Richmond Food News: Week of Nov. 2-6

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There are some exciting new restaurants on the horizon, and many of 'em just opened this week! Between these, the Hardywood Gingerbread Stout release and a few other choice weekend events, we recommend you put on your finest stretchy pants and get to it; you've got a lot of eating and drinking ahead of you.

  • If you missed Fire, Flour & Fork — the enormous, exciting, four-day food festival and symposium — don't sweat it, because we have you covered. This recap chronicles multiple dinners, thoughts from visiting chefs, photos of incredible dishes, photos of people in costume, photos of demos, a video of a singing sad clown, and of course, some reflection on the whole darn thing. It was a whirlwind, and a delicious one at that, and I can't wait for next year's event. I hope Puddles the Clown will make a triumphant return at the third annual FFF, but even if he doesn't, we'll always have the memory. Those with coulrophobia will always have the nightmares. (Richmond magazine)
  • In some exciting downtown dining news, "early to rise" just got a whole lot easier. Pop's Market on Grace opens tomorrow morning, offering house-made breads and pastries, plus breakfast sandwiches, lunch, dinner and a neighborhood market, which will allow guests to buy a selection of oils and international-inspired products, plus the kitchen's own ingredients available by the ounce. Read up on the new spot here, then plot which breakfast sandwich you'll be eating tomorrow morning. (I'm leaning toward sage sausage, egg and cheese on croissant, HBU?) (Richmond magazine)
  • More great news for those of us who have trouble rolling out of bed in the morning: There's a new coffee roasting company in town! Ironclad Coffee Roasters is set to launch in December near Bow Tie Cinemas, and offer beans from Nicaragua, Ethiopia and Central and South America. The husband-and-wife team behind Ironclad is also looking to sell their beans at local farmers markets and restaurants, so keep your eyes peeled for the brand in the coming months. (Richmond Bizsense)
  • Speaking of coffee, Sugar & Twine over in Carytown is now open! Read more on the spot, here. (Richmond magazine)
  • For those of us who love gooey, delicious things: Home Sweet Home, the new Carytown restaurant and bar focused on gourmet grilled cheese, is now open! Read more about that, right over here. (Richmond magazine)
  • Also now open: Vagabond, the new restaurant from The Magpie's Owen Lane! Looking for the full menu, which launches tonight? Click right this way. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  • ALSO now open: Belle & James, the French-American bistro serving up a lengthy and exciting cocktail menu. (Richmond magazine)
  • In some sadder news, The Urban Tavern is now closed. Its former location in western Henrico will soon house a new, yet-to-be-announced restaurant, which will open in the next 60 to 90 days, according to owner Garland Taylor. Urban's chef, Tim Bereika, is helping to construct the new concept and menu, and will be integral in moving forward in both the new restaurant and a possible future Urban Tavern location. (Richmond magazine)
  • Farther east, though there isn't much information as to why, Mbargo is also now closed. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  • And in some happier, more festive news, Tarrant's, Max's on Broad and Tarrant's West just announced they'll all be open with full, regular menus, as well as a turkey dinner option, on Thanksgiving. Party on, pilgrims. (news release)

Ready for those events? They're ready for you.

  • The Urbanna Oyster Festival is upon us! If you're up for a trek, head east to Urbanna tomorrow and/or Saturday for the Commonwealth's official oyster festival, complete with parades (oyster parades! real thing!), more than 50 food vendors, arts and crafts, an oyster shucking competition and more. This ish is free, though there is a parking fee. More info on vendors, events and travel, here. (Urbanna Oyster Festival)
  • Closer to home, warm on up with the Brunswick Stew and Stout Festival at 17th Street Farmers' Market. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you'll find stew samples for $1, quarts available for purchase, stout samples for $2 and full pours for $6, and general delicious, boozy merriment. (17th Street Farmers' Market)
  • 'Tis the time of the season for GINGERBREAD STOUT. Hardywood's releasing its cult-status beer at 2 p.m. on Saturday, which means you should probably camp out the night before. (Just kidding, OR AM I?) If you'll be stuck in line and hungry, never fear; there will be a slew of food trucks there for you, such as Pizza Tonight, Slideways, Hungry Turtle, Shamasuki, Cheezilla and more. There'll also be live entertainment by The Trillions and others! Plus, the wait will be worth it once you've got that coveted G.S. in hand, be it pint or 750 ml form. (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery)
  • Hi, do you know what's cool? Ladies brewing beer and forming a community of badass lady brewers in a male-dominated field and hobby! On Saturday, head to Isley Brewing Co. for the release of Going Mintal, which Ladies of Lager helped bring to life. Noon to 10 p.m. (Ladies of Lager)
  • Another Saturday beer release: If you like to keep it cool as a cucumber, Strangeways will release its O.T.I.S., a sour ale made with cucumber,  honeydew, juniper berries and tangerine zest. The magic starts at noon. (Strangeways Brewing)
  • GRAZE-Y SUNDAY: Close out your weekend with $3 small plates from more than 25 restaurants at the annual smorgasbord that is Graze on Grace. Plus, proceeds benefit FeedMore and Slow Food! Great food for great causes! Noon to 5 p.m. between Fourth and Seventh streets. For the full list of vendors and scheduling, click your way over here. (Graze on Grace)

And now for a few (inter)national links:

'Til next time, we will still be recovering from Fire, Flour & Fork.