Ed 322: Plant-Based Mexican Eatery, Book Club, Ashland
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Hello, Richmond!
We have to assume as you’re reading this, you’re headed swiftly toward the *slams laptop shut ‘til Tuesday* part of your pre-LDW week, so we’ll make haste up top here; there’s relaxing to be done!
Before we move on TOO quickly, tho: Don’t forget to snag your FREE ticket here to the Squirrels game next Thursday, September 5! ICYMI, here are two things to note:
We'll be hanging at the Bullpen through the fourth inning. Come say hi, if you'd like; otherwise, feel very free to sit wherever's best for you and your crew.
If tickets "sell out" before you get yours OR before Tuesday, September 3, touch base with me at kelsey@therichmondexperience.com.
Otherwise, have an extremely safe and restful holiday weekend, and we’ll see you on the other side at The Diamond!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including an old-school pizza parlor, the final days for a popular exhibit, dessert recs, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 97°, low of 71°
Thursday: Partly sunny; high of 90°, low of 73°
Friday: Chance of rain; high of 81°, low of 71°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS: NEW VIEWS OF THE UNIVERSE
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: RVAx MONTHLY BOOK CLUB: THE MEASURE
Friday, 5 - 10 pm: BOARD GAME NIGHT
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR GUIDE TO LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN RICHMOND
Image Source: LinkedIn
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Gene Burke: He’s the co-founder and owner of Pelagos VR, a virtual reality bistro opening soon in the Regency shopping area! Keep your eyes on social media in the coming weeks for updates about this spot that promises to be an exciting part of the future of gaming, with its high-tech equipment, escape rooms, food and drink options to enjoy while you play, and much more.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: OMG OCPs
Image Source: Downtown Ashland Association
Image Source: Zorch Pizza
Image Source: @olie_photography_
SOCIAL NEWS
Cheese ‘n blessin’s: The new Zorch Pizza location is open in Forest Hill! The pizza restaurant with food truck origins and its first brick-and-mortar in Carytown announced earlier this year that it’d be setting up shop below the river, too. And the open doors are opening! Head over ASAP to enjoy the full-service old-school pizza parlor with a full bar and new menu items, including housemade mozzarella sticks, wings, salads, cheesesteaks, vegan cheesesteaks, specialty cocktails, and more. (Editor’s note: Sam and Paige, ken we pls put this in the running for our next team-lunch spot? 👀) (Instagram)
Attn, vegans (and vegan-food lovers!): Taco Vegana is opening in Church Hill later this year! The 100% plant-based Mexican eatery announced it secured the keys to its soon-to-be-up-and-running storefront, and we already can’t wait to stop by for a taste of the breakfast tacos, soyrizo tacos, vegan carne asada tacos, and more. If you’re thinking about just pacing back and forth outside the business leading up to its grand opening (just us?), at least take a walk around the block and patronize the loads of other Church Hill favorites in the area. See you in line soon! (Instagram)
OMG!: OMG OCPs had a broken-window situation over the weekend (to extremely summarize it for the purposes of this short-and-sweet newsletter), and we thought now would be as good a time as any to encourage you to go buy some of the spot’s delish offerings. Owner Erin Kennedy has the DL over on Instagram, but in the meantime, here’s the menu for you to peruse as you head over to support a local biz in need of a little extra TLC. After all, the dessert options ARE “f*cking amazing!” (Instagram)
S/O to our neighbors: ICYMI, Ashland scored big with Main Street America this summer, earning especially excellent marks for its picturesque historic downtown; zero-cost, family-friendly events; innovative small businesses; and more. Read about the location’s accolades on Insta @ashlandvirginia, and get even more scoop from the local news write-up, How Ashland, Virginia, came to have one of the best Main Streets in America. (Instagram, WTVR)
Lights, camera, b***h, smile: Remember our headshots Olie Photography did for us earlier this summer? Well, the photog behind the lens over there, Carolien van der Westhuizen, is OOO at the end of October but NOT before she offers a round of her mini fall sessions this fall. For September or October, book a 30-minute session with her for 80 bucks and get 30+ shots of you and your partner’s or your family’s best angles. Don’t delay – holiday card szn is comin’ in hot! Book here ASAP. (Olie Photography)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👩🍳This is the last week for exhibit Julia Child: A Recipe for Life at Virginia Museum of History & Culture! Stop by soon to learn about the iconic chef’s “insatiable curiosity and tenacious spirit [that] drove her to endlessly try, test, prove, and communicate how to make delicious food.” Closing day is Monday, September 2! (VMHC)
🍳In Happening V Soon news, RVA Brunch Weekend starts next Friday, September 6! Make sure you’ve got your eggs-ellent plans all lined up. (RVA Brunch Weekend)
Image Source: Maven Theory
Weekly Giveaway
Maven Theory
We’ve been trying to decide between the East Coast and West Coast fragrance gift sets over here, and if you missed your Extended Summer Sale chance to snag some sweet-smelling scents over these last few days, we’ll extend it even further for you.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Maven Theory! How about YOU get the East Coast gift set, WE’LL get the West Coast gift set, and then we can swap as needed??
To enter, tell us: How long is a year on Jupiter?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Julianne R., for winning the Ina•Ida Studio giveaway!
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
Member Perks
Benchtop Brewing
Summer is on its way out, but don’t let that stop you from packing in as many cold beers and hot dogs as possible before the clock strikes autumn.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 15% off food orders at Benchtop Brewing, Wednesday through Sunday. Use code HOTDOG15 when you place your order OR when you close your tab, and tell the bartender you’re an RVAx member!
Limit one use per person, per visit.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 11 new members this week: Rob B., Anna W., Jo O., Hope K., Lauren B., Meredith W., Suzanne S., Clare R., Ashley D., Karen G., and Jody 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 322 of The Weekly Insider.
Happy (almost) LDW!
- The Richmond Experience
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