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CONTENTS
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RiverCity
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 RichmondNavigator.com
PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
William J. Davis, Jr. VICE-PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
Cheryl T. Davis MANAGING EDITOR
Annie Tobey ASSISTANT EDITORS
Steve Cook, Tammie Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Joseph Wharton GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Nora Bollinger ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Jared Davis CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANT
Colleen MacCabe DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Justin Warner PHOTOGRAPHERS
Miguel Betancourt, Ashly Covington, Trevor C. Davis, Jeremy Ledford, Lauren Serpa, Rick Sleeman CONTRIBUTORS
Steve Cook, Davy Jones, Jeff Majer ADVERTISING
RiverCity magazine is published bimonthly by Advertising Concepts, Inc., 6301 Harbourside Drive, Suite 100 Midlothian, VA 23112 P: 804-639-9994 E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com
In This Issue 04
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Several Richmond organizations that provide the link for comedic aspirations by Annie Tobey
Cultural icons, a one-armed explorer, and impenetrable security are part of downtown history by Jeff Majer
LOCAL COMEDY
LIVING IN HISTORY
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Venue owners’ favorite crescendos, sing-alongs, encores, and choruses by Davy Jones
Cozy spots and hot drinks for cold winter nights by Steve Cook
MUSIC VENUE MOMENTS
RAISING THE BAR
About Our Cover: The First National Bank in 1913. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
ONLINE // SOCIAL
RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Twitter.com/RVAnavigator GENERAL // EDITORIAL INFORMATION Clockwise from top The John Marshall Hotel (photo courtesy of Advante Advertising); Bartender Melanie Rasnic at The Blue Goat (photo by Miguel Betancourt); ComedySportz Improv Theatre (photo by Rick Sleeman)
Contact Us! E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.
All articles and contents of this magazine are not necessarily the opinions or thoughts of RiverCity magazine, Advertising Concepts, Inc or the publisher.
COMEDY
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ComedySportz Improv Theatre
LAUGHING IT UP IN RICHMOND by Annie Tobey
walk into a bar. “We don’t serve comedians here,” says the bartender. “Why not?” ask the comedians. “We don’t have enough seats.” “That’s OK,” reply the comedians, “we do stand-up.” Then there’s the one about the girl whose father was adamantly opposed to the boy she was dating because he was a comedian – until the dad went to see the young man perform. “What changed your mind, Daddy?” the overjoyed daughter asked. “Oh,” the father replied, “he’s no comedian.” Whether or not the fathers of their girlfriends and boyfriends approve, Richmond has a thriving culture of comedians. Some aspire to travel the professional circuit and others simply to perform locally. For some, performing is a treasured pastime. Others know that time on stage, whether in practice or performance, is a great way to hone skills and stay sharp. I began getting a glimpse behind the curtains of local comedy two years ago, when my son Brian signed up for classes at ComedySportz. Yes, classes. No, comedians don’t come out of the womb making wisecracks. “Hey, doc, is that your nose or do you moonlight as Bozo?” “Eighteen hours of labor, huh? I’m going to be hearing about that for the rest of my life.” Comedic aspirations demand both training and – fortunately for the rest of us – an audience, and several local organizations provide that link. ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE COMEDIANS
ComedySportz Improv Theatre. Courtesy of Rick Sleeman.
Many have come to love ComedySportz (CSz) for its short-form improv performances (think Whose Line Is It Anyway?). Two teams compete in a series of humorous games, using audience suggestions as fodder. Take the 185 joke above – audience members tell the performers who walked into the bar, like lawyers or teachers or snails, and the jokes begin. Most CSz performances are family friendly. Though the content isn’t kid-centric, it’s clean. The occasional adult performance is clearly labeled, such as their late-night Overtime Improv, mixing formats and pushing boundaries. This West End improv group offers classes for first graders through retirees. Besides humor, classes improve traits that are no laughing matter: spontaneity, stepping out of the comfort zone, focus, concentration, and teamwork. Students learn to connect with their playful self and with others, to be creative and more self-confident. One class exercise addresses comfort with making mistakes, says Christine Walters, director of education and managing partner at ComedySportz. “We encourage students to make mistakes, to fail, to understand that this is part of the journey. This gives them the freedom to make mistakes and even builds their self-esteem.” In the exercise, she explains, a student says, “I failed, thank you, woop-woop-what” – as in “Yes, I’m accepting that I made a mistake, thank you for not judging me, it really doesn’t matter, let’s move on.” Walters recalls favorite anecdotes of kids who have benefited from their program. She tells of the girl who was so afraid of making mistakes, she wouldn’t even do her homework – the student turned the corner after learning the “woop-woop-what” technique. Walters tells of introverted Ashley, now in her third year of CSz classes: after Ashley’s fifth day of practice, “We couldn’t keep her off the stage!” And she recalls the boy who said after the nonverbal communication exercise: “‘I just felt so focused because we couldn’t talk but had to listen to what everyone was saying.’” ComedySportz also offers corporate team-building classes and performance for hire. Nearly three years later, my son Brian is still performing. He’s moved up to the Major League, as have his poise and skills.
