Ed 236: Online Sewing Courses, Cheese Tasting, Italian Restaurant
Hi, folks!👋
Look, I — Kelsey — have eaten about four slices of lasagna and a pint of Spotty Dog’s Chocolate Orange over the last few days. I’m very pregnant (due in just a few weeks 😱), and the time has come for me to sign off from my Weekly Insider duties for a bit, crank out a few more City Guides to beef up your winter-break reading list, and get ready for this bb to make its big debut here soon.
BUT as 2022 simultaneously comes to a close, I must get just a touch Countdown-to-Christmas mushy and thank you, the dear RVAx community, for such an amazing year.
I started as a contributing writer with The Richmond Experience around this time last December, very excitedly and sweatily took over as managing editor a few months later, and have been loving it ever since. (Like, just the sweat part has been a journey, but I’m feeling much cooler these days. Unless I’m popping onto Insta to add a story or more for you. That still def makes me sweat. You should see my camera roll of drafts. TG for Paige Poprocky.)
You have been a large part of my enjoyment of this gig. Your Weekly Giveaway entries are so fun to read, your content recs have helped us continue to finesse our situation over here, and you love all my jokes and Taylor Swift (it’sherbirthday) references! Right? Hello?? 👁👄👁
You’re just the best, okay?! And I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Our incredibly stellar founder and CEO, Samantha Kanipe, will be taking (back) over for me while I’m OOO — starting Insider things up again in your inbox on Wednesday, December 28 — and I’ll see you on the other side.
Don’t forget to mind your self-care this month and pick up a pint of Chocolate Orange for yourself, by the way. And probs some lasagna, too.
… I’m hungry again…
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including other ideas for ringing in 2023, a new Indian restaurant, a local spot expanding outside of Richmond and Virginia, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy; high of 46°, low of 34°
Thursday: Rainy; high of 50°, low of 34°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 53°, low of 28°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: Holiday Workshop at Pop of Confetti (Part 1)
Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 pm: String Stories: A Conversation with Walter Carter and Joe Glaser
Friday, 6 - 8 pm: Holiday Wreath Making Workshop with Freckled Flower Farm
CITY GUIDES
1. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THESE PARTIES & EVENTS IN RVA
2. THE ULTIMATE RVA RESTAURANT GUIDE
3. HOLIDAY POP-UP RESTAURANTS, BARS & COCKTAILS TO GET YOU IN THE SPIRIT
Image: @project_communitea
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Crystal Stokes and Adam Weatherford: The founders of CommuniTea were recently featured in this v interesting read from Richmond magazine that highlights the org’s efforts in supporting local food sustainability by way of the 200(ish) yaupon trees on their farm (and more). “‘Yaupon is abundant in the wild and doesn’t require any fertilizers, extra inputs or extra water to grow,’ Stokes says. ‘It’s truly sustainable.’” The basis for a great alternative to your morning cup of Joe in the years to come, as, also noted in the article, coffee production becomes less and less sustainable.
THE LATEST:
RESTAURANT OPENINGS ~AND MORE~
When one door closes: Seeing Secco close its doors earlier this year was bittersweet, but the new restaurant filling its shoes is anything but. Uliveto, specializing in “Mediterranean diet” eats, is in the middle of its soft opening, accepting reservations via Instagram DM. Get your foot in the door for some tagliatelle bolognese, gnocchi genovese, or any of the other drool-inducing things that make up the spot’s feed. (Instagram)
Get that reservation on the books ASAP: The highly anticipated opening of Sprezza is finally here! The Italian spot, located downtown on Virginia St, officially began inviting diners inside with a soft opening late last week, and now they’re running full speed ahead. As the staff gets situated in their new digs, Sprezza is taking reservations for Saturday (from 5 to 10 pm) and Sunday (from 5 to 9 pm) dining, so if your mouth has been watering while you read this blurb, now’s the time to snag your seat at the table. (Instagram)
NoVA comes to SA: Old Town Alexandria favorite Kismet Modern Indian officially opened a second location, filling out the former Perch space in Scott’s Addition. The menu ranges in price from 15 to 40 bucks and includes options like chingri shrimp curry and tandoor grilled lamb chops, along with a host of wines, domestic and imported beers, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. And by the way, right now, for every $100 you spend there, you’ll get a $20 gift card to the restaurant in return — just in case you’re in the midst of cooking up some gift ideas for your fam and friends. (Richmond BizSense)
Cheese and thank you: If you haven’t made it over to Truckle Cheesemongers yet, we’ve got some more inspo for you. The newly opened cheese shop has started its Nosh & Nibbles series. Every Thursday, from 4 to 6:30 pm, you can get a literal taste of what’s going on over there with a bite of one of the space’s cheeses and a sip of a pairs-well wine or beer. Then you can continue the party at home with Truckle’s to-go cuts and bottles of booze. (Instagram)
We sew love this idea: With the help of Richmond-based video production co Hello Studios, Top Stitch Mending — a mindful mending, clothing repair, and sewing lessons biz with a workspace nestled in Church Hill — recently launched Top Stitch TV. The package of instructional vids allows “beginners, experts, and those in between” to brush up on their sewing skills, all from the comfort of their living rooms (or wherev). Kicking things off, Top Stitch released its Hand Sewing for Your Closet course, which can be purchased on the site now. (Top Stitch Mending)
Taco ‘bout an expansion: If you’ve always thought one Wong’s Tacos location isn’t enough, you’re in luck. The folks at EAT Restaurant Partners and Burger Bach are joining forces to spread 10 new locations of the local spot around the country over the next few years. Which means we’ll look forward to getting the Poke Taco, Kung Pao Chicken Taco, and Spicy Cucumber Salad if we’re roadtripping to and from Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach, Raleigh, and Charlotte — and, in the meantime, probably for lunch this week, since that all sounds really good right about now, too. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
📍Richmond’s last Confederate monument came down this week. (Instagram)
🍸The Pit & the Peel is hosting a holiday cocktail mixology class this Wednesday, December 14. (Eventbrite)
🧥Jardin is hosting a coats, boots, and socks drive this Thursday, December 15. (Instagram)
📰Plant Zero is closing its doors at the end of the month. (Instagram)
Weekly Giveaway
Bugle Call Coffee
We’re nearing the homestretch of holiday hustle and bustle, which means you’re probably way in need of a caffeine-based pick-me-up, huh? Not a problem; we know just the fix.
This week, we’re teaming up with Bugle Call Coffee to give away a couple coffee gift boxes. One lucky winner will get a Christmas Morning Gift Box (which includes Sleigh Fuel and a bag of Rainbow Trout Kitchen classic granola) and the other lucky winner will get a Virginia Mornings Gift Box (which includes Richmond Mornings and Blue Ridge Mornings)!
To enter, tell us: Which states are the only two in America where coffee can be commercially grown?
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Jessica R., for winning our Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights giveaway!
Member Perks
Bugle Call Coffee
Don’t want to wait for the giveaway winner reveal? We’ve got a (new 🎉) perk for that.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 20% off your first order at buglecallcoffee.com. Use code RVAX to redeem!
Note: This perk is valid site-wide, except for subscriptions, which already receive a discount.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 27 new members this week: Augusta M., Casey B., Kaarun G., Gadiel R., Rob D., Kimberly B., Regina G., Loni D., Casey B., Krista P., Brianna R., Mike K., Brooke M., Mike F., Sarah E., Namsimar K., Elliot P., Ellem P., Taylor B., Ariana G., KeyShon P., Courtney S., Andre C., Antionio S., Sage C., Katie M., and Jennifer A., 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 236 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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