Ed 237: New Brunch, 2022 Restaurant Recap, Self-Care Giveaway
Hey, readers!👋
Sam here. Eeeep! I'm so pumped to be back in your inbox for the next few months while Kelsey brings new life to this world. Her due date is December 30, so, like, any day now. Officially commence baby watch 22/23! Please join me in sending her and her family all the high vibrations during this exciting season of ~literal~ life.
Enough about us, how are YOU? No matter how you chose to spend the holidays, we hope you feel well-fed, well-rested, and all-around content. As we look ahead to the new year, we want to offer an alternative to the whole resolutions thing: an eff-free '23 inspired by this liberating gem Paige found on the internet. Choose one thing, or everything, to *not* give an eff about. Now that’s something we can definitely get behind. Cheers to LESS in the new year!
Speaking of less, if you're thinking about doing Dry January or you've just been sober curious, here's some quit lit and popular podcasts to nibble on. My personal favs include Recovery by Russel Brand, Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker, and the Sober Powered podcast by Gillian Tietz. Sometimes it's nice to have a little reset (or total lifestyle change!) after all the holiday imbibing.
In the meantime, if you're still looking for NYE plans, we've got you covered with a party roundup and a dining guide. And you may want to hurry because resys are filling up quickly for those prix fixe dinner events. Have fun and be safe!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the new brunch in town offering 50% off for “early” risers, the 2022 restaurant recap, the highly-anticipated spot that just opened in the fan, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 51°, low of 29°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 57°, low of 33°
Friday: Mostly Sunny; high of 61°, low of 43°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: MATERIAL GIRLS’ COMEDY SHOW AT HARDYWOOD RVA
Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm: KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP AT PLANTRVA
Friday, 6:30 pm: BEEF WELLINGTON AT KITCHEN CLASSROOM
CITY GUIDES
1. CHEERS TO 2023!: YOUR NYE DINING GUIDE
Image: @rushingblooms
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Svetlana Green: Svetlana designs and creates locally sourced dried and fresh flower arrangements and wreaths. She's the owner and operator of Rushing Blooms, a floral studio in Jackson Ward, and a recipient of a $10,000 state grant from the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development through Venture Richmond. If you need a little pop of color to brighten those winter blues, take a peek at her Insta and pick whatever speaks to you!
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Early bird gets the worm: And by worm, we mean 50% off the entire menu at Island Shrimp Co. when you brunch with them during their first hour of service. Fly fast, though, because this offer only lasts through New Year’s Day! If you’re feeling peckish (are we over the bird refs yet? I think yes) may we suggest the momona omelet made with smoked pork, bacon jam, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, barbecue hollandaise, sweet potato biscuits, and brunch potatoes? I mean srsly. Pair it with an eye-opener cocktail, and you’ll be ready to return home and nest the rest of the day (I’m sorry, I am.) The first hour of service is 11 am - 12 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 - 11 am on Sunday. Make a resy here. PS, their igloos are still up! (Instagram)
The results are in: RVAMAG & GayRVA tallied over 5,000 votes from readers (Richmonders), mostly on what they like to eat, where they like to shop, their fav art galleries, and even the best drag shows. Peep the list here. (RVAMAG)
House of Dragon fans, listen up: Profs and Pints, the popular lecture series featuring college faculty members in casual spaces like breweries and cafes, is returning to Triple Crossing Fulton on January 24. “The huge success of HBO's House of the Dragon series, which debuted in August and was renewed for 2023, has left many curious about the wild and bloody chapter of medieval history that inspired it. In response, Profs and Pints is offering its Richmond area fans a chance to learn about that time from a professor of medieval history who earns rave reviews from students who take his courses.” Advance tickets are $13.50, with beer, nonalcoholic options, and pizza available for purchase. Grab a friend and make plans.
Hello, goodbye: Any guesses on how many restaurants opened and how many closed in RVA this year? Local blogger Chad Williams of Creative Visual Design keeps a running list, and this year’s count currently shows 58 openings and 25 closings. That’s a net addition of 33 restaurants meaning you’d need to eat at about two new spots each month to keep up with the latest. Megan over at Richmond-Times Dispatch does a fine job highlighting the spots that caused the most buzz and the emerging trends from the year. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Speaking of new: Uliveto quietly opened their doors earlier this month to train staff and tweak a few things — they are now officially in full swing! If you need a refresher, this spot opened in the former Secco Wine Bar space (RIP) and comes to us from the folks behind Gersi. The menu features Italian fare with a Mediterranean twist so expect to find dishes like gnocchi Genovese, whole-roasted branzino with tomatoes and garlic, and broccoli rabe with parmigiana and lemon, to name a few. Snag a seat at the bar or reserve a table. (Instagram)
And the latest goodbye: Foo Dog is closing its doors after an eight-year run. Some speculation was circulating online about the closing, so RVA Mag went directly to the source. Within a few hours, Foo Dog released an official statement confirming the rumor. “This is not a goodbye, it’s a see you later. You’ll see us again soon in a new project EAT is working on: our food hall, coming in 2023!” reads the announcement. The forthcoming food hall will be located at 3012 W Leigh St (across from the random strip of row homes in Scott's Addition just down the street from Buskey Cider). We'll keep you posted on those deets in the new year. (Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍰 Here are five indulgent cheesecakes made locally if you’re headed to any parties and tasked with bringing dessert. Or just for your damn self because why not? (Richmond Mag)
🍻If you’re interested in booze news, check out this list of the 2022 openings and closings of breweries, cideries, and distilleries. (Richmond BizSense)
🕛Got kids? Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at 12 pm noon on December 31 with family-friendly events happening at Stony Point Fashion Park or Hardywood West Creek.
Weekly Giveaway
Herbal Eye Pack from Perception Organic Spa
Cue your self-care routine. This handmade herbal eye pillow ($26) is packed with herbs and spices, creating a relaxing and therapeutic aroma as the heat calms tired eyes and opens pores. Just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and then sit back and relax. Looking to cool down? The pillow can also be placed in the refrigerator for cold therapy.
This week, we’re giving away an herbal eye pack from Perception Organic Spa!
To enter, tell us: What’s one of the ways you unwind?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winners, Bryce C. and Laura P., for winning our Bugle Call Coffee giveaway!
Member Perks
AMR Mobile Carwash & Detailing
Spruce up your ride with a thorough cleaning right outside your door — literally. AMR Mobile Carwash & Detailing comes to you, providing various services to get your car squeaky clean.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off any service. Just mention code RVAX10 when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 50 new members this week: Samantha C., Samieh S., Michaela L., Artemis S., Stephanie M., Francesca C., Allison M., Bianka K., Vanessa S., Charlotte M., Jessica D., Cara M., Kimberly B., Madeline E., Brianna P., Bleu P., Ryan N., Jessie S., Laini B., Dot L., Kendra B., Rick S., Annie G., Nancy R., Jennifer B., Maria D., Frances V., Weezie B., Shey C., Emily B., Alexandra L., Charles W., Jessica B., Elisabeth F., Elizabeth A., Marie C., Sean F., Lilly W., Andrew P., Zack R., Lisa H., Kathleen F., Krista G., Lindsey V., Jamayca M., Lacy H., Elena P., Eileen G., Dianna O., and Sheridan T., 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 237 of The Weekly Insider.
Catch ya next week,
The Richmond Experience
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