In Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches news, while the Manhattan Cherry collab with Reservoir Distillery (pictured above) was a hit, the ice creamery channels campfire nostalgia with its latest drop — head below for more details. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
A New Leaf
After gaining a big following on the farmers market circuit, ready-made meal service Truly Scrumptious has rebranded and found a permanent home. This spring, owner Mela Jones will introduce Leek & Thistle in the former Nota Bene space in Shockoe Bottom. Offering frozen meals, grab-and-go items, and provisions, Leek & Thistle totally supports the Netflix-and-chill-while-dinner-heats-up vibe, and we’re here for that. (Richmond magazine)
Get Juicy
A former flight attendant, Frances Odoi originally began juicing as a way to stay healthy while traveling and on the go. Now, the CoCoGin founder is offering her cold-pressed juices to the masses, including the popular EBO — or Everything But Orange — made with carrots, cantaloupe, fuji and gala apples, and pineapple. (Richmond magazine)
Native Vines
Oenophiles searching for organic, biodynamic and natural selections, RichWine is here to quench your thirst. Last year, Hanover natives, UVA alumni and friends Kristen Gardner and Lance Lemon launched the Black-owned boutique and statewide wine delivery service with hopes of making wine more approachable and inclusive. (Richmond magazine)
Stop AAPI Hate
Following the horrific murders of eight people, six of whom were Asian American, last week in Atlanta and continuous reports of Asian-owned businesses being the target of vandalism and hate crimes, as well as a spike in attacks and harassment since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been much discussion about the country’s deep-rooted xenophobia, as well as how to support those communities.
On Saturday, March 27, Strangeways Brewing will host Filipino Chefs of RVA from noon to 7 p.m., featuring food from Ato's Sisig and Grill RVA, Auntie Ning's, Perch, and Instabowl. Proceeds from Perch and Instabowl sales will be donated to the nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate.
On Sunday, March 28, Bingo Beer Co. will host four area chefs known for their distinct Asian cuisine and culinary styles — Will Leung-Richardson of Kudzu Ramen, Vanna Hem of the pop-up Royal Pig, Daniel Harthausen of the pop-up Young Mother and Steve Yang — from 7 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required, and 100% of proceeds from food and a portion of drink sales will go to Stop AAPI Hate.
The Richmond Experience has also curated a list of Asian American-owned businesses in the region to support now and always.
Bake a Difference
Studded with a rainbow of sprinkles, Unicorn Cookies have become a customer favorite at Tablespoons Bakery — the forthcoming brick-and-mortar bake shop currently operating as a cookie camper from The Next Move Program, a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disabilities find employment — and in April, community members will be able to bake them at home. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the bake shop will be selling limited-edition baking kits complete with the signature Unicorn Cookie Mix, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. (News release)
Laying Down the Law
New legislation affecting the food and beverage world
Starting in July 2023, polystyrene food containers will be banned from use by large chain restaurants, and by 2025 banned from use by nonprofits and small businesses in Virginia. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
While many imbibers and industry folks alike were hoping that cocktails to go — a move authorized last April that provided a key lifeline to restaurants and bars as dining rooms remained closed due to COVID-19 — were here to stay, Gov. Ralph Northam has announced approval of delivery and takeout cocktails, but only until July 1, 2022. (CBS 6)
Shout-out to all the Virginia farmers markets: Our growers and purveyors are officially considered essential workers during a state of emergency following the signage of House Bill 2302.
ICYMI
Passover is approaching, and whether you plan on sitting back and relaxing or busting out that apron in the kitchen, we’ve got you covered with takeout options and family recipes from Perly’s, pop-ups JewFro and Susie & Esther, and more. (Richmond magazine)
Ever Better, a coffee, tea and shake shop in the Fan, has come under fire on social media for its connections to multilevel marketing operation Herbalife as a supplier of the nutritional supplements in its beverages. (Richmond magazine)
Writer Keya Wingfield checks in with women chefs and community members who immigrated to the United States, discussing the role food plays in connecting them to their native countries. Wingfield also appears in the April issue of Richmond magazine, where we touch base with a trio of local chefs making appearances on culinary network shows. We've learned that Wingfield's infant son, Daksh, has been diagnosed with a rare pulmonary condition, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help. (Richmond magazine)
Known for combining baking and activism, Richmond baker Arley Arrington of Arley Cakes recently made a cake for a big-screen star — check out this blueberry-lemon-mascarpone beaut created for actress and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon.
Hailing from Charlottesville, sisters Phung Huynh and Kynnie Wong will debut Got Dumplings in the former Deep Run Roadhouse space at 309 N. Laurel St. by fall. (Richmond BizSense)
Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches is channeling all the nostalgia with its forthcoming permanent flavor drop — look for the s'mores sammie to hit coolers April 1.
On May 2, chef and restaurateur Brittanny Anderson will invite fellow “Top Chef” season 18 contestants Roscoe Hall, Sasha Grumman and Kiki Louya for a five-course spring celebration dinner at Brenner Pass. Mark your calendars — “Top Chef” premieres on Bravo April 1.
Upcoming Events
We strongly encourage everyone to make safe and smart decisions and adhere to municipal and business guidelines related to the pandemic.
- Breakfast Day, Pop’s on Grace (March 26): A day dedicated to first meal — look for fresh-made biscuits, breakfast sammies and more.
- Safe Space Market, Lakeside Farmers Market (March 26): Final event of the season for the market dedicated to highlighting the region’s LGBTQ+ and BIPOC makers and purveyors with cool concoctions available from Jiji’s Frozen Custard
- Celebrate Spring, Mise en Place (March 26): Channel the flavors of the season during this online cooking class.
- French Pop-up Honoring Chef Dione Lucas, Secco Wine Bar (March 27): A prix fixe menu based on the first woman chef to graduate from Le Cordon Bleu and her book "Gourmet Cooking School Cookbook”
- Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration, Broadrock Community Garden (March 28): Learn how to care for fruiting trees during this hourlong demo.
- Farewell Drag Brunch, JewFro (March 28): The Jewish-meets-African cuisines pop-up from the owners of Soul Taco goes out in style with two seatings of a drag brunch.
- Beer Pairing Dinner With Steam Bell Beer Works, Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen (March 28): Four courses and four pairings, including an appearance from SBBW founder and Head Brewer Brad Cooper.
- Finishing Touch, Publix Aprons Cooking School at Nuckols Place (March 31): Demo-style cooking class showcasing how to take premade items up a notch
- Food Truck Rally, The Diamond (April 1): The weekly roundup of local food trucks — find Arroz, The Pitts BBQ and more on the bill.
In Other Food News …
- One of my favorite cereals is, or perhaps was, Cinnamon Toast Crunch. After a debacle involving shrimp tails and other not-so-sweet remnants found in a cereal bag by a customer — who happens to be the husband of former "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel Karp, aka Topanga on the show — it's hard to say when I’ll be craving “those crazy squares” again. (The New York Times)
