Photo by Steve Hedberg
Read ahead, full speed ahead, to learn all about Coriander and Amour Wine Bistro's upcoming French and Armenian dinner. Pictured: Coriander's beef lahmajun.
This week, saddle up for some big chef changes, RVAdine newcomers and some fabulous events. (So many events.) Read on and fill your brains with info on how to best fill your bellies:
- This week brought big dining news: Walter Bundy, executive chef of Lemaire since 2001, is leaving The Jefferson restaurant at the end of the year to open his own restaurant in Henrico County. The yet-unnamed venture is expected to open next spring and offer Southern-inspired fare, a private dining room, a bar and a patio, in Libbie Mill-Midtown (the new development off Staples Mill Road that's home to Southern Season). According to Jennifer Crisp, representative of The Jefferson, Lemaire has not yet found a replacement for its longstanding executive chef. We're looking forward to both Bundy's new restaurant and whatever Lemaire will have to offer in the near future. (Richmond.com/Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Let's all welcome Raw Enlightenment, the new kid on the chocolate block. Founder, chocolatier, barista and musician Samantha Pearl is bringing raw, organic, vegan chocolate treats to Richmond, made with energy-increasing herbs and locally sourced ingredients. For the full scoop on where to find it (and how to place orders for desserts like custom ice creams and cakes), click here. (Richmond magazine)
- This week also saw some big CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES for The Rogue Gentlemen, which just hired The Magpie's former sous chef, Will Longoria, to head the kitchen. Longoria is overseeing TRG's menu changes, which include the return of a tasting menu and its a la carte format. "Tastings are back with a different (brilliant) format," says owner John Maher. "Everything is new except Drew [Thomasson]'s bread (because obvi) and chicken skins." He adds, "We did the prix fixe over the summer to test the reaction. It was unanimous that everyone preferred this format." To see the full menu, click here. (news release)
- Did you know that Richmond has its own Patch Adams but with pizza? Check out this sweet profile on Wayne "the Pizza Man" Jennings, the chef who volunteers at Ronald McDonald House and brings pizza, and therefore joy, to seriously ill children. The secret ingredient is, of course, love. We salute you, Wayne. (CBS 6)
- Now you can sate your kimbap cravings during daylight hours, because JKOGI launched lunch service this week! Stop by between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. (JKOGI)
- The UCI Road World Championships are almost upon us. While some restaurants are embracing the race with arms and doors wide open, others are shuttering completely. Here's a look at how some of the city's favorite spots are preparing for road closures and an onslaught of tourists. (Style Weekly)
- And looking even further ahead, Chinese food pop-up The Jackdaw just announced its next dinner will be held on Oct. 12 at Millie's Diner, with more event announcements on the way. (The Jackdaw)
- SPECIALS ALERT: Celebrate Graffiato RVA's anniversary with a complimentary glass of Prosecco for all dinner guests tonight, Thursday, Sept. 10. The Mike Isabella restaurant is also offering 25 percent off all signature dishes, plus an all-night happy hour at the bar from 4:30 p.m. to close. (news release)
Ready for the weekend? It's ready for you:
- Cookies for an excellent cause? DREAMS DO COME TRUE. Throughout the weekend you can purchase a variety of gourmet cookies at the Cookies for Kids' Cancer RVA Citywide Bake Sale, and proceeds benefit the national nonprofit (which, by the way, was founded by a former Richmond resident). Find details on locations and times, plus more information on the foundation, right over here. (Richmond magazine)
- I hope you brought your eating pants because tomorrow the 57th Annual Armenian Food Festival kicks off with meat pies, stuffed grape leaves, hye burgers and baked goods galore (LOOK AT THIS MENU), all available for $1 to $20, but let's be real, most are priced in the $3 to $8 range. Nothing not to love. Stop by St. James Armenian Church (834 Pepper Ave.) from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. (Armenian Food Festival)
- Tomorrow (Friday), Maymont is throwing its annual Wine & Beer Classic from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sip your way through unlimited samples of Virginia craft beer and wine, plus bourbon and moonshine tastings, for $35. (Members of Maymont's Dooley Noted Society can enter for $30, and designated drivers can enter for $15). You'll also find lawn games, Slideways Mobile Bistro food and King of Pops sweets available for purchase, with game proceeds benefiting Maymont. Call (804) 358-7166 (ext. 313) for tickets or purchase them online. (Maymont)
- What? More beer, you say? Then you're in luck because Saturday and Sunday, Hanover holds its annual Oktoberfest celebration with a beer garden, German fare and live music. Also, the requisite large tent. Fill a stein or a pint at host location Center of the Universe Brewing Co. (11293 Air Park Road) from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. (Oktoberfest)
- Then on Sunday, it's time for another Central Virginia Food Truck Rodeo. Head to Chesterfield Towne Center from noon to 7 p.m. for live music from more than 35 food truck vendors. Admission is free, with food and drink available for purchase. (Central Virginia Food Truck Rodeo)
- Sunday is also the day for O Y S T E R S at the Shockoe on the Half-Shell oyster festival from noon to 5 p.m. at 17th Street Farmers' Market. Rappahannock, The Boathouse and other fine Richmond restaurants will be serving up bivalves every which way. Raw! Grilled! Smoked! Fried! Roasted! Grilled! You name it! Wash them down with craft beer, cider and live music. (17th Street Farmers' Market)
- If you haven't gotten your fill of Armenian food (Is that even a thing that is possible, really?), Amour and Coriander are teaming up on Wednesday, Sept. 16, for an Armenian and French dinner offering stuffed eggplant with spinach and walnuts, beef kawarma, stuffed fish and more. Four courses for $49, with an optional $19 wine pairing add-on, 6:30 p.m. Call (804) 353-4020 for reservations. (Amour Wine Bistro)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Let's hear it for the little guys: Small, independent food businesses are succeeding faster and bigger than ever before thanks to social media, boutique markets and online shopping. Here's a great spotlight on food entrepreneurs and how they're making it all work. (The New York Times)
- Trend alert: vertical farming. Could plants grown indoors, expertly monitored in controlled environments, be the future of sustainable food resources? Quite possibly. (Lucky Peach)
- Required reading and words of wisdom: "Never trust anyone who is rude to a waiter." Clearly this lady never learned the importance of this. (The Guardian / Foodbeast)
- Yes, chicken wings have anatomy. Yes, you can now easily familiarize yourself with it. Here, a handy guide to what's what, plus useful tips on how to prepare individual pieces. (the kitchn)
'Til next time, it ain't no thing but a chicken wing.