Ed 292: G/Valentine’s Day Plans, Brewery to Watch, Scott’s Addition Hotel
Hello, hello!
It’s the end of the month, so we’ve got another low-down on a few things we’ve been *WAY* loving recently. And since we’re on about THE 500TH DAY of January, we’ll cut right to the chase. But seriously, January, “by all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.” Get it over with already, SHEESH!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including skewers of chicken, lamb, and beef; James Beard Awards thoughts; Riverfront Amphitheater; and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Jardin does dinner: Jardin recently started an eight-week dinner series that runs Tuesdays through Thursdays. This prix fixe meal is only $29, and you can add on the wine tasting for an additional $25! It makes a great girls' night out or weeknight date.
Chicken salad from Leek & Thistle: You know I love a wine bar, so Leek & Thistle is in our rotation. In addition to sips, the spot offers various prepared and frozen ready-to-heat meals. I grabbed the chicken salad during my last visit, and it was hard not to eat the whole serving in one sitting! Do yourself a favor, and grab a helping.
Kelsey:
YMCA of Greater Richmond: I’m hopping back into a fitness routine, and Paige recently reminded me about all the amazing amenities included in a membership to one of our local YMCAs. Heated pools, running programs, camps for little Richmonders? Wave if you see me — I’m officially a member!
Monument Avenue 10k Training Team: Since I’m no expert runner, I’m delighted that Sports Backers has its own 10k Training Team to get me ready for one of our favorite springtime events. There’s a price hike on registration this Thursday, February 1, so if you want to join, too, get yourself signed up now! And send me playlist recs, obvs.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 51°, low of 30°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 57°, low of 34°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 57°, low of 30°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: DOMINION ENERGY JAZZ CAFÉ
Thursday, 4 - 10 pm: SWEETHEART STAMP WORKSHOP + QUADRUPLE BEER RELEASE
Friday, 4 -6:30 pm: RED WINE NIGHT
CITY GUIDES
1. HOW TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY IN RVA
Image Source: @johneljor
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
John El-Jor: He’s the Chesterfield actor who plays boyfriend to Gretchen Wieners in the new Mean Girls flick. John began his acting career as a student in the musical theater program at Midlothian High School, then kept on that path to get his degree in musical theater at Penn State, before heading to casting calls in NYC and ultimately landing the big-screen role. So grool.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Scott’s Schwarma
Image Source: @koboprva
Image Source: @bingobeerco
Image Source: susies__
SOCIAL NEWS
Hop to it: Bingo Beer Co made Hop Culture’s list for The 13 Best Breweries to Watch in 2024. In part, here’s what the pub had to say: “A lager-loving brewery, Bingo Beer does things just a bit differently. The brewery puts its energy into clean, crushable lagers. Like Costa Chico, a malty, smoky, biscuity, slightly sweet amber lager. Or Rail Pass, a classically crushable Noble-hopped pils.” One of Hop Culture’s writers *also* dubbed Bingo one of the best places to drink on the Richmond Beer Trail. So, what’re you waiting for? Head over ASAP, and peep the new design and menu, too! (Hop Culture)
This could be a suite update: The former Dairy Bar location may become an eight-story hotel (and then some). Capital Square filed plans to make the change, and according to the fine print, the building would support a hotel or multi-family units, including retail space and a parking deck, as well. (CBS6)
Is Sub Rosa’s bread no longer good? (Psych!): The James Beard Awards snubbed Richmond for the second year in a row, and people don’t love it. Specifically, Karri Peifer — over at Axios — speaks for lots of us when she said she was “trying not to rage” when reviewing the list of semifinalists and not seeing RVA’s name pop up. “Is Sub Rosa's bread no longer good? Can Brittanny Anderson no longer cook food? Is Lehja suddenly bad?” Seriously, what tf gives, James?!(Axios Richmond)
Korean fusion X local cider: Buskey Cider is at it again with another food offering. Over the weekend, the cidery launched its collab with Kobop, a Korean fusion concept featuring bao buns, birria tacos, Nashville fries, and sticky nuggs (or a tray of all four, if you can’t choose just one). (Instagram)
Please make a lot of food: Susie’s is opening a brick-and-mortar cafe and deli in the Fan. Come this summer (and/or fall), the pop-up spot with a cult following will set up shop permanently, offering its delish Jewish-Mediterranean eats to its many hungry fans. Asks (hopefully) one Insta commenter, “is there going to be a lot of food or a little food i want a lot of food please make a lot of food.” Fingers crossed. In the meantime, keep an eye on social media for limited edition merch to celebrate. (Richmond magazine)
It’s the sour Jerusalem pickles for us: Scott’s Schwarma moved into new digs in the Fan. The dine-in restaurant had its grand opening earlier this week, but if you missed that, the spot’s skewers of chicken, lamb, and beef are now there for you seven days a week, along with — depending on how you order — rice, tabbouleh, hummus, pita or saj, tangy pickled turnips, sour Jerusalem pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onions. If you need a rec, we loved the mixed shawarma with spicy garlic sauce and all the toppings on pita. (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🎵The city hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last week for Riverfront Amphitheater, the new downtown amphitheater opening May 2025. (Instagram)
🍦Coco + Hazel is closing its Tuckahoe location toward the end of February. (Instagram)
Image Source: Virginia Wine Expo
Weekly Giveaway
Walk-Around Grand Tasting General Saturday Evening
Virginia's wine world gathers at this marquee celebration held at beautiful Main Street Station, where you can spend an entire evening strolling from table to table, tasting hundreds of wines from Virginia, Italy, Oregon, and other regions; Virginia spirits, ciders, and mead; and specialty foods; plus enjoy artisan products. If you attend only one of the Virginia Wine Expo's 25+ events, make it this one — and let us grab your tix.
This week, we’re teaming up with Virginia Wine Expo to give away two sets of two tickets to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting General Saturday Evening presented by The Omni Homestead Resort! That’s TWO lucky winners, folks.
To enter, tell us: What movie did we quote in the intro of this edition?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Moira B., for winning The Queen’s Library Tea Room giveaway!
Image Source: Richmond Creative Club
Member Perks
Richmond Creative Club
Looking for new ways to build creativity, community, and confidence? Richmonder Miranda Anderson hosts Richmond Creative Club — monthly creative workshops, like Block Printed Cards, Leather Cord Keeper and Keychain, Watercolor on Fabric, and more. Purchase a membership or drop-in session; whatever meshes with your schedj.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code JOINTHECLUB for 10% off a quarterly membership or a drop-in workshop. BTW, folks who join drop-in classes can use their payment toward a membership if they want to continue meeting regularly.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 18 new members this week: Brooke D., Sierra M., Jackson S., Erin W., Paige S., Reilly G., Nick H., Emily Y., Kylie O., Richard G., Laura H., Mia R., Emily Y., Darcey H., Sarah S., Elissa M., Cortney C., and Sarah S., 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 292 of The Weekly Insider.
Catch ya next Weds!
- The Richmond Experience
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