Ed 142: Galentine’s Day Waffles, $1 Mimosas, A Festival This Friday
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Image Source: @bigntoasty
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
I’m not gonna lie to you, I’ve never really been into Valentine’s Day in the past. But this year for whatever reason, I am all in. Pink and red all over the place, heart-shaped everything, so much chocolate, and all the gifts for all the people.
Maybe it’s just the pandemic making me excited to have “A Thing To Look Forward To” — like, anything, at any given moment — but who cares! I’m here for it (in pajamas covered in Xs and Os).
You gotta find joy where you can, you know?
If you’re into finding joy in Valentine’s Day shenanigans like I am this year, Richmond businesses have you covered! From holiday dine-in and take-out options at local restaurants to custom-curated gift boxes with free local delivery to ways to treat yourself while supporting local businesses and beyond, there are options out there for just about everybody.
And if you’re anti-Valentine’s Day? Richmond has you covered there, too.
We’ve got plenty of social buzz, V Day-themed and otherwise, to share with y’all this week. Let’s go!
THE LATEST:
Image: @whatsnextrva
Image: @sportsbackers
Image: @capitolwaffleshop
Image: @opensignproject
SOCIAL NEWS
#rvadine is about to be on TV. Bravo just released the trailer for season 18 of Top Chef, which will take place in Portland, Oregon — and we were thrilled to spot a familiar face among the contestants. Richmond’s own two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist Brittanny Anderson (chef and co-owner of local restaurants Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass, and Black Lodge as well as Leni in Washington, D.C.) “packed her knives and headed to Portland,” according to her Instagram announcement. The season will premiere on Thursday, April 1 at 8 pm ET. We can’t wait to watch!
How bizarre… I mean, how exciting. Big news from the Bizarre Market this week: Their new permanent online shop is now live! Instead of waiting for them to announce IRL pop-up market events every few months, you can find the best of Richmond's handmade goodies all in one virtual place. Orders can be shipped to you or you can opt for contactless pick-up Mondays and Fridays at 2707 West Cary St in Carytown. I’ve got my eye on this botanical ceramic tray, some strawberry Dayum This Is My Jam!, and this lavender-aloe face tonic and setting spray, but they have SO much to choose from.
Speaking of markets, the folks at Southbound in Bon Air officially opened the new Southbound Market this week! Also located in Bon Air, this market will be open Tuesday - Saturday from 11 am - 7 pm, highlighting local Richmond-based makers in addition to selling their own products like handmade dried pasta, pimento cheese, dips, spreads, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Kicking off (virtual) festival season. The RVA Environmental Film Festival will begin this Friday, Feb. 12 and run through Friday, Feb. 26, showcasing films that raise awareness of environmental issues relevant to the Richmond region as well as our nation and our planet as a whole. You can check out this year’s film contest winners here, and register here to stream all of this year’s festival films for free. Don’t forget the popcorn.
Wait, $1 mimosas? Shockoe Slip’s Casa Fiesta, formerly known as Mijas Mexican Kitchen & Cantina, recently reopened with a fresh new look and name — plus, amazing happy hour deals every day from 11:30 am - 7 pm.
And this Sunday in particular, Casa Fiesta will be hosting a Galentine’s Day Brunch from 11:30 am - 4 pm featuring $1 mimosas (!!!) along with $5 Bloody Marys, margaritas, and sangria. Come thirsty.
That’s not the only G-Day brunch in town. In fact, Capitol Waffle Shop is offering up Galentine’s Day-inspired brunch items all week long, because no one loves waffles as much as Leslie Knope. Now through Sunday, you can place an order for a Conversation Heart Mimosa, all sorts of Stroopwafels (chocolate- and candy- dipped waffle-style wafer cookies with a caramel filling; Leslie would be proud), build-your-own waffles, and more. Treat yo’self.
Last Galentine’s Day thing, I swear. Join me and Lauren Glaser at Why Richmond Is Awesome for a live virtual Galentine’s Day Trivia with a twist this Thursday, Feb. 11. The twist? It’s all true crime-themed trivia!