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Coalition Theater Perhaps inspired by her older brother, my daughter, Rachel, became involved at Coalition Theater in early 2014. Comedy is serious stuff at Coalition Theater in downtown Richmond. Founded in 2009, the organization has brought together a gaggle of comedians dedicated to performing and to training the next crop of comedians in advanced skills like scene work or patterns, or simply to training everyday people who want to do funny stuff, find a creative outlet, or build skills in public speaking, communications, and collaboration. “The program has evolved to draw in and meet these different needs of folks,” explains Matt Newman, managing director of Coalition Theater, and adds, “We’re getting more into the corporate training world.” Coalition Theater shows aren’t for all ages. Performances include traditional and experimental forms of comedy, especially long-form improv: a basic storyline is established at the beginning, then performers build upon that tale through a series of scenes in, of course, humorous ways. Riffs on long-form at Coalition Theater include Richmond Famous, featuring local celebs, and Laughtrack, using an audience member’s mobile playlist to improvise an extended story based on the heretofore-unknown soundtrack. Thursdays features a paywhat-you-can open mic show with improv and sketch (think SNL skits). Saturday presents house teams performing long-form improv. A popular new feature is RVA Tonight, a live late-night talk show. “Some of my favorite shows are the student shows, seeing people getting on stage and confronting their fears – facing down stage fright, getting up and really challenging themselves to do improv on stage,” says Newman. “The success that they see in front of that audience is so rewarding to watch.”
West End Comedy Now in their fifth season, West End Comedy performs a variety of comedic formats: short-form improv, unscripted games based on audience suggestions; long-form stories; and sketch work. The group has also done short films and training videos. Friday performances are for all ages, but Saturday shows are for mature audiences only (or for those above a certain chronological age, as the case may be). Ten active members make up West End Comedy, varying in age, background, and
experience, some having received improv training in Chicago, Orlando, New York, and L.A. “We do open practices, like a workshop, for ages 16 and up,” says James Wasilewski, managing artistic director of West End Comedy. “Come be a member of the troupe for the night.”
Coalition Theater. Courtesy of Lauren Serpa.
More than Just Laughter “The community that exists around this space is absolutely the strength of it,” says Matt Newman. He points to the talent and dedication of the coaches, teachers, house team performers, and the students. “All are really dedicated and committed to the ideas of support and mutual respect for each other’s ideas – these things that arise when you study improv for a while.” Newman recalls a recent evening, as students warmed up for their shows, hearing groups of grown adults making loud silly noises. “It’s those kinds of moments in this space that I really try to hold on to,” he says. “If there’s any magic to what we do, that’s it – that kind of outlet, that kind of ability to explore those kinds of things.” At my request, Wasilewski asked his troupe what they got out of being improv performers. Besides repeating refrains of camaraderie, self-confidence, the exhilaration of challenge, personal growth, and improved workplace performance, the enthusiastic responses were enlightening and effusive: • Alex Eliades: “The thrill of diving into the maw of our group’s connected subconscious and coming up with creative works.” • Eric Vinyard: “Being more quick-witted and reflexively entertaining when the opportunity presents itself, … [in] performances [and] social situations, especially ones that involve members of the opposite sex who are easily impressed by that kind of thing.” • George Herring: “Making amazingly ephemeral moments of awesomeness with an audience.” • Mike Dunn: “The sheer enjoyment of laughing.” • Jenny Sappington: “Placing implicit and unequivocal trust in each one of my troupe mates that they will be right there with me regardless of what happens. And I know they give me the same in return… It is absolutely liberating. I accept everything and play with complete abandon.” • Olivia Acree: Being “a part of something that brings a lighthearted joy to an audience, fellow performers, and me.” One hundred eighty-five bartenders walk into an improv theater. “We don’t entertain bartenders here,” say the comedians, “since you wouldn’t serve us at your bar.” “Yes,” reply the bartenders, “we see your pint and we won’t wine about it, but we just want a little crock tale.” Richmond dishes up plenty of those crock tales. RC
Coalition Theater 8 W. Broad St., Richmond 804-332-5857 RVAComedy.com
ComedySportz Improv Theatre 8906-H W. Broad St., in the Gold’s Gym Plaza 804-266-9377 CSZRVA.com
West End Comedy Performance and practice locations vary 804-496-1714 WEComedy.com
MUSIC
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BACKSTAGE WITH
RICHMOND'S MUSIC VENUES by Davy Jones
vorite show I’ve ever seen at the Camel … They were such genuine, down-to-earth, incredibly talented guys.” While many other shows have filled up the intimate, club-like space, the sum is even greater than the parts. “It has been a fun and wild ride watching Richmond explode with so much talent over the past six years. I’m truly blessed and grateful to be a small part of the Richmond music scene.” ONCE THE EVENTS MANAGER at The Camel,
IF YOU’RE READING THIS between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., chances are, an amazing
musical moment is taking place somewhere in Richmond, Virginia. With venues ranging from tiny clubs and house-show living rooms to The National ( 708 E. Broad St.) and the Richmond Coliseum (601 E. Leigh St.), bands from all parts of the musical spectrum have opportunities to shine, and fans need only decide which sonic itch they’d like to scratch. Sounds great, right? Well, imagine working at one of Richmond’s many venues. Just think about all the crescendos, sing-alongs, encores, and choruses you’d get to enjoy. When you start asking around, it’s hard not to get jealous.
