River City July-August 2017

RiverCity July / August 2017

RichmondNavigator.com

a river runs through it

TUNEFUL INCLUSION AN INTERVIEW WITH BRYAN LOEPER OF COMMUNITY CENTER

Our James River Love Affair

In Search Of:

Burgers & Brews

LIVING SPACES MANCHESTER FLATS

TASTEBUDZ

ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO EAT!

LATE NIGHT DINING SUSTENANCE AFTER SUNDOWN

For nearly 25 years, Poe’s Pub has been a friendly neighborhood hangout for the folks in Church Hill, Shockoe Bottom, and Beyond.

Isn’t it time you made Poe’s Pub your neighborhood hangout…

2706 E. Main Street

(Where Church Hill meets Shockoe Bottom)

648-2120 • Like Us On Facebook

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SAUERS SPICES

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MANCHESTER FLATS

RiverCity JULY/AUGUST 2017

RichmondNavigator.com PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER

William J. Davis, Jr.

VICE-PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER

Cheryl T. Davis

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Steve Cook

MANAGING EDITOR

Elena Marinaccio

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tammy Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michael Lay

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ryan Hooley

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Joey Wharton

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Jack Smith, Cary Webb

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Jimmy Davis

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kim Frost

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CONTRIBUTORS

Tom Gresham Denise Johnson Davy Jones Jody Rathgeb

RIVER RECREATION

In This Issue 04

TUNEFUL INCLUSION Community Center

14

WATERMELON FESTIVAL

Carytown’s Summer Celebration

19

LATE NIGHT DINING

Sustenance After Sundown

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July/August 2017

ADVERTISING

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IN SEARCH OF: Burgers & BrewsG

22

TASTEBUDZ

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All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

About Our Cover: Lots of cities have rivers, but there’s something special about the relationship between Richmonders and the James River.

In an interview with our writer Tom Gresham as he was working on the feature story, “A River Runs Through It, “Nathan Burrell, superintendent of the James River Park System, called that relationship a “love affair.” We agree. Plus, we have some great restaurant suggestions in our Happy Hour and Late-Night Dining Guides. Our cover photo is courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism.

All articles and contents of this magazine are not necessarily the opinions or thoughts of RiverCity magazine, Advertising Concepts, Inc or the publisher.

HAPPY HOUR GUIDE

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Read All Our Publications Online

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Tuneful Inclusion An Interview with Brian Loeper of Community Center

by Davy Jones

N

ot even a bus fire could sour Brian Loeper’s view of his band’s current tour.

“Things are going well.” That’s how

Community Center guitarist and vocalist Brian Loeper responded when I asked how his current tour was going. Moments later, he was describing how the group’s bus had recently caught fire. “Everybody’s alright, but we had to quickly get a rental. We thankfully haven’t had to cancel any shows yet.”

If your definition of “well” includes a fiery setback like that, I think it’s fair to say you’re doing exactly what you were put on Earth to do.

Community Center has been touring extensively for more than two years, a span of time in which they’ve released two albums of eclectic and inclusive rock: 2016’s poised and lush Horns & Thorns and an energetic 2017 collection entitled Those Animals. And while both give listeners panoramic views of the group’s diverse influences and instrumentation — accordion, violin, saxophone, piano, clarinet, trumpet, you name it — they’ve made it their mission to connect directly with audiences as much as possible.

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Queen Wolf, and he let us use their practice space…We had been on the road for six to eight months, and we wanted to capture that sound of being a very tight, bold live band. Horns & Thorns, we recorded in an old church in Baltimore. We actually took a lot of time and tried to make a very nice arrangement and make it feel professional and even a little restrained so that everything came through. We have these albums that highlight [how] some of us are attracted to the arrangement part of the music, and some of us are attracted to the live part of it.

What have you learned from touring so extensively these past few years?

People appreciate it when you’re willing to bring music to them. We meet people who are very grateful that we drive to all corners of the country to play shows for them. And we enjoy doing it. There are a lot of people who want to be musicians, and the prevailing wisdom is that it’s getting harder and harder to do it. I think that if you actually want to do it full time, then you have to be willing to do a lot more work than before. We’re very, very grateful we’ve made this a job, whereas when we were just in Baltimore and waiting for a phone call for somebody to give us permission, we realized that was never going to happen. We just went out and figured it out and now it’s our job and we’re happy we did it that way.

Band names are often random or ironic, but “Community Center” seems to accurately reflect how you feature diverse instrumentation and pull together a number of different styles of music.

We wanted to have a name where people felt like they could be included. Our group of musicians — we all have different interests, and we have different personalities, and we have different hobbies when we go home, but when we all come together, we have this thing in common…It’s fun because all of us contribute equally to the writing process. We have a punk drummer, and a jazz saxophonist, and a classical pianist, and our bassist is from the folk world, and everybody still gets to use their instincts in our songs. So when I write something on guitar, I am very well aware that, once we start working on it, that guitar part might not be there anymore in the end and will definitely have been changed. Rather than feeling “Oh the people I work with don’t get it,” it’s very exciting that until something’s done, I don’t even know what I’m going to be doing in it.

I noticed both albums weave in traditional music, like how “Thirty-Foot Wingspan” incorporates “Amazing Grace.” What made you want to bring those elements in?