It’s totally free to play, and you have the chance to win some awesome prizes from local businesses. You can join at 7:30 pm or at 8:30 pm (or both) for your chance to win — prizes are awarded to people who are good at trivia but also at random throughout the evening. Best trivia name gets a prize, too!
Time to get your heart racing. Sign yourself and your partner/pal/pup up for the Solemate Shuffle 5K and receive holiday-themed socks, conversation hearts, a custom event bib, and a Valentine from Sports Backers — in addition to running (or walking!) 3.1 miles wherever you’d like. Do it for fun or plan to submit your race results here for a little friendly competition. Register here!
Hate Valentine’s Day? We gotchu.
DOING GOOD IN RICHMOND
You know that feeling you get when you see your favorite restaurant or store turn their “Open” sign on? That’s the feeling that Open Sign Project is trying to protect as we continue to navigate this pandemic.
Open Sign Project is a product-driven initiative to connect Richmonders with local businesses and philanthropic organizations.
Their first product, the Open Sign Calendar, is available now for preorder — it’s a donation calendar that celebrates Black-owned restaurants and supports RVA Community Fridges, a grassroots group of BIPOC community leaders who are promoting equal access to healthy food.
Each calendar month (from March 2021 to February 2022; a “pandemic year,” if you will) features a different local Black-owned restaurant, along with a quote from an interview with its owner. Open Sign Project’s partners, BLK RVA and Richmond Region Tourism, were instrumental in helping the organization choose which restaurants to feature.
Aside from raising funds for RVA Community Fridges, it’s Open Sign Project’s goal that the next time you order take-out or go out to eat, you’ll consider giving your business to one of these 12 restaurants — and that you’ll consider looking up other Black-owned restaurants in Richmond to support, too.
Weekly Giveaway
Medianoche Makers Giveaway
In case you’re not familiar, MediaNoche is an artist collective shop that has been at Stony Point Fashion Park for four years, carrying the largest selection of work from local Richmond makers and artists available under one roof in the city.
This week, we’re giving away a gift box (valued at more than $150!) filled with items made by Virginia artists whose work you can find at Medianoche, including:
A Mad Kitchen Co. 5 x 7 Richmond Classics postcard
A Maven Made Well-Being gift set including Every Body Oil, Sleep Serum, and Immunity Boost
A 12-pack of Anoush Golden Incense sticks
A 2 Hearts By Candy hand-painted stash tin
A Vintage Outside Pony Pasture pint glass
A bar of Decadent Dark Beer soap from Cricket Cove Soap Co.
A bottle of small batch Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup from Crescent Simples
A bottle of AR’s Hot Southern Honey
A pair of AmFm handmade dyed leather earrings
A Medianoche INSPIRE candle in sea salt and amber
To enter to win: Tell me something you’re looking forward to this Valentine’s Day! I’m excited to get my Sweetie Text Line gift box on Saturday (my husband spilled the beans that he texted to order me one earlier this week).
Last week: Congratulations to Haley C. for winning our Valentine’s Day Staycation giveaway!
Member Perks
Scents of Serenity
I took this photo just last month when I visited Scents of Serenity for a 60-minute aromatherapy massage and a 30-minute mini facial — and y’all, I felt so blissed out afterward that I was a little worried about driving home. It was beyond relaxing, and my skin and body felt amazing by the time I left!
For background: Scents of Serenity is Richmond’s only truly organic spa. They have three gorgeous locations (Richmond, Short Pump, and Glen Allen) and offer some of the city’s purest luxury spa services using organic products in a unique and tranquil environment.
I can’t recommend enough that you pamper yourself or someone you love with their wellness services or something from their skincare line this Valentine’s Day!
Members can use code SOSRVAX for 10% off of services and products (excluding packages, which are already discounted). Visit scentsofserenityspa.com to book now, and thank me later.
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SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 20 new members this week: Brittany D., Ashlyn H., Lauren C., Teresa C., Deja T., Carly R., Lauren H., Polina B., Helen M., Zach G., Ashley O., Raven D., Vanessa P., Anthony D., Sydney S., Sienna F., Catherine B., Katie G., Nicholas S., and Kyle H., 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 142 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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