Ed 285: Raclette Sunday, Christmas Pickle, Authentic Tea Experience
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Happy December!
Now that the holidays are in full swing, so are my girl dinner plans. It can’t just be me who finds planning an actual meal too difficult when there’s already all the hustling and bustling (and low-grade stressing?) to do, can it?
If you’re in my boat and want even more dips-cheeses-plus inspiration for mealtime this month, consider a li’l Grazing Crazy action. The local ~charcuterie experience~ has options and more options to treat your taste buds this holiday season. Craving a Christmas tree charcuterie? They’ve got it. In the mood for whipped holiday goat cheese dip? Order up. Need a spread to impress the masses? NP, Party Planning Committee — there’s a Grazing Table for that (and it’s 10% off right now; THAT’S how to impress the boss).
In other words, Grazing Crazy has it all and then some. From now on, all our [grocery shopping] troubles will be out of sight. Back to the merriment!
Keep scrolling for that and RVA’s latest social news, including holiday photo pop-ups, new California and Italian eateries, RPL Wrapped, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Raclette Sunday at Truckle Cheesemongers: Each Sunday, Truckle Cheesemongers offers Raclette Sunday with a rotating special of sliced baguette, charcuterie, and a melty, delicious cheese on top. We recently stopped by, and it was fantastic paired with a glass of wine!
All the holiday pop-ups: I don't know about you, but it seems like every single Richmond spot has transformed its space into a winter wonderland, and I'm kinda obsessed! You have Miracle on Cary at the Jasper, Sippin’ Santa at The Emerald Lounge, The Evergreen at Birdie's, Santa's Cocktail Shop at Cirrus Vodka, plus countless others!
Kelsey:
Sippin’ Santa merch: Paige has been making the holiday pop-up rounds, and I’ve been scoping out the merch. The mugs at Sippin’ Santa are for sale, and I’m gonna need at least two (hi, SantaShark and MerSanta!). Very me buying this(ish) ornament after I went to The Evergreen last year.
Ornaments at Mongrel: And speaking of ornaments, have you checked out Mongrel’s collection? The quirkiest and the cutest. This gherkin is as good a contender as any for the Christmas pickle tradition.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Rainy; high of 47°, low of 33°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 49°, low of 29°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 58°, low of 34°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: RVAx MONTHLY BOOK CLUB: REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES
Thursday, 5:30 - 7 pm: WOMEN UNITED HAPPY HOUR
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: MERRY MARKET AT MAYMONT: WEEKEND TWO
CITY GUIDES
1. HOLIDAY POP-UP RESTAURANTS & BARS (PLUS FESTIVE BOOZE!) TO GET YOU IN THE SPIRIT
2. 7 (OF THE MANY!) TOY, COAT & CLOTHING DONATION SITES TO SUPPORT IN RICHMOND
Image Source: Caring Closet
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Sara Epley Fender: Had a chance to read 7 (OF THE MANY!) TOY, COAT & CLOTHING DONATION SITES TO SUPPORT IN RICHMOND, yet? Sara’s the founder of Caring Closet, “a little nonprofit that has a ton of heart,” as her Insta bio reads. The spot accepts gently-used kids clothing and is a part of UMFS, which provides foster care, residential treatment, and other services for children and families. Before founding Caring Closet, Sara worked at UMFS and often saw children arrive with no more than the clothes on their backs. She began collecting clothes in her garage, and her mission to help continued to grow from there. Find out more and donate to her cause here!
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @vmfamuseum
Image Source: Casa Del Barco
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
Image Source: The Queen’s Library Tea Room
SOCIAL NEWS
A piping hot update: Floris at VMFA, a new dining concept at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, opens this Friday, December 10. Here’s the tea:
“Floris at VMFA will offer guests an enjoyable, authentic tea experience. Tearoom staff have been trained in tea culture, inspired in part by classic English and French salon tea service. Menus will change seasonally and with special exhibitions. Each rotation will offer a culturally enriching experience that links the traditions of tea with VMFA’s global art collection.