We’re not really big on playing covers, but we still want people to feel like they have some point of reference in the show…So “Amazing Grace” — and at the end of the song “Baby Grand” we have “I’ll Fly Away” — traditional gospel songs have that cultural currency that a lot of people are aware of, but also don’t feel like they’ve been done to death. A lot of our musicians in the band came up playing in church bands, so to include that in there, and to put it in a rock song, is something that we enjoy and also something that we think we haven’t heard ten million times.

“Thirty-Foot Wingspan” provides a pretty dark character sketch, as does “Not Today.” Where does the inspiration for those kinds of characters come from?

I tend to like music that’s a little bit more of a bummer. Even if the music is happy, I trust the lyrics a little bit more if somebody’s saying something that’s a little more tough to digest, rather than somebody explaining their really good day. In terms of all those characters, it’s wanting people to feel welcome to the music and wanting for them to be able to relate to it. We like to try out a bunch of different things. If all we did was write about going to college parties and getting wasted, that might work in a basement somewhere, but that’s not going to work at a coffee shop on a Monday night.

I don’t know how conscious it is, but what I’m happy about is we tend to have these songs that different people — regionally, or educationally, or just where they are in their life in terms of age, or having money — it’s a lot of different characters, and either they have been that person before or they know somebody who has been.

You can see Community Center live at Cary St. Cafe on Thursday, August 3.

Where were your two albums recorded?

They were both recorded in Baltimore, and Those Animals was recorded in our friend’s practice space. We have a friend named Mike Walls who’s in a really good band called

RichmondNavigator.com 5

Hitchin’ A Ride

by Zach Brown

O

utdoor enthusiasts are probably familiar with the 52-mile Virginia Capital Trail that stretches the route between Jamestown and Richmond. Those same enthusiasts, however, may not have heard of Cap Trail Bike Shuttle, a new company that’s helping to make the daunting trail accessible to bikers of all skill levels.

The idea for the company blossomed in 2015 when founders Alison McGrail and Cheyenne Burnham prepared to tackle the trail for the first time. “We were discussing a number of ways to get it done and landed on this idea of, ‘Wow, there really needs to be a shuttle,’” McGrail says. With the company’s launch in April of this year and an enthusiastic response from taverns, bike rental services and bed-and-breakfasts along the trail, worries of overnight biking and turnaround time has become a thing of the past. “We really wanted to make the trail more accessible to the casual rider,” says McGrail. And they did just that. With regular shuttle service over three locations and prices ranging from $10 to $38, Capital Trail Bike Shuttle is allowing all travelers of the trail to stop and smell the roses or, perhaps, a glass of wine from a local vineyard after a long day of peddling.

For more information on pickup locations, pricing and booking, visit CapTrailBikeShuttle.com.

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Green Alleys

Richmond’s Creative Way to Manage Stormwater

W

hen it rains, most people think of how it will help their lawns and plants grow, how their outdoor plans have to be postponed, or, another bad hair day. But rarely is rain thought of as a collector.

Pollutants such as motor oil, grease, fertilizer, sediment, animal waste, even nutrients and pesticides are all collected by rain as it runs along impervious surfaces like sidewalks, roofs and parking lots. In Richmond, these pollutants make their way into waterways, like the James River — the city’s sole source of drinking water. This process is called stormwater runoff.

Stormwater runoff is the number one source of surface water pollution in the U.S. Controlling it has led many cities like Richmond to find creative ways to improve the quality and reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff. One such method that has gained popularity is to turn existing alleys into green spaces, called green alleys. Urban alleyways are often home to standing water, trash receptacles, even construction materials and equipment, and so are perfect testing grounds for controlling stormwater runoff.

In addition to other green infrastructure measures, the city of Richmond Department of Public Utilities has installed several green alleys in the city. The first projects were at the alley connecting 5th and Main Streets, between Main and Cary and the alley connecting S.12th and S.13th Streets, between Main and Cary. These projects were the first application of green alley stormwater management in a city within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The alleys were selected based on factors such as physical characteristics and location in high profile areas susceptible to flooding.

DPU is now completing the retrofitting of the existing alley surface connecting Fendall Ave. with Culpepper Street between Fendall and Garland. The low impact practices to be used in this alley include a pervious concrete block system and an underground infiltration trench that will provide stormwater runoff treatment and storage.

Whether its water that comes out of the faucet, is flushed down the toilet, or rainwater that washes into the sewer, “It’s all one water” says DPU Director Bob Steidel. “We all need to be good stewards of this valuable natural resource.”

As you’re out and about in Richmond, consider visiting a green alley to see examples of stormwater management.

Before

After RichmondNavigator.com 7

Sauer’s Marks 130 Years of Adding Spice to Richmond

by Jody Rathgeb

L

et the foodies natter on about Richmond restaurants and the latest superfood. Anyone with a nose for history can take a sniff and tell you the true leader of Southern flavor: C. F. Sauer Company. That iconic lighted sign at 2000 W. Broad St. indicates a producer of spices, extracts and other products that has been on the scene for 130 years.

C.F. Sauer Company was founded on Oct. 13, 1887, by Conrad Frederick Sauer — a drug clerk who saw an opportunity to change the way people bought flavoring extracts.

