This week's Food News is long. It's like Food News War and Peace, minus the drama and philosophy. That being said, if you can make it all the way through, you'll find a slew of events, new restaurants, new menus, new reviews and more, so get goin':
- July is apparently the month to eat your weight in new-concept, limited-time-only food. Have you seen the absurd amount of pop-ups popping up all over the city? No? Well, we put together a handy guide to this month's best limited-run restaurants and dinners, from Chinese doughnuts to Belgian beer and back again. (Richmond magazine)
- In some news that'll get you buzzing, Mott Gallery — a new contemporary art gallery and coffee shop — is set to open on July 31 in Carytown. The full coffee shop launches in August with baked goods galore; you can get the full details on that right over here. (Richmond magazine)
- Meanwhile, Tazza Kitchen's new Midlothian location opens next Tuesday, July 14, at 1244 Alverser Plaza. Prep yourself with our review of the Short Pump location and finally learn how they chose that name. (Richmond magazine)
- In change-up news, Jackson Ward Korean outpost JKOGI, one of Rmag's best new restaurants, is taking over the Thai Corner space at 327 N. Second St. The restaurant, JKOGI Seoul Street Eats, is set to open next month with an expanded menu and a full-service dining experience. Until then, you can always stop by JKOGI's original location at 325 N Second St., or visit its new lunch cart for $5 bowls. (But seriously, that bacon-kimchi fried rice tho.) (Richmond BizSense)
- If you've got a fondness for farmers markets, there's a new option hitting Broad Street this month. Look for the new market in the parking lot at 1920 East Broad St., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 21, Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6, for fresh produce, baked goods and entertainment. (Church Hill People's News)
- Sate your sweet tooth with not one, not two, not three, not four, not five [sic] but 17 new Dunkin' Donuts shops, all headed for the Richmond area in the next few years. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- In some sadder news, The Hop RVA, a free commuter bus between Carytown and Shockoe Bottom, is no longer running. The organization provided late-night transportation free of charge to prevent drunk driving, sustaining its business through occasional sponsorships. Want to help it get back on its
feetwheels? Donate/sponsor here. (Style Weekly) - Speaking of donating and fundraising, Shoe Crazy Wine is a local wine company that's looking to expand into the Asian market, and just launched an Indiegogo campaign to do it. Owner Gwen Hurt says that while the company, branded for women, is already available in Singapore, she hopes to spur more female purchasing power in countries where men are the primary buyers. "While we sell here in the U.S. as well, in Asia, women are not typically the main buyers; it's men, so we're trying to change that dynamic," she says. (news release)
- Worried about paper cuts? You're in luck! Some of the content from our July issue is now available online. Click here to check out how Richmond restaurants are helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay, and learn what you can do to help. We see a lot of delicious oysters in your future... (Richmond magazine)
- If you're in the mood for a scoop of ice cream or 30, why not check out La Michoacana on Midlothian Turnpike? Learn all about the Mexican ice cream shop via the July dining column, then plan a visit for some frozen treats made by hand. (Richmond magazine)
- Also from our current issue and now online: Check out our review of Torero Tapas Bar & Grill, then eat all the patatas bravas. (Richmond magazine)
- It's been a busy week for Lehja, the West End restaurant that recently received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for its fifth consecutive year. And on Sunday, the restaurant appeared on Good Food America, a show highlighting healthy food that still tastes good. It's no surprise we love those guys so much. (Lehja)
- BRUNCH PSA: Hutch is now offering free children's brunches until the end of summer! Dining with young'ns? Get one free kids' brunch per paying adult. (Hutch Bar & Eatery)
- MENU PSA: The Rogue Gentlemen (also an Rmag "Best New Restaurant" pick) just launched a new menu that changes the restaurant's concept. From here on out, TRG is now prix fixe only (unless you're seated at the bar), offering a $45 multi-course meal that includes Drew Thomasson's Parker House rolls as a complimentary starter, plus a seasonal dessert every table will receive. (Yes, please.) For those keeping score at home, that's Parker House rolls, three courses, plus dessert. See the current prix fixe menu here and the bar bites menu here. (The Rogue Gentlemen)
- GENERAL RMAG PSA: The polls are now open for our annual Theresa Pollak Prizes for Excellence in the Arts! Want to nominate your favorite area photographer / dancer / new talent / applied-arts genius / etc.? Let us know. The polls close July 15!
