Now we’re into our third installment of GOOD EATS RVA, filled to the brim with restaurant news, new menus at local eateries, chef series and more. If you’re still among the few who missed RVA Magazine’s launch of GOOD EATS RVA, head over here to check it out.
Just as before, we’ve got a big helping this go around, so make some more room on your plate and pull up a chair and get ready for some GOOD EATS.
Richmond Black Restaurant Week Kicks Off
From March 6-12, a number of local Black-owned restaurants, coffee shops and other establishments will celebrate Richmond Black Restaurant Week to offer dining deals to bring in new customers and raise awareness. According to the Facebook page, 20 restaurants are participating including Croaker’s Spot, Mama J’s, Sugar’s Crab Shach, Charlie’s Kitchen and more. Stay tuned to a more in-depth interview on this new event. Enjoy $15.00 two course lunches and $25.00 three course dinners.
Richmond is the latest city to host Black Restaurant Week. Memphis, St. Louis, and Birmingham are also hosting their own Black Restaurant Weeks either this week or next. No calls were returned by press time, but the website states that Black Restaurant Week is an “opportunity for Black-Owned restaurants to offer dining deals to bring in new customers and raise awareness. It allows the country to support minority owned eateries.
We believe supporting Black restaurants play a crucial role in achieving socio-economic upliftment, and the sustainable implementation of these beliefs will strengthen our communities and open opportunities for future generations.”
Vegan food truck Mean Bird snags former StickyToGoGo space
Popular RVA food truck Mean Bird, which serves traditional and vegan fried chicken around town has just scored itself a brick and mortar spot in the former Sticky ToGoGo space. You can usually find them at Hardywood, Isley for their brunch and other spots about town. The couple announced on their Facebook page Feb. 25 that they would be moving their business into the space at 2227 Main St and plan to open in the next couple of months. Co-owner Sarah Moore said in an email that the space will mainly be a take out restaurant and market with possibly a few seats.
Mean Bird was starting to outgrow the food truck according to Moore and needed to expand to accommodate their customer base.
“In some ways, Mean Bird has maxed out the opportunities available operating solely out of the food truck,” she said. “Instead of pursuing a dedicated commissary space, we decided on a store front, which we see as the next step in keeping our customers happy and expanding Mean Bird’s business.”
Mean Bird will dramatically scale back the food truck business for the time being, but will still use it or catering and big events. Inquiries can be sent to giddyup@meanbirdrva.com.
Strawberry Street Cafe rolls $6 burger menu:
Strawberry Street Cafe has recently added a $6 craft burger menu with a bacon and mac and cheese burger, pimento cheese burger and more. See the menu below.
Kitchen on Cary Tuesday Wine Dinner, Thursday Wine nights
Every Tuesday Kitchen on Cary hosts a Wine Dinner with a unique menu. Three courses paired with three wines for $30. Check out tonight’s dinner menu and reservation info below:
Kitchen on Cary also hosts “UnPlugged and Uncorked” every Thursday night featuring half off select bottles of wine and live music.
Nota Bene’s Wood-Fired, Umbria-Inspired Book Dinner featuring Chef and Author Letizia Mattiacci
On Sunday, March 19, the restaurant will host chef author Letizia Mattiacci all the way from Umbria Italy for their Wood-Fired, Umbria-Inspired Book Dinner. Over a five-course dinner, Letizia will be sharing stories and recipes from her new book A Kitchen With A View.
Letizia owns Alla Madonna del Piatto bed and breakfast and cooking school where she has offered hands-on classes for over a decade.
Nota Bene’s chef Randall Doetzer collaborates for a seasonal and regional wood-fired menu available through the evening. This five-course dinner is $65 per person with an additional wine pairing and Letizia’s book available during the event. A limited number of tickets will be available during each seating and can be purchased in advance here. 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Jackdaw hosts first Kamayan Feast
Local pop up restaurant The Jackdaw (which you can read more about in our upcoming print issue!) is hosting its first Kamayan Feast at Citizen on Sunday, March 12.
Kamay is the Filipino word for hand. Kamayan means to either shake hands or since this is about food and this particular event, it would mean eating using only your hands. Kamayan has placed this traditional way of eating with hands on a pedestal and turned it into a real art form. This is a good way to kick back, relax, and get to know your neighbor while eating a feast on banana leaves. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through Eventbrite here.
Rise Biscuits Donuts coming to Short Pump
Durham, NC-based biscuit and donut concept, Rise Biscuits Donuts, will open its first Virginia location in Short Pump in June. The business sells both sweet and savory breakfast and lunch options,
“We are excited to bring this creative, chef-driven concept to Richmond,” said David Dowdy who, with partners Nash Osborn and Matt Hurley, will own and operate the franchise. “We feel there’s a void Rise will fill nicely in the breakfast market and can’t wait to serve scratch-made biscuits and donuts daily to hungry Virginians.”
