There's some smoked-meat goodness in your future, and Tuffy Stone, above, and the pitmasters ZZQ are to thank. Of course, if you're into spookier stuff, we've got that, too, all below. (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
Happy Halloweekend! To celebrate, we've got spooky events, plus how to pair candy with local craft beer, plus other incredible, non-spooky-but-still-fun news. Ready? Dig in:
- We've had some big, exciting barbecue news recently, no matter how you slice it. First off, longtime pop-up series ZZQ finally found a home, or, to be more accurate, it's building one. The husband-and-wife team of Chris Fultz and Alex Graf aim to open their enormous ZZQ restaurant — complete with old-school barbecue line, trays of meats and sides, a naturally shaded patio, Texas bar staples, a small music stage, and a smokehouse where you can learn just how it's done — all by mid-April in Scott's Addition. Fans of ZZQ's weekly residency at Ardent Craft Ales will be thrilled to learn that the team isn't going far; the new restaurant will be situated at 3201 W. Moore St., adjacent to the brewery's parking lot. For more on the team, the barbecue and what the space will look like, step right this way. See also: finally, a permanent home for that perfect jalapeño mac 'n' cheese! (Richmond magazine)
- And in some national 'cue news, Richmond's own Tuffy Stone of Q Barbeque took home one of the most prestigious awards in the field, and he did it for the second year in a row. RVA is now home to a three-time Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel’s Championship Barbecue Invitational — a huge win for Stone and his Cool Smoke team, and a record-breaking one at that. This year, I spent a few months shadowing the world-famous pitmaster throughout competitions, classes at his Lakeside cooking school and an evening in the kitchen at the famed James Beard House in New York City. Ever the meticulous perfectionist, this man, known as "The Professor" of barbecue, works tirelessly on his product, and I can tell you personally, after spending hours and hours watching him work, that this win is well-deserved. Read my full profile on Tuffy Stone here, and learn just what drives him, how he got here and how he makes it happen time and time again. (Richmond magazine)
- But it's not all about barbecue this week; acclaimed New York City-based chef Robert Newton announced he'll be opening his very first Richmond restaurant. Newton isn't yet fielding questions about the project, but what we do know is that it's slated to be a fine-dining venture, set to open in the lobby of the former Central National Bank Building at 219 E. Broad St. (now an apartment building known as Deco at CNB). For a bit more on Newton and that gorgeous downtown Art Deco lobby, we've got you covered.
- When national press talks about the Richmond area's beer boom, it's mostly the big names in local beer that get thrown around. But outside of the city center, Chesterfield is coming up quick. Here's a great look at some of the county's hop farms and breweries and what you'll find there. (Chesterfield Observer)
- Speaking of beer, RVA Mag got real spooky with it and paired Halloween candy with local brews. Some combinations sound better than others. Proceed with caution, but try them all in the name of science.
- Oh, and MORE BEER: U.S. Sen., possible future Vice President and definite former Richmond Mayor Tim Kaine opened up about his favorite place to grab a beer, and, hello, it is Scott's Addition's Ardent Craft Ales. With those beers and that patio, it's hard to naysay that pick. (Men's Journal)
- On Monday evening, New Orleans-based, James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence swung through town for a breakfast-for-dinner event at Southbound. Here promoting his new cookbook, "Big Bad Breakfast: The Most Important Book of the Day," Currence chatted with fans and breakfast enthusiasts while the Southbound team whipped up a few of his cookbook's recipes. I caught up with Currence prior to the event, so if you missed the big night, you can at least learn all about his favorite hangover cures and breakfast sandwiches.
- It's fall, which means it's time to dive headfirst into some apples — obviously metaphorically, please do not try this literally. While we love a good apple stack, the Rmag family is partial to hard cider, so our own Genevelyn Steele put together this roundup of perfect cider pairings. Which locally found food products complement certain ciders, and why? We've got the answers.
