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Young Mother: Get on the list!

Post originally appeared on wtvr.com.

New pop-up alert – so promising he’s already taking reservations for 2022!

RICHMOND, Va. — Daniel Harthausen is not yet a household name in Richmond’s culinary scene. But that has not stopped his Korean and Japanese cuisine-inspired Young Mother pop-up restaurant to sell out for the remainder of 2021.

He is taking reservations for 2022.

Daniel H 02.jpg
Nick Hancock
Daniel Harthausen and Young Mother

“I don’t see myself as somebody that’s a part of the Richmond chef community. I still just work and I do a pop-up once a month. People really like it and I love that,” Harthausen said. “I kind of just see myself as still an employee at Adarra, which I love.”

The 26-year-old Korea-born, Hampton Roads-raised chef said he has learned a lot from Adarra owner and chef Randall Doetzer.

“We’re fairly similar. I pick up on very blunt direction well,” he said. “I think it’s just coming from an athletic background or playing sports my whole life and then also coming up as a military kid. Being very coachable is a skill I think is really important for people. So like having someone just tell me directly when I need to do, I’ll go do it and then also learn from it.”

His time with Doetzer, plus stops at other Richmond restaurants like Yaki and Black Sheep, has given Harthausen the confidence to move forward with Young Mother.

“Primarily we’re focused on Japanese and Korean food. Kind of like this meshing of the two cultures. It’s pretty interesting on my end, being able to research how the two cultures kind of interact with food,” he said.

Click here to learn more about Young Mother pop-ups and DM the Instagram account to get on the waiting list for the next event.

You can listen Daniel Harthausen share his story on the Eat It, Virginia podcast.

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It’s GivingTuesday! Make YOUR impact on the world today and everyday!

Today is GivingTuesday, a movement created just 9 short years ago to inspire people to make a difference in the world, both big and small!  The organization says:“GIVINGTUESDAY IS A MOVEMENT THAT UNLEASHES THE POWER OF RADICAL GENEROSITY AROUND THE WORLD.

GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.

Our global network collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.”

So whether you do something as simple as checking on your neighbor and offering help or creating your own charitable organization, no act is too small or too big.  The world needs all of the kindness it can get right now – and that starts with us….and you.

To learn more about GivingTuesday and its impact, check out https://www.givingtuesday.org/

Paul Davis restoration
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Don’t want to cook for Thanksgiving? Have no fear – these RVA restaurants are here!

Post originally appeared on https://www.wric.com/entertainment-news/what-restaurants-are-serving-thanksgiving-dinner-in-richmond.

If you’re like a lot of us, you’re tired of cooking – every night you have to decide what to feed yourself and your family. Adulting, right?! But no worries – there are a ton of great restaurants in RVA serving up some awesome Thanksgiving feasts!

The Boathouse

With locations in Short Pump, Hopewell, Rocketts Landing and Sunday Park, the Boathouse is offering guests the option to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, as well as order oven-ready family dinners. The Boathouse buffet offers everything from turkey and apple crisp to Atlantic salmon and chocolate mousse. The buffet is $48 for adults, $19 for children and free for kids ages 5 and under. Oven-ready dinners serve six to eight people and include turkey breast, side dishes and a pie. You can add more dishes such as ham biscuits and crab dip for an additional cost. Oven-ready dinners must be ordered by Nov. 19 and are $185 a meal. You can find more information and make Thanksgiving Day reservations on the Boathouse’s website.

BookBinders’s Seafood & Steakhouse

BookBinder’s is offering a three-course meal with Thanksgiving classics like the traditional turkey dinner, along with less traditional options such as pan-seared Cheseapeake Rockfish. Dinner is $70 for adults and $18 for the children’s menu (kids 12 and under), not including tax and 20% holiday gratuity. You can find a full menu and make reservations online here.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

Fleming’s is offering both in-house and catering options for Thanksgiving dinner. The three-course Thanksgiving dinner menu includes a starter, entree and dessert. They will also have” sides to share” and a children’s menu. These options are also available in a to-go format, along with full sides for order, such as mashed potatoes and house-made stuffing. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The three-course adult meal is $49 and the children’s menu is $23. Catering sides vary from $25 to $90. You can find more details and make a reservation on Fleming’s website.

