Ed 130: Ghost Ship, Vampire Penguin, Got Buns Hun
Image Source: @leajayg
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
Wow, what a roller coaster of a week we’ve had since our last edition of the Weekly Insider was released!
I hope wherever I find you this Wednesday, you and your loved ones are all safe and well as we move forward from election season into Thanksgiving and eventually the holiday season.
It’s almost like Richmond’s food and drink scene was holding its breath until this past weekend, then collectively exhaled a whirlwind of news all at once. We have all kind of exciting openings to announce (from sweet treats to fresh lunch options and beyond), as well as some fun events to add to your calendar in the coming weeks whether you’re looking for craft booze or outdoor activity (or both!).
We’ve also got a giveaway valued at $65+ from a fan-favorite local brewery and a new Member Perk to tell you about that’s going to make Thanksgiving way easier.
Ready for the inside scoop?
THE LATEST:
Image: @vampirepenguinsnow
Image: @courthousecreekcider
Image: @gotbunshunrva
Image: @sportsbackers
SOCIAL NEWS
My anaconda don’t… want to hear anything but(t) “Baby Got Back” references when we tell you that a new RVA ghost kitchen just opened called Got Buns Hun. This new concept is delivery-only, offering a variety of hot dogs and rolls to hungry folks throughout Richmond and Midlothian. You can opt for something from the dog menu (like the Reuben Dog or the Bahn Mi Dog) or the roll menu (like the Crab Roll or the Lobstah Roll). Unlike Sir Mix-A-Lot’s preferred female, these buns have a lot in the middle, and they got much bun.
“I vaaaant to eeeeeat ze snoooow.” That’s my impression of a Vampire Penguin, AKA the name of a concept bringing shaved snow (not to be confused with shave ice, ice cream, or snow cones) to Richmond. Why the name Vampire Penguin? Read the story here.
Anyway, Jack Jacobs at Richmond BizSense reported that local couple Benita and Ray Penkalski will open this frozen dessert shop at the Town Center at Twin Hickory to serve up shaved snow, which Benita described as “note ice cream, not shaved ice, but a creamy concoction you can put different flavored toppings on.” Aside from the usual flavors like chocolate and vanilla, they’ll also offer options like mango, honeydew, thai tea, and more — with Asian-inspired toppings like jackfruit and boba as well as traditional ice cream toppings like sprinkles and whipped cream.
Is it recess time yet? Thanks to Charm School co-owner Meryl Hillerson, yes it is. According to Eileen Mellon at Richmond Magazine, just a week after closing up the downtown ice cream shop for the season, Hillerson launched a sweet treat pop-up delivery service called Recess RVA, serving up tasty goodies like cakes, scones, cookies, and candy. She’ll be releasing a new menu every other week, but her first menu included items like chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, lemon poppyseed cream scones, salty butter chocolate chip cookies, and classic salted caramels. Is anyone else’s mouth watering?
Funnily enough, we’re not even halfway through this week’s food news yet. Next up, let’s talk about the new sandwich concept coming out of the kitchen at Laura Lee’s. It’s called Ghost Ship Sandwiches, and it’s only available for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 2 pm, for either delivery or pick-up — but it’s already seen rave reviews and its following is growing fast! With a menu of 10 sandwiches to choose from, 5 sides, 3 kids sandwiches (served with a drink and a side), and plenty of drinks to wash it all down, they’ve got a little something for everyone. Gluten-free and vegan options are available, too.
Hungry for more good news? The folks at Bon Air Bakery plan to host their soft opening on Tuesday, November 17. You can pop by this cottage bakery to pick up some of their delectable baked confections like Swedish Cardamom Buns, Dark Chocolate Noir Cake, Pear & Almond Tart Tatins, and more. Personally, I’m most intrigued by their New Years Cookies, aka salted, browned butter, dark chocolate chip, Nutella-stuffed cookies, which sound sinfully delicious.
Does anyone else feel like markets are having a moment? We just saw the new Brookland Park Market and Northside Gourmet Market open, and now Mike Platania at Richmond BizSense has reported that the restaurateurs behind The Stables will be opening The Stables Market in the Libbie Mill area early next year. As continuously popular as spots like Union Market and the various Stella’s Grocery locations across the city have been, we’re not surprised — and we’re definitely not complaining!
