Head to The Veil Brewing Co. this weekend for the last days of its fifth-anniversary events, including an appearance from Maine’s Highroller Lobster Co. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Running Rampant
The time has come: Ramps, the fleeting, uber-seasonal, prized spring ingredient, have hit area menus. Intoxicatingly pungent, the garlic-meets-onion alliums can be found at Richmond-area eateries on everything from pizza — one of our favorite vessels — to fluffy gnocchi and Southern shrimp and grits. (Richmond magazine)
Mangia, Mangia!
Pasta is one of those foods that are in style all year long, and with an influx of pasta concepts, Richmond has set the stage for a carb lover’s dream. Writer Genevelyn Steele rounds up a collection of prime pasta dishes, from a regularly sold-out pop-up to a husband-and-wife catering team tapping into their Italian roots. (Richmond magazine)
The Final Countdown
Get that Europe queued up, because it’s the final countdown for the latest Richmond Restaurant Week. Whether you have yet to celebrate or plan to go back for more, the two-week-long edible event benefiting local hunger relief organization Feed More wraps up on Sunday, April 25. There are over 60 spots on the bill, so pace yourself.
ICYMI
Native Plate opened downtown last weekend, a venture featuring street food-inspired bites, duck bao buns and a boozy boba libation. (Richmond magazine)
Fungus is among us at the annual Mushroom Mania, a multiday event that wraps up this weekend with the Richmond Moon Market. (Richmond magazine)
Evan Campbell has a soft spot for spoons and a dirty chai. Head this way to learn more about the executive chef behind The Stables at Belmont, The Franklin Inn and the forthcoming Stables Market at Libbie Mill. (Richmond magazine)
A couple of updates to our recent piece on local chefs in the national spotlight on major cooking shows:
- "Top Chef" season 18 spoiler alert: After three weeks, Richmond restaurateur Brittanny Anderson was eliminated from the Bravo show during a nail-biting challenge that had me sweating harder than the chef-testants. A round of applause to Anderson for repping Richmond on the "Top Chef" stage and for being the second Virginian featured on the show. (Bravo)
- On April 26, catch Keya Wingfield on the finale of "Spring Baking Championship" on Food Network. The Mumbai native, owner of Keya & Co. Baking and a Richmond magazine freelancer, has advanced to the top three. Wingfield is hosting a virtual watch party on Monday, April 26, at 9 p.m.
A retreat for Deadheads and other music fans chasing live tunes, bygone Richmond institution Cary Street Cafe has officially been sold by owner Robyn Chandler, who first put the building on the market in 2019. The purchasers are Jin Gao and Xian Wang, owners of nearby Cary Street restaurant The Eatery. (Richmond BizSense)
Martha’s Kitchen is expected to open in New Kent County in late May, presenting Southern-style comfort fare with lunch and dinner daily and breakfast on weekends. (Richmond BizSense)
Starr Hill Brewery, with five locations including the Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop in Scott's Addition, has announced plans to head north and unveil a sixth taproom. Look for a biergarten-themed food and beer hall dubbed The Perch to debut in Tysons by summer.
Upcoming Events
We strongly encourage everyone to make safe and smart decisions and adhere to municipal and business guidelines related to the pandemic.
- A Smoky Chef’s Tasting, Beaunuts (April 23): A multicourse dinner of smoked bites; reservations required
- Restaurant Pop-up: Farmstead Co., Vasen Brewing Company (April 23): A visit from the Charleston, South Carolina, nose-to-tail butcher shop, along with produce from Hough Haven Farm
- Herbs Galore & More, Maymont (April 24): One of the area’s largest plant sales, with everything from herbs to veggies, plus live music and food trucks on site
- Tim’s Pizza Pop-up, Hatch Cafe RVA (April 24): A debut appearance at Hatch Cafe featuring Detroit-style pies
- Cooking With Hungry Harvest: Mike Ledesma, Perch (April 24): The Perch chef-owner kicks off the new cooking series with a virtual class showing tips and techniques for cooking with fresh produce; advance registration required.
- High Roller Lobster Co. and Zorch Pizza Pop-up, The Veil Brewing Co. (April 24): For its fifth birthday, The Veil hosts friends from Maine.
- Beer Pairing Dinner With Steam Bell Beer Works, Midlothian Chef's Kitchen (April 25): An interactive four-course tasting experience
- Brasa and Zorch Pizza Pop-up, The Veil Brewing Co. (April 25): The final day of anniversary celebrations features a double dose of nosh.
- Seedling Demonstration, Broad Rock Community Garden (April 25): Get your hands in the dirt and learn about planting during this small-grower workshop.
- Forgotten Uses of American Flora, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (April 27): Learn how to create birch sap wine, mojo bags, medicinal salves and more during this online class.
- Food Truck Rally, The Diamond (April 29): The weekly roundup of local food trucks, with appearances from Redemption BBQ, Shakedown Eats and Super Bowlz
- Beer Dinner With Auntie Ning's, Stone Brewing (April 29): The Filipino-inspired food truck takes over at Stone Brewing for a special event.
In Other Food News …
- After over a year of navigating the pandemic, restaurant owners are facing their next wave of difficulty: rehiring. (Restaurant Manifesto)
- Looking for a new show to add to the binge list? Mark your calendars for May 26 — Food historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris and journalist Stephen Satterfield will debut "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America" on Netflix. (Eater)