Ed 114: Spiked Seltzery, Over-The-Top Sandwiches, Dive Bar News
Image Source: @rva.photography
Hey there, Alicia here.
Don’t let the blue skies, fluffy clouds, and shady spots under trees fool you — it’s hot outside, y’all. And knowing Richmond, this is just the start of a very sweaty second half of summer.
We’re working on a city guide about the best things to do around the city when it’s hot AF outside (keep an eye out for that next week!), but for now we’re sharing insider info on the expected open date of Richmond’s first spiked craft seltzery, the dive bar that just replaced a longtime restaurant in Carytown, the over-the-top sandwiches available to order starting today, and more.
We’ve also got some free, fresh pints of chocolate milk up for grabs for all of you, aka our supportive and fantastic RVAx members, from a local creamery!
And of course, we hope you’re still finding ways to continue to support our Black community and staying safe as we navigate COVID-19!
Ready to get the deets? Here’s what’s going on…
THE LATEST:
Image: @lewisginter
Image: @fatkidsandwiches
Image: @richmondseltzer_co
Image: Richmond Times-Dispatch
SOCIAL NEWS
Not a brewery, not a winery, but a seltzery. Richmond is expected to get its first spiked craft seltzery in August 2021 according to Richmond Seltzer Co. owners Iain and Vanessa, two childhood friends who reconnected in Richmond in their twenties, then started crafting and canning seltzer at home before deciding to launch their own hard seltzery. The couple handcrafts their seltzers for 14 days and allows them to self carbonate to create the best quality spiked beverages possible. Keep an eye out for opening plans, flavor announcements, and more on their social media pages.
A new dive bar has arrived in Carytown. Kari Peifer at the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the space formerly occupied by Weezie’s Kitchen in Carytown has been reopened by the owner of Belmont Food Shop as Town Hall, a spot for “cheap, fast, fun.” Examples include the Town Hall Combo ($7 for a slider and a jello shot) and the Adult Happy Meal ($10 for a beer, a shot, and tater tots). Town Hall is now open at 3123 W Cary St from Thursday - Friday, 2 - 10 pm; Saturday, 12 - 10 pm; and Sunday, 12 - 8 pm.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy dessert and a movie al fresco in the Fan. The creative folks at Shyndigz set up a patio in the green space next to Shyndigz Market & 2go Cafe at 1833 W Cary St, where they’re showing free movies on a massive projector screen. The space is family-friendly and dog-friendly, featuring several small tables and plenty of space to set up picnic blankets. So far they’ve shown “Space Jam” and “Matilda,” so we’ve got high hopes for upcoming screenings.
Flowers After 5 is coming back — with some adjustments. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s popular after-hours social gathering “Flowers After 5” will return on August 6. Timed tickets will be required for all guests, including members. You’re invited to bring your own blanket or chairs, but no food or drink — you can purchase that online from the cafe to eat outside at a social distance. And yes, beer, wine and hard seltzers will also be available for purchase in several spots throughout the garden.
If you’re anything like Joey Tribbiani from Friends, you’re going to be excited about this sandwich news. The highly anticipated Fat Kid Sandwiches is finally available for delivery as of Wednesday, July 22 — aka today! Touted as “the most over-the-top sandwiches in RVA,” you can look forward to options like the Italian (featuring a whopping half a pound of cold cuts!) and the Chicken Parm (which comes topped with homemade mozzarella sticks!). This is the latest restaurant concept from the “ghost kitchen” of Dunharrow Concepts. Order through Chop Chop RVA, UberEats, or Grubhub.
Escape 2020 with a trip back in time. The Valentine just opened its latest exhibition to the public on July 21, called “Ain’t Misbehavin’: 1920s Richmond.” This celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Roaring Twenties displays costumes, textiles, art, and artifacts from a renowned period of our city’s history known for urban expansion, suffrage, jazz music, fast dancing, and short hemlines. Oh, yeah. The sparkling display of 1920s fashion worn in the city should be reason enough to visit on its own.
HAPPENINGS
Take me out to the ball game — or at least the ball park! This Friday and every Friday this summer, you can head to The Diamond for Funnville Friday Happy Hour from 5 - 8 pm, featuring live music from 6 - 7 pm. There will be socially distant seating areas on the field, two beverage stands located on first- and third-base, and concessions available for you to order (including hot dogs, burgers, Squirrelly Fries, and more). Details here!
Weekly Giveaway
Ninja Kombucha
Have you checked out the Ninja Kombucha taproom in Northside yet? (Hint: It’s the one with the bright and colorful “Brookland Park Boulevard” mural on the side and lab-inspired artwork on the front!)
If you haven’t, maybe you’ve tried their small-batch, non-alcoholic craft kombucha at a farmers' market or other community event. And if you haven’t tasted it at all, man, you’re missing out!
Whether you’ve tried it before or not, we’re giving away a four-pack of Ninja Kombucha this week in the flavor of your choice — AND an insulated cooler bag to keep ‘em cold, along with the rest of your summer beverages.
To enter to win: Tell us your favorite non-alcoholic drink to sip when it’s warm out! Mine is a bold, black cold brew. Mmm.
Last week: Congratulations to Jazmine A. for being our giveaway winner of the week! We hope your have the best time enjoying your staycation with Mellow Mushroom pizza, a drive-in movie at West Broad Village, and a one-night stay at Aloft West Richmond Short Pump!
Member Perks
Richlands Dairy & Creamery
Speaking of beverages, did you know you can get the region’s best chocolate milk just an hour south of Richmond at Richlands Dairy Farm?
This 3rd-generation dairy farm opened a creamery in June 2019 to direct market their milk and premium ice cream — yep, they’ve also got the freshest ice cream in the area, on sale for National Ice Cream Month at $5.99/quart and $9.99/half-gallon.
They also offer take-home kits which include a quart of ice cream + 4 homemade waffle cones for $8.99 or a half-gallon of ice cream + 6 homemade waffle cones for $13.99!
And RVAx members can get a FREE pint of chocolate milk at Richlands just by telling them you’re a member!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
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Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 32 new members this week: Carolyn S., Theresa B., Jess H., Megan P., Courtney W., Carolyn C., April S., Beth D., Michael C., Graham M., London S., Anna D., Sierra S., Michaela H., Ann B., Jessica K., Deita M., Lauren S., Jami B., Daminica M., Caitlin M., Liz G., Amy W., Sam S., Pam K., Kelli M., Sam S., Kayleigh H., Sydney O., Momo B., Ryan D., and Zachary D. , we're so glad you're here!
It takes a village so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 113 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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