Have you seen these events? No? See them. Attend them. Eat them. (Are things getting weird yet?)
- Hey! Did you read our guide to July pop-ups? The first item on that pop-docket happens tonight, Thursday, when you'll find J Frank cooking a la carte items at The Cask Cafe, all for $10 each. Repeat after me: "crispy five-spice pork belly with tomato jam, coconut cream and lime." (Richmond magazine)
- You could also stop by Pasture tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a fried green tomato BLT sandwich, which, thanks to the BLgT Tour, helps raise money for Diversity. The organization Get Out selected Pasture as its Richmond stop on the 50-state tour where variations on the BLT raise funds for LGBT businesses and community centers. Nothing not to love. See also: rainbow Jello shots. (news release)
- And because there's clearly not enough happening tonight, there's also a screening of the documentary "Blood Sweat & Beers," which is all about the craft beer boom. Head to Strangeways Brewing Co. at 7 p.m. for $5 tickets and a good time. (news release)
- Tomorrow, stop by Olio for "SHUCK THIS," its bivalve-and-booze event. Bring $5 for oysters and pairings. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Olio)
- On Saturday, head back to Strangeways for the brewery's 2nd anniversary party complete with beer releases, ZZQ, King of Pops and more. Noon to midnight. (Strangeways Brewing Co.)
- Taste your way through a variety of delicious beasts at Belmont Butchery's Meat & Greet on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty bucks gets you charcuterie like capicola and duck prosciutto, plus items the team doesn't frequently make, like rabbit mortadella and rillettes. You'll also find wine, cheese and beer, plus an excuse to mingle with one of the city's most popular butcher shops. (Belmont Butchery)
- ...And then grab Sunday dinner via new pop-up The Jackdaw, hosted by Shoryuken Ramen. The new Chinese food pop-up launches on Sunday with items such as Chinese doughnuts in soy milk horchata, and Dan Dan noodles with pickled mustard greens. Call Shoryuken Ramen at (804) 855-4246 to reserve your spot. (Richmond magazine)
- Monday night's foraging dinner at Heritage is almost sold out! According to Heritage co-owner Joe Sparatta, less than eight tickets remain. If you've already got tickets and want to prepare, or you need that extra little push to grab those last seats, check out our event preview + profile on forager (and event guest) Chris Bennett, right over here. Ready to claim those remaining spots? Call Heritage at (804) 353-4060. (Richmond magazine)
- Also on Monday night: a Harper Lee book release party, hosted by Lemaire. Get "Go Set a Watchman" A.S.A.P. thanks to Chop Suey, and imbibe in some themed cocktails with fun names like "Booze Radley," courtesy of Lemaire. The fun starts at 10:30 p.m. (Lemaire)
- Tuesday, July 14, drink lovely French wine and shout "VIVE LA FRANCE" at Secco Wine Bar, because they're throwing a Bastille Day French wine class that includes tastings and talk of technique and terroir. $35. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (news release)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Professional and home chefs alike, don't be afraid of the freezer. According to the Times, the practice of freezing food simply has a bad rap that should in no way stop you from preserving your farmers market haul sans fermentation. Give it a try. (The New York Times)
- In #FunReads, here's how the hip-hop world went vegan. (First We Feast)
- And in I-really-don't-want-to-know-how-many-calories-I-actually-drink news, restaurants with 20 or more locations have to list beer and wine that's on the menu for 60 days or longer. Thankfully, the new menu rollouts probably won't occur until the end of the year, so let's get in the blissfully calorie-ignorant drinking while we can, yeah? (Eater)
'Til next time, we'll be running around like crazy this weekend as we try to eat all the things.