Hanover Tavern

Hanover Tavern is hosting guests for a traditional Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect all the classics like roasted turkey, yams, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie Adults are $40 and children ages 5 to 12 are $20. You can make a reservation by calling 804-537-5050. Find more details on Hanover Tavern’s website.Which stores are open, or closed, on Thanksgiving 2021? 

Howlett’s Restaurant & Tavern

Howlett’s will be serving a traditional baked turkey dinner with a choice of three sides, along with a sweet dessert to finish up your meal.

Dinner will be served from noon to 7 p.m. Adults are $25.99 and kids 10 and under are $12.99. You can make a reservation by calling 804-930-1034.

The Jefferson Hotel

Unfortunately, The Jefferson is completely booked for in-person holiday dining options through New Year’s Eve. However, they’re still taking to-go orders for an at-home feast until Nov. 17. You can fill out an order request form online here or call 804-649-4618 for more information.

The Lobby Bar at Quirk

Quirk’s in-house restaurant is offering takeaway dinners for two which can be picked up between 1 and 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. They include roasted turkey breast and confit turkey leg, along with all the best sides. A two-person dinner is $120 and can be ordered through Eventbrite.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris’ in-house dinner includes a starter, roast turkey, dressing, a side and dessert. They also have to-go meals that serve up to four people and a la carte sides for order as well. Dinner at the restaurant is $42.95 a person. To-go meals for four are $115 to $175 and sides start at $27.95 each. You can find more information and make a reservation on its website.

Small Batch Local Kitchen

This restaurant operating out of the Westin Richmond will be offering a three-course Thanksgiving dinner that includes an appetizer or choice of salad, entree and dessert. This dinner is $44 for adults and $19 for children under 12. You can find more details on Small Batch’s Facebook page and make a reservation through OpenTable.

Spoonbread Bistro

The restaurant is offering heat and go options ranging from a traditional ham and turkey dinner to salmon stuffed with crab and shrimp. Each meal serves four people and comes with sides, rolls and a dessert. Patrons can also order a la carte sides like scalloped potatoes and, of course, spoon bread. The restaurant will be taking preorders until Nov. 20. Meals range from $225 to $280, and sides are $25 apiece. All orders are subject to an 18% service fee. You can find a full menu online here, and place your order here.

The Tobacco Company Restaurant

The Tobacco Company will have a menu featuring a full list of sides and entrees, as well as a Harvest Dinner option for those wanting a traditional turkey meal on the holiday. Prices vary per option, but the Tobacco Company Harvest Dinner is $38. You can find more information and make a reservation on the restaurant’s website.

However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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Virtual Restaurant? What’s That?!

Story appeared on 6News Richmond.

RICHMOND, Va. — To say Daquan and Nicole Woodberry have a lot of irons in the fire would be an understatement. The chef and entrepreneur power couple hopes to transform the way Richmond orders food with both the LoCo food delivery app and virtual restaurants.

“A virtual restaurant is essentially a restaurant within a restaurant. It thrives and operates solely off of delivery platforms,” Dequan, who goes by Chef DQ, explained. “So if you go on any of the delivery apps such as [his app] LoCo, Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash. And you’re like, hey, I want fried chicken sandwiches, and you’re scrolling down and you’ll see [his new brand] Absurd Bird pop up. Well, you’ll be able to order. And that food will be made at [his restaurant] RVA Cafe and it’ll be delivered to you and you may or may not know is coming from RVA Cafe. So the big thing here is a lot of bigger chains and a lot of bigger corporations are getting into this. Maybe people have heard of Hootie’s Burger Bar, that’s a virtual restaurant from Hooters. But you walk into Hooters and they’re going to look at you like you’re crazy If you come ask them for a Hootie’s burger. They’re like, we don’t know what that is, the servers are sometimes unaware. So this is how the world is changing. And it was happening way before COVID. But you know, being honest, COVID accelerated that process pretty much five times over.”

Interview with Daquan and Nicole Woodberry on “Eat It, Virginia! with Scott and Robey”

Daquan, who served in the Marines, said he learned his work ethic from his father Maurice and was inspired to follow his dreams by his wife Nicole.

