You can find these crab and chicken dumplings on Sabai's new outdoor-only menu because, oh yeah, this restaurant just opened its patio. More on that, below. (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
Outdoor drinking, all-you-can-eat sushi, free doughnuts and some of the city's biggest food events? RVAdine is making dreams come true this week with all this and more:
- NEW PATIO ALERT: Just in time for the balmy summer days ahead, Sabai opened its lovely new outdoor area last Friday upon its one-year anniversary. (See also: My, how time flies!) But wait, there's more: In addition to the new patio, which just so happens to be open seven days a week, the restaurant's launching an outdoor-only menu with new items added each week until it reaches around 25 items. There's also a repurposed SWAT truck where you'll find a few mixed drinks and fresh fruit smoothies, and there's an outdoor grill for firing up satays and extra kitchen equipment to help make the new menu possible. Want more info? Right this way... (Richmond magazine)
- Over in Midlothian, buffet sushi bar and hibachi restaurant Sushi King just opened its doors today at 9111 Midlothian Turnpike. This marks the third Richmond-area location for the chain, and its ninth in total. The new location will offer the same menu as its two RVA sibling spots, which means gyoza, soba, teriyaki, specialty rolls and miso soup, all at $12 for lunch and $17 for dinner. (news release)
- In On the Move news, here's a quick peek at Secco Wine Bar's new storefront going up in the Fan. (Exciting!) The beloved Carytown wine bar and restaurant checks out of its home at 2933 W. Cary St. on June 19, and should open up shop at 325 N. Robinson St. toward the end of summer. Want in on a piece of the action? Secco will be holding a yard sale from June 21 to 25. They're unloading "chairs, tables, glassware, decor, speakers, commercial kitchen equipment, shelving, small-wares, light fixtures, retail wine and beer at clearance prices, you name it. Come by for a great deal on gently used items, OBO on the the really weird and random crap that's been in the basement longer than anyone remembers ..." That sounds ominous and potentially adventurous, like maybe Secco's got a long-forgotten treasure map for sale or something. Better go check it out just to be sure. (Dave Martin / Secco Wine Bar)
- Hi, yes, hello. Tomorrow is a very important day on our nation's calendar. Did you mark June 3 by drawing one giant circle around it, and then maybe adding some multicolored dots to symbolize all the sprinkles you'll be eating soon? ME TOO. Because National Doughnut Day comes but once a year (although every day is National Doughnut Day in your heart if you're doing it right), and thusly, a few spots around town are celebrating with free doughnuts tomorrow. Stop by The Treat Shop RVA, Duck Donuts, Country Style Donuts, Sugar Shack and more for one special or another. Get the full details here! (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- It's that time of year again: Broad Appétit and Off Broad Appétit are upon us, filling our bellies with food and our hearts with that warm fuzzy feeling of goodwill because proceeds benefit none other than FeedMore, which helps feed the area's hungry. Before you wander through downtown on Sunday with small plates galore, consider grabbing a ticket to Saturday night's Off Broad Appétit at Pasture, where national, acclaimed chefs will be chatting with guests and serving up a number of dishes. What dishes, you ask? We've got the full menu — and lineup — right over here. BONUS: Get excited by getting to know San Francisco burger boss Tom Pizzica, who'll be cooking on Saturday night, with this Q&A. (Richmond magazine / Style Weekly)
- Kids cook the darndest things, or at least some pretty tasty ones. Here's a sweet profile on a few of Richmond's young cooks and what they're whipping up in the kitchen! I will tell you one thing right now: I did not know how to prepare chicken saltimbocca when I was 13, so more power to you, Dylan of Henrico County. (Richmond-Times Dispatch)
And now for a weekend full of events to fill you:
- THERE WILL BE GYROS: The 41st annual Richmond Greek Festival is up and running, and will continue to offer its fabulous Mediterranean fare, dancing and market through Sunday. Head to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral for all the souvlaki you can eat. Want the full menu? You've got the full menu. (Richmond Greek Festival)
- On Saturday afternoon, head out to Goochland's Byrd Cellars Vineyard & Winery, where you'll find a free tasting and party from noon to 10 p.m. There will be food! There will be live music! There will obviously be wine! (Byrd Cellars)
- On Saturday night, don't forget about that aforementioned Off Broad Appétit event at Pasture from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Get yer tickets right over here.
- Saturday there's also another installment of Richmond's beloved Dinner in the Field dining series, and you'll be enjoying al fresco fare at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery in Goochland. The $150 ticket includes your meal, pairings and service. Leave your dinner in their capable hands. (Dinner in the Field)
- SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY head to Broad Street between North Henry and North Adams streets for small plates from some of Richmond's best restaurants, most of which you'll find at $3 a pop. Stop by from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for one of the city's biggest food events, and maybe wear something stretchy/forgiving. (Speaking from experience here.) (Broad Appétit)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- The FDA just announced that nutrition labels are getting a long-overdue overhaul, which means that by July of 2018, we're going to see some changes that will — theoretically — lead us all to healthier diet choices. Here's what to expect from the new labels. (Saveur)
- Rock band The Strokes of "Last Nite" / "Hard to Explain" / "Someday" fame (though come on, that second album was way better) just opened its own pop-up coffee shop in New York City, which led Food Republic to publish this fun history of rock music and coffee. (For instance, did you know St. Vincent has her very own blend of Intelligentsia coffee? You probably did. You're cooler than I.) (Food Republic)
- Behold: the illustrated guide to avoiding a hangover, including ratios, international remedies, the best and worst drinks to garner and skirt the hangover blues and more. (FIX)
'Til next time, does daylight have to be so blinding?
