It seems as though every time I turn around, a new restaurant has popped up in Richmond, a world-renowned chef has taken over a local eatery and created a new concept, or longtime staples are coming up with new and innovative ways to keep their restaurant fun for customers.
Richmond became a top destination for foodies in 2016, and that didn’t go unnoticed by RVA Magazine. In keeping with our standards of providing our readers with the latest news and trends in music, art, craft beer, local government fashion and more, RVA Magazine is proud to announce the launch of GOOD EATS RVA, a recurring column on our site dedicated to the local restaurant scene.
While RVAMAG.com will continue to post longer form restaurant stories on the site, the Good Eats RVA section will act as a bi-weekly rundown of Richmond restaurant news. The section will feature short food blurbs such as new menus, new cocktail programs, or a new chef at a local eatery, as well as one main story of a new restaurant opening or featured chef, and links to recent restaurant news to recap anything you may have missed.
So with that said, let’s jump into our very first edition of “GOOD EATS RVA:
Valentine’s Day Giveaway with RVA Magazine & Savory Grain
To kick off the launch of GOOD EATS RVA online, we thought we’d do a fun giveaway. One lucky person will win a Valentine’s Day dinner for two at local restaurant Savory Grain which includes one appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert for $50. RVA Magazine will announce the winner on Friday. See details in the photo below for how to win.
A photo posted by RVAmag (@rvamag) on
Also be on the lookout for a second Valentine’s Day giveaway with us and Ellwood Thompson’s. Details will follow on our Instagram.
Valentine’s Day Menus
Valentine’s Day is in exactly one week, and every year many local restaurants whip up special menus perfect for two. Check out some of RVA’s restaurants below with special VDAY menus and prices.
Secco Wine Bar is running a $50/pp special all next week and will an optional wine pairing for $25. The four-course menu includes oysters, lamb ravioli and petit fours. Check out the full menu here.
Tobacco Company is taking Valentine’s dinner reservations a from 5:30pm – 10:00pm on Tuesday, February 14th. Treat your sweetheart to an unforgettable evening with a romantic dinner and valentine’s cocktails. As another special treat, the restaurant will also be selecting their February “Couple of the Month” on Valentine’s evening -one lucky duo will receive dinner on the house.
Rappahannock Restaurant is serving up a three course menu for $48. Reserve a table by calling 804.545.0565.
Their parent company, Rappahannock River Oysters, is giving away a bag of 50 Rappahannock’s for a dinner in for one lucky couple for Valentine’s Day. To enter, just like or share this post or leave a comment about your first date. The winner will be announced this Wednesday.
Amour Wine Bistro is getting ready for Valentines Day early with their Love of Champagne event on Wed., Feb. 8. Five Champagnes to taste from Reims, Epernay, Ay, Montagne de Reims, $45 per person.
The Carytown restaurant is also hosting a five course Valentines Dinner with two seatings, one at 5:15 pm and 8:30 pm. $79/person without wine. Add $29 for wine. See menu here.
Flemings Steakhouse will serve a three-course dinner during Valentines week featuring Filet Mignon paired with your choice of New Zealand Salmon or an Australian Lobster Tail for $89.
For those looking to live a little more lavishly, Flemings has something for you as well. The Stony Point restaurant is offering a Wine, Dine & Sparkle dinner for two for $1,000. Your Valentine’s Day experience will begin with a bottle of JCB Brut Burgundy N° 21 sparkling wine, paired with an four-course dinner menu for two. Their Wine, Dine & Sparkle dinner for two also includes a gift from a specially curated collection by the world’s most iconic Jeweler. Your selected gift will be waiting at the restaurant to be personally delivered to your table.
All Boathouse locations will have Valentines specials all next week. Both restaurants are offering a three-course menu with wine pairings. Preset packages featuring sparkling wine, flower arrangements and chocolate covered strawberries available, staring at $50. Standalone flower arrangements and champagne also available.
Strawberry Street Cafe is serving a four course dinner for two which includes Lobster Bisque, salad bar, 3 entree items (including seafood + steak) and dessert for $39.
This Valentine’s Day Quirk Hotel is offering a four-course tasting menu from Executive Chef David Dunlap with the option of wine pairings at their restaurant Maple and Pine. $85/person) / Optional $25 Wine Pairing. Check out the link above for menu details. Reservations required.
Lulu’s is offering a three-course menu for $42. Call for reservations.
Kabana Rooftop is serving a two-day Valentines Dinner February 11th and 14th. Featuring a four-course meal, live Jazz music, his and her cocktail options, complimentary glass of champagne, and more. $120 per couple.
Acacia Midtown will serve a three course Valentines Day menu for $45 and a four course for $55. See menu details here. You can also order a small Valentines TOGO meal for $20 plus tax here.
The Roosevelt is serving a three-course prix fixe for $45/person. Menu in link.
Dutch & Co. in Church Hill is offering a Four Course Menu. The first two courses are set, with an option for entree and dessert at $55. per person (+tax & 20% gratuity)Tickets available via RESY or their website. See menu details here.
The Jefferson Hotel has an entire package for you to extend your Valentines Day for a few days.Package includes one dozen red roses, traditional Southern breakfast for two in the restaurant, breakfast gratuity and valet parking. Rates from $375.