“When I say she saved my entire life she did. I was in a really dark space. I had just come out of the Marine Corps. I was actually injured. So I’m more than thankful, that God spared life on that end and I’m still able to function because I have friends that can’t,” Daquan said. “She really refreshed my life. She really came and poured life back into me and kind of encouraged me to go and find what I love to do. So that’s actually what led me to be a chef. She said do what you love. And, you know, she supported me the whole entire way.”

Several years and businesses later, Daquan admits it’s more than support.

“Now she’s the real boss of the whole business,” he said. “I just sit here and look pretty. She does everything else.”

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Wine Not? New wine bar opens in Monroe Ward

Post originally appeared on RichmondBizSense.com.

In Monroe Ward, a new wine bar has picked up where a longtime diner left off.

Henley on Grace opened last week at 314 E. Grace St. It replaces The Red Door, which had occupied the space for over four decades.

Some of Henley on Grace’s staff. (Mike Platania photos)

The wine bar is the latest restaurant from William Wright, who formerly owned another neighborhood staple, Bistro 27, prior to its closing last year.

Wright leased the 1,500-square-foot Henley space  earlier this year from Red Door’s owners, who continue to own the building.

After a round of renovations, the space is now equipped with a full bar, cocktail menu and over 100 types of wine. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends.

Henley’s dinner menu includes dishes like Ahi tuna with mushroom and Thai noodles, seared duck breast, and handmade pasta with seafood. Its lunch menu is heavy on salads and sandwiches like its Asian shrimp po’ boy and forager’s salad. Entrees range from about $20 to $31, and lunch options are from $10 to $15.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday. Wright said he’s got a staff of about 12, some of whom used to work for him at Bistro 27.

Check out their offerings at https://henleyongrace.com.

Over on West Broad Street, Raysean Edwards is preparing to open a small plate-focused restaurant in Bistro 27’s old space.

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It’s Richmond Restaurant Week, Y’all!!

It’s time to show your love for your local faves! Richmond Restaurant Week is here through October 31. And this time, not only do you get to enjoy the amazing food your local places offer, you get to support the community as well. This is how it works:

How it works:

FIRST, CHOOSE YOUR RESTAURANT(S)

With over a two dozen local restaurants participating, you are sure to find a longtime favorite or brand new love to explore and taste. Each restaurants’ menu will vary depending on their current offerings. There won’t be any special meals for RRWeek, but there will still be loads of incredibly delicious fare to choose from.

SECOND, CHOOSE YOUR DINING LOCATION

Each restaurant’s locations will vary, but you may have the option to eat inside, al fresco, or opt for take out or delivery. Spruce up your weeknight meal with delivery, plan a social distanced weekend event, or grab takeout and enjoy a picnic outdoors! The options are endless.

THIRD, CHOOSE YOUR DONATION AMOUNT

Finally, when you make your order, don’t forget to add a donation to Feed More! Each participating restaurant will have $5 donations available on their online menu for the duration of RRWeek. A $5 donation provides up to 20 meals for a neighbor in need. Feeling generous? Toss a few fivers in the cart and help Feed More give even more to our community’s most vulnerable populations.

Visit https://www.rrweek.com/dine-local-2021 for more information! Bon Appetit!

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What’s a Mochinut? You’re About to Find Out, RVA!

We’ve been hearing about Mochinut all over the place lately. But what is it? And why is it so popular?

From RichmondBizSense.com:

As it aims for dozens of new locations in its first year in business, a Hawaiian-style donut chain is setting up its first local spot in a VCU-area restaurant space that’s no stranger to new concepts.

Mochinut is preparing to open on the ground floor of the Chesterfield Apartment Building at 900 W. Franklin St.

The year-old company offers donuts made with rice flour that are then adorned with glazes and other toppings. Mochinut also offers corn dogs dipped in rice flour and boba tea.

“It started in Hawaii and California,” said local franchisee Brian Yoo. “In Northern Virginia it’s also popular right now. I was thinking for the college students, it’s going to be a great idea.”

The donuts and corndogs both start around $3. Yoo said he’s hoping to have the VCU Mochinut be both a to-go and sit-down spot.

“We have tons of seating so people can come, study and use wifi,” he said.

The commercial space has seen plenty of churn in recent years, with Plant Baz Burrito Bar being the most recent tenant. (Mike Platania)

Yoo said he’s invested about $200,000 into renovating the space, which has housed over a half-dozen restaurants since 2013.