Bringing chef-driven cuisine from a downtown hotel to a Midlothian kitchen. Once again, Jack Jacobs at Richmond BizSense got the scoop that David Dunlap, former executive chef at Quirk Hotel, will soon open a new restaurant and market concept called Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen. (See? Markets are having a moment!). In addition to a full-service restaurant serving “New American” fare, this spot will also include a market where folks can pick up grab-and-go items like prepared meals, soups, fresh pastas and sauces, and more. You can look out for this kitchen to open in the Courthouse Crossing shopping center, in the spot formerly occupied by Shane’s Rib Shack.
Looking for seasonal beers to pair with all of this food news? Pumpkin, sweet potato, gingerbread, spiced apple, cocoa, peppermint — whatever your fall/winter flavor preferences may be, there are festive ales available for every palate from all over the commonwealth in this 2020 Guide to Holiday Beers at Virginia Craft Breweries.
And now, to work off all that tastiness: You can still run Richmond this year! Take off from the start line in Dorey Park and complete 26.2 miles along the Virginia Capital Trail any time between now through Sunday, November 22. This protected trail winds all the way from Richmond to Williamsburg with bottle refill stations, restrooms, and mile markers along the way. Alternatively, you can opt to conquer the Richmond Half Marathon or Allianz Partners 8K race. Learn more and register here.
HAPPENINGS
Virginia Cider Week 2020 kicks off this Friday! This annual celebration of Virginia’s time-honored tradition of crafting hard cider will take place November 13 - 22.
This year's main event is the Virginia Cidery Guest Cider Feature Event. Richmond cideries have been paired with cideries from all around the commonwealth to carry their bottles on draft or in bottles (depending on the location) so you can get a taste for hard ciders from other regions!
Here are 4 local spots where you can check out regional pairings:
(1) Blue Bee Cider will offer sips from Sage Bird Ciderworks (Harrisonburg) & Albemarle Ciderworks (North Garden).
(2) Bryants Cider has been paired with Big Fish Cider Co. (Monterey) & Winchester Ciderworks (Winchester).
(3) Buskey Cider will be featuring Lost Boy Cider (Alexandria), Potter’s Craft Cider (Charlottesville), and Bold Rock Hard Cider (Nellysford).
(4) Courthouse Creek Cider has been matched with Old Hill Cider (Timberville) and Castle Hill (Keswick).
Swing by any of these Richmond locations to join in on the Virginia Cider Week 2020 celebrations!
Image Credit: Caitlin Olszewski
Weekly Giveaway
Väsen Brewing Company
November marks the return of Walrus Month at Väsen Brewing Company! This Scott’s Addition brewery has plenty of new burly stouts and merch to keep you warm during this soon-to-be-chilly time of year.
Their Walrus Month theme this year is Vaporwave, and their signature Walrus mascot (representative of their fall/winter stout series!) looks stellar adorned in neon.
We’re giving away a 2020 commemorative Walrus hoodie ($45 value) and sticker ($2.50), a white Vaporwave Walrus koozie ($5), and a $15 gift card to Väsen Brewing Company!
To enter to win: Tell me your favorite animal! Personally, I’ve always been obsessed with penguins. You’d be shocked at the amount of penguin-inspired items in our home.
Last week: Congratulations to Morgan H. for winning last week’s Venture X Richmond giveaway!
Member Perks
Mise En Place
Did you know? You can join Mise En Place for a virtual dinner party and they’ll bring their cooking classes into your home!
They’ll provide a Zoom link, grocery list, and instructions prior to the class. Just sign on and cook with your friends alongside chef Christine Wansleben.
A few upcoming online classes include A Cozy Holiday At Home (Nov. 13), Autumn Flavors (Nov. 20), and Thanksgiving Make-Ahead Monday (Nov. 23) — as well as a virtual appetizer and cider pairing with Blue Bee Cider.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off when signing up for classes and workshops with Mise En Place — just use code RVAX when you place your order!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 36 new members this week: Cindy W., Ashley M., Heather H., Walt A., Charlotte F., Kelly M., James M., Jenny K., Elizabeth G., Parker L., Emma N., Matthew L., Katherine M., Cameron R., Amber H., Colette M., Sarah L., Jonathon D., John N., Andrea M., Ashley W., Stephanie S., Stevie M., Ashley W., Ashlee W., Ellyn H., Julie S., Emily H., Carleen B., Irma B., Logan N., Alexandra M., Maddy W., Andrew M., Lauren B., and Vanessa P., 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 130 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to 9Round Richmond for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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