The Trendspotter: September 2021
We’re back again with your monthly dose of must-know news, The Trendspotter! This content series features monthly roundups of the newest and hottest businesses, event series, and more around RVA.
Switch things up in September with a visit to one of these can’t-miss spots, aka the five hottest must-try restaurants and pop-ups in Richmond this month!
— by Alicia Valenski
The Stables Market
What it is: A new market at Libbie Mill featuring prepared foods from The Stables on Belmont as well as gourmet groceries, craft beer, wine, coffee, and local crafts.
Why we love it: This Libbie Mill area in Near West End (which they’re starting to call “midtown,” FYI) is growing rapidly, and its easily accessible location just adds to the convenience factor of this stocked-to-the-brims market! You can swing by for just about anything, whether you’re grabbing coffee or lunch between meetings, picking up libations on the way to a gathering, purchasing a handmade local gift for someone while running errands — and more. A lot more.
Where to find it: 5001 Libbie Mill E Blvd (Near West End)
The Coop
What it is: Carytown's new ghost kitchen/food and beverage incubator/to-go only restaurant, by the same folks behind The Perch (get it, The Coop and The Perch?).
Why we love it: Just by visiting this one location, you have the chance to order from three unique culinary concepts:
Esquina: Next-level Mexican cuisine featuring traditional Oaxacan-inspired flavor profiles with an expressive twist from Richmond veteran chef Kevin Tate
InstaBowl: Richmond's go-to to-go bowls, salads, soups, and more — all packed with hyper-locally-sourced ingredients and flavors cooked up by award-winning chef Mike Ledesma
Back Alley Bakes: Freshly baked breads, cookies, cinnamon rolls, pretzels, pastries, and all sorts of other delicious baked goods from Chris Allman
Where to find it: 2601 W Cary St (Carytown)
Up All Night Bakery
What it is: A just-opened microbakery in Lakeside by local owner and baker Jonathan Highfield.
Why we love it: Croissants, cookies, pastries, breads, buns — the aromas of Jonathan’s freshly baked goodies had us all heart-eyed at the Dorey Park Farmer’s Market from the get-go, but now that we’ve actually tasted these tantalizing treats from his new storefront, we’re officially hooked.
Where to find it: 5411 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
Cucumbers On Fire: A BBQ Concept
What it is: A fresh barbecue concept you can expect to start seeing at festivals, markets, and breweries near you.
Why we love it: A lot of BBQ spots in Richmond focus solely on meat-based dishes, but in addition to their signature pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches, Cucumbers On Fire also offers smoked jackfruit sammies for all the herbivores out there — along with loaded BBQ fries, collared greens, spicy cucumber salad, and more. We’re not drooling, you’re drooling.
Where to find it: You can order online for pickup at 330 S 4th St (Gambles Hill), or you can catch one of their upcoming pop-ups:
Saturday, September 11: Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop, 1 - 8 pm
Friday, September 24: Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop, 5 - 9 pm
Sunday, September 26: The Jasper, Sunday Pop-Up Series, 5 - 8 pm
Thursday, September 30: Hardywood West Creek, 4 - 8:30 pm
Friday, October 8 - Sunday, October 10: Richmond Folk Festival
Fall Line Kitchen & Bar
What it is: A new upscale-casual eatery located within the newly renovated Richmond Marriott Downtown, opening September 23.
Why we love it: This new food destination will offer ingredient-focused comfort food along with craft beer and cocktails, with menu items ranging from lump crab hushpuppies and iron skillet cornbread, to wagyu steak frites, truffled bucatini and a belly-on pork chop. It will initially be open daily for dinner starting at 5 pm with an indoor dining area, outdoor patio, and indoor bar seating — don't miss the hand-painted mural of a Kingfisher bird created by local artist Hamilton Glass if you stop by!
Where to find it: 500 E Broad St (Downtown)
Sharing new trends each month!
Check back the first week of each month for a new edition of The Trendspotter to find out which businesses you need to know about (and check out!) in RVA.
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