His company became the first in the country to provide extracts in prepackaged 5- and 10-gram bottles sold in grocery stores.

The business grew rapidly. By 1927, Sauer became the largest producer of extracts and spices in the U.S. As the company was passed to the founder’s son, Conrad Frederick

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Sauer Jr., it began to expand and cement its reputation as a Southern favorite. In 1929, Sauer purchased Duke’s Products Company of Greenville, S.C. Started by Eugenia Duke in 1917, Duke’s Mayonnaise is still a best-seller and the only mayo some Southern cooks will use.

Sauer Jr. also moved the company into advertising. One of the major campaigns he undertook was sponsorship of The Joan Brooks Show, a variety show that premiered on a local Richmond radio station in 1948.

By 1949, it had become “The Sauer Show,” and it lasted until 1951.

The family’s next generation included three sons: Conrad Frederick Sauer III (known as Connie), Tremaine E. A. Sauer and David Sauer.

Following his father’s death, Connie became president in 1953, with Tremaine serving as executive vice president. The two broth-

ers managed the company as a team and continued its expansions. These included Dean Foods, a margarine manufacturer; Alford’s Barbecue Sauce; dry mixes for the Sauer line; and the creation of C.F. Sauer Foodservice to make recipes and flavorings for commercial users. They also expansioned their plants and facilities.

A fourth generation of Sauers took over when C. F. Sauer IV was elected president of the company in 1993. Mark A. Sauer is now executive vice president of sales, Bradford B. Sauer is vice president of Sauer Properties, and R. Tyler Sauer is plant manager at the Richmond spice and extract facility.

The continuing family connection has been important to the Sauer success. “Throughout the generations of Sauer leadership, they have treated employees like family and have given them full responsibility to do their job and trusted them to do it,” says Caroline Creasy, assistant brand manager. “This has resulted in the kind of longevity rarely seen at companies today.”

Recent years have seen more expansions of facilities, markets and products, including BAMA food products; The Spice Hunter, a niche marketer of exotic spices; and Mrs. Filbert’s Mayonnaise. The Dean Foods plant in Sandston has more than doubled in size; the Greenville complex has been renovated, and the company built a 250,000-square-foot mayonnaise and margarine production facility in New Century, Kansas. Operating as C.F. Sauer Foods West LLC, the new plant provides distribution across the U.S. To note its 130th anniversary, Sauer will participate in a variety of Richmond food events. Patrons of April’s Taste of Richmond were treated to samples of a gelato made with Sauer’s cinnamon and chili powder, and there will be anniversary dishes showcasing Sauer’s spices and extracts for Fire, Flour & Fork — an annual foodie event scheduled Nov. 2-5.

RichmondNavigator.com 9

a river runs through it

by Tom Gresham

It was the James River that brought English settlers to Richmond. Traveling by boat on the James, explorers led by Christopher Newport stopped when they reached the river’s fall line and could navigate no farther. A city eventually grew on the spot.

Centuries later, the river still plays a central role in the lives of those living in Richmond and its surrounding areas, but it is less about necessity or practicality today. While many cities around the world reside on the banks of a river, their residents tend to turn to the river for industry. In Richmond, it is primarily about recreation — and lots of it.

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Photo: Rich Young

“There’s a love affair with the river here that Photo: Rich Young

is different than in other cities. The idea of actually getting in the water is foreign to people in most urban environments. It’s not what you do, but we do that here. That’s the connection that we have — through recreation, general appreciation and actively engaging with the river and its waterways

”

— and that’s what sets us apart.

Photo: Riverside Outfitters

— Nathan Burrell, Superintendent James River Park System

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Photo: Rich Young

“There’s a love affair with the river here that is different than in other cities,” says Nathan Burrell, superintendent of the James River Park System. Richmonders and visitors to the area plunge headfirst into the James — swimming, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, paddleboarding and more. In comparable cities, Burrell says, that is not a river’s purpose.

“The idea of actually getting in the water is foreign to most people in urban environments,” Burrell says. “It’s not what you do, but we do that here. That’s the connection that we have — through recreation, general appreciation and actively engaging with the river and its waterways — and that’s what sets us apart.”

Outside Magazine ranked Richmond as the best river city in the United States in 2012 on the basis of that unique relationship. Part of what makes the James so appealing for is that it has urban whitewater class IV and V rapids that run right through the city, Burrell says.

The James River Park System, which draws more than 1.4 million visitors annually to its 600 acres, provides the ideal staging ground for engaging with the river. The park system not only offers access to the river but also provides opportunities for hiking and mountain

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biking along the water. Burrell notes that the park is seeing an increasingly diverse group of visitors in recent years. More than 60-percent of park system visitors come from outside Richmond.

“The love affair with the James River extends far beyond the city,” Burrell says. “It truly is a destination for people.”

In fact, as much attention as Richmond has received in recent years for the James River, David Fary, manager of the rafting program at Riverside Outfitters, said word is continuing to spread. He says most of the rafters Riverside serves in the summer months are visitors from out of town. Many express their surprise at the river’s accessibility.

Fary said one of his favorite aspects of the river is how naturally it accentuates Richmond’s famous past.