Turnover at Strange Matter. Courtesy of Jeremy Ledford.
AARON PIERCE started working the door at The Camel (1621 W. Broad St.) in September
2008. Now general manager, Pierce recalls a moment that was made exceptional by a rising star in the world of Americana who wasn’t even booked to play. “When Jason Isbell came and sat in with American Aquarium a few years ago, that was one of the more surreal experiences I’ve ever had working at the Camel.” All the same, for Pierce, nothing beats The Wood Brothers performance in 2012. “[That] might be my all-time fa-
Lucas Fritz now serves as general manager at The Broadberry ( 2729 W. Broad St.), which opened just down the road in the spring, catering to both mid-sized national touring artists and larger local acts. While the history of the long, high-ceilinged venue may be short, it’s already storied, with an October performance by a member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan rap group still looming large in the rearview mirror. “Inspectah Deck was interesting,” Fritz says. “A guy who has toured the world – bringing him into Richmond, that was memorable.” True to his claim that The Broadberry hosts “all kinds of acts, from hip hop to rock
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to bluegrass to EDM [Electronic Dance Music],” Fritz counts an approaching country show among the early success stories. “Sturgill Simpson, who’s an up-and-coming country artist, is playing here in February and it sold out in eight days, which was pretty cool.” manager at Strange Matter ( 929 W. Grace St.), that kind of variety is key. “[Strange Matter] serves many functions, from dive bar to vegan- and carnivore-friendly [eatery] to arcade and everything in between. We pride ourselves on the diversity of our calendar and hope others see that same diversity we do.” His efforts paid off dearly when he brought in touted dream pop outfit Real Estate in 2012. “We sold out completely within two weeks of announcing that one and two months prior to the show happening. There are plenty of personal favorites that likely didn’t bring a huge crowd, but the larger artists we’ve worked with are the ones that make the job most rewarding.” Osborne’s highlights include Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, Kurt Vile, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, and two past Deafheaven dates. FOR MARK OSBORNE , music
LESS THAN A MILE AWAY, in a former firehouse in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood,
Gallery5 (200 W. Marshall St.) acts as a hub for creativity of all stripes, providing a space where visual and performance art can live alongside musical performances booked by director Nick Crider. “It’s an eclectic space for the Richmond community and national and regional acts to showcase their talent. I feel like it’s got a lot of character, but in my eyes, I see it as blank walls and a blank stage waiting for people to show what they can do. Like a fellowship hall.” Crider remembers a night when that sense of community played a crucial role, crossing the audience-performer threshold to provide some timely stability. “During
a Lightning Bolt show about two years ago, the drum kit was going everywhere and sliding around, and the crowd crowdsurfed a cinder block up to the drummer. Everybody was just grinning ear-to-ear. Those are the moments that keep you going, because it’s not always fun and peachy.”
More Venues for Music Lovers Balliceaux 203 N. Lombardy St., Richmond BalliceauxRVA.com Cary Street Café 2631 W. Cary St., Richmond CaryStreetCafe.com
is that you don’t have to be a director or booking agent to get a comprehensive view of the sounds you The Hippodrome 528 N 2nd St., Richmond can hear on a night out in Richmond. Just HippodromeRichmond.com follow Linda Angel’s lead. Angel has been volunteering for more Innsbrook After Hours 4901 Lake Brook Dr., than 10 years as an usher at the spaces now Glen Allen called the Altria Theater (6 N. Laurel InnsbrookAfterHours.com St.) and the Carpenter Theatre (600 E. Richmond Coliseum Grace St.), both part of 501c3 organization 601 E. Leigh St., Richmond CenterStage. “When the Car- Richmond RichmondColiseum.net penter Theatre reopened,” Angel recalls, “the acoustics were so much better, and I think the Altria is absolutely gorgeous now that they have reopened it.” Last November, the Altria Theater played host to The Book of Mormon, which was “absolutely awesome,” says Angel. “The TOP: Inspectah Deck singing and the dancing were superb. I don’t at The Broadberry think a better show has been to Richmond.” BOTTOM: Antero at The Camel. And you can take her word for it – Angel’s Photos by Ashly scorecard goes back decades, to when the Covington / Covington Altria Theater was known as The Mosque. Imagery “I have lived here all my life, and I can remember the Temptations coming to the Mosque. I graduated from high school [at] the Mosque. That place has been here for a lot of years and served a lot of purposes.” Given that wealth of experience, it would be easy for nostalgia to kick in. But to Angel, the future is even brighter, and she echoes the optimistic tone you hear so often when talking to those involved in Richmond’s music scene: “I’ve met so many people, and the shows are just absolutely fantastic … They get better and better every year.” RC THE GOOD NEWS
HISTORY
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LIVING IN HISTORY by Jeff Majer
WHEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE , does it matter if the build-
ing