Ed 143: Free Coffee Week, National Margarita Day, Bubbly Weekend
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Image Source: @brandonheplerphoto
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
Ah, February.
It’s such a short month that we often forget how truly dreary it can be.
Since the previous edition of the Weekly Insider came out last Wednesday, we’ve had two separate winter storms — a snowstorm and an ice storm — and we’ve got even more frozen weather warnings awaiting us later this week.
You may be starting to go a little stir crazy, wondering, “What the heck are we supposed to do with ourselves when faced with frigid weather like this?”
We’ve got some ideas:
HEATING UP: 15 OF THE BEST LOCAL SPOTS FOR SOUP
7 OF THE BEST SLEDDING SPOTS IN RICHMOND
FUN FROM HOME: VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES
22 NON-LAME WAYS TO SPEND A RAINY (OR SNOWY) DAY IN RVA
A GUIDE TO RICHMOND'S COVERED, HEATED PATIOS
LOCAL PODCASTS TO BINGE DURING QUARANTINE
11 CAN'T-PUT-THEM-DOWN BOOKS BY RICHMOND AUTHORS
Not feeling any of these? No worries. There’s plenty of fun things going on around Richmond right now, like free coffee week at a local dessert shop, a weekly happy hour series starting at an Arts District gallery, an online local food market now live and ready to shop, a just-launched wine club from one of the city’s newest wineries, National Margarita Day celebrations, and more.
Let’s discuss!
THE LATEST:
Image: @casadelbarco
Image: @sweetspoticecreamcafe
Image: @bramblypark
Image: @acaciamidtown
SOCIAL NEWS
Not a drill: FREE COFFEE. All week long, Shockoe Bottom’s new dessert-ery Sweet Spot Ice Cream Cafe is offering free coffee (or hot chocolate, or tea) with any purchase — and they’ve got a LOT to choose from.
In case you missed our Instagram post, this black-owned, woman-owned, family sweets shop has more than 48+ flavors of ice cream (!!!) including both vegan and dairy options, along with array of waffle cones and topping choices. Not to mention all of the other sweet treats they've got on the menu like gourmet cookies, donuts, fritters, pies, tarts, scones, and more. Plus, they offer specialty espresso drinks, nitro coffee, smoothies, and frappes!
I have no idea how they've got so much to offer under one roof, but I do know I'll be swinging by this week for something sweet.
Plus, more free things! Want a free $15 gift card to Stella’s Grocery? You can get one just by a booking visit as a new patient at any of the three River Run Dental locations in Richmond before the end of February. Man, I wish we could get bribed like this to take care of all the adult-y tasks we have to do anyway…
Spend your Saturday night learning to cook a gourmet meal from a local chef in support of a good cause. On February 20 at 6 pm, join talented Chef Dale Reitzer of Acacia for a virtual cooking demo fundraiser benefitting Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now).
Follow along from the comfort of your own kitchen as Chef Reitzer prepares scallops, potato rosti, and wilted greens with bacon vinaigrette, all while sharing tips and tricks to help you cook like a pro. You’ll even have the opportunity to submit questions during this live, interactive Zoom demo. Dinner kits are $85 (each serving two people) and will be available for pick-up at SCAN's administrative office at 103 East Grace St on Saturday from noon to 3 pm.
Pairs well with art appreciation. Quirk Gallery just launched a new weekly happy hour on Thursdays from 4 - 6 pm. You can treat yourself to a cocktail or two as you explore their current exhibitions featuring new work from Morgan Slade and Kevin Sabo. The Lobby Bar at Quirk Hotel will offer $5 drink specials during your visit, and Quirk Gallery will offer 15% off any in-store purchases made during this event!
It’s “Smoky Weekend” for beer drinkers. Fine Creek Brewing Company is known for loving smoked beers — and they'll be releasing an entirely new smoked beer of their own this Friday, February 19 that will be available throughout the weekend. They'll also be tapping a keg of a Smoked Lager from Väsen Brewing Company, brewed with smoked Cherry wood malt. And they've got something special cooking up in their on-site kitchen to pair with these smoky brews, too (though we’d be perfectly happy to pair ‘em with just about anything on their food menu). Event details here.