“There’s so much history that you can access from the river,” Fary says. “Kayaking or rafting or paddleboarding on the river really is one of the best tours of the city that you can take. It gives you a great view of the city and allows you to see so many historical sites. You’re on the river but you’re really right in the middle of things.”

That hasn’t changed for hundreds of years.

C

hesterfield County’s Park and Recreation department currently operates two riverfront sites offering county residents and visitors access to all that the James has to offer:

Robious Landing Park 3800 James River Road, Midlothian Robious Landing Park provides easy access to the James River for kayaking, canoeing, rowing and fishing. The 102-acre site also houses 3.4 miles of trails, as well as playgrounds, picnic shelters, and sand volleyball. (Chesterfield.gov/Parks)

Dutch Gap Conservation Area 411 Coxendale Road, Chester The Dutch Gap Conservation Area offers 810 acres of diverse woods, wetlands and wildlife. Hike, bike or even horseback ride along the four-and-a-half-mile trail. Experience the tidal waters of the James

Chesterfield on the James and explore the “graveyard” of the barges by kayak or canoe along the two-and-a-half-mile Lagoon Water Trail. Organized groups can take advantage of a primitive campground on the peninsula. (Chesterfield.gov/DutchGap)

Coming Soon to a River Near You

In June of 2016, Chesterfield County purchased 109 acres of land along the James, says Jim Perdue, assistant director of the county’s Parks and Recreation department. Perdue, who oversees the grounds maintenance operation, says that the property line lies from the spot where Falling Creek enters the James at the Falling Creek Ironworks Archeological Site to just east of Drewry’s Bluff. Currently, the county is in the process of developing a master plan for the site.

However, once completed, residents and visitors alike can enjoy a beautiful stretch of land along the river with opportunities for boating, paddling, hiking and fishing.

RichmondNavigator.com 13

by Zach Brown

ive music, shopping and over 3,000 watermelons — it must be summer in Carytown. On Aug. 13, the Carytown Merchants Association will present 60 musical acts and more than 100 exhibitors for the 34th annual Carytown Watermelon Festival.

The festival takes place along Cary Street, from Boulevard to Thompson. “It originated as a merchant sidewalk sale and developed into the festival it is today to give back to the community,” Camille Bird, a member of the CMA, says of the festival’s history. Now, organizers expect to welcome 120,000 visitors each year, making it one of the largest outdoor festivals in Virginia.

This year, attendees will be treated to more of what’s drawn them to the summer street fair in the first place. Nearly all of Carytown’s restaurants and shops will be open for business. Outside, food vendors — offering funnel cakes and cheese steaks — as well as artisans, makers and other exhibitors set up shop along Cary Street, selling paintings, ceramics and other crafts. Organizers boast that no two vendors are quite the same. Adults will be able to enjoy beverages from their favorite local and national wineries and breweries, while the younger ones can have fun at the large, centralized Kids Zone, featuring

RichmondNavigator.com 14

face-painting and a Velcro wall. There will be live performances of every kind across six stages all day long.

Beyond the food, crafts and fun, the Watermelon Festival serves an important economic and charitable purpose. “It helps to fund our beautification programs such as street cleaning and care for green spaces,” says Bird, “while also helping to support merchants.” Every year, the Shriners serve up all the watermelon festival goers can eat, and every sweet bite means a donation to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. “We raise thousands of dollars on watermelon day to give back to a wonderful organization,” Bird says. Publix Super Markets will supply this year’s watermelons for the festival.

The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but attendees often arrive early and stay late to show support for local merchants and restaurants along Cary Street. The festival serves to unify our local community, as well as those all across the state. “The Watermelon Festival is the largest outdoor festival in Virginia,” says Bird. “And, no matter how hot it is, whatever the weather, we’re eating watermelon together.”

RichmondNavigator.com 15

Events Calendar

by River City staff

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Toys of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s at Virginia Historical Society Gumby. Barbie. Slinky. Mr. Potato Head. Wham-O. Spirograph. Hot Wheels. The names of popular toys from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s capture the craziness, the joy, the sheer fun of being a kid. But beneath those nutty names are rich veins of nostalgia, memory, and history.

Gallery Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. /Admission to museum is Free, The Toys exhibit is $10; Free to members and anyone under 18 / Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard / VAHistorical.org

THROUGH JULY 30

THROUGH AUGUST 27

Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the current smash hit Hamilton, brings New York City’s Washington Heights to life in his first groundbreaking work. With spirited characters, pulsing choreography and an award-winning Latin- hiphop-infused score, In the Heights won 4 Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009.

Drawn from the archives of the Foundation Pierre Bergé—Yves Saint Laurent and other private collections, this breathtaking exhibition offers an intimate and comprehensive look at the lifetime achievement of Yves Saint Laurent, one of history’s most radical and influential fashion designers. Featuring 100 examples of haute couture and ready-to-wear garments.

Virginia Rep: “In the Heights” at November Theater

See website for show times / $36-$60 / November Theater – Marjorie Arenstein Stage, 114 W. Broad St., 804-282-2620 / VA-Rep.org

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Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style at VMFA

Museum hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (‘til 9 on Thursday and Friday / See website for ticket information / Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, 804-3401405 / VMFA.museum

JULY 25 – 26

MAMMA MIA – Farewell Tour Over 45 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show. On July 25 and 26, you’ll have one more chance to join the stellar cast and sing along to the music of Abba. The number one Broadway musical of all times brings its Farewell Tour to the Altria. You won’t want to miss this one.