Plant Baz Burrito Bar was the most recent tenant of the space, closing in 2020 after a year-long run. Prior to that Cous Cous, Sofra Mediterranean GrillBb.q Premium ChickenShoryuken Ramen and Dash Kitchen + Carry have all occupied the space.

Yoo said he’s aiming to open Mochinut in late October or early November. He said he’s considering opening multiple stores in Richmond and would also like to get into Rockville, Maryland and Virginia Beach.

Mochinut already has begun to set up in the space on Franklin.

Despite being only a year in business, Mochinut is on an aggressive growth strategy. The company has 20 locations open, most of which are in Southern California, and is planning over 90 new locations around the country, as well as in South Korea and Thailand.

Sounds delicious! We can’t wait to try them!

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New Restaurant Alert: Birdie’s!

We love hearing about new restaurants and spreading the word! This week, we’re learning all about Birdie’s – a coffee and sandwich joint by day and an oyster bar by night – opening in Common House social club!

Article appeared on RichmondBizSense.com.

A coffee house and seafood restaurant named Birdie’s will open in November at Common House in downtown Richmond. (Courtesy of Kate Thompson/Common House)

Delayed by the pandemic, a restaurant is finally set to land in Common House.

Birdie’s, which will be both a coffee house and seafood joint that specializes in oysters, is expected to open in early November at 305 W. Broad St.

The first floor restaurant will be open to diners who aren’t members of Common House, a Charlottesville-based co-working and social club brand that opened its Richmond outpost in October 2020.

Derek Sieg

“It’s very much its own standalone enterprise and experience,” said Derek Sieg, who co-founded Common House with Ben Pfinsgraff, of Birdie’s.

During the day the space will serve coffee and sandwiches, and during the evening it will operate as an oyster bar. The space will also feature a wine cellar.

“It’s things we love that we wanted here,” Sieg said. “I love coffee, Ben loves wine and we both love oysters and seafood.”

The restaurant plans to have seating for 20 people in its 1,000-square-foot space.

While the finer details of the menu and pricing are still being hashed out, sandwiches are expected to sell for $10 to $15, while seafood entrees are expected to be priced at $15 to $25.

Birdie’s won’t roast its own coffee. Details on its coffee offerings are “forthcoming,” a spokeswoman said.

The restaurant is expected to open with a dedicated staff of 10 people.

A distinct restaurant brand has been in the cards for Common House since it settled on its Richmond location. But the pandemic delayed the restaurant’s opening.

Ben Pfinsgraff

“We wanted to open Birdie’s around the time the club opened but with COVID that wasn’t a viable path forward,” Pfinsgraff said.

Birdie’s is the first and so far only restaurant concept to be paired with a Common House location. The size and location of Common House’s Richmond location, which is 25,000 square feet, spurred conversations about ways to fill out the space.

“It felt like what the neighborhood would really benefit from,” Sieg said. “Common House as an experience is its own thing and it’s not like a small bustling packed bar with a casual experience. It was exciting to think of a new concept.”

In addition to locations in Charlottesville and Richmond, Common House opened a third location in May in Chattanooga. The Richmond location has more than 1,500 members.

Regular membership is $150 a month for an individual. Members who are under 30 or students pay a $75 monthly fee for an individual membership. An out-of-town membership (for people who live an hour or more away and expect to use the space infrequently) is $50 a month for an individual.

Also in the neighborhood, a new small-plates restaurant is taking shape in the former Bistro 27 space.

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How to Optimize Your Restaurant’s Google My Business Listing

The days of hungry people driving down the street looking for a restaurant to try are gone. Now, people turn to the internet; specifically, Google, to help them find the perfect place to eat. 

Google has become the go-to source for people discovering new restaurants. This is because an increase of 46% of Google searches are now locally focused. These searches often consist of adding terms like “near me” or “in [City Name]” onto the end of the search phrase to limit results to local businesses.

In this post, we’re going to focus on a tool every restaurant should be fully capitalizing on to successfully market their business online and increase their profitability — Google My Business.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy-to-use tool that allows you to promote your business online through Google. With GMB, you create a Business Profile for your restaurant, and it helps connect you with customers on Google Search and Maps. 