Nestled in the museum’s Richmond campus, Floris at VMFA is in the parlor of the Stan and Dorothy Pauley Center. Guests will enter the tearoom from the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden. Noted for its architecture based on eighteenth-century plans for the White House, the Pauley Center — a longstanding favorite location for wedding receptions and soirées — houses elegant and inviting reception rooms restored in the Colonial Revival style.
Guests may order local handcrafted teas from Dominion Tea in Purcellville, Virginia; Roots Tea Blends, a holistic, Richmond-based Black and Queer-owned tea and lifestyle brand; and Savory Blends Tea Company, a Black woman-owned business in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood.” (Press Release)
Near Trouvaille Alley: The former owner of The Shaved Duck is bringing a new concept to the Fan. Trouvaille, an Italian restaurant, will focus its menu on seasonal offerings and cocktails. The space will offer a casual, fine-dining feel and open in February 2024. (Richmond BizSense)
California cuisine in Chesterfield: HOUSEpitality Family — who owns Casa Del Barco and Island Shrimp Co (and more) — plans to close the Chesterfield Towne Center locations at the end of 2023. In turn, Lindsey Food Group will be opening another ML Steak Modern Chophouse location and a new spot, Kali Love, in their places. (Richmond BizSense)
The race is on: Mayor Levar Stoney plans to run for Governor of Virginia. He announced his candidacy at the start of this week and will be joining Abigail Spanberger in the race. According to his team, Mayor Stoney, “allocated historic funding levels to improving Richmond’s roads, reduced the poverty rate by 22%, got the budget under control and created a surplus, and built new schools,” which all lends well to his campaign and future in office. (CBS 6 News)
You have such a pretty face; you should be on a Christmas card!: Our very own social media contributor, Alex Smith-Scales, has recently ventured into professional photography, and she’s hosting three holiday photo pop-ups this month. Catch her at Vasen Brewing Company, Gold Lion Community Cafe, and Cirrus Vodka with lighting and backdrops (and Santa!) in tow and have pics snapped for your Christmas card or otherwise. More deets are on our calendar, so head that way, and say, “Cheese!” (Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
📚Richmond Public Library got in on the Spotify-Wrapped-inspired fun, and from the looks of it, RVA has been on a reading kick — Richmonders checked out more than 700,000 books this year. (Instagram)
🐝There’s a new mural in the works in Jackson Ward. (Instagram)
✨ICYMI: The Queen’s Library Tearoom moved locations, and their Mural Room is complete and decked out for the holiday season. (Instagram)
Image Source: Hardywood
Weekly Giveaway
Hardywood Family Tree Beer Club
As if the season’s release of the Gingerbread Stout (and friends!) isn’t exciting enough, Hardywood has even more we’re cheers-ing about — like the Family Tree beer club. The year-long membership starting in January offers exclusive beers and pre-purchase opps to members.
This week, we’re teaming up with Hardywood to give away one Family Tree beer club membership (a $315 value!)! Each quarter, you’ll receive:
Three specialty brews, created just for Family Tree
A piece of limited-edition merch
Pre-purchase opportunities throughout the year, including first access to the GBS Complete Set
10% off in the taproom all year
Tickets to Hardywood’s annual Family Tree Reunion Party
To enter, tell us: Who, what, or where do you want us to highlight in 2024?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Kara W., for winning the Absurd Snacks giveaway!
Image Source: Manifest Designs
Member Perks
Manifest Designs
While you’re brainstorming gift ideas, RVAx Founder and CEO Sam Kanipe swears by leggings from Manifest Designs (formerly L&M!). She’s been wearing them for years and keeps going back for more. IHO, Lululemon and Spanx don’t hold a candle — or the just-right amount of shape. The fabric is soft, it's not at all see-through, they don't attract nearly as much lint and dog hair as other brands, and they have the perfect balance of shaping and comfort. *Plus* they come at a discount!
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off your entire order with code RVAX.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 12 new members this week: Lori L., Lynn W., JoBeth B., Arturo R., Jacqueline G., Itsy C., Melissa M., Sarah H., Tequila Y., Bunmi E., Hagan R., and Madeleine 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 285 of The Weekly Insider.
Bye!
- The Richmond Experience
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