7:30 p.m. / $33 - $73 / Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., 804-592-3368 / BroadwayInRichmond.com

OPENING JULY 4

Washington: The Myths and the Man at Virginia Historical Society This exhibition presents 13 original paintings by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris along with 17 historical records that reveal facts about Washington’s life and about the man behind the myth. The exhibition also features items that have rarely left the grounds of Washington’s Virginia home, Mount Vernon, such as his presidential chair and inaugural sword.

Gallery Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Free / Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard / VAHistorical.org

JULY 22 & 29

Music at Maymont Can you imagine a more beautiful venue to enjoy a concert than on the Carriage House lawn at Maymont? The lineup includes internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler and songwriter, Andrew Byrd as well as Sara Watkins, the singer, songwriter and fiddler who founded the progressive bluegrass group Nickle Creek.

6 p.m. / from $90 / 1700 Hampton St. / MusicAtMaymont.com

JULY 27 – APRIL 15, 2018

JULY 15

Nuestras Historias: Latinos in Richmond at The Valentine

In addition to learning about the history and revitalization of these neighborhoods there will be stops at two local hot spots for samples. Roaring Pines will provide sample drinks and Sub Rosa will have a pastries tasting for tour participants. Please bring along a few extra dollars ($2.00 at each place) if you would like to enjoy these samplings.

There are approximately 100,000 Latinos in the Richmond metropolitan area who represent a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

As Latinos immigrate to Richmond, they establish permanent ties to their new home and begin to transform its culture. Through interviews, objects and images, the Valentine’s Nuestras Historias: Latinos in Richmond documents the region’s diverse Latino experience.

Union Hill and North Church Hill Walking Tour

2 – 4 p.m. / $15; $5 for Valentine members / Jefferson Park, North 21st St, and Princess Anne Ave. / TheValentine.org

Museum hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Museum admission: $10 – adults; $8 - seniors (55+) and students with ID; Free- Military, children under 18 and members / The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. / TheValentine.org RichmondNavigator.com 17

AUGUST 10 - 13

Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont Larry Graham, the Isley Brothers, Manhattan Transfer, Peabo Bryson and many more will be on hand for the eighth annual Richmond Jazz Festival, the premier musical event on the east coast.

See website for tickets and schedules / 1700 Hampton St. / JazzAtMaymont.com

AUGUST 6

Gordon Lightfoot in Concert

AUGUST 10

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live!

For the first time ever, join Joel Hodgson, creator of the critically acclaimed “Mystery Science Theater 3000” TV show and its new host Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray) team up and take their “Watch Out for Snakes!” tour on the road. Joining Joel and Jonah live on stage, will be robot companions Crow, Tom Servo and Gypsy, along with Synthia and her Bonehead henchmen.

8 p.m. / $20 - $120; VIP (includes meet and greet) $101 - $301 / Carpenter Theatre @ Dominion Arts Center, 600 E. Grace St., 800-514-3849 / DominionArtsCenter.com

Gordon Lightfoot resides with some very exclusive company atop the list of all-time greats. His song catalog includes such immortals as “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “(That’s What You Get) For Lovin Me,” “The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Beautiful” and “Rainy Day People” to name a few.

The tour will feature his well-known hits as well as some deep album cuts for the die-hard fanatics. All of which are woven together with some of Lightfoot’s own behind the scenes stories and personal anecdotes about his historic 50-year musical career.

8 p.m. / $29.50 - $94 / Carpenter Theatre @ Dominion Arts Center, 600 E. Grace St., 800-514-3849 / DominionArtsCenter.com

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AUGUST 12 – 26

ALICE: a new musical This new musical adapted from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass transports us on a fantastical adventure as Alice, relying on her quick wit and big heart, learns the customs of the distorted new world she lands in. Will Alice be able to hold on to her idealism and dreams or be crushed by the pressure to fit in and conform? Featuring an all-woman cast of Richmond’s best and brightest young talent.

See website for show times and ticket information/ FirehouseTheatre, 1609 W. Broad St., 804-355-2001 / FirehouseTheatre.org

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DON’T LOOK BACK

STATION 2

Enjoy Tacos ‘til two. Featuring traditional tacos and an extensive tequila list with made-from-scratch margaritas.

Enjoy great starters, gourmet burgers, an extensive beer selection and adult milkshakes until the early hours of the morning — every morning.

2929 W. Cary St.; 804-353-TACO (8226); DontLookBack.co

Monday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Full menu until 10 p.m. Just tacos ‘til 1:30 a.m.

SABAI

2727 W. Broad St.; 804-367-4992; SabaiRVA.com Sabai brings authentic Thai street food to the streets of Richmond…

Broad Street to be exact. In addition to the food, the place offers a lively bar with creative craft cocktails.

Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Food served until 1:30 a.m.

