Ed 187: Best Openings of 2021 & What We’re Looking Forward To in 2022
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Hey, y’all! 👋
We know the week between Christmas and New Year’s can be a little weird/confusing/overwhelming (what am I supposed to be doing? what year is it!?) so we’ll keep this week’s edition of The Weekly Insider short, sweet, and to the point.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy with afternoon showers; high of 70°, low of 51°
Thursday: Cloudy with a chance of evening showers; high of 62°, low of 49°
Friday: Mostly cloudy; high of 67°, low of 56°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: Blitz Bingo at Tang & Biscuit
Thursday, 4 - 10 pm: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
Friday, 9 pm - 2 am: Night Fever New Year's Eve Party at Pizza & Beer of Richmond
CITY GUIDES
1. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THESE PARTIES & EVENTS IN RVA
2. LOCAL ITEMS TO ORDER FOR YOUR AT-HOME NYE CELEBRATION
3. CHEERS TO 2022: YOUR NYE DINING GUIDE
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Anna Ford & Nancy Brown: Co-founders of Bookclubz, a startup founded here in Richmond to make organizing a book club simple. (P.S. You can join The Richmond Experience Book Club here—we’re meeting at the Cirrus Vodka tasting room on January 12 at 6 pm to discuss this month’s read, “You’ll Grow Out Of It” by Jessi Klein.)
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including our top New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day recommendations, lists of the new businesses expected to open in Richmond in 2022 (along with the best new openings of 2021), and more.
THE LATEST:
NEW OPENINGS
A wine concept in The Fan: From the folks behind Grisette in Church Hill comes Jardin, a fresh new wine bar/restaurant/wine shop opening this Friday, December 31 at 1520 W Main St in The Fan. (Instagram)
Seasonal fare and cocktails in Manchester: Chef Michael Lindsey—of Lillie Pearl, Buttermilk + Honey, and Pop’s Market on Grace fame—is at it again with a new spot called Jubilee coming to Southside in spring 2022 with seasonal New American fare and craft cocktails. (Instagram)
A boutique hotel downtown: The Shenandoah building at 501 N Allen Ave (just north of the former home of the Lee statue on Monument Ave) will be converted into a boutique hotel, with hopes of opening by winter 2023. (Richmond BizSense)
On the horizon for 2022:
Hatch Local Food Hall (January 2022)
Chewy’s Bagels (early 2022)
Westray’s Finest Ice Cream (early 2022)
Slurp! Ramen (April 2022)
Spotty Dog Ice Cream (spring 2022)
Carytown Exchange ft. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Torchy’s Tacos, and more (summer 2022)
BigWife’s Mac n’ Cheese (summer 2022)
Looking for a recap of the hottest new bars, restaurants, and more that opened in Richmond in 2021? Check out our archive of past editions of The Trendspotter. Bucket list = made.
NEW YEAR’S EVE + DAY
What are you doing New Year’s Eve?
a) Dinner & drinks - You can make a reservation at:
New Year’s Eve Menu 2021 at Secco Wine Bar - A prix fixe four-course meal for $80, with the option to add a wine pairing for an additional $50
Interactive New Year’s Eve Dinner at Jewfro - A four-course meal for $65 or a five-course meal for $80, with cocktail or wine pairings
New Year’s Eve Champagne & Oysters at Fall Line - A prix fixe four-course dinner that includes a bottle of champagne, oysters, and your choice of select salads, entrees, and desserts for $117
For more: CHEERS TO 2022: YOUR NYE DINING GUIDE
b) Going out to party - Snag tickets for a good time at:
Bubbly & Brews NYE Bash at Hardywood - $35 - Craft beer, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a bubbly toast at midnight, a commemorative event glass, and live music by The Dundies
Decemberween 2022: A New Year's Eve Costume Ball at Diversity Richmond - $77 - Fire performances, live music, three stages with bands and DJs, interactive art installations, circus arts, three “Libation Stations,” food trucks, vendors, and more
The Gala 2022 NYE Celebration at Belle - $35-$65 - A prix fixe four-course meal, a whiskey and cigar tasting, live music by DJ Leezus, a countdown to midnight, a champagne toast, and NYE party favors
For more: RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THESE PARTIES & EVENTS IN RVA
c) Staying in - Make the night at home extra special with:
Custom confetti poppers from the Pop Of Confetti confetti bar
A festive cocktail kit from Cirrus Vodka
Charcuterie cones by RVA Cheese Girl
For more: LOCAL ITEMS TO ORDER FOR YOUR AT-HOME NYE CELEBRATION
How about New Year’s Day?