Why Is It Important?

Local search SEO (search engine optimization) on Google is one of the most powerful tools to increase your restaurant’s online visibility and attract new customers. 

When people are in a hurry to find answers, they rely on the top of the search engine results that Google gives them. So, no matter how great your restaurant’s website is, you may still fail to capture curious consumers if they see outdated information in your GMB listing.

Creating and maintaining your Google My Business profile is well worth the effort since it comes with a whole host of benefits, including increasing your business’s visibility and making a more positive, powerful first impression.

The Top 8 Google My Business Features for Restaurants

Hopefully, you’ve already claimed your GMB listing and added your necessary business information. Your Business Profile should have your restaurant’s name, address, phone number, and hours. 

This is a great place to start, but there are plenty of other opportunities to enhance your GMB listing.

Let’s go over GMB features you should take advantage of. These will help increase your online exposure, search ranking, and customer base.

1. Description

The first feature that will enhance your listing is adding a business description. This section is your opportunity to tell people what makes your restaurant unique. Here are a few talking points you should consider including in your description:

  • Cuisine: First, make sure you tell customers what kind of food you serve. Does your restaurant serve a regional cuisine like Chinese or Indian? Or a fusion cuisine like Tex-Mex? Also, make sure to include a specialized cuisine like vegan or gluten-free if it applies to you. Here is where you want to let diners know what kind of food they can expect to find on your menu. Stating your cuisine plays a significant role in people’s results for ‘near me’ searches. 
  • Atmosphere: What’s the atmosphere or vibe in your restaurant? Are you a fast-casual joint, a quaint cafe, or an upscale restaurant? The atmosphere of a restaurant is just as important to many people as the food they serve. 

The maximum length is 750 characters, but it will be shortened if you write a longer description. Be sure to frontload the most crucial information, but try to keep it brief and to-the-point. 

Here’s a screenshot of what Magnolia Table’s GMB listing looks like for reference to the right. Their description showcases their garden-to-table cuisine, hip vibe and is straightforward. 

2. Reservations & Ordering

Another great way to optimize your GMB listing is using the reservation feature. The reservation feature allows you to include a booking link in your profile.

Adding a booking button to your GMB listing is an excellent way to streamline your guests’ reservation process. You want to have an online reservation system that integrates with Google, such as CAKE’s Guest Manager

Take a look below and notice that the booking times shown are from the restaurant’s reservations system through Guest Manager.

Similarly, GMB listings have also become a place where guests can order food online. Your restaurant’s online ordering system link can also be on your GMB profile. With this, GMB becomes a customer’s one-stop-shop for whatever they need to do to enjoy your restaurant’s food.

3. Menu

Did you know 93% of people look at online menus? Because of this, your restaurant needs to be using the menu feature on GMB. There are two different ways you can use this feature. 

The first method is to insert a direct link to your menu page on your website, as Magnolia Table does above. 

Another method is adding a menu button that will list out your food and drink items. The menu editor lets you add, edit names, descriptions, and prices. It even enables you to break up your menus by categories, such as cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. 

In this area, customers can also add menu photos that will appear above the listed menu. We will show an example in the next section!

4. Photos and Videos

If you want to get people’s attention, you should add some visual interest to your listing in the form of photos and videos.

These visuals don’t have to be of the food itself, though pictures of your most visually appealing dishes are certainly a great thing to feature. People also like seeing pictures of your restaurant’s exterior and interior so they can get an idea of what the seating and atmosphere are.

When you add pictures or videos to your GMB listing, Google will ask you to categorize the photo. For example, you could identify a picture of your restaurant’s front as an exterior photo of the business. 

Here are Magnolia’s featured menu photos on top of their listed menu. As you can see, a lot of these features complement each other and work together to showcase your restaurant’s best offerings. 

This allows people to click on categories of images and videos. It is helpful when there are many visuals associated with your restaurant listing, and they’re looking for something in particular.

Anyone can add pictures and videos of your business online, which will show up in your Google My Business listing. But don’t worry — you can control the visuals people see first when they Google your restaurant. You can also flag a photo for removal if it was actually taken at a different restaurant or is somehow inappropriate.

5. Posts

An underutilized feature of Google My Business that you don’t want to miss out on is Google posts. This feature allows you to create and share announcements. 

