Gaze longingly at all the dishes prepared by local chefs at the For Every Saison beer dinner benefiting Maymont, including this pastrami with pretzel spaetzle and pickled mustard seeds from Adam Hall, chef/owner of Saison. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
A Taste of Urban Agriculture
The world of farming is transforming far beyond tractors, overalls and sprawling acres. Real Local RVA hosts its third annual Urban Farm Tour on Saturday, Sept. 29, to highlight farming in unexpected places and the importance of utilizing available green spaces. Four stops at area farms expose attendees to urban growing practices, offer opportunities to meet the growers, and include tastes from the farm prepared by Sugar & Twine, Ginger Juice, and Tazza Kitchen. The tour wraps up at Lakeside Farmers’ Market with a celebration featuring live music, food trucks and local purveyors. (Richmond magazine)
Culinary Kryptonite, Conquered
Most people have that one food they just don't want to see on their plates, a food that incites a negative reaction from the mere mention of its name. For Chef Alex Enggist of the Museum District's Little Saint, that food is carrots. In this online extra from the October issue of Dine, on newsstands now, writer Anna Moriah Myers takes a look at the steps chefs take to bring a dish to life, and how chefs sometimes learn to embrace their least favorite ingredients in creative ways. (Richmond magazine)
Bucking the Odds
The relationship between local farmers and area chefs is symbiotic, with some growers offering little-known crops that lend themselves to creative menu items. Dominic Carpin of delli Carpini Farm is a one-man show on his 12 acres in Beaverdam, and writer Genevelyn Steele shares why Carpin, who grows for restaurants including Shagbark, Caboose Market in Ashland and The Broken Tulip Social Eatery in Carytown, describes himself as a "high-risk, gambler farmer." (Richmond magazine)
For Every Saison
A collaboration between the Maymont Foundation, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery and local chefs was the recipe for a fall-focused, five-course culinary event, the third For Every Saison beer dinner on Sept. 23. At each event, Hardywood brewers unveil a new saison brewed using ingredients foraged on Maymont grounds — this time around it was fennel, hibiscus and goldenrod. Relive the event and check out some pics, including a chanterelle bisque with black burgundy truffles from Chef Walter Bundy of Shagbark that I’m still craving. (Richmond magazine)
A Strawberry Street Farewell
After almost 30 years on its namesake street, Strawberry Street Cafe and its beloved bathtub salad bar may be coming to an end. The cafe has placed its space and all of its intellectual property — menus, equipment and licenses — on the market. Owner Ron Joseph seeks a buyer who will maintain the restaurant. (Richmond BizSense)
I Spy All the Pie
If you’ve traveled to Hokie country, you may have stopped in at Benny’s for their infamous “Virginia Slice” and 28-inch pies. The Blacksburg pizza joint will make its Richmond debut as Benny Affamato’s in the former Continental Divide space in The Fan, after six years of searching for a space in the city. The new restaurant is expected to open in spring 2019, and night owls will be pleased to learn they plan to dish out ’za until 3 a.m. (Richmond BizSense)
It only took a few months for the old Stuzzi spot at 1 N. Belmont, which closed in June, to house another pie venture, Fire & Hops. The owners are no pie newbies; they operate Sergio’s Pizza & Craft Beer in Chesterfield, an almost 30-year-old business, but diners can expect a different vibe at Fire & Hops with 24 taps, sliders, sandwiches and a patio. (Richmond BizSense)
New to Town
Oyster fan? For me, once I start throwing some juicy oysters back, it’s hard to slow down. Well, it seems I’m going to have to practice self-control when Salt Box Oyster Co., from chef/owner Matthew Tlusty, formerly of Limani Fish Grill, Julep’s and Max’s on Broad, opens his solo venture in mid-October at Willow Lawn. Diners can expect a wide range of seafood from around the world and a heavy dose of the briny bad boys. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Booze and sweet treats, a rather addictive combo that will soon be making its way to Stony Point: Tipsy Cupcakes RVA, from sisters Mesha and Shay Beards, is set to open on Nov. 1. and dish out flavors ranging from maple bacon to Patron margarita, along with “virgin” cupcakes. (News release)
EAT Restaurant Partners are spreading their dining offerings to Shockoe Bottom in the form of fried goodness. Chris Tsui, president of EAT, is set to open Hot Chick in the former River City Diner space at 7 N. 17th St. by early 2019. The restaurant’s focus: a celebration of all things fried chicken, including sandwiches and wings for lunch, dinner and brunch. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Join the (Beer) Family
At Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, they've opened up 2,000 spots in the annual lottery for their Family Tree Beer Club, which provides access to purchase an ever-expanding variety of the brewery's award-winning Gingerbread Stouts (GBS). The lowdown: members can pre-purchase Hardywood’s GBS: The Complete Set — which last year sold out in minutes — and enjoy offerings brewed exclusively for members plus a family reunion celebration at West Creek for premium members. “The beer club is giving us a line of communication to a group of some of our biggest fans and is a way to engage a smaller, tighter community of Hardywood beer enthusiasts,” says co-owner Patrick Murtaugh. Currently there are only 300 premium members and many of them out of state. The lottery added a standard tier this year, in addition to the premium, and is open until Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. Added bonus: beer-bragging rights when sipping on brews inspired by the sudsy suggestions of club members. “It’s fun to be creative, and we're constantly trying new things,” says co-owner Eric McKay.
