We hope you're hungry, RVA. This week we've got a handful of new restaurants, free cookies and huge events, not to mention a whole lot of craft beer to wash it all down real smooth-like.
- First off, let's talk (Off) Broad Appétit: Before we dig into the daylong feast that is Broad Appétit on June 7, chef Jason Alley likes to kick things off with a private dinner the evening before, featuring some stellar chefs at Off Broad Appétit. This year, the 125-seat meal takes place at Pasture from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and includes plates from some incredible chefs, all using local and seasonal ingredients. We're proud to announce this year's Off Broad Appétit lineup of culinary all stars: Bryan Voltagio (of VOLT and Family Meal), José Enrique (of Capital and Miel), Chad Colby (of chi SPACCA), Rob Newton (of Seersucker), David Varley (of RN74), André Hueston Mack (of Mouton Noir Wine), Brad Farmerie (of Public) and Stephen Gerike (of the National Pork Board). Get your tickets and join us, won't you?
- Fans of ramen, rejoice! Shoryuken has found a permanent home and it's in the old Dash Kitchen + Carry space near VCU! The Shoryuken pop-up in Supper will continue through the end of this month. After that, the team will focus on opening its ramen shop in April, where you'll find delicious, brothy goodness six nights a week. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- More sweet news: Insomnia Cookies opened this week, doling out late-night sugary morsels with delivery options, to boot. Even sweeter news: Show 'em this coupon and get one free cookie from now until Sunday. There might not be such a thing as a free lunch, but at least you can get yourself some free cookies. (RVANews)
- If you're gluten intolerant and find yourself tearing up over your inability to enjoy every free cookie that crosses your path, weep no more. Our column, Pizza Tried to Kill Me, tackles RVA's best gluten-free goods and this week's edition dives right into a pile of pastries. (Richmond magazine)
- In a bit of sadder news, the downtown outpost of Coppola's Deli is closing today after 18 years of service, but owner Rob Cherry has high hopes for new future locations with longer hours. (Richmond BizSense)
- And it looks as though Richmond's new food trend is of the Korean variety; JKOGI just opened in Jackson Ward and now, over in Carytown, we'll be getting a Zzaam! Fresh Korean Grill sometime in June. The fast-casual Korean spot modeled after Chipotle originally hails from Charlottesville, and comes from the founder of Sweet Frog. (Style Weekly)
- We hope your fingers are click-ready because voting for RVA Mag's Richmond beer bracket launches today. It's like March Madness but for beer, so get to the poll and start betting on winners because
#sports#beer. (RVA Mag) - And here's an online high-five for all of your clicking fingers that voted in the Virginia is for Culinary Lovers Challenge, because Comfort's 5 Fat Fried Chicken made it to the final four best dishes in the state! (Virginia Tourism Co.)
- We're all for healthier food in RVA schools, so we're glad to hear that Richmond Public Schools will install self-serve fruit and vegetable bars in all 26 public elementary schools during the 2015-2016 school year. (Richmond magazine)
Ready for some events? Come rain, snow or sunshine, we've got you covered:
- Be sure to get your fill of all things delicious, green-hued or otherwise, at the Church Hill Irish Festival on both Saturday and Sunday, where you can park fo' free at 16th and Broad streets, with shuttles providing rides to and from the food, music and activities. What's not to love? (Richmond magazine)
- And get ready for a full evening of craft beer because there's a craft beer scavenger hunt in Jackson Ward on Saturday night in celebration of beer site Trinkin's second anniversary! Check out our full preview for details, but you can expect great beer, entertainment and fun from Trinkin, Saison Market, Gallery5, Big Secret and more, all for a great cause. (Richmond magazine)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- In case you've been living some kind of Hubei-news-deprived life under a rock, Peter Chang is currently opening not one but two restaurants. Here's a great profile on the chef, paying close attention to his past and how he learned to accept his fame. (The Washington Post)
- For many of us, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is that guilty comfort food but check this out: the company just recalled 6.5 million blue boxes because they contained shards of metal. (Esquire)
- Ready to get shakin'? Here's a quick primer on the essential skills that will make you a better bartender. (First We Feast)
- Dreary weather calls for something filling and comforting: Here's everything you need to know about the history of gnocchi, and it's also the inspiration for my dinner tonight. (Saveur)
'Til next time, talk gnudi to me.