SOCIAL 52

2619 W. Main St.; 804-353-9709; Social52RVA.com Offering an eclectic menu featuring social plates and bowls (hint: don’t miss the Campfire Wings), sandwiches, salads and more along with carefully crafted cocktails.

Monday 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight Full menu is offered ‘til 9 on Sundays and Monday, until 10 Tuesdays through Thursdays and ‘til 11 every Friday and Saturday. After that, you can order from their “robust late night menu” featuring bar fare, flatbread pizzas and appetizers.

2016 E. Main St.; 804-249-4702; Station2Richmond.com

Monday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The kitchen closes at 1 a.m. Until then, order anything from the full menu.

THE PIZZA PLACE

1731 E. Main St., 804-343-1300; RichmondPizzaPlace.com Looking for authentic, hand-tossed NY-style pizza? This is the place to come morning, noon, night and early the next morning.

Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. (sometimes open as late as 4 or 4:30 a.m. on the weekends) Order your favorite slice or whole pizza up until closing time.

SHYNDIGZ

1903 W. Cary St.; 804-938-DIGZ (3449); Shyndigz.com When that late night sweet tooth keeps calling, there’s always Shyndigz, where you’ll get your just desserts, such as bread pudding, Grown up S’mores or Butterfinger Wow Pie. Of course, you absolutely must try a slice of their amazing Salted Chocolate Caramel Cake.

Wednesday through Thursday 6 to 11 p.m.

Friday 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday 1 p.m. to midnight While the favorites sell out early, enjoy anything that’s left on the desserts-only menu up until closing time.

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Photo: Kim Frost Photography

Burgers & Brews Capital Ale House

13831 Village Place Drive; 804-897-5815 CapitalAleHouse.com

Ring of Fire Burger

Legend Brewery 321 W 7th St.; 804-232-3446 LegendBrewing.com

Spicy Avo Ranch Burger This Spicy Avo Ranch Burger is loaded with Southwest flavors: sliced avocado, pepper jack cheese, avo-chipotle ranch, lettuce, tomato and onion on top of a 7-ounce beef patty and served on a toasted knot roll. Paired here with the unlikely (and delicious!) fried Brussels sprouts. Always good with a burger, Legend’s classic Porter, with its full body and mellow notes of chocolate and caramel, helps to sweeten up the spice.

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Photo: Kim Frost Photography

Love is a burning thing, and so is the Ring of Fire Burger from Capital Ale House: a Chili & habañero rubbed Virginia-raised beef patty, grilled pineapple, bacon, pepper jack cheese, ancho-chipotle sauce and fresh jalapeños. With over 100 beers on at their Innsbrook location, how do you know which to pick? Nothing pairs better with hot-and-spicy than the refreshing citrus of Iron Leaf Belgian Blonde, a Belgian Single brewed with lemongrass and lemon peel from Pale Fire out of Harrisonburg, VA. Capital Ale’s Burger Night special runs until 1 a.m. on Monday nights, and features $3 burgers with any beverage purchase.

Photo: Kim Frost Photography

Burgers & Brews Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille

2300 E Broad St.; 804-644-4242 ThePHPub.com

Patrick Henry Burger What else can we recommend at this Church Hill mainstay but the all-American Patrick Henry Burger, where you have the freedom to build a burger to your liking. The restaurant offers a bevy of toppings ranging from 50 cents to $1. Pictured here, the 8-ounce Angus beef patty is cooked to order and topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, plus bacon and a fried egg. Served with hand-cut onion rings alongside the crisp and floral Two Hearted American IPA from Bell’s Brewery.

2706 E Main St.; 804-648-2120 facebook: PoesPub1

Bleu Cheese Burger Poe’s Bleu Cheese Burger is seven ounces of juicy Black Angus beef topped with tangy Maytag bleu cheese and crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato and served with hand-cut fries. Wash it down with a hoppy, golden IPA like New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger.

Photo: Kim Frost Photography

Poe’s Pub

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tastebudz

by Elena Marinaccio and Steve Cook

There’s always a lot of excitement around town when it comes to restaurant news. We’ve got even more cool places to eat that have just opened or are slated to open very soon.

ANOTHER SCOTT’S ADDITION: While sampling the fare at the grand opening of Ya Ya’s Cookbook in Short Pump a couple of weeks ago, I ran into Brandon Pearson, who is a partner with Joe Kiatsuranon (co-owner of Ya Ya’s) in the very popular Sabai Restaurant at 2727 W. Broad Street.

Well, it looks like Brandon also has a case of restaurant fever, which, perhaps, he caught from Joe. Brandon now has his own food truck, which is available for special occasions and events. But there’s more. He tells me that he’s working on converting the space he has been using for his furniture-making business at 3103 W. Leigh Street in Scott’s Addition into a cool, Cali-cuisine-inspired restaurant. He says he’s putting the emphasis on healthy dining (think fish and chicken). While the name of the restaurant (and his food truck), Aloi, is an Americanized version of a Thai word for delicious, Brandon says the new place will not feature Asian cuisine, although he doesn’t rule out the possibilities that there may be Asian influences in some of the dishes. As you may recall, Brandon got hooked on the entire Asian culture after a visit to Bangkok. He loved the Thai way of life so much that he settled down and lived there for a while.