National Coffee Day
Saturday is National Coffee Day, and area coffee shops are celebrating the nectar of the gods in full force. Head to Brewer’s Cafe for a latte and to check out the pop-up from Johnny Cupcakes, a nationally recognized, bakery-inspired T-shirt line based out of Boston. And get a sneak peek of the forthcoming Urban Hang Suite RVA, where owner and radio personality Kelli Lemon will be recording the 100th episode of her Coffee With Strangers RVA podcast. Tickets are $5.
Corked and Tapped
Petersburg is thirsty. On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., historic Downtown Petersburg will be transformed into a wine and beer lover’s destination for the 10th annual Festival of Grapes and Hops. Participating Petersburg-proud breweries include Trapezium and its sister brewery in Bedford, Beale’s, as well as Ammo. Sip on Virginia vintages from over 12 wineries including Prince Michel, Castle Glen Estates and Horton Vineyards, and indulge in food from Saucy’s BBQ, Happy Empanada and Scoop, to name a few. Tasting tickets purchased in advance are $20, and non-tasting tickets are $10.
RVA Love
Ardent Craft Ales and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery proudly returned to RVA from Denver with medals from The Great American Beer Festival, a competition featuring more than 800 breweries from across the country. Hardywood’s flagship brew, Singel, won silver in the Belgian-style ale category, and Ardent's Pilsner brought home the bronze medal in the German-style Pilsner category. Cheers! Side note: In celebration of the fresh accolades, Hardywood is offering 50 percent off all Singel draft pours through the weekend at both taprooms.
Upcoming Events
- Three Cheers for Three Years, HI Richmond Hostel (Sept. 28): A potluck-style anniversary celebration of friends and community
- Dine Out for No Kid Hungry, Rappahannock (Sept. 28-30): Slurp oysters and sip on cocktails for a cause.
- Battle of the Brews, Westchester Commons (Sept. 29): Area breweries battle for bragging rights and a spot on tap at Sedona Taphouse for the next six months.
- Oyster Roast, The Veil Brewing Co. (Sept. 29): Enjoy Ruby Salt oysters — fried, smoked or raw — and the release of an apple brandy-aged imperial stout.
- Smithfield BBQ Classic, Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 29): Sample ’cue and learn the tricks of the pit from champion BBQ pit masters.
- Fifth Anniversary Party, Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery (Sept. 29): Special beer releases, food trucks and live tunes in the midst of sunflower fields
- Festival of India, Greater Richmond Convention Center (Sept. 29-30): The annual celebration of Indian culture and cuisine
- Fall Festival, Gallmeyer Farms (Sept. 29-30): Pick pumpkins, hop on a hayride, listen to live music, and check out area purveyors and locally grown produce.
- Dutch Oven 101, Pocahontas State Park (Sept. 29): Old Dominion Iron Chefs teach the ins and outs of cast-iron cooking for your next camping adventure.
- Autumnfest, Hanover Tavern (Sept. 29): Craft beers, BBQ, live music and family-friendly fall activities
- Parking Lot Party, The Cask Cafe (Sept. 29): Burgers and brats on the grill
- Annual Crab Feast and Fish Fry, The Peter Paul Development Center (Sept. 29): BYO newspaper, sides and drinks for the all-you-can-eat crab and fish feast.
- Fall Bash, Hardywood West Creek (Sept. 29): Family-friendly event with music, brews and food
- Golden Ticket Beer and Cookie Pairing, Intermission Beer Company (Sept. 30): Celebrate Willy Wonka Day with cookie and beer flights and a screening of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
- Blue Grass & Blue Crab Festival, Tredegar Iron Works (Sept. 30): Unlimited food and drink including steamed blue crabs, beer, BBQ, hushpuppies and oysters plus twangy tunes.
- Tailgate Cookout, Urban Roost Beer Garden (Oct. 1): All-you-can-eat favorites from Lunch & Supper, draft brews from Ardent, The Veil, Triple Crossing, Three Notch'd and Hardywood, along with a Monday Night Football viewing; proceeds benefit Chimborazo Elementary.
- Sip & Savor: Cider and Dessert Pairing, Courthouse Creek Cider (Oct. 1): Fall-inspired treats from Mahogany Sweets paired with cider
- Veil Collaboration Release, Blue Bee Cider (Oct. 2): A limited release of Cross Pollinate, a funky, barrel-aged cider 19 months in the making created with The Veil Brewing Co.
- Lee Graves Event, Legend Brewing (Oct. 2): Meet the author of "Virginia Beer" while sipping on a cold one.
- Vegan Pop-up, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Oct. 3): Stop by for the last vegan pop-up of the season.
- Eat Your Way to a Good Night’s Sleep, Advanced Wellness Center (Oct. 3): Free seminar on how what you eat plays a role in how you sleep
- Culinary Event, The Wooden Spoon Cafe (Oct. 4): Intimate Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and wine-tasting event featuring recipes and culinary tips
- FeedMore Benefit Night, Fine Creek Brewing (Oct. 4): Fifteen percent of sales from the evening go to FeedMore.
In Other Food News ...
- Following the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Eater checks in with young restaurateurs in Puerto Rico who lost produce suppliers, buildings and customers as a result of the disaster, and learns how they have been pushing forward.
- I meant to share this story in last week's Food News, but it has recently taken a brighter turn. About two weeks ago, at Firefly Hill Vineyards in Elliston, owners woke up to find 2 tons of grapes had been stolen from their fields. The crops they had been tending for eight months were stripped away overnight. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture, this is the first reported case of grape theft in the state. Vineyards throughout Virginia and across the country have offered their help, including Alexandria Nicole Cellars, a winery in Washington state, which plans to replace all the stolen grapes. Let's raise a glass to kindness. (The Roanoke Times)
