Ed 333: Sunrise Science, Creole Bistro, Santa’s Cocktail Shop
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Happy Wednesday!
If you’re not already on Almost-Holiday Time — setting up your OOO response, wrapping up any pre-turkey deadlines, making plans for your incoming out-of-town guests — then we’d have to assume you’re almost on Almost-Holiday Time, and TBH, so are we!
We recorded the latest ep of The Chatter this aft, and per usual, you’ll hear from us in your inbox twice this week — once with this here Weekly Insider and again tomorrow with The Weekender. And after that, we’re unplugging(ish) for a bit to enjoy a little R&R&GBC (Rest and Relaxation and Green Bean Casserole).
But don’t fear: We’ve got more City Guides on deck in the coming days, the Event Calendar is stacked, and you’ll catch us here and there between our li’l recuperation seshes over the next few days.
In the meantime, get cozy for some juicy deets down below, and enjoy your holiday. We’ll be telling everyone at our tables how grateful we are for this community — that’s for damn sure.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a Jewish-Moroccan deli and cafe, a live-action game show experience, tacky light sightings, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Rain likely; high of 66°, low of 50°
Thursday: Partly sunny; high of 50°, low of 38°
Friday: Partly sunny; high of 52°, low of 35°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT: ELF
Thursday, 5 - 7 pm: SOBER HAPPY HOUR
Friday, 8 - 9 am: SUNRISE SCIENCE
CITY GUIDES
1. 9 THANKSGIVING-STYLE SANDWICHES TO TRY IN RICHMOND
Image Source: Feel Good RVA
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Feel Good RVA: This self-love club is all about self-love (ofc), mental health, environmental efforts, and more. Follow along with bite-size food for thought @feelgoodrva, and enjoy even more brain food at feelgoodrva.com.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @eightandahalfchurchhill
Image Source: @cirrusvodka
Image Source: Simple Fitness
Image Source: Sports Backers
SOCIAL NEWS
New spots for the new year (and, like, for a little bit beforehand, too): There are several new spots with opening dates on the horizon (TBD at the mome, but coming soon), and since our next edition of The Trendspotter drops at the end of the month, we’ll tide you over with these tidbits in the meantime:
Susie’s, a Jewish-Moroccan deli and cafe, announced earlier in the year its plans to move into The Hop Craft Pizza & Beer’s former digs, and ICYMI, owner Yael Cantor recently posted some v-cute updates about the look and feel of the new digs, and we’re in love with those floors, in partic. Look for an opening date for this month, while you salivate over anticipated menu items like smoked whitefish crostini; everything-seasoning-breaded schnitzel with hummus, matbuha, and pickles on housemade challah; and spritzes to wash it all down.
Bon Temps, a 60-seat casual Creole bistro, will open later this year in Bon Air, serving lucky diners established favorites from the biz’s food truck set-up, as well as other comfort foods and tasty cocktails.
Janet’s Cafe & Bakery is coming to Forest Hill in 2025. The breakfast and lunch spot will offer baked goods, pastries, sandwiches, and salads, inspired by modern-diner feels at its center, featuring its own checkered floors, along with big benches and windows. (Richmond magazine)
About the owner(s): Simple Fitness, a boutique fitness studio helmed by Alex Coleman — who, BTW, is an NASM-certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, pain-free performance specialist, pre- and post-natal specialist, and group exercise instructor — is in the biz of, as she puts it, helping folks get stronger, build confidence, and reach their body composition goals in a fun and simple way. And this holiday season, she’s also in the biz of connecting other bizes (sp??)! Alex is hosting a holiday pop-up market at her studio, this Sunday, November 24, from 11 am to 2 pm, where you can get to know and support other small businesses in the area — and perhaps check some things off your holiday shopping list, too? (Facebook)
Run, run, Rudolph *and* Richmonders: Sports Backers just wrapped up its weekend celebrating the marathon, half-marathon, and 8k, but it’s not time to put those racing shoes away for the year just yet; the CarMax Tacky Light Run happens in just a few short weeks! Having participated in the past ourselves, we can confirm it’s one of the best ways in town to see some of the area’s best of the best festive lights while also getting your steps in. Register here and start rounding up your fave holiday songs on a bangers-only playlist, obvs. (Sports Backers)
Are you on the naughty or nice list?: As you know, the holiday pop-up scene is brimming this year, and we’ve got another unique one to put on your radar. Starting this week, Révéler hosts Nice & Naughty every Friday, from 11:30 pm to 12:20 am. Grab your crew — or pop in on your own — for a late-night game show of sorts, featuring a series of challenges and prizes, all while you sip on themed c/mocktails. Note: This is for ~mature audiences~ only; you must be 18 or older to attend!(Révéler)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🥯Pizza Bones opened its Thanksgiving preorders, which include cream cheese and fresh-baked bagels, if you want something especially yummy to enjoy while you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. (Pizza Bones)
🇮🇹Giorno Market is taking over Tiny Space in Church Hill, and leading up to opening, the crew has been hosting mini pop-ups, featuring espresso and focaccia. (Instagram)
🍕Very unfortunately, 8 ½ is closing its Church Hill location next month, but they, too, have focaccia to offer until then. (Instagram)
🎄The West Pole is opening at Bar West just after Thanksgiving for more of your festive cheer, cozy vibes, and holiday sips fixes, and Cirrus Vodka is opening Santa’s Cocktail Shop at the end of this week, too! (Instagram, Instagram)
Image Source: Blanchard’s Coffee
Weekly Giveaway
Blanchard’s Coffee
Between eating all the Thanksgiving-style sandwiches, jingle-jangling around town to all the holiday pop-ups, and visiting with all your friends and family over these next few days, you’ll need your caffeine tank on FULL. We’re here to add to your funds.
This week, we’re giving away a $10 gift card to Blanchard’s Coffee! The spot released its Holiday Blend, just in time to get you in the spirit.
To enter, tell us: What are you thankful for this year?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, AnnMarie Perlmutter, for winning the Odd Bird giveaway!
Image Source: McCormick Hill Farms
Member Perks
McCormick Hill Farms
They say the way to someone’s heart is through the stomach, so why not give the gift of mouth-watering things this holiday season?
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off online orders. Use code RVAX20 at checkout!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 8 new members this week: Meagan A., Faith E., Soyeon P., Jonathan F., Erin C., Veronica P., Collene B., and Toni D., 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 333 of The Weekly Insider.
We 💙 you!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Ellie Mental Health for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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