EVEN MORE CARYTOWN OPTIONS: Right next door to the new Les Crepes, The Pit and the Peel has just opened this June. The Pit and the Peel replaces Pomegranate. This is the second location for the juice bar and bistro. There’s another at 1102 W. Main near VCU.

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A HOT RUMOR: I love being the first to know.

I hate being the first to know but then being told I can’t tell. This is so much a secret that I can’t breathe a word of the details. But I have figured out a way to help you figure out some of the news without getting in any trouble. So, here goes: There’s a popular Fan-area restaurant that’s getting ready to shut down and revamp entirely. The name of the new place gives a clue as to what the cuisine and format is going to be. But I can’t tell you the name either. Here’s a hint: A mid-1950s movie starring William Holden and Cliff Robertson. If you think you’ve got it, email me at TasteBudz@ RichmondNavigator.com. If you’re first with the correct response, I’ll treat you to lunch or dinner once this new place opens up.

LES CREPES, MORE CREPES: Another eatery for Carytown? Yep. Mauro Pompili, who already is operating his Les Crepes in Stony Point is readying space at 3325 W. Cary Street for a second location. Now, you may remember this address as the former location for Acacia. I remember when it was Calvary Baptist Church. Mauro tells me that his Carytown Les Crepes will be similar to the South of the James location, serving sweet and savory crepes. But he’ll have more bar space at the new place. In fact, in addition to the wine bar, he’ll have a separate spot, as you enter the building, featuring cocktails. The new restaurant should be open later this summer. He’s hoping, with the city’s blessings, to have a patio on the east side of the restaurant.

Virginia’s Beer Authority

and more...

DAUKSZ SIDE: I always enjoy hearing from our Taste Budz. And one of our favorites is Meredith Dauksz. She was telling me recently of her visit to Sauce and Toss at 1711 E. Franklin Street. She says that she and her main squeeze (she didn’t use that term) were planning on a romantic dinner out but opted for this little spot not in the Bottom. “It was the best decision of our lives,” she said, perhaps exaggerating just a tad. “Furthermore, I now get the gratification of introducing friends to Sauce & Toss and watching their worlds unravel as they bite into one of the best chicken wings they have ever experienced.

A comparative satisfaction would be recommending your favorite movie to someone and they decide after watching it that their life has been reshaped by your cinematic suggestion.” Meredith does have a way with words. So, I’ll let her describe her experience.

“Aside from their chicken wings putting all crispy fried poultry parts to shame, their seafood boil bags are something this city has been missing. Let’s review...Sauce & Toss. That’s it. They take chicken wings or seafood, sauce it and toss it! The wings consist of a handful of different sauce options — my favorite is sweet & sour. Brian sticks to the super-hot parmesan which I avoid because I like to keep my lips from bursting into flames while I eat.

“Now let’s move on to the belly of the beast…the boil bags. After you pick out a beer and an indoor picnic table adorned by netting, plastic sea creatures and other nautical novelties, you wait anxiously for that steaming pot of goodness. You have a choice of shrimp, crawdads, crab legs, clams, mussels or a combination. All come with corn, potato and sausage tossed in your choice of a mild to dreadfully hot seasoning. Forget beautiful plating and presentation; my culinary aesthetic preferences have changed. If my food doesn’t come in a giant bag sitting in a pot alongside a bucket for empty shells, complete with my own bib…I don’t want to eat it.”

Thanks Meredith. I definitely need to check it out. I can’t wait to tell her how dramatically the experience changes my life.

CapitalAleHouse.com 804-780-Ales

TIME FOR A LITTLE HORSEPLAY: The Stables at Belmont opened in May at 201 N. Belmont. You probably know by now that the new eatery gets its name from the fact that the location once served as the stables for the Richmond police department’s mounted unit. Owner Steve Gooch as well as the restaurant’s chef, Evan Campbell, have both hinted that the décor of the place and even its cocktail menu will play on that stable theme.

I spoke with Evan the day before the opening and he told me that he’s taking his culinary experience in both Boston and New Orleans and combining them to offer diners at The Stables a delicious mix of Southern fare with a little “New England grit.” He says that the menu will be heavy on seafood.Fresh seafood? I wanted to know. I so often hear locals say they don’t know where to go for really good fresh seafood around Richmond. Evan’s answer pleased me. “I won’t’ serve any seafood that hasn’t been caught that day,” he said. Sounds good to me.

Something else that sounds good is a unique appetizer on the menu.

Evan said he’s calling it “Shrimp and Griscuits.” He elaborated: “Shrimp and grits are on everyone’s menu around town. Biscuits and gravy are also very popular. I’ve married the two.” The dish consists of house-made biscuits with the grits baked in. They’ll be served with a rich Cajun gravy and grilled shrimp. Now, how can one say, “neigh” to a dish like that?

Join me at richmondnavigator.com for a complete list of best eats and libations in OBX. RichmondNavigator.com 23

MORE THAN RiverCity

Join us every Sunday for Brunch starting at 11AM with a great brunch menu.

Jazz Brunch 1st Sunday of every month.

Restaurant & Bar Hours: Mon.– Thu. 11:30 AM – 11 PM Fri.– Sat. 11:30 AM – Midnight Sun. 11 AM – 10 PM

The area’s Award Winning Bar and Restaurant with great beer, great food and captivating views of Richmond!

