Ed 276: $6 Cocktails, Girl Dinner, Free COVID Testing
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Hi, Insiders!
It’s the end of another month (HOW?), so we’ve got the low-down on a few of our favorite things for September ahead! That said, I’ll keep it short and sweet up here, since you’ve got lots of reading to do. But… like… I’ve reviewed the tapes 100 times, and this Swift/Kelce situation is giving friend zone, right? Not buying it.
I’m sorry! Don’t yell at me like that!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a new mural, what to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, Negronis, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Happy hour: ICYMI, The Emerald Lounge announced a daily happy hour from 5-7 pm, so I had to check it out. You can't beat a $5 daiquiri and $6 cocktail — I think my bill was $12 at my last visit. Say less.
Flatback studs: I don't know about you, but I have to take out my earrings each night due to the poking posts of my studs. Emily Warden Designs recently dropped a cute line of flatback studs to cure this problem. I have yet to order them, but they are in my cart!
Kelsey:
Pumpkin beer: I'm an especially big fan of the seasonal brews this time of year, and my all-time favorite is from Alewerks Brewing Company. The Pumpkin from the brewery (located just a bit down the road in Williamsburg) is a spiced amber ale and scratches the fall-itch every time.
Best veterinary hospital: The pet care at River City Veterinary Hospital is the best in the biz. Thankfully, I haven’t recently had to visit them for anything too intense (or pricey — IYKYK, pet parents), but I did have to pick up flea meds this month, and as always, the staff was so warm and helpful, I almost… couldn’t wait to go back for our next scheduled appointment? But I didn’t say that out loud to my pup.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 70°, low of 58°
Thursday: Mostly cloudy; high of 73°, low of 62°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 72°, low of 63°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 5 - 9 pm: WEDNESDAY 3 FOR $30 MENU
Thursday, 12 - 1 pm: SEPTEMBER UNHAPPY HOUR: THE POEDOWN
Friday, 6 - 8 pm: BURGER BOWL COLLAB POP-UP: BOULEVARD BURGER & BREW x URBAN MYTH STREET FOOD (DAY 1)
CITY GUIDES
1. 25 NON-LAME WAYS TO SPEND A RAINY DAY IN RICHMOND
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Church Hill Broadcast Tower: Church Hill Overlook boasts one of the best views in (and of!) the city, but while taking in the sights, have you noticed the tall tower to your right? According to Church Hill People’s News, the landmark is a broadcast tower originally built to host local radio stations WRVA and Q94 Richmond.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @lostletterrva
Image Source: Quirk Richmond
Image Source: @shiftmealrva
Image Source: @secondbottlewine
SOCIAL NEWS
A Negroni (plus four): If you didn’t get a chance to participate in Negroni Week between September 18 and 24, no sweat. Richmond magazine published a roundup of five of the city’s best, which you can still request if the mood strikes. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find:
3-Berry Negroni from Riverside Tavern — berry and floral flavors; Roku gin with strawberry-infused Aperol, fruity Plymouth sloe gin, aromatic Suze gentian liqueur, and muddled raspberries
House Negroni from Lost Letter — Beefeater London Dry gin, Campari, kegged Atxa sweet vermouth, garnished with a wide orange peel
The Tropicana at Julep’s New Southern Cuisine — New Amsterdam gin with fresh pineapple, Solerno blood orange liqueur, Dolin de Chambery Blanc Vermouth, and a grapefruit peel twist
Bless Up at The Jasper — Barbados and Jamaican rums, cacao-infused Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Reggae Negroni at The Lobby Bar at Quirk Hotel — Velvet Falernum, Smith & Cross rum, sweet vermouth, and Campari (Richmond magazine)
Just some love lost: Longoven in Scott’s Addition has closed its “doors,” with its owners planning to focus their attention on Lost Letter, among other ptojects. Having been (twice!) ranked by Bon Appétit as one of America’s best new restaurants, diners will undoubtedly miss Longoven’s luxurious tasting menu, but Lost Letter is a worthy filler for the spot. “Lost Letter offers a variety of antipasti dishes, hand-cut pasta courses, heartier dishes such as braised pork shank with white wine mustard sauce and fresh herbs, and sides like roasted eggplant with Romesco sauce. Prices range from $12 to $32.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Pick up the next shift: A new pop-up concept is picking up traction. Shift Meal showcases varied ticketed themed meals, such as the past Anything But! Pizza, Shift Meal Goes Back 2 School, Thot Tomato Summer, and Third of July Freedom Fry. It’s all very unserious, but the four friends behind Shift Meal, named for “the family-style meal shared by restaurant industry workers,” are very thoughtful in their planning. Each event features a curated Spotify playlist, specially designed flyers and stickers, and more. Keep an eye on Instagram for upcoming meals and deets. (Richmond magazine)
You’ll like the sound of this: The brains behind Cobra Cabana and Hot For Pizza are joining forces to open Space Mountain Hi-Fi in Carver. They call the spot a listening bar, “equipped with high-quality audio equipment for playing music on vinyl records, along with a full bar.” Apparently, it’s a thing — Japan originated the general concept (audiophile bars, or “intimate cafes to drink cocktails and listen to rare records”) and now major cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, have continued the trend. Timing for Richmond to officially join the party is TBD. (Richmond BizSense)
This makes cents: Penny’s made Wine Enthusiast’s list of the best wine shops of the year. Says the pub, “Our 2023 shops are information hubs and community centers. They open windows into local wine regions, introducing consumers to the ferments happening in their own backyards. These shops help tell America’s wine story as it is today — one that celebrates new varieties, new approaches to winemaking and a diverse maker space.” No wonder the Richmond spot finds itself here. Wine Enthusiast cites Penny’s intimate atmosphere and curated offerings, which are grounded in “hospitality and accessibility,” as some of its noteworthy quals. (Wine Enthusiast)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🦠The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering free COVID testing and vaccines. (Richmond Free Press)
🍷NILS finished a new mural at Second Bottle in Church Hill. (Instagram)
🦃Belmont Butchery will start taking orders for Thanksgiving turkeys on Monday, October 2. (Instagram)
Image Source: Don Sebastián
Weekly Giveaway
Don Sebastián
Our girl dinner guide says it all: You need this small biz in your life. For your ultimate snacking purposes, we especially recommend the Jalapeño Dip (sour cream, cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, dried dill, buttermilk, mayonnaise, garlic, chives, salt, and pepper) and La Original salsa (tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt) — the latter is certifiably drinkable, folks.
This week, we’re giving away one of each! And not for nothin’, they go perfectly with the corn chips, FYI.
To enter, tell us: What is your favorite scary movie?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Jenna C., for winning the Proper Pie Co. giveaway!
Image Source: SprayRVA
Member Perks
SprayRVA
We’re officially into fall, which means remnants of summer may or may not still be lurking in your car. (Looking at you, ALL THE SAND FROM THE BEACH!) Luckily, SprayRVA is a locally owned and operated mobile car wash and detailing service that’ll do wonders for your seaside-on-wheels. That is, you choose the time and place, and they'll make your car look and feel brand new.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAX10 for 10% off any service.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 17 new members this week: Jessia C., Stacy B., Amanda C., Jill S., Matt B., Crys H., Nichole B., Vaz D., Lauren R., Xavier G., Already Richmond, Vega W., Kiley M., Matthew D., Katie V., Caprice S., and Mashaba R., 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 276 of The Weekly Insider.
TTFN!
- The Richmond Experience
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