And it’s “Bubbly Weekend” for wine drinkers. James River Wine Cellars is hosting a special sparkling wine takeover this weekend only! They will be featuring four different bubbly wines for you to taste in a flight, each one highlighting different grapes and flavors.
Flights can be purchased in the tasting room this Saturday through Sunday and will include Rosé Champagne from France, Champagne from France, Prosecco from Italy, and Cava from Spain. You’ll get the chance to learn about what it is that makes a sparkling wine different from region to region, and bottles of each sparkling will be available for purchase!
Speaking of wine, did you hear about Richmond’s new wine club? The city’s first urban winery, Brambly Park, just launched a new subscription model! You can purchase a membership for either three, six, or 12 bottles of wine per month (the packs will include Brambly Park wine along with some of their curated wine selections). Brambly Park Wine Club members will also get access to private events, special discounts, and merch. Details here.
How about Richmond’s new online local food market, which just launched this week? Just this Monday, Common Eats launched an online market featuring menu items from 15 local Richmond chefs and bakers. You’re able to place an order, supporting multiple local food businesses from the convenience of your home — and all orders will be delivered free next Saturday, February 27. This 100% local, 100% Richmond online shop includes items like Nightingale’s Cookie Monster ice cream sandwiches, Joyebell’s sweet potato pies, Honestly Smoked beef jerky, Ninja Kombucha, and much more. You can place your order here.
HAPPENINGS
How will you be celebrating National Margarita Day? It’s coming up on Monday, February 22 and I can tell you where we’ll be: at Casa Del Barco for half-off all margaritas.
Yep, I said “all.” That includes the regular, large and litro sizes, frozen or on the rocks, in all flavors. I’ve got my eye on a blackberry basil margarita… and maybe a picante, too.
Happening this Monday from 4 - 9 pm, both for dine-in and takeout orders at all Casa Del Barco locations. ¡Salud!
Weekly Giveaway
Grateful Heart Shop
Local maker Leigh Anne Saunders, perhaps better known as @gratefulheartshop, is known for her gorgeous hand-lettered products and designs.
And while her online shop is currently sold out of this “Richmond Is My Happy Place” mug, it just so happens that we have one on hand that we’re excited to give away to one lucky RVAx member.
Perfect for keeping your coffee hot and your cocktails ice-cold, this 18 oz. soft-touch tumbler features Leigh Anne’s original hand-lettered design.
To enter to win: Tell me one reason why Richmond is your happy place!
Last week: Congratulations to April W. for winning our Medianoche Makers giveaway!
Member Perks
River City Food Tours
In case you missed it on our Instagram Reels, we recently joined RCFT for a Church Hill Food Tour and we were absolutely floored by how much food (and knowledge) was included in this two-hour outdoor experience.
We visited a James Beard-nominated wood-fired bakery, stopped at a 1930s theater-turned-restaurant for classic Virginia comfort food, and sampled a variety of other ethnic delights (Ethiopian, Kiwi, and Italian) and by the time we got to our last stop, we were so full that we had to take home leftovers!
All of this while learning from an expert about St. Johns’s Church and its role in the American Revolution, among other famous sites in this historic neighborhood.
Members can use code RVAxMEMBER for 10% off of all food walking tours! Visit rivercityfoodtours.com to book now, and thank me later.
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SAVE THE DATE
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Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 52 new members this week: Courtney M., Valerie F., Gayle M., John F., Katie S., Samantha E., Martha H., Emily M., Julia P., Katelynn J., Laura F., Katie K., Brittany C., Paige B., Jade B., Shyla V., Jacob S., Lauren H., Andrea D., Megan W., Kurt K., Daniela L., Stephen A., Nanette H., Mb B., Payal P., Stacey S., H D., Amy C., Maggie G., Lindsay R., Noora A., Meredith F., Kelly J., Emilio F., Ryan G., Jenny G., Beth R., Monica W., Colleeen R., Steph M., Abby R., Ariana G., Laura S., Kate S., Scott W., Megan N., Anna S., Sam M., Beth W., Cathy H., and Anastasia 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 143 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to AR Workshop Richmond for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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