Read Our Publications Online

Bluegrass/Americana Music Every Sunday Night!

navigator.com

321 W. 7th Street | (804) 232-3446 | www.legendbrewing.com

804-639-9994

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HAPPY HOUR GUIDE For this issue, we checked out some of the great Happy Hours along West Cary Street.

MOM’S SIAM

2811 W. Cary St.; 804-359-7606; MomSiam.com For over 17 years, Mom’s Siam has been a popular go-to spot for authentic Thai cuisine at its best. Now, this friendly little spot has a world-class cocktail program as well.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 7 P.M. • Beer, drafts - $1 off • Old Fashioneds - $5

10 ITALIAN CAFÉ

3200 W. Cary St.; 804-353-2200; facebook: 10RVA This is a cool, friendly little neighborhood hangout serving breakfast, lunch and dinner items like paninis, salads and more.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 7 P.M. • Beer - $1 off One More Thing: Thursday Nights are ladies’ nights with big discounts on wine by the bottle.

One More Thing: Other specialty cocktails are offered at $5 each on a rotating schedule. Check with your friendly bartender for the specialty cocktail of the day.

GINGER THAI TASTE

CITY BEACH

2416 W. Cary St.; 804-482-8822; BeachHouseBar.us This is the third incarnation of the local chain’s fish- and parrotthemed restaurant/bars offering pub fare and your favorite libations at decent prices even when it’s not Happy Hour.

MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 11 A.M. TO 7 P.M., AND UNTIL 9 P.M. THURSDAYS Rail drinks - $3 Beer, most domestics - $3 Beer, drafts - $1 off Wine - $1 off

3145 W. Cary St.; 804-254-7373; GingerThaiTaste.com Casual Thai café serving both traditional and updated takes on Thai delicacies.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 5 TO 7 P.M. • Beer, all - $1 off • Wine, all - $1 off • All appetizers, includes spring rolls, steamed dumplings, Crab Rangoon and calamari - $1 off One More Thing: If you like it hot, you can choose the spice level of your favorite dishes from mild to “Make Me Cry.”

One More Thing: There’s always something special going on at City Beach. Mondays and Wednesdays are drink flip nights. Call it — heads or tails — and your drink is a dollar.

GALAXY DINER

3109 W. Cary St.; 804-213-0510 Super Nova Burgers, Cosmic Platters, Galactic Dogs, milkshakes and fried pickles, all in a cool ol’ time diner atmosphere.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 7 P.M. • Beer, drafts - $3 • Rail drinks - $2.50 One More Thing: On Sundays from open ‘til 4 p.m. Bloody Marys and Mimosas are $3.00.

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LIVING SPACES

MANCHESTER FLATS

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

by Denise Johnson

M

anchester Flats, one of Richmond’s newest apartment communities, gives the expression “living off the beaten path” a whole new meaning. These contemporary apartments, located on Dinwiddie Avenue, combine industrial architecture with urban chic and convenience. The Manchester area of Richmond is just south of Downtown across the James River, offering the visual appeal of city living with the peace and quiet you would expect in a suburban neighborhood.

Built in the 1920s, Manchester’s steelframed buildings were once a part of the thriving industrial complex for Southern Stove Works, the historic manufacturing facility that produced stoves and heaters. Together, the company’s two buildings included a two-story office building, production departments and two warehouses. Today, the 170 apartments that make up Man-

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chester Flats still boast much of the concrete, heart pine, maple flooring, wood beams and exposed brick that were prominent features in this building’s heyday. The historic features of the property are complemented by the modern amenities of the units: stainless steel appliances, sleek cabinetry and granite countertops, plus each unit comes with a full-size washer and dryer, and a 40-inch LCD flat screen TV. What is most unique about Manchester Flats is the effort its developers have put in to providing an authentic living experience.

They offer studio apartments and one, two and three bedroom units with over 50 different floor plans. Prices range between $999 to $1,500 per month, based on square footage. Adding to the charm of this community is its proximity to an eclectic mix of art studios, local eateries, unique work locations and other historic properties. Residents

get more than a chic apartment, they also get to experience a real sense of community.

The urban luxury and convenience found in the interior of each unit is balanced with a beautiful exterior that extends to the distinct shared spaces on the grounds. Residents don’t have to leave home to appreciate the outdoors or bask in the sun. The property boasts an outdoor pool, a community garden and lots of outdoor space for spending time with friends and family. As for entertainment and activities, there is something to suit every renter’s taste — kayak and bike rentals for the adventurous, a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, charcoal and gas grills, and a 24-hour fitness center. For pet owners, the property provides two gated dog parks on the premises. If you love the water, you can relax at the on-site cascading fountain or hike along the James River. For added convenience, the complex offers grocery delivery and dry-cleaning services.

Manchester Flats is less than five minutes from I-95, with convenient access to I-64, the Manchester Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge.

Residents are only minutes from historic Church Hill and the bustling nightlife found in Shockoe Bottom. Tenants won’t have to choose between convenience and tranquility—with Manchester Flats they have the benefits of both in one neighborhood. A select number of apartments and floor plans will be available for move-in by late summer 2017.

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