a) Brunch - New Year's Day Hangover Brunch at Starr Hill - 12-4 pm - Post-celebration carbs, and maybe even a little hair of the dog? Yes, please. Free admission; tables are first come, first served.
b) Yoga - New Year’s Day Yoga - 9 am or 10 am - Start the year off strong—literally—with one of the two yoga practices led by RVA Yoga at the Living Water Community Center in Forest Hill. Pay what you can.
c) A Movie - “When Harry Met Sally” at The Byrd Theatre - 3 pm - Ease into 2022 with an annual Richmond tradition: Watching this classic New Year’s film at The Byrd. $8.
And the rest of January? House Music New Year's Yoga at Hardywood (January 2), Richmond Moon Market (January 16), #V72x2 aka Richmond’s 5th annual Vegan Restaurant Challenge (January 25 - 30), and more — check out our Event Calendar to start planning.
Weekly Giveaway
PlantHouse RVA
Maybe we’re being optimistic, but we’ve got a feeling that 2022 will be the year that we finally manage to keep a house plant alive—thanks, of course, to the help of the professional green thumbs over at PlantHouse RVA.
This greenery-laden shop in The Fan offers complimentary adult beverages while you shop (mimosas, anyone?), DIY walk-in terrarium building, and a wide selection of house plants, home decor, and more.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to PlantHouse RVA to one lucky member of The Richmond Experience!
To enter to win: Tell us something you’re excited for in 2022! We’re looking forward to all of the restaurant openings coming up in the New Year.
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Megan G., for winning our Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden giveaway!
Member Perks
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They've got something for everyone, including a clean menu (with all-natural ingredients for a balanced and healthy meal), low-carb meals, athlete meals (high in protein!), as well as vegetarian, vegan, paleo, Whole30, and Keto options.
You can get your Healthy Fresh Meals delivered to your home directly for $10 or take advantage of FREE delivery to one of two local pick-up locations, at Zinger Fit or Juice Bar and Plant Based Health.
And great news! Members of The Richmond Experience can get $25 off of your first order — simply redeem by clicking this link: https://www.healthyfreshmeals.com/discount/RVA
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 68 new members this week: Ethan P., Gina S., Sarah H., Katelyn S., Monica M., Letitia C., Madelynn L., Liz B., Katie H., Mama-U A., Andrea E., Amanda G., Cindy M., Jennifer B., Lester P., Cliff R., Laurel L., Kevin G., Romaine J., Thomas J., Jennifer B., Tonya C., Adam H., Richard D., Nina C., Philip L., Juan A., Jeffrey M., Max D., Tatum M., Bill L., Tucker M., Chris K., Whitney W., Steven M., Marguerite B., Shante A., Katelynn J., Michael P., Jessica B., Caitlin N., Ryan C., Gina D., Taylor D., Christine P., Maxine A., Jill L., Ashley G., Juanita Z., Sagar C., Tyler W., Ghaida A., Brittney L., Tati C., Tyler P., Dana M., Kelly J., Caryn W., Logan S., Nicole G., Kathy D., Krystie O., Eric G., Sabrina B., Ingrid H., Dillon J., Brent L., and Bethany M., 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 187 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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