Menu items include fied chicken biscuit, ham and sausage biscuit topped with cheeses, spreads and eggs and the Cubano. The shop boasts such donut flavors as Maple Bacon Bar and Crème Brulee. Rise Richmond (Short Pump) will be located at 11561 W. Broad St., across the street from Short Pump Town Center. Check out Rise Richmond’s Facebook page here.
Kabana Rooftop unveils new menu and hosts Jazz over the James
Kabana Rooftop has rolled out a very diverse menu. Greek meatballs with house ground lamb, feta and taztiki, Pergories, a pulled chicken, rice and avocado burrito, and a steak and cheese taquito are just some of the dishes. See the full menu below.
Every Tuesday, Kabana also has Jazz over the James featuring live jazz music during dinner with select half price bottles of wines and champagnes.
Early Bird Biscuit Co. & Bakery flocking back to Northside
According to their Instagram, Early Bird Biscuit Co. & Bakery will be coming back home to Northside. Not in their exact space on Lakeside Avenue, but the biscuit and sweets shop has secured a space at 1221 Bellevue Avenue. Not to worry Fan residents, your beloved biscuits will stay put at Early Bird’s Robinson Street location.
Growlers To Go Launches Bike Delivery Through Quickness RVA
No longer do craft beer lovers need to make the trip up to the store or brewery to fill up their growlers. Growlers To Go has partnered up with local bike courier company Quickness RVA to deliver the beer of its 50 plus kegs that are tap to the masses.
“It’s awesome how Quickness is helping us reach people who might not yet know about our store,” said Alyssa McCartney, Store Manger of Growlers To Go in a release. “We offer a wide variety of craft beer and cider at way less than bar prices, now in the comfort of your home.”
In the future, Quickness RVA plans to work out a subscription ABC delivery by bike with the company.
Fire at Rappahannock closes restaurant
A fire at Rappahannock Restaurant forced the popular seafood and oyster bar on East Grace Street to close its doors along with its neighboring sister restaurant, Rapp Session, while they assess the damage. They sent out a message on their Facebook page where you can keep up with updates on the restaurant:
“Rappahannock Restaurant will be closed until further notice. We are still assessing the damages and hope to know more soon. All reservations are being contacted. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you all again for your support and well wishes. Also, we’ve received a lot of messages from the business community offering to help, thank you. We’re are very appreciative of all the support and help. We hope to have more updates soon.”
The Brunch Market launches in Scott’s Addition
Scott’s Addition recently got its own monthly artisan market and brunch spot in the Urban Roost event space, The Brunch Market. Music, local shopping, brunch, and bar to make for the perfect Sunday Funday. The new event space by Lunch.SUPPER! offers a beautiful layout, open air garage doors, full bar, and custom farm tables. Their next event is Sunday, March 19 from 11am-4pm. Brunch bites and cocktails served walk-up style with 20 local retailers all under one roof. Check the link above for vendors. 3023 W. Marshall St.
Wong Gonzalez Beer Dinner
On Wednesday, EAT Partners restaurant on East Grace Street, Wong Gonzalez will host a beer dinner featuring Charlottesville’s South Street Brewery’s brews. Enjoy 5 delicious beer from the Charlottesville brewery paired with Chef Ken’s Latin-Asian fusion. Only $50 a person, make your reservations today by visiting wonggonzlez.com or calling (804)-788-9000. 6:30-9:30pm.
Laura Lee’s rolls out brunch menu
Laura Lee’s restaurant at 3410 Semmes Avenue started serving brunch last weekend. Starts at 10:30am. You can see a sneak peek below and the full brunch menu here.
Quirk Hotel Wine Table Tuesdays
As you found out in the first edition of GOOD EATS RVA, Quirk Hotel has launched Wine Table Tuesdays, where each week, a new organization/charity will be featured and $2 of all wine tastings will be donated to the specific charity. $17 per person (includes 4 tastings). Tonight, Quirk Hotel will donate proceeds to the World Pediatric Project and next week, March 14, the Wine Table event will benefit the Legal Aid Justice Center.
Weezie’s adds to dinner menu
Weezie’s Kitchen in Carytown has just put out a mouth-watering specials menu for dinner along with some wines. The restaurant has added some new burgers, wings, chicken and waffles, and chicken and biscuits. Check out the menu below and drool over the photos while you’re at it.
Food Porn:
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.
