Richmond Food News: Week of Jan. 11-15, 2021

Brave New World

Opening a restaurant may seem like a wild concept in the COVID-19 era of dining, but in recent months, Richmond has welcomed a number of intrepid new players. We tracked down an appetizing assortment of fresh spots — from a Cary Street juice bar to a portico with a view and a buzzing coffee biz with plans for regional expansion — to add to your RVADine wish list.  (Richmond magazine)

One Kitchen to Another

Known locally for his role at the helm of Quirk Hotel’s departed Maple & Pine Restaurant, David Dunlap is branching out. Joined by his wife, the James Beard Award-nominated chef is set to debut Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen, a restaurant and grab-and-go market combo coming later this month to the Courthouse Crossing shopping center. (Richmond magazine)

Swipe Right

When one thinks of vending machines, locally sourced salads and overnight oats aren’t necessarily what come to mind, but ELYA (Eat Like Your Ancestors) owner Danny Sterling is here to change that. Late last year, the former chef rolled out the farm-focused, health-conscious swipe-and-go concept in Manchester. The goal: Provide the community with greater access to high-quality food. (Richmond magazine)

Stouts for Social Justice

Beer drinkers, raise a pint and sip in solidarity during another release — this time around, coffee-tinged — of the Black Is Beautiful stout at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Jan. 15. Last summer, Hardywood and other local brewers joined the nationwide Black Is Beautiful initiative, which aims to raise awareness of social justice issues. Bonus: All proceeds from the release will be donated to Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, a weeklong celebration highlighting Black-owned restaurants and businesses throughout the region. 

ICYMI

Last Friday, the team behind Brenner Pass introduced Black Lodge, an all-day cafe in the former Chairlift space that may or may not be a Twin Peaks reference. What I can confirm is that the cassoulet — a slow-simmered stew (where the word “casserole” comes from) made with pork sausage and duck confit — doubles as dinner and, with the addition of an egg, a solid breakfast. (Richmond magazine)

Healthy choices and the beginning of a new year often go hand in hand, and if you’re looking for salubrious snacks and sips from local purveyors, look no further. (Richmond magazine)

After almost 20 years, Chesterfield’s longstanding seafood-focused, Latin-Caribbean-tinged restaurant Pescados has shut its doors, citing impacts from the pandemic as the driving force. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Up All Night Bakery is set to take over the shuttered Pulp on Lakeside space, which closed at the end of December. Longtime baker Jonathan Highfield plans to transform the building into a production facility and churn out croissants, cookies and breads for wholesale and market distribution. (Richmond BizSense)

Formerly known as Simply Tea, Queen Bee & Co., an English-style tea room also home to Maggie’s Cupcakes Cafe, hosted its grand opening at 21 W. Main St. near The Jefferson Hotel earlier this week. High tea to go is totally a thing.

After closing in March due to the pandemic, Hopewell’s Guncotton Coffee has recently reopened under new ownership. If you’re looking to switch up the work-from-home vibe, customers can reserve rooms at the cafe-meets-coworking center for a socially distant coffee and chill sesh.

On Dec. 28., Croaker’s Spot unveiled its new space at the iconic Farmers Market building in Olde Towne Petersburg after relocating from River Street. Fried fish boat, anyone? (The Progress-Index)

Mac and cheese enthusiasts, Bookbinders recently launched Big Wife, a pop-up churning out classic and inventive twists on the ultimate comfort food, from an OG recipe to buffalo chicken and goat cheese and fig. (News release)

RVA Love

Sally Bell’s Kitchen’s boxed lunch, complete with an upside-down cupcake and cheddar-pecan wafer, is easily one of the most iconic Richmond meals. Its Smithfield ham on a roll got the nod on Food & Wine’s recent list of best sandwiches in every state.

At the onset of the pandemic, Richmond’s Underground Kitchen pivoted from hosting pop-up dinners to handing out meals to neighbors in need. As part of the HuffPost Voices in Food series, check out this Q&A with co-founders Micheal Sparks and Kate Hoeck exploring the efforts of UGK Community First.

Upcoming Events 

We strongly encourage everyone to make safe and smart decisions and adhere to municipal and business guidelines related to the pandemic.

• Sincero Saturdays, Hatch Cafe (Jan. 16): Find towering tortas served with fries and spicy mayo on the menu; preorders are encouraged.
• Pop-up Bake Sale, Three Crosses Distilling (Jan. 16): Dessert maker Vanilla and Bourbon brings its bakery box samplers to the distillery.
• Virtual Tasting Panel: Stouts, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Jan. 16): Explore the world of stouts during this online session hosted by Hardywood head honchos; tickets must be purchased in advance.
• Hatch Local Pop-up Series: Redemption BBQ, Hatch Cafe (Jan. 17): Owner John Vest serves up Virginia-style barbecue — oh, and lard fries.
• Susie & Esther Pizza Bones Collab, The Jasper (Jan. 18): The Friends and Family series pop-ups join forces for a night of bagel sammies.
• Funny Movie Tuesday, Starr Hill Brewery (Jan. 19): Popcorn, pint pairings, tacos from Tazza and Andy Samberg on the big screen in “Palm Springs”
• Winter Soups and Homemade Breads, Mise en Place (Jan. 22): ’Tis the season for cozy sweaters and soups — warm the soul with rustic recipes in this online class.

In Other Food News …

• I came across this piece earlier this week, and it tugged at my heartstrings. After losing his father to COVID-19, a son was on the brink of closing the family business when a sign from the world changed the fate of the long-standing diner. (The New York Times)