Ed 139: Wine Stork, Mac & Cheese Pop-Up, 'Anything Goes' Gala
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Hey there! Alicia here 👋
I’m not sure about y’all, but I can’t decide if this month is flying by or if we’re crawling suuuuper slowly toward February.
Are we stuck in some weird vortex I’m not aware of, in which both are somehow true? Because honestly, I’m expending an unusual amount of mental effort just trying to remember what day it is at this point.
What I do know, though, is that RVA is serving up some exciting new openings and events as we round out January!
For example, we’ve got an experimental mac & cheese-only concept to try, a virtual gala with celebrity performances happening this weekend, a new local wine delivery service mysteriously ripe with baby-related puns, reservations available for a romantic Bridgerton-inspired English high tea event, and plenty more to discuss with you this week.
You’re really keepin’ us on our toes here, Richmond. What on earth will you come up with next?
Let’s dish!
THE LATEST:
Image: @hopewallrva
Image: @winestork
Image: @bigwifesmacandcheese
Image: @queenbeeandcompanyrichmond
SOCIAL NEWS
Sweet dreams are made of cheese. More specifically, of mac & cheese. BIGWIFE’S, an experimental mac & cheese pop-up from Old Original Bookbinder's Seafood & Steakhouse owners John and Jayme Taxin, officially opened for business last week in Shockoe Bottom.
The menu features nine different entree-sized “fancy macs” to choose from, all of which can be made gluten-free by request — like Classic Mac (smothered with cheddar), Little Figgy Mac (with Calimyrna fig, ham, and goat cheese), Buffalo Mac (hot chicken, gorgonzola, and Texas Pete) and more. If you’re searching for something on the lighter side, they have three salads to choose from. Or if you’re looking for something sweet to complement your savory meal, snag a Big Ass Cookie at checkout. Anyone else suddenly starving?
Mommy, where does wine come from? From The Wine Stork, of course! Richmond’s new wine delivery service is “dropping bottles in your crib” with insights from each of its three founders: Faith Waldron (local hip-hop artist and entrepreneur), Rob Long (owner of boutique bowling alley brand River City Roll), and Wyck Baruch (former GM at The Georges, a Travel + Leisure Top 100 hotel).
The process is pretty straightforward — just grab your digital device of choice, choose your favorite bottle(s) from Wine Stork's carefully curated line-up, and await the arrival of your little bundle of joy on your doorstep. Check out their selection here.
Pinkies up! If you’d care for a spot of tea from the comfort of your own home, you can find it at Queen Bee & Company. This European tea room and café in the Arts District offers a traditional English high tea to go (including a pot of tea and a 3-course tea tower of sweets and tea sandwiches at $30/person), in addition to offering a petite venue space perfect for small events including weddings, showers, corporate meetings and more.
As someone who literally hosted a tea party from home last weekend, I find this news absolutely brilliant.
But perhaps even more excitingly, Queen Bee & Co. will be hosting Lady Whistledown & The Bridgerton's “Happily Ever After” Valentine's Day Royal High Tea on Saturday, February 14! There will be a total of 5 reserved seating times to choose from, starting at 11 am and ending at 7 pm. The pre-fixe menu features a pot of English Tea and a 3-course tea tower (including fresh fruit, English scones, English Sandwiches, and delectable), a champagne toast, and chocolate-covered strawberries for $65/person. Call (804) 215-4512 to reserve your spot, and start practicing your British accent!
Speaking of fancy events, the Virginia Repertory Theatre’s virtual Anything Goes Gala is happening this Saturday, January 23 featuring entertainment by award-winning actors, guest appearances by Tony nominees Blair Underwood and Emily Skinner, live and silent auctions, and more.
Don’t forget to order a gala-worthy meal from restaurant partners Bar Solita, Max’s on Broad, Mosaic Richmond, or Tarrants Downtown, all of whom will donate 15% of your check back to the theatre when you mention Virginia Rep with your takeout order on Saturday. The pre-show happy hour will begin at 7 pm, followed by the livestream main event at 7:30 pm. The show will go on!
