All the edible adventures await below. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Whisked Away
Known for its massive macarons, pink branding and flaky croissants, Whisk bakery has unveiled a sister outpost in the West End. New owner Billy Bryan took over the original Shockoe Bottom location in March and has been rising to the occasion ever since. (Richmond magazine)
A Buzz-worthy Pair
Coffee has a way of brining like-minded people together. After originally meeting at a cafe, Cheryl (the “Bird”) and Jon (the “J”) Robison launched a buzzy business together more than a decade later. Now partners in work and life, the duo behind JBird Supply can be found selling beans and cold brews at the Birdhouse Farmers Market. (Richmond magazine)
Suddenly Salad
The word “salad” can be interpreted rather broadly, from savory to sweet and everywhere in between. In this month’s 5 Faves, as we bid farewell to summer and beckon fall, writer Genevelyn Steele hunts down a collection of produce-packed dishes, including fresh tabbouleh at a low-key shawarma spot and a make-your-own bowl situation at a California-style taqueria. (Richmond magazine)
Let It Grow
The world’s largest indoor vertical farming complex will soon call Richmond home. The $300 million Meadowville project will specialize in growing Driscoll’s strawberries. (Richmond BizSense)
Love, Tito’s Block to Block — a nationwide community garden and farm program that partners with local nonprofits — paid a visit to Richmond’s Shalom Farms to implement major upgrades to the Northside urban green space. (News release)
Wine in Mind
Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey and Can Can Brasserie. What do they all have in common? On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Carytown restaurant will host its first wine dinner, channeling all the big waves of the 1991 classic “Point Break,” from the menu to wine pairings from Terroirizer.
Curious oenophiles, hop in the car for a mini road trip to Charlottesville on Sunday, Oct. 23. Dubbed Two Up, Wine Down, the inaugural vino-forward festival will be “shining a spotlight on BIPOC wine professionals, enthusiasts and allies” throughout the state. Partners include Richmond’s Richwine and The Verasion Project, and advance tickets start at $15.
I Scream, You Scream
Skipping dinner and heading straight for dessert, Sweet Wynn’s schools students on the craft of ice cream making. Relocating from Midlothian, the business has found a new home to host workshops at 1209 E. Main St.
Serving scoops from Madison, Wisconsin — the heart of America’s dairyland — and hailing from West Point, where the original shop opened in 2020, ice cream shop The Lazy Cow will soon make its area debut. Owner and Mechanicsville native Amanda Franklin is returning to her roots with a second sweet outpost at 7038 Mechanicsville Turnpike.
ICYMI
Extra juicy and with a deep vermilion color, the nearly extinct Red-N-Sweet watermelon is making a comeback in the commonwealth. (Richmond magazine)
Ames Russell of AR’s Hot Southern Honey reveals how to spice up dishes with his heat-kissed condiment in the recently released “Hot Honey Cookbook,” featuring locally sourced recipes from spoonbread to s’mores. (Richmond magazine)
We caught up with longtime local farmer Amy Hicks of Amy’s Garden in our latest Spotlight; the grower mentions ciders, carbs and cheese as bright spots in her life. (Richmond magazine)
Following a two-year hiatus, the RVA East End Festival is back in action Sept. 24. The benefit to support Richmond Public Schools students in the East End promises a full day of live music, food trucks and vendors. (Richmond magazine)
Nostalgic candy store chain Rocket Fizz is closing its Carytown store at the end of September after a seven-year run. (Richmond BizSense)
A local caterer and financier have joined forces to introduce a forthcoming jazz lounge. Taking over the shuttered Spoonbread Bistro space in the Fan, Mike’s Jazz Cafe plans to get groovin’ in the coming months with a focus on music and soul food. (Richmond BizSense)
Raise a pint of Paulaner at Maymont’s first ever Bavarian-style Bier-Garden this weekend, Sept. 23-24. Local brews will be flowing, and guests can look forward to brats via the Mayor, schnitzel and charcuterie from Capital Ale House, and more. (News release)
Last call for Kitchen 64 — when September ends, the Arthur Ashe Boulevard eatery from Johnny and Katrina Giavos will shut its doors for good.
With an ampersand-accented name, Butcher & Bird is the latest venture from husband-and-wife team Mike Lindsey and Kimberly Love-Lindsey. The restaurateurs teased their new catering company specializing in smoked meats and fried chicken on Instagram. P.S.: Stay tuned for more details on the pair’s soon-to-open ML Steakhouse.
RVA Love
How many edible adventures can one pack into 24 hours in Richmond? Eater D.C. recently took on the tasty task, laying out a solid itinerary and enjoying everything from pierogis at Jewish deli Perly’s to cocktails at Jackson Ward’s Saison.
Upcoming Events
- Drankin’ and Bakin’, Pies & Cakes (Sept. 23): Snacks and treats by baker Chastity Rodriguez-Hise and boozy bevs from cocktail guru Beth Dixon
- Wine & Food Pairing With Barrel Thief, The Kitchen Classroom (Sept. 23): Take an edible tour of the Mediterranean with a culinary exploration of Spain, Sicily and more.
- Agriberry Farm Visit Day, Agriberry Farm (Sept. 24): Visit the Hanover farm and leave with a bucket of berries.
- Oktoberfest, Get Tight Lounge (Sept. 24-25): Big pretzels, beer cheese, Baltimore pit beef sandwiches and Jagermeister
- Carytown Pride Safe Space Market, Carytown (Sept. 25): With Pride Fest on Saturday, this Sunday market that features historically underrepresented folks returns with a full list of vendors and appearances from TBT El Gallo and Davverro Gelato.
- Brunch on the Plaza, Kanawha Plaza (Sept. 25): Kick off Sunday Funday at the outdoor gathering that combines beats and brunch.
- Barbados Catering Pop-up, The Veil Brewing Co. Forest Hill Avenue (Sept. 25): Chef and native Venezuelan Kerwin Gonzalez shares a taste of his home country.
- Mushroom Foraging 101, Forest Hill Park (Sept. 26): Explore the woods with fellow bartenders during the U.S. Bartenders Guild gathering (bartenders need not be USBG members to take part).
- Horne Dogs Pop-up, Helen’s (Sept. 26): The glizzy gang is back with a State Fair-inspired menu including doughnut dogs.
- Final Gravity’s 7th Anniversary, Final Gravity Brewing (Sept. 26): The Lakeside brewery marks seven years with guest taps, special releases, and bites from River City Wood Fire Pizza and Smashed RVA.
