Ed 132: Winter Markets, Holiday Booze Releases, Loaded Hot Chocolate
Image Source: @aliciavalenski
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
As crazy as it sounds, we’ve made it all the way to Thanksgiving! And while 2020 has been quite a wild ride so far, we couldn’t have gotten through it without you.
So we wanted to take a moment to say some very sincere thank you-s:
Thank you for reading the Weekly Insider (and for entering to win the giveaways we share in it each week!), and thank you for reading our City Guides.
Thank you for taking advantage of your Member Perks and for using our Event Calendar to find local events to attend, both of which help to support local businesses.
Thank you for following us on Instagram, for tagging us in your photos, and for sharing with our hashtags. Thanks for watching our Instagram Stories, even when they get a little silly now and then.
And overall, thank you for being a member of The Richmond Experience. You have no idea how grateful we are that you’re here.
Your membership fees allow Sam and I to wake up every morning and dedicate ourselves to making RVAx the best possible resource it can be, both for our members and our local partners. It’s our dream job, it’s hard work, and we’re so thankful that we get to do it. And your support is what makes that possible.
So, truly, from the bottom of our hearts: Thank you.
All righty, then! Now that we got the warm and fuzzy stuff out of the way, let’s get to what you’re really here for.
This week marks the official kickoff of the holiday season, so we’re sticking strictly to the fun stuff in this edition of the Weekly Insider — namely food and booze news, along with the fun festivities happening near you.
THE LATEST:
Image: @cocoandhazelrichmond
Image: @rvabrewcrew
Image: @belleisleshine
Image: @sundaytableco
SOCIAL NEWS
Don’t miss out on one of the most inclusive and appetizing holiday celebrations of the season. The Jingle Belle RVA “woke holiday story” pop-up will be downtown all winter long with innovative holiday themed food, delicious craft cocktails, and an immersive experience with a side of perspective.
Nosh on a small plate (potato latkes, perhaps) before moving on to the main course (braised lamb shank, Christmas hanger steak, goose breast... decisions, decisions) and eventually maybe even making your own gingerbread house for dessert (they’ve got all the supplies you need, don’t worry). Pair your picks with a delicious drink or two — I’ve heard the Boughs of Holly cocktail is the best on the list, but I’ve got my eye on that boozy hot chocolate.
Reservations are available for dinner Wednesday - Saturday, 5 - 10 pm and for Sunday brunch (you should see THAT menu!) from 11 am - 3 pm.
Join the Richmond Triangle Players for a funny, sensitive, and imaginative tale that will pull at your holiday heartstrings. The Santa Closet (a one-man show written by Jeffrey Solomon, directed by Nora Ogunyele, and featuring Eddie Webster) will be onstage in Scott’s Addition and streaming virtually now through December 19.
In this hilarious and at times touching show, Little Gary’s gender-atypical gift request is sent to the North Pole, then denied. Little Gary sends heart-felt letters in an attempt to nudge Santa Claus out of the closet — and right into the center of a heated culture war.
This production will feature a reduced capacity of 27 seats per performance, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Get your tickets now to see The Santa Closet live at the Richmond Triangle Players or to stream it at home this season!
And closeted or not, Santa is going to love seeing these local ornaments on your Christmas tree this year. Sunday Table Co., a local paper goods shop owned by Richmonders and best friends Em and Virginia, is selling a variety of VA-themed ornaments to adorn your tree this year. They’ve also got a Schitt’s Creek ornament featuring the Rosebud Motel that is a little bit… a little bit… a little bit adorable. Consider their custom prints if you’re looking for a particularly personalized gift this year, too!
‘Tis the season for sweet treats bigger than your face. The folks at decadent local dessert shop Coco + Hazel just dropped their winter menu and indulgent doesn’t even begin to cover it.
They’ve got new specialty shakes Sleighin' It (a crushed gingerbread milkshake with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch rim, whipped cream, and a cherry, topped with a slice of red velvet cake and a sugar cone tree) and What’s Up Grinches (a peppermint milkshake in a crushed peppermint-rimmed cup with whipped cream, a chocolate drizzle, crushed peppermint, and a cherry, topped with a stack of peppermint brownies).
They also released new Loaded Hot Chocolates, which are essentially warm versions of their specialty shakes — in flavors like S'mores (hot chocolate in a graham cracker-rimmed cup with whipped cream, toasted marshmallows, a chocolate covered graham cracker, a chocolate covered marshmallow, and a chocolate drizzle) and way more. If your mouth isn’t watering by now, I’m honestly a little concerned.
