Ed 308: MDW Parties, Celeb Sightings, Asian Grocery Store
Hiii!
My husband recently built this book nook in our house, and it’s technically supposed to be for our kids, but the thing is: I like cozy spots to read, too, so the kids are just gonna have to deal with Mom being in there all the live-long day. I’ll probs be stuck on the second paragraph of page 42 of whatever book I picked up most recently, but I’ll be extremely comfortable, and that’s what counts.
Speaking of books, I finished our book club pick for May — in my very own personal plot twist (IYKYK)! My thoughts runneth OVER, and I can’t wait to talk about it next week. Did you see the twist(s) coming? Did we need to spend so much time on the thing we spent so much time on? Did you let out a “HUH??” when you got to the end, too? I may have to go back up to the book nook to think this all through again. I’ll see you at Bar West.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the ultimate VIP sports experience, a buzzy 18-spot restaurant to visit, what local landmark made it into Southern Living Magazine, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 89°, low of 69°
Thursday: Afternoon thunderstorms; high of 90°, low of 66°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 85°, low of 67°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS RICHMOND: BIRD SONGS — A LISTENERS’ GUIDE
Thursday, 5 - 9 pm: FIDOS AFTER 5
Friday, 7 - 11 pm: GALLERY5 FOURTH FRIDAYS JAZZ NIGHT
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR GUIDE TO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN RICHMOND
2. 10 LOCAL GIFTS FOR THE RECENT (OR SOON-TO-BE) GRADUATE IN YOUR LIFE
3. A WEEKEND TRIP TO BATH COUNTY: WHAT TO EAT, DRINK, SEE & DO
Image Source: @susividal
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Susi Vidal: You might know her from her viral OnlyPans content on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok (call her crazy!), and *now* you might see her hanging in RVA. The content creator moved to the River City earlier this year and recently scoped out the brewery scene (first things first). Keep up with her here, here, and here — and, like, keep it in your pans while you’re at it, okay?
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Parlay at Graybo’s
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
Image Source: Croaker’s Spot
Image Source: Lotte Plaza Market
SOCIAL NEWS
We like sportz and we don’t care who knows it: With baseball season ongoing, the 2024 Summer Olympics on the horizon, and the potential for a follow-up NFL season (Taylor’s Version) ahead, there’s always a need for another spot to keep up with sports happenings — and Parlay at Graybo’s is joining the chat. The new place is moving into Circuit’s former digs in Scott’s Addition and offering “the ultimate VIP sports experience,” featuring comfy seating, a full bar, delish eats, and plenty of game-viewing options. Stop by on opening day this Friday, May 24, and keep it in your rotation all year long when you need a fun place to catch a game with the crew. (Parlay at Graybo’s)
Think pink: Brittanny Anderson — owner of Metzger Bar & Butchery, Brenner Pass, and Black Lodge — officially opened her latest concept last Friday. Pink Room now lives next door to the chef’s German-inspired restaurant in Union Hill and features an ~extremely cute~ vibe, including shades of pink on pink on PINK. The space is an 18-spot restaurant that serves drinks and small plates, and it doesn’t accept reservations or parties of more than four people. I.e., get in line ASAP; service starts up again on Thursday at 5 pm and you’ll want to be there when the sign in the lobby says ROOM. (But if it says NO ROOM, you can always put your name on the list and grab a drink at Metzger while you wait for some seats to free up.) (Instagram)
Richmond gets its flowers: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden made the cut for Southern Living’s roundup of The 20 Most Beautiful Places In Virginia, According To A Local. The mag cites the local landmark’s Asian Valley garden (which features East Asian plants and water cascades), the Louise Cochrane Rose Garden (a spectacle with more than 1,500 rose blooms), the Children’s Garden, and its flower-lined walking paths. We have to concur — and would also add you check out the garden’s many events (we just went to Flowers After 5 last week!) *and* its new Waterway splash pad. (Southern Living)
Cheers to AAPI Month: There’s a new Asian grocery store in town; Lotte Plaza Market opened in Henrico! With other spaces throughout the East Coast, the originally-Maryland-based store has been in the grocer biz since 1976 and has been dubbed “Asian Wegmans” or “the Disneyland of Asian grocers” by its fans. Says, too, owner Sung Lee, “We have fruits and vegetables from all over the world and all over the United States. You could come here and explore all day, and it wouldn’t be enough.” Head to 7801 W Broad St for 45,000 square feet of food court finds, French-Korean baked goods, seafood and meat counters, home goods, and more. (Richmond magazine)
The kids are all right: Another class of local high schoolers has completed its time with the James River Leadership Expeditions. Through the program, accepted applicants spend a year helping RVA’s communities understand the benefits of caring for the James and drive home that support by completing a community capstone project. The students then present their capstone projects to a panel of peers and experts. This year, presentations on student capstone projects covered habitat support, educational materials for elementary classrooms, and a way to strengthen school flood readiness. (RVAHub)
Speaking of environmental issues: The City of Richmond received $39 mil from the Department of Transportation and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. With it, the city plans to help fund the region’s natural gas distribution system, which the Department of Public Utilities manages, and “improve the city’s environmental responsiveness by accelerating the modernization of gas pipelines that will keep citizens safe and energy costs down.” (RVAHub)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🔭In celeb-sighting news, Bill Nye was spotted dining at Toast in the Village Shopping Center. (Reddit)
🎵But that’s not all: Pharrell Williams was *also* in the area (working on his movie) and enjoyed a meal at Croaker’s Spot. (Instagram)
Image Source: La Lyra
Weekly Giveaway
La Lyra
ICYMI, we recently published 10 LOCAL GIFTS FOR THE RECENT (OR SOON-TO-BE) GRADUATE IN YOUR LIFE, but if you need to test out our recs before you go gifting them, we suggest you start with something from the self-care department. You could always use a little pampering, too, you know?
This week, we’re giving away La Lyra’s original-scent bar soap! With hints of vetiver and patchouli, it smells like paradise at dusk, they say.
To enter, tell us: What is a group of porcupines called?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Brigit O., for winning the Madi’s Custom Paintings giveaway!
Image Source: Guiding Tree Yoga
Member Perks
Guiding Tree Yoga
Speaking of self-care, Guiding Tree Yoga’s mission is to support and heal the community through holistic yoga offerings that are accessible and inclusive.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off all purchase options at Guiding Tree Yoga with code RVAexperience10: drop-in, class pass packages, memberships, and appointments.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 8 new members this week: Sarah H., Bridgit O., Meredith J., Lauren B., Jonathan T., Maria H., Stephanie H., and Keri 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 308 of The Weekly Insider.
See you next Weds!
- The Richmond Experience
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