of Altria Theater serving up gourmet panini, wraps and other items, every day of the week. Starting on Feb. 5, stop in for a tasty breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, grab lunch or catch a meal when you catch a show. Want more info? Right this way. (Richmond magazine)
- File under "thankful": Someone is finally leasing space in one of the best buildings in the city, and it's a brand new brewery. (All good things!) Vasen Brewing Co. will be just one of numerous tenants in Scott's Addition's HandCraft building at 1501 Roseneath Road, bringing a 2,800-square-foot tasting room into the fabulous — and enormous — former glassworks, then laundry, facility. (But also: how have Scott's Addition's streets not flooded with craft beer yet?) (Richmond BizSense)
- Speaking of craft beer, there's a job fair for Stone Brewing Co. next Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Powhatan Community Center. Get money, get paid. (Church Hill People's News)
- Apropos of nothing represented thus far in this newsletter, The Fresh Market just declared April 9 "Pimento Cheese Day" and will henceforth offer samples, pimento-cheese-related social media contests and more on this day. Want to learn more about this sacred spread? Our Ultimate Lunch Guide is now online, and you can learn all about its history therein. Go forth! (news release / Richmond magazine)
- Also, more well-deserved cheerleading for #RVAdine: National Geographic Traveler just named Richmond one of 10 top dining destinations in the world. Take that, Tokyo and Lima, Peru. Citing The Roosevelt, Blue Bee Cider, Heritage, Rappahannock, Belmont Butchery and more, the glowing review of our dining scene says that "chefs in this capital city with plenty of charm are now whipping up southern cuisine with a contemporary flair." We agree on all counts. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- And in hot-ticket future items, this Sunday's meticulously (and painstakingly) crafted Longoven dinner series is sold out, but you can get your tickets to the next one, also from Longoven and held at Sub Rosa, right over here. Much like the other dinners in this pop-up series, this Jan. 31 iteration will probably sell out. I can nearly guarantee it.
Ready for the weekend? IT'S READY FOR YOU AND IT HUNGERS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.
- This Saturday, put on your party hat because Union Market is turning 2! Expect lunch and dinner specials, raffle prizes and a special tap list. Live music begins at 2 p.m., but the fun runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Union Market)
- ALSO on Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m., catch the release party for Lickinghole Creek's Heir Apparent: a Mexican-spiced imperial stout. What's that, you say? You want more beer and live music? Well fortunately for you, this event at the brewery features a performance by Los Ramones, the cover band that sings Ramones songs in Spanish and involves Pasture and Comfort's own Jason Alley. Real. (Lickinghole Craft Creek Brewery)
- Saturday evening, help Max's Positive Vibe Cafe celebrate 11 years of cookin' food and helpin' the community by stopping by Vibefrost at the cafe from 5 to 10 p.m. You'll hear tons of live music, plus you can order from their menu featuring items such as pan-seared rockfish and Hardywood-braised short ribs. There is a $5 suggested donation, and remember, these guys do good work. (news release)
- OH MY NOSH: On Sunday and Monday, from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Richmond Jewish Food Festival is here for you with babka and bubbes galore. Take a peek behind the scenes with this great look at the makings of the festival and all those stuffed cabbage rolls you know are going to be delicious. Also, I'll be there eating, and at the Rmag table, and also probably eating at the Rmag table. Come say hi, yeah? (RVANews)
- There are still a few tickets left for Monday's Second Annual Ardent Craft Beer Dinner at Heritage, where Joe Sparatta (Heritage and Southbound), Adam Hall (Saison), Ian Boden (The Shack), Craig Perkinson (Southbound) and Mike Hill (Heritage) will be cooking up a multicourse meal paired with a number of Ardent's beers. Call 353-4060 to reserve your seats.
- What's that? You're more into wine these days? FEAR NOT. Metzger Bar & Butchery's got you covered with a Riesling dinner where you'll get four courses, plus wine pairings, all for $65. Plus, you'll get to learn about German Rieslings, which is priceless. Knowledge, wine, food. Score. Get yer tickets here. (Metzger Bar & Butchery)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Let's hear it for ugly-duckling produce, which is helping to feed the hungry and eliminate food waste across the nation. Here's a look at how a few partnerships and programs are makin' it happen. (Civil Eats)
- NO BOYS ALLOWED: Japan just opened a new otaku cafe with stations for creating your cosplay costumes, shelves full of manga, and no membership required, nerds. There's just one thing: It's girls-only. (Travel + Leisure)
- And finally, file under "I'm hungry just reading this": Here is one man's journey to eat the same diet as Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, and it is hilarious. Really, go on and click that link. (Bon Appetit)
'Til next time, I think I'll just stick with the carbs/nightshades/dairy.