Think of these posts as social media status updates. Google Posts can include text, images, and even call-to-action buttons. 

Not sure what to post about on GMB? Here are some ideas:

  • Events: You can post about upcoming events like virtual cooking classes or live music. 
  • General updates: Update your customers on the latest COVID restrictions and safety precautions. Open for dine-in or only take-out? Whatever the update, let customers know.
  • Promotions: Let people know about any special promotions or discounts you have going on in Google Posts. Feature your seasonal menu items and limited-time offers.

6. Q&A Section

The Q&A section on your Google My Business listing is where any user can post a question about your restaurant. With this feature, anyone can also post answers in response. So, it would be best if you closely watched this section to provide fast and accurate responses. You can do this most effectively through the GMB app.

Q&A’s will stay on your listing, so you want to provide thorough answers that future users will find helpful. Also, it’s important to pay attention to the questions people ask. It can give you insight into details you may want to add to your website or social media profiles. For example, if you’re an ice cream parlor and someone asks whether you offer any dairy-free options, you may want to identify dairy-free items on your online menu.

7. Reviews

GMB lets customers review your business through your listing and enables you to respond to them. It is imperative to respond to both good and bad reviews as much as you can. 

Why is this important? 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their purchase decisions. 

Reviews help build your credibility, and customers tend to prefer businesses that engage with them.

8. Insights

Last but certainly not least, is the insights feature. Once you have your listing created, you’ll get a dashboard with invaluable data on your customer’s activity.  

Suppose you’re curious about how many people are booking tables through GMB. In that case, you can look at your booking history through your scheduling provider, which should let you know what percentage of reservations were made directly through your GMB listing.

Google Insights gives you several different ways to understand how customers interact with your listing. Here’s a list from Google:

GMB provides answers to all these actions and requests. This insight can help you see what strategies are working and which need some attention. 

Google My Business Updates for COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many businesses to deal with shutdowns, limited opening, and operations have changed indefinitely. Luckily, with GMB, you can communicate these changes with your customers ahead of time. 

The newest addition to GMB is the healthy & safety attribute in your listing. In this section, businesses can let their customers know about the safety measures they are enforcing, such as: 

  • Masks required for customers or staff
  • Temperature checks required for customers or staff
  • Appointments or reservations required

Another update within your listing you can use is the COVID-19 Post. With so many changes due to lockdowns, this post type will let you update your customers, and Google labels it as “COVID-19 related information.”

If you have a temporarily closed restaurant location, you should make this update in GMB as well. 

Takeaway

Adding the necessary information like your address and hours to GMB is only scratching the surface of what it can do to help you market your restaurant effectively and pull in new customers. 

Utilize GMB to its fullest potential by adding the features above to your Business Profile. Hungry diners will have all the information they need to go straight from their phone to your restaurant. 

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RVA Food News & Events!

Article originally appeared on RichmondMagazine.com.

Pizza_eileen-mellon.jpg
From “bar-style” pies to loaded hot dogs and plant-based junk food, check out the lineup of pop-ups and weekend events below. (Photo by Eileen Mellon

Sweet Carolina

Boasting a culinary diary packed with stories rooted in the Southern coastal states, Robyn Carter of Carolina Girl Catering offers a one-way ticket to the low country via shrimp and grits, gumbo, and more comfort-food classics. A North Carolina native, Carter relocated to Richmond from Austin, Texas, and is connecting with her new community through pop-up events and, eventually, a brick-and-mortar restaurant. (Richmond magazine)

For the Love of Diners

Reliable sources for wallet-friendly dishes, breakfast all day and retro mugs brimming with coffee from bottomless pots — a few of my favorite things — diners are a special place. Writer Genevelyn Steele also has heart-eyes for these old-school haunts, recently tracking down some local go-tos for chocolate-chip pancakes, burgers, fried fish and more. (Richmond magazine)

Take Pride

These Richmond neighborhoods are throwing a double dose of pride celebrations this Saturday, Sept. 18.

Returning for year three, the Scott’s Addition Pride Crawl kicks off at noon and features over a dozen of the neighborhood’s boozy businesses from The Veil Brewing Co. to Blue Bee Cider. Snag a passport to keep track of your libation journey, which grants access to a special drawing.

