Ed 287: New Year's Eve Plans, Wine Dinner, Singles Mingle
Happy mid-week!
We’re almost there, folks. The first half of December is behind us, and 2024 is just around the corner. Only a few more days, and we’ll officially be cozied up in that point of the year where it’s not quite Monday but it’s not quite Friday and you’re not quite sure if that’s candy cane or Crest on your breath.
So, come to a good stopping point at work, set up your OOO, and snuggle up on the couch to the festive ASMR that is the ornaments clinking together in the ‘66 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We hope you have yourself a merry little whatever you’d like, and if you need ideas for entertainment while your fam’s in town, we’ve got you covered here, there 👇, and everywhere.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to gaze at the cosmos, Pump House renos, snowfall predictions, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 50°, low of 26°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 52°, low of 27°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 50°, low of 30°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: CHRISTMAS CHARCUTERIE WORKSHOP AT HARDYWOOD RVA
Thursday, 12 - 7 pm: VMFA SHOP HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Friday, 6:30 - 8 pm: ORNAMENT WORKSHOP
CITY GUIDES
1. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THESE PARTIES & EVENTS IN RVA
Image Source: @quirkhotelrva
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Kelly McCants: She’s the brains behind THE pink Christmas tree in Richmond. Says Quirk itself, “She is maker, artist, decorator, sewist, pattern maker, and all around amazing woman.” We’d have to agree — like, have you *seen* the festive touches at the boutique hotel this season? Head over to snap a pic ASAP, and follow along with Kelly here as she beautifies her way through life.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @shyndigzdessert
Image Source: @pumphousepark
Image Source: @bingobeerco
Image Source: @bramblypark
SOCIAL NEWS
Good for the soul: An upscale soul food spot is coming to the Fan in March. Marylou’s will take over Postbellum’s former set-up, with a menu of smothered chicken, lamb chops, mac and cheese, rice pudding, and more. The space’s rooftop, in particular, is one of its most unique qualities, and the Marylou’s owner plans to emphasize that with fresh updates, as well as build out a separate space in the restaurant for wine lovers to get together and enjoy the locally and regionally sourced offerings. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Speaking of wine: If you’re looking for a last-minute experience to gift someone on your list, peep Brambly Park’s December Wine Dinner. The urban winery and restaurant nestled in the back of Scott’s Addition has brought the recurring event back to the Bari, and this month’s features a five-course din prepped by Brambly’s own executive chef and five wine pairings selected by the spot’s winemaker. Each dinner is intimate, served at the farm table in the wine cove. Heck, grab a ticket for yourself, and make it a date night with your special someone! (Brambly Park)
B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O: Bingo Beer Co has some fun things on the horizon. The Lager-focused brewery on Broad St announced its partnership with chef Brittanny Anderson (of Brenner Pass, Black Lodge, and Metzger Bar & Butchery!) to introduce a pizza-driven venture at the spot that’s sure to be “fun, easy-going, and delicious AF!” Look for the concept roll-out at the end of January, featuring bar pies, apps, shareables, salads, and sammies. And speaking of the barcade, Bingo Beer Co also kicked off its Singles Mingle series. Every Wednesday night, from 7 to 11 pm, you can snag a name tag and free $10 game and Bingo card featuring ice breakers to help you mix things up with other attendees. (Instagram, Instagram)
A sweet experience: The revamped Shyndigz Market is officially up and running on Cary St. After a year and a half of (re)work, the spot has opened its doors across from the former Shyndigz restaurant and fancies itself a bakery, gift shop, cafe, watering hole, and plant shop. As opposed to the former to-go only version of the market, this new-and-improved shop encourages guests to “sip, shop, stay,” so grab a slice of cake or some deviled eggs and peruse a while. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
More stargazing in the new year: Bookmark Keeble Observatory for future ref. The astronomical observatory at Randolph-Macon College hosted a public viewing over the weekend (featuring hot chocolate and cider) and has plans to open again for more in February. Says one Redditor who attended, “We got to view so many things: Saturn, Jupiter, Vega, Betelgeuse, Orion's Nebula, Andromeda, the Pleiades…”. So, keep an eye on the spot’s Insta for more info, and make ~space~ on your cal in 2024. (Reddit)
Let me upgrade you: The Roller-Bottimore Foundation recently awarded Friends of Pump House $100,000 in grant funds. The org has been working, one or two windows at a time, since 2021 to repair the Pump House, and now it’ll be able to lean on the resources necessary to ultimately improve the look and security of the Victorian Gothic treasure. In other renovation news, James River Outdoor Coalition and Friends of James River Park hosted a paint party over the weekend to work on the south side dry rocks, painting over copious amounts of graffiti. (RVAHub, RVAHub)
Image Source: Blanchard’s Coffee
Weekly Giveaway
Blanchard’s Coffee: Holiday Blend
There’s no shortage of seasonal sips to savor this winter, but the packaging for the Blanchard’s Coffee Holiday Blend is enough to warrant a spot in your kitchen. *Almost* — the flavor descriptors stick the landing: cocoa, nutmeg, and plum. “This year’s blend is comprised of a honey process coffee from Finca La Concepcion in Honduras, and a both a washed and natural process coffee from Catelan de las Mercedes in Guatemala,” says the local coffee fave.
This week, we’re giving away a 12 oz bag of the Holiday Blend! Share a cup with family, friends, and a slice of pumpkin pie, or quietly by yourself while chestnuts roast on an open fire.
To enter, tell us: What is your most used emoji right now?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Li S., for winning the Spotty Dog giveaway!
Image Source: Pupatella
Member Perks
Pupatella
In theory, the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care, but if you’re still working on that step (or even if you’re ahead of the game!), this month’s hustle and bustle calls for a pizza night.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off your order at Pupatella — all day, every day. Just tell them you’re a member!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 16 new members this week: Cecil C., Anne Taite V., Lindsay H., Sarah R., Jenna S., Lindsay J., Anika P., Katie R., David M., Miles S., Susan D., Joey H., Elizabeth K., Katherine C., Kate R., and Maria W., 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 287 of The Weekly Insider.
Make the Yuletide gay!
- The Richmond Experience
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