In a different kind of Valentine’s Day event, Sticky Rice has teamed up with local pitbull rescue group, Ring Dog Rescue to deliver a doggie date to your door. On Valentine’s day call Sticky Rice and they will deliver a RDR ambassador dog for a 10 min. date with you. Want dinner Too? Quickness will be out delivering all the usual Sticky Rice fare. The restaurant will start taking orders at 5pm.
Quirk Hotel is also hosting Qupid’s Love Brunch on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the most romantic week of the year at Maple & Pine and the “Love Tonic” mixology station. Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Reservations required.
And for those wanting to extend their Valentine’s Day into the weekend, Quirk Hotel is offering an Overnight Package which includes a bottle of champagne and a special package of aphrodisiacs in room (some edible).
Weezie’s Kitchen launching new cocktail program
Caryown’s Weezie’s Kitchen plans to roll out a new cocktail program at the beginning of March. The updated cocktail menu will feature 10 new and original cocktails that are focused on spring flavors according to new Beverage Director, Vanna Hem.
“Were going to still have our odes to classics…so I’m going to be doing one or two variations on classics,” said Hem. “We’re also going to be doing a lot of Amaro-based cocktails, fun cocktails with ingredients like coconut milk-infused Belle Isle, pineapple-infused plantation rum, we’ll do a lot of things with shrubs…and we’re going to be doing a lot of things with aromatics and oils.”
Hem was most recently the head bartender at Vagabond and Can Can Brasserie and Balliceaux prior to that. He came aboard to Weezie’s this week with hopes of livening up the local spirit scene.
“I feel like the Carytown cocktail scene hasn’t been what it used to be since I’ve been at Can Can,” he said. “Something fun, but also very approachable to get people excited about cocktails again.”
Some of the plays on versions of classic cocktails include a daiquiri with Scotch and a few classic gin martinis, but with sesame oil put on top.
Prices will range around $8-$10 with the most expensive cocktail coming in at $12.
Inspired by New York’s Holiday Cocktail Lounge, Hem said he and owner Todd Gelsomino wanted to bring unique cocktails while keeping the restaurant laid back and inviting.
“Its a neighborhood bar, kind of a little divey, but it’s still fun and quirky you go in there and get a burger and a beer, but you also have access to these great and unique cocktails and that’s the kind of atmosphere we want to bring to Carytown,” Hem said.
In addition to Hem coming on as Beverage Director, Weezie’s also added on former Can Can Executive Chef Brian Brown as Head Chef several months ago.
Quirk Hotel Wine Table Tuesdays
This month, Quirk Hotel launched “Wine Table Tueadays” in partnership with non-profit organizations. Each week, a new organization/charity will be featured and $2 of all tastings will be donated to the specific charity. Wine reps will also be present to educate on the chosen wine. $17 per person (includes 4 tastings) 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Contact quirkcares@destinationhotels.com to book.
Pizza Club
Rebooted from her old backyard parties of piece-mealed pizza and booze, owner of local Italian restaurant Nota Bene Victora DeRoche, along with several other RVA restaurateurs, are bringing Pizza Club to the public once a month. The club launched last month and from now on one Sunday each month, the public can dine on a special pizza at Nota Bene created by some of Richmond’s finest restaurant owners, along with specialty cocktails and tap takeovers by local brewers. This month’s event will take place Feb. 26 with Stephanie Ganz of The Apple Cart as the featured guest. Read more on the Pizza Club in our story here.
Cary St. Cafe extends kitchen hours
Cary St. Cafe’ kitchen is now open until 1:30am, for in-house, take-out and delivery.
The Dog & Pig Show closing
About two weeks ago, Church Hill spot The Dog & Pig show announced via their Instagram that they would be closing their storefront on North 25th Street Feb. 12. The owners did give a hint about what could possibly be coming next for the husband and wife team in their post which you find below.
Gelati Celesti scoops up location in Scott’s Addition
Longtime ice cream chain Gelati Celesti has landed a spot at 1400 N. Boulevard in Scott’s Addition, the fourth shop for the brand that’s been serving up sweet treats since its first Richmond location on West Broad Street in the 80s.
Owner Steve Rosser said he and his wife Kim live in the city and have wanted to open up a shop there for quite some time.
“It’s centrally located between Northside and the Fan, the Malvern area, there are so many people who live around there. Plus, the residents in Scott’s Addition alone, that neighborhood is growing at an incredible rate,” Rosser said of the expansion. And it’s right on the Boulevard across from the Bow Tie Cinema and just down the street from The Diamond.”
Read more in our interview here.
Boka Tavern has closed
The restaurant at 506 W. Broad St., which served burgers, burritos, tacos and more announced Jan. 18 on their Facebook page that they would be closing to focus on core operations with their catering events, weddings and their new box lunch program out of their primary Richmond facility at the Boka Grill. Delivery is being converted over to a new independent operation that will be announced in a few weeks.
Food Porn: Check out The Constantine over at Stella’s. Head over to RVA Magazine’s instagram @rvamag to check out more photos of local good eats.
To submit news, ideas, press releases, menus, or other restaurant news, please email Amy David at amy@rvamag.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please email John Reinhold at john@rvamag.com.
Words by Amy David
