If you’re a Richmond foodie, or a foodie visiting Richmond, or just someone who loves to eat no matter where you are, this is a great weekend to be in the River City. In fact, there’s so much going on, one weekend can’t hold it. The fun starts today:
GET YOUR GREEK ON: The Richmond Greek Festival starts today and runs through Sunday. By then we’ll all be speaking Greek, using such famous Greek words as dolmades and calamari, or souvlaki, or perhaps my favorite in all the Greek language, pastichio. The annual event is held at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Malvern, near Grove Ave.
SPRING FORWARD: A trip to Goochland is definitely in order this weekend…to the Rassawek
Spring Jubilee at Rassawek Vineyard. The Rassawek Spring Jubilee celebrates the local, the handmade and the homegrown. We spotlight those people and their passion for craftsmanship and creativity, which contribute to strong communities, pride of place and heritage, and a vibrant culture where we live, work and play.
That’s what they say. I could never write that pretty. What I say is that this is one of the coolest festivals at one of the region’s coolest venues. There’s wine tasting, there are demonstrations of crafts from the good ol’ days. There’s also fishing and food and fun in a gorgeous setting. It runs both Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss it
AT THE CORNER OF HUNGRY AND HAPPY: Have you ever wanted to lie down in the middle
of Broad Street? I’m not endorsing that, exactly, but Broad Appetit, which starts at 11:00 this Sunday would be a good time to do it. Broad is closed off to vehicular traffic from Belvidere east for about four blocks.
In place of the cars about 70 local chefs will be setting up their tents and cookers and the like and you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy $3 samples of some of their most popular dishes. There’s also wine and beer and music and a general good time. But if you get picked up for lying down, don’t mention my name.
NEGRONI EXPRESS: The fun doesn’t stop after the sun goes down on Sunday. Next week is Negroni week. It’s a worldwide event where local bars donate a portion of their Negroni sales to select charities. In Richmond, some of my personal favorites will be participating including my good friends at My Noodle and Bar. Pasture, Comfort, and Buckheads are also taking part. For a full list of Richmond (and other) venues, check out the website.
CAN CAN: Oh yeah Can Can Brasserie is also participating in Negroni Week, but the heading is
my cute way of telling you a bit about Lila Wines. I mentioned last week that Latitude Beverage Co, in Massachusetts is has introduced its line of Lila Wines. It’s, the first and only canned versions of the popular wine varietals, Provence Rosé, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Italian Pinot Grigio.
I also mentioned that I was hoping to have a chance to sample the wines. Well, lo and behold, I got a special delivery package this afternoon and guess what was in it. You’d be correct, sir, if you said canned wine. You’d also be correct if you guessed that I popped the tops and sampled all three, as did others from our crack creative department. Taylor Estevez-Pearce, our creative director and Thinh Nguyen, his assistant, and I all picked the Rose as our favorite. It’s a very smooth wine, but I think its 12% alcohol content can be a little deceptive. Be careful.
The wine is available at Once Upon a Vine at 4009 MacArthur Ave. in the city’s Northside. I spoke with Bob Kocher, owner of Once Upon a Vine. He tells me the wine is selling well. “It’s a great wine for camping or fishing or for any of those places where you can’t bring glass,” Bob says. He’ll be doing a tasting of the wine tomorrow at his really cool beverage store. Give Bob a call for more info (804-726-9463).
WHERE CAN YOU GET A GOOD ASIAN BRUNCH AROUND HERE: I’d have been hard put to answer that question until this week. But then I learned that My Noodle and Bar at 1600 Monument has just launched a Sunday brunch, starting at about 11 a.m. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m willing to do that for you.
RUMOR MILL: Well the ol’ rumor mill is churning out a new one this week. This is still under wraps, but here’s a hint: Seems a currently vacant Museum District restaurant will be reopening under new ownership soon. The new owner, who already operates a cool neighborhood bar will be bringing in a very good chef. As soon as I can divulge without the risk of betting throttled, I will.
I also hear that the folks who ran (and will run) the Nile are moving forward in their plans to reopen in Church Hill. While it’s not like the city government to stand in the way of culinary progress, seems there are a few more T’s to be crossed and I’s to be dotted and we’ll once again have our very popular injera bread.
DEAL OR MO’ DEALS: Let’s wrap things up with a few local dining deals.
Thursdays is always a great day at Uptown Alley. Kids not only eat free, but with an adult entrée, they also get free bowling. Check that out at their website.
Two-buck burgers at Extra Billy’s and they’re made to order, too.
It’s Wing Night at J.J.’s Grille. Get your wing meal for you and your wingman, if you so desire, just $8. They also have open mic night on Thursday, too.
Tomorrow it’s the weekly fish fry at TD’s Smokehouse Barbecue.
And on Sunday at Brew Gastropub, small plates are $2 all day.
If you come across any cool new places, let us know. I’m going to check out the new Kabana, which opened at 7th and Main. It’s 20 stories high and really cool.
