Photo courtesy of The Giving Heart
The Giving Heart is just one of many local organizations offering a helping hand this holiday.
Well hello there! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. We've got a lot to be thankful for this week, plus a few ways we can turn those thanks into even more good will toward others. We've also got ways to turn your feast into something spectacular. Hungry? Curious? All of the above? Read on:
- A quick culinary detour before we launch into All Things Thanksgiving: Our November cover story, Richmond's Best Restaurants, is now fully available online! Dig into our top 30, ranked, and save us a bite from each visit you make, please and thank you. (Richmond magazine)
- If cooking a large meal isn't your thing, there are few spots around town willing to work on the holiday in order to serve you a delicious T-Day feast. In fact, here's a list of spots to gobble (gobble) down some turkey; reservations mostly required, so get on that A.S.A.P. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- If you're cooking up a storm at home but still at a loss for something sweet, why not try this recipe for pumpkin cheesecake from Lucy's Restaurant? BONUS: If you make this treat, or any of the other dishes in our latest issue of Dine, you could win tickets to the 2016 Elby Awards! Just snap a photo of your time in the kitchen or finished product and upload it to Instagram using the hashtag #RMAGdine and you'll be entered to win. Easy, peasy, breezy. (Richmond magazine)
- What? "I HUNGER FOR MORE RECIPES," you say? Check out this great round-up of Turkey Day inspiration from some local greats including Tomten Farm, Urban Choice Mushrooms and Harvest Grocery + Supply / JM Stock Provisions! (RVANews)
- And once more, with feeling, if you're looking to volunteer your time to help others, here's a rundown of some local community Thanksgiving meals, plus how you can get involved. ALSO/RELATED: If you are the grinch who stole the feast for the Fairfield Community Association, give it all back, ya jerk! Have any tips on this? Here's the right man to call. (Richmond magazine / Church Hill People's News)
- And if you really can't stand the thought of standing in front of an oven for even one more day, why not head out for some Chinese food this weekend? What's that? You're gluten intolerant and even soy sauce can lead to digestive death? Fortunately for you, our latest installment of Pizza Tried to Kill Me offers tips on finding the best gluten-free Chinese food in town, with a few bang-up suggestions sans wheat. (Richmond magazine)
- For those of you who are already sick of Thanksgiving, let's leave that holiday behind us and look toward the week's news, shall we? Secco Wine Bar, one of our Best Restaurant picks, is movin' on up to 325 N. Robinson St., the former location of Buddy's Place in The Fan. Secco should reopen in its new location next summer or fall, after what will be six years in its Carytown corner spot. Not only does the new space mean more room for the wine bar and restaurant; it means a patio for all of our brunch/lunch/dinner/happy hour/party/any-reason-for-events-involving-wine needs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- A little 'cue for you: Deep Run Roadhouse's VCU location will reportedly open next month, bringing delicious smoked meats (and hopefully those $1 mac 'n' cheese Mondays) to The Fan at 309 N. Laurel St. BONUS: There's a Deep Run food truck in the works and it's called "Brisket Bus." Mobile brisket + alliteration is enough to get us excited, HBU? (Richmond BizSense)
- Also, in new-market news, South Side is getting a new Aldi, and soon! The inexpensive, pretty fun grocery chain is set to open at 7319 Forest Hill Ave. on Dec. 10. (Am I the only one who thinks grocery stores can be fun? Excitement over new products and savings, aisle four.) (RVANews)
- In some sadder news, Brookland Park's Streetcar Café will close its doors this Saturday, and reopen on Dec. 7 under new management and offering free coffee and pastry samples that day. (Brookland Park Post)
After you've emerged from your post-feast hibernation, check out a few events this weekend why don't ya?
- Starting now, Pasture is running a very special charity drive in support of Case for Hope, Connecting Hearts in Virginia and Faces of Virginia Families. Bring unwrapped gifts for kids of all ages, from toys to clothing necessities like underwear, socks and scarves. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, swing by for a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., with free snacks, and door prizes for everyone who brings donations. (Pasture)
- Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, head to Shoryuken Ramen for the return of The Jackdaw, the Chinese food pop-up that offers items such as squid ink noodles with soy milk broth, tea egg, beef and pickled mustard greens, and braised pork with wood ear mushrooms, fried shallots, egg and rice. See the full menu here, then call 855-4246 for reservations. (The Jackdaw)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- The holidays are prime pie season, but really, all seasons are sort of pie season because of seasonality. Catch my drift? Here's a fun chart that can help you lead your best pie life, month by month. (Modern Farmer)
- Will you wake up this weekend craving not a Thanksgiving-leftover sandwich? (Who are you, even?) If so, you can always make/order a breakfast sandwich. Maybe you can spring for one of these fun regional varieties and break free from your usual order. (Tasting Table)
'Til next time, kill the turkey.