- Over VCU way, the beloved corner-block-of-a building that formerly housed the original Village Café is back in the hands of the restaurant's former owners. The Dikos family, as well as Giavos family, now own that full-of-potential space at 939 W. Grace St., and plan to open another restaurant there. Renovations are set to begin in January. (Richmond BizSense)
- Health fads would have you believe sodium is the devil, but in actuality, naturally, salt can be quite good for you, in moderation. But the mineral's benefits don't stop there — it can transform your food, and help you take control in your own kitchen. For our Fall/Winter issue of Dine, Piet E. Jones sat down with Nota Bene Executive Chef Randall Doetzer, noted salt fanatic, to learn how to stock your pantry with the stuff, how to purchase it responsibly and how best to use it. The story is now online, and you can find it here.
- Speaking of cooking at home, Rmag Editorial Director Susan Winiecki helmed my ingredient column in October whilst I trailed Tuffy, and she netted both some great information and a wonderful recipe featuring shiitake mushrooms. Go forth and get fungi. (Richmond magazine)
- Richmond is so full o' fabulous local products, it can be tough to keep them straight. To help, here's a peek at a few standouts, and the people behind them! (Style Weekly)
Get spooky or don't this weekend — either way, you've got options. For a few of my non-food Halloween event picks, click here. Otherwise, read on:
- Tonight, head to The Savory Grain at 10 p.m. for big drink specials and a CCR cover band, because how could you not love either of those things? (The Savory Grain)
- Saturday, hit up the Ellwood’s Halloween Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for face painting, cider and beer tastings, a dead-flower-crown craft station (take that, Pinterest), and more. On Halloween, stop by in your finest seasonal garb and get your picture taken for the costume contest from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Photos of entrants will find their way to the Ellwood's Facebook page, where the public will vote on the winner from Nov. 1 through 4. If you're the lucky No. 1, you'll win a $100 Ellwood's gift card.
- Saturday night, get in the Halloween spirit with The Rogue Gentlemen's lengthy list of spirits. The restaurant and cocktail bar is hosting its very first Halloween party, and what's more, proceeds benefit Diversity Richmond. Each $45 ticket to The Devil's Cut includes unlimited snacks such as parkerhouse rolls, pimento cheese, those addictive fried chicken skins and a new pâté, plus a spiced bourbon welcome punch. There'll be a costume contest, tarot card reader, bobbing for apples and more. Buy your tix in advance via phone (447-3456), or IRL at the restaurant (618 N. First St.) day of. 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. More details here.
- Or go adult trick-or-treating at the Scott's Addition "Booz" Crawl on Saturday night, where the neighborhood's breweries and cideries will be offering specials from 6 to 9 p.m. Grab a punch card at any of the participating locations — Blue Bee Cider, Ardent Craft Ales, The Veil Brewing Co., Buskey Cider, Reservoir Distillery, Isley Brewing Co. and Three Notch'd Brewing Co.'s RVA Collab House — and rack up three stamps, and you'll get entered to win a $25 gift card from one of these spots. Each location will also offer spooky touches, such as a very on-theme dry-ice cider display at Buskey.
- Sunday, Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue is throwing a family-friendly Fall Hoedown complete with games, hot cider, fair food and more! Stop by the Henrico location at 8205 W. Broad St. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Buz and Ned's)
- Also SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY: Head to Lucy's Restaurant in Jackson Ward for some late-night sandwiches by some of the city's most fun chefs — Mike Braune (The Roosevelt), Adam Hall (Saison) and Mike Hill (Heritage). The Sloppy Sandwiches Pop-Up is bound to fill you with food and probably also delight and maybe inner peace? I don't know, but it seems like a good one. 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (Sloppy Sandwich Pop-Up)
And now for a few (inter)national links:
- Speaking of sandwiches, here's an obviously subjective take on the 50 best sandwiches of all time, but this person isn't too far off and they're also pretty funny, so give it a scroll. (imgur)
- In arguably victimless crime news, a robber stopped at In-N-Out Burger in the middle of a police chase. He was eventually caught and didn't even get a burger out of it. Sorry, dude. I feel ya. (Grub Street)
Until next time, animal-style fries till I die.