In Carytown, make pride pit stops at the legendary watering hole and karaoke dance palace Babe’s for dollar-off drinks, or head to Pho Luca’s for discounted apps to soak up all the hooch. Bonus: Also joining the Carytown Pride Crawl is Safe Space Market

Cooking and Comedy 

Beloved food nerd Alton Brown makes a return to Richmond on Oct. 28 during his fall tour, “Beyond the Eats.” Catch the Bill Nye of the culinary world and longtime host of shows including “Iron Chef America” and “Good Eats” at the Carpenter Theatre for a show that promises a smorgasbord of cooking, comedy and audience interaction. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m.

ICYMI

Richmond is home to the first-ever winner of Food Network’s “Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones.” Impressing judges from Ben and Jerry to rapper Ludacris, the owner of North Side’s Ruby Scoops recently took home the ice cream crown. (Richmond magazine)

Initially introducing a menu dedicated to fried chicken at their downtown restaurant Lillie Pearl, husband-and-wife duo Mike Lindsey and Kimberly Love-Lindsey recently rolled out a Short Pump eatery that embraces the crispy concept: Buttermilk and Honey. (Richmond magazine)

The culinary director of craft butchery Jackie Wayne Beef Co. is a big fan of sustainability and Texas-style chill. (Richmond magazine)

Last call for tickets to the annual Birdhouse Market Farm Dinner on Sept. 19, a local feast presented by Richmond chefs featuring produce from area purveyors with proceeds benefiting the midweek market.

It seems good things come in threes at Bell Greek restaurant. With one location in Midlothian, and a second opened in Chester in 2018, the family-owned eatery is now eyeing the West End. Look for the third location to debut at 7011 Three Chopt Road in the coming months. (Richmond BizSense)

The market game is strong in Richmond, and another is planning to join the party. Look for DevoeDid Events to unveil a grab-and-go concept, the Southern-tinged market Hickory & Oak, in the months to come at 10614 Patterson Ave. Also on the market horizon: A project from Upper Shirley Vineyards’ Carlisle Bannister and a smoky venture from Redemption BBQ.

After a three-year run, Don’t Look Back South is shutting its doors. The last day to score a potato taco or crispy carnitas at that location is tentatively set for Oct. 30.

Upcoming Events

  • Fall Fest, Starr Hill Brewery (Sept. 16-19): Channel autumn vibes via an Oktoberfest lager and a maple brown ale.
  • Tim’s Pizza Pop-up, Hatch Cafe (Sept. 17): Friday pie day returns with a weekly dose of the pop-up that dishes out squares and rounds. 
  • Community Health Block Party, Brewer’s Cafe (Sept. 18): Free COVID-19 testing and vaccines (with coffee drinks and juice for those who get a shot) available during the two-hour event from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Brookland Park Block Party, Brookland Park Boulevard (Sept. 18): Shop, snack and sip the North Side neighborhood. Fun fact: Cherry-vanilla sarsaparilla floats are totally a thing at Ninja Kombucha.
  • Sincero Pop-up, The Veil Brewing Co. (Sept. 18): Tacos and beer
  • Texas BBQ Meat Market, The Smoky Mug (Sept. 18): Saturday, smoked meats, specialty cocktails
  • Sour Aesthetics Release, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Sept. 19): A special release of the collab between Hardywood and Uncap Everything — a sour ale with peach, guava and a twist of lime — featuring art and tunes
  • Pride Richmond Moon Market, Stone Brewing Co. (Sept. 19): A celebration of local LGBTQ+ makers with a portion of draft proceeds benefiting Diversity Richmond
  • Unlocking RVA Brunch on the Plaza, Kanawha Plaza (Sept. 19): Brunch takes on a whole new meaning during the outdoor dance and dine party.
  • Horne Dogs Pop-up Part Two, Don’t Look Back South (Sept. 20): Hot dogs all ways, from deep-fried to topped with baked beans
  • Uniquely Different Sweets, Publix Apron Cooking School (Sept. 23): Learn to whip up everything from baked Alaska to mango hand pies.
  • Plant-based Junk Food in Richmond, Vasen Brewing Co. (Sept. 23): National company Vuture Food brings the comfort with vegan chicken sandwiches and loaded fries.