Speaking of indulging, how does mint chocolate moonshine sound? Belle Isle Moonshine delighted Richmonders by doing a digital drop of their festive new flavor, Peppermint Patty. It’s made with their award-winning moonshine, fresh mint, and real chocolate, and it’s perfect for spiking your own hot chocolate at home or for serving in shots straight out of the freezer at your socially distant holiday party this year. As an early Black Friday treat, it’s available in their online shop for just $19.99 for a limited time.
We may as well get all the seasonal booze news out of the way at once! So, you’re probably already aware that Hardywood Park Craft Brewery released its insanely popular Gingerbread Stout series this month. But did you know they’re also serving it blended with local Homestead Creamery eggnog and calling it “The David Hunter” at both of their taprooms?
Beyond that, Isley Brewing Company is releasing Rudolph the Red Ale Reinbeer on Wednesday, November 25 (today!); Bingo Beer Co. just released a a 13.2% ABV rye, rum, and apple brandy barrel-aged quad rested on dried fruit called Dottie's Fruitcake; and Buskey Cider’s annual Cranberry Basil Hard Cider is back in cans just in time for the holidays. Cheers to that!
HAPPENINGS
Shop local for everyone on your list at one of Richmond’s many winter markets. You can find them all in our latest City Guide, but here are a few of our favorites that you can hit up this weekend in particular:
Craft + Design Online - Support contemporary craft artists from all over the country by shopping the work of over 120 artists from 25 states (Virtual)
The Brunch Market Online - Browse apparel, accessories, art and prints, home decor, ceramics, candles, eats, jewelry, plants, skincare and wellness, and way more (Virtual)
Diversity Thrift Holiday Boutique - Thrift some gifts at this holiday boutique benefiting Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community (Northside)
Studio Two Three Winter Market - Shop safely distanced and masked for a full month at a market featuring an avalanche of artwork created by a bevy of local artists (Scott’s Addition)
Bizarre Market - A multi-format handcraft market featuring the work of 45 different local makers (Virtual *or* by appointment only in Carytown)
Over The River Holiday Market - Shop safely distanced and masked this Friday and Saturday at the parking lot in front of Perk! Coffee & Lunchbox and Joe’s Inn (Bon Air)
Weekly Giveaway
Discover Richmond Box:
Holiday Edition
Whether you’re shopping for a Richmond-lover on your list or you’re in the mood to treat yourself, the Holiday Edition of River City Food Tours’ Discover Richmond Box certainly will not disappoint. That’s why we’re giving one away to a lucky member!
Each box (valued at $75) includes:
Bombolini Pasta: One (12 oz.) bag of rosemary fettuccine pasta.
Reginald's Homemade: One (8.5 oz) jar of Cinnamon Molasses Cashew Butter.
Gearhart's Fine Chocolates: One bar each of the signature Almond Bar and Espresso Bar .
The Broken Tulip: One six-pack of mulled wine gummies.
Rostov's Coffee & Tea: One pound of Rostov's All Things Nice Blend - a cinnamon hazelnut coffee created just for the holiday season!
Sugar + Twine: One (5 oz.) bag of Sugar + Twine's signature chai mix.
To enter to win: Tell me which of the items above you’re the most excited about! For me, it would have to be that cinnamon hazelnut coffee. Sounds like a hug in a mug, don’t you think?
Last week: Congratulations to Caroline V. for winning last week’s Shyndigz giveaway!
Member Perks
The Richmond Experience
We know you’re probably going to be shopping local this Small Business Saturday. Don’t forget: RVAx is a small biz, too!
So, why not give the gift of a membership to The Richmond Experience this year?
Friends and family can explore Richmond like never before, gaining access to the Weekly Insider, members-only weekly giveaways, our library of 100+ city guides, the up-to-date calendar of local events, member perks (aka discounts and freebies at spots around RVA) and more.
With so much to experience each day, a gift membership to RVAx will inspire them to explore, dine, and more all year long!
For a limited time only, members of The Richmond Experience can take 50% off when purchasing gift memberships for others — just use code SMALLBIZ at checkout now through 11:59 pm on Cyber Monday!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 35 new members this week: Justin L., Brent A., Erin C., Ashton F., Rebecca D., Michele W., David C., Valerie R., Bryan M., Moriah F., Rachel A., Laura W., Karen S., Amber G., Amy C., Emily M., Sagar P., Rebecca E., Kamisha M., Tina R., Laurie P., Brittany M., Devika M., Ailen U., Hallie K., Mike D., Judy M., Tristan J., Tylene D., Rachel P., Natalie M., Windi P., Lindsey S., KC F., and Abigail S., 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 132 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to The Boho Basement for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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