Bagels on the brain? On Friday, Feb. 26, Pop’s Market on Grace will host its monthly Breakfast Day, featuring this bacon, egg and cheese sammie and more. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)
Uncorked
Church Hill recently welcomed Second Bottle Wine & Snack Shop — its name an ode to the perennial question among friends and family, “Should we pop another?” — from onetime New Yorker Erin Keene. Oenophiles can find a hefty collection of wines, including natural and low-intervention selections, Spanish reds, and Virginia vintages, in addition to a pretty bangin’ lineup of tinned fish. (Richmond magazine)
Richmond Famous
Local cookbook authors, food bloggers and YouTube chefs are sharing their culinary gifts with the masses and gaining quite the following. We check in with a nutritionist whose blog led to a book on gluten-free baking, a chef whose how-to video on Italian doughnuts has more than a million views on YouTube and a former star of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” whose collection of recipes serves as mini-memoir of her life. (Richmond magazine)
Spirit Healing
The morning after a night of spirited fun isn’t always a picnic. A carpe diem cocktail of sorts, the Corpse Reviver doubles as a hangover cure intended to reinvigorate even the foggiest of imbibers. Channel your inner mixologist and check out three riffs on the classic libation from Crafted, Mt. Defiance Distillery, and Grandstaff & Stein. (Richmond magazine)
Bright and Bold
Love it or loathe it, cilantro’s fresh, herbaceous notes add a certain pizazz to any dish. In this online extra from our March issue, Jessy Moonkaew, chef-owner of the downtown eatery Patio Thai, shares a recipe for cilantro roasted chicken with a spicy lime-cilantro dressing for your next cooking adventure. (Richmond magazine)
ICYMI
While traveling may be limited due to the pandemic, at-home snacking is in full swing. Take a trip around the world with exotic nibbles and drinks from Japanese cheesecake and matcha Kit Kat varieties to a unicorn-flavored Capri Sun and collectible Perriers, all lining the shelves of Jackson Ward’s One Way Market. (Richmond magazine)
Ride along with local food truck operators as they discuss the ups and downs of the nomadic business, rules and regulations, and even graduation to brick-and-mortar status. (Richmond magazine)
Mama J’s restaurant has embraced the mantra “When you're here, you’re family,” even earning a James Beard Award nomination for Best Service a couple of years ago. The matriarch at the forefront of the business (and its namesake) is co-owner Velma Johnson. (R•Home)
Mark your calendars and plan accordingly: Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is back and bigger than ever. The multiday showcase of black-owned restaurants and businesses throughout the region kicks off in less than two weeks, celebrating its fifth year with over 40 spots on the bill. Newcomers such as Lillie Pearl and The Beet Box and longtime participants including Chef Mamusu’s Africanne on Main and Croaker's Spot will be offering takeout, pickup and delivery options March 7-14.
Candy Valley Cake Co. owner, baking queen and Richmond magazine contributor Keya Wingfield has been staying busy. The Bombay, India, native recently announced plans to rebrand her cake-pop and sweet treat business as Keya Baking Co. and moved the business to 3310 Rosedale Ave. in Scott’s Addition. P.S.: Earlier this week, Wingfield made her on-screen debut on the Food Network’s new season of "Spring Baking Championship.” Episodes air every Monday at 9 p.m. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Delightfully messy smash-style burgers, paired with plenty of stoner humor, are officially making their Church Hill debut. The owners behind pop-up Cobra Burger will unveil its permanent home this Friday, Feb. 26. (Richmond magazine)
Pollo a la brasa fans, Canastas Chicken has officially opened the doors of its newest area location at 7037 Forest Hill Ave., with grand opening festivities scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Upcoming Events
We strongly encourage everyone to make safe and smart decisions and adhere to municipal and business guidelines related to the pandemic.
- Breakfast Day, Pop’s on Grace (Feb. 26): Find homemade bagels, breakfast sammies and more on the menu.
- Safe Space Market, Lakeside Farmers Market (Feb. 26): A market highlighting the region’s LGBTQ+ and BIPOC makers, purveyors, artists and small-business owners
- A Global Tour of Gluten-free Foods, Mise en Place (Feb. 26): A virtual lesson in creating dishes from across the world that also happen to be gluten-free
- Raclette Day, Truckle Cheesemongers (Feb. 27): The melty, gooey delicacy takes center stage, with bread, charcuterie and pickled snacks available.
- Sincero Pop-up, Hatch Cafe (Feb. 27): The weekly dose of authentic Mexican fare from a soon-to-be resident of the forthcoming Hatch Local food hall. P.S.: Churros.
- Caritas Celebrity Serve, online (Feb. 27): The annual fundraising event switches it up with a virtual auction, including at-home dinners with local chefs, to benefit Caritas.
- Winter Edible Plant Walk, Forest Hill Park (Feb. 27): Learn about over 30 wild edible plant from an experienced forager.
- Weekend Brunch, Nomad Deli & Catering Co. (Feb. 27-28): The bimonthly event returns with brisket, also featuring mango sorbet from neighboring Ruby Scoops to take mimosas up a notch.
- Oro Pop-up, Hatch Cafe (Feb. 28-29): Fresh-made pasta from former Nota Bene chefs
- Kitchen Fundamentals: Umami, Publix Super Market at Nuckols Place (March 1): A demonstration-style cooking class exploring the fifth taste
- Susie & Esther Pop-up, The Jasper (March 3): Hummus bowls, deli sandwiches and fresh labneh
- Wine Pairing Dinner, Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen (March 3): Four courses paired with four wines at this newly opened restaurant from former Maple & Pine chef David Dunlap
In Other Food News …
- While bread baking has been one of the top at-home activities during the pandemic, another is gardening. The demand for seeds has increased across the country, and many wonder if the shift to self-sustaining agriculture is here to stay. (Eater)