If you’re more of a greenway person than a gala person, we’ve got you covered. The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation and East Coast Greenway Alliance just kicked off their new Winter Warrior Challenge, inviting dedicated Virginians to complete 282 miles, either virtually or in person along the East Coast Greenway in Virginia. (Did you know the Virginia Capital Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway Coastal Route? I didn’t!).
You can physically complete your miles on the Capital Trail, anywhere along the East Coast Greenway, on any local trail — or you can knock them out from home on a stationary bike, treadmill, etc. As you complete your mileage, you will submit your distance on your RunSignUp Profile and earn virtual facts along the way!
The challenge will run through March 31, and you can complete the 282 miles alone or with a team of up to 4 people. Register here, and don’t forget to note the size you’d prefer for your Winter Warrior crewneck sweatshirt (all participants get one!).
Hope lives here — literally. Have you been to the corner Grove Ave & N Shields Ave in The Fan to see the Hope Wall yet? This international wall of posters from artists around the globe addresses the overarching theme of HOPE for social and racial equality, here in our community and beyond. Richmond Magazine reported that the posters that make up this ever-changing display (organized by Ashley Kistler, John Malinoski, and Rob Carter) are hung using a wheat-pasting technique, meaning each poster has a life expectancy of only a few weeks. But no matter — the artists involved in this project, from all around the world, simply send more posters to layer over top of those that might begin falling down, each with another message of hope for our city.
If you get the chance, go check it out for yourself. It’s truly a sight to behold.
HAPPENINGS
Keep it clean. And by “it,” I mean our city. You’ve got two opportunities to participate in socially distant community clean-ups this Sunday, January 24:
RVA Clean Sweep in Carytown - Latex gloves and pickers provided as this group cleans up Cary by picking up litter, scrubbing graffiti, picking stickers off, and more - Starts at 9 am outside of Beastie’s at 3218 W Cary St
Keep Virginia Cozy in Northside - Gear is provided, just be sure to dress warmly in clothes you don't mind getting dirty - Starts at 12 pm outside of The Mill at 4023 MacArthur Ave
Looking for other ways to give back? Check out our city guide ACTIONABLE WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN RICHMOND THIS YEAR for more ideas.
Weekly Giveaway
Urban Hang Suite
In case you’re not familiar, Urban Hang Suite is Richmond's only “social cafe,” nestled in the eclectic mix of the Arts District, Downtown, and Jackson Ward Communities.
The black-owned, women-owned, community-driven space is a place to create a new Richmond culture while connecting over coffee and conversations. Not to mention, they’ve got a mouthwatering menu of breakfast, lunch, and snack options, along with a wine program curated by RichWine and a craft beer line-up coordinated by Uncap Everything.
We’re giving one lucky RVAx member a $20 gift card to Urban Hang Suite to use on whatever menu items strike your fancy!
To enter to win: Tell me your go-to breakfast of choice! I usually just throw together a smoothie with whatever produce I have on hand, but I’m a sucker for an everything bagel with lox and a schmear. Mmm.
Last week: Congratulations to Thasin S. for winning our Guatemalan Cooking with Guadalupe giveaway!
Member Perks
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising Nail Studio is a non-toxic nail salon located in the heart of Church Hill offering a variety of nail services including manicures and pedicures — as well as detailed nail art ranging from minimalist to modern and beyond.
The Richmond Experience members get a free polish upgrade (gel polish for the cost of regular polish) on their first visit to Scorpio Rising!
If you’re booking online: book it as a gel manicure or pedicure, then add in the notes “memberperks2021” and Scorpio Rising will discount the price, charging you for regular polish instead of gel (a $10 discount!).
If you’re booking over the phone, simply give them your name and mention that you are a RVAx member, and they’ll take it from there!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 30 new members this week: Blake C., Michele M., Megan H., Rachel Y., M H., Jennifer R., Kelsy B., Jan H., Amanda B., Penelope B., Barbara G., Leah K., Jessica B., Jordan S., Claire D., Casey M., Ginny L., Maggie A., Donna R., Taryn A., India R., Lexi A., Abby M., Megan M., Jessica M., Cara K., Maura G., Matt G., MaryHagen G., and Alex C., 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 139 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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