Richmond Food News: Week of Nov. 7-11

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Food News & Trends

Good afternoon! It's been a week, hasn't it? While the nation feels more divided than ever, at least we still have food. On this week's openings and events, the possible future of food under Trump, and even Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg:

  • If you're in need of some warmth and comfort from the inside out, might I introduce Secret Sandwich Society? Downtown's newest restaurant is set to open sometime next week with hearty burgers and sandwiches stacked with gourmet ingredients including but not limited to pimento cheese, slow-roasted pork, chipotle-bacon jam, fried chicken, rosemary mayonnaise, peach jam, seared mortadella, runny eggs, fried eggplant and honey butter. But before you stop by for lunch, dinner, Virginia beer or a craft cocktail at 501 E. Grace St., read up on what else you can expect from this Secret Sandwich Society, open to all.
  • IT'S HERE: Cider Week VA kicks off today, which means you'll find some fabulous dinners, tastings, tap takeovers and walk-around events all focused on and inspired by our state's hard ciders. From tonight until Sunday, Nov. 20, you can sip your way through cider, nosh on a Buskey Cider and Sugar Shack collaborative doughnut and meet some of the makers. Here's my quick guide to some of the city's Cider Week events, just to get you started.
  • In the case of 719 N. Meadow St., when one bakery's door closed, another opened. In early 2017, the former Fan home of Lucille's Bakery will open anew, this time as bakery and commissary Red Cap Kitchen. Martine Wladar, a pastry chef with roughly 25 years of experience under her belt, will run a European-inspired bakery out of the building, and lease some of its space to other food companies as well. (Richmond BizSense)
  • In news that will warm your heart, Short Pump's Patina Restaurant & Bar is offering veterans 50 percent off of their entrée today in observance of Veterans Day. Those who haven't served but are dining with a veteran will receive 10 percent off their entrée. (RVA HUB)
  • Thirsty? Saadia’s Juicebox is a healthy, fast juice bar and food option set to hit Jackson Ward as soon as early December. Expect juice, smoothies and salads utilizing locally sourced ingredients. (Richmond BizSense)
  • Puckering up for sour beer has never been easier here in Richmond: Earlier this year, Hardywood launched a new sour-beer barreling program, and they're not the only ones experimenting. We chatted with Ethen Adams, the man behind Hardywood's initiative, as well as Patrick Murtaugh, head brewer and co-owner, to learn just how the magic happens and what could be next for the brewery's barrel exchange program. 
  • Now online: Straight from the pages of our November issue comes our review of Liberty Public House, Church Hill's family-friendly, all-day, always-affable restaurant and bar from the team behind The Mill on MacArthur.
  • And in a bit of upsetting news, Poe's Pub bartender Jordon Waldrop was hit by a car while he was on his motorcycle in Church Hill, and was found on the side of the road. To help him offset his medical costs, there is now a Go Fund Me campaign to which you can donate. And of course if you have any information about this incident, please contact authorities. (Church Hill People's News)

In addition to Cider Week events, you've got a metaphorical smorgasbord of ways to enjoy the next few days. (Sorry there's not a literal smorgasbord. Maybe next time.)

  • On Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mean Bird food truck goes brunch-y at Isley Brewing Co. Stop by for fried chicken — vegan and regular alike — via items such as chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and chicken biscuits. Wash it all down with beer mimosas and other boozy brunch drinks, plus coffee from Ironclad Coffee Roasters. (Mean Bird)
  • Then drink for a cause at Metzger Bar & Butchery's new, weekly cocktail series, which kicks off this Sunday. From 5 p.m. to midnight, James Kohler will serve up drinks with guest bartenders from around the city. Expect themed nights and a few sneak peeks of what's to come from some of the city's bar programs. The best news? Five percent of the evening's cocktail proceeds benefit the Blue Sky Fund in honor of the late, great Kurt Moon. (Metzger Bar & Butchery)
  • Sunday evening, get a taste of Rome, wood-fired. Nota Bene's Randall Doetzer and visiting chef Katie Parla are offering up a mouthwatering menu of lamb stew, braised artichokes, anchovy crostini, house-made pasta, ricotta tart and more, all inspired by Parla's recipes from her new cookbook, "Tasting Rome." Reserve your $65 ticket by calling 477-3355. (Nota Bene)
  • Monday night, head to Millie's Diner for the Jackdaw's first industry night pop-up, a late-night event for restaurant-industry folks and non-industry folks alike. Find tonkatsu ramen, Filipino sausage dumplings and black sesame Twinkies from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and find the full menu here. (The Jackdaw)
  • More drinking for a cause? Barrel Thief has your back with a Tuesday-night event that's bound to fill you with good cheer: Bubbles Up! is an evening of sparkling wines and hors d'oeuvres, and it benefits the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls. To purchase your $45 ticket, click here.

And now for a few (inter)national links:

  • As every single person reading this is well aware, this week, America elected a new president. While Donald Trump's platform rarely mentioned food or nutrition, a number of his policies are sure to influence what and how we eat in the future. Here's a look at just what his stances on immigration, labor, food safety regulations, climate change and workers' benefits could mean for the food industry. (Eater)
  • Need a palate cleanser? Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg's cooking show, "Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party," premiered this week and you can watch the full, totally bizarre episode here. (VH1)

Till next time, see these ice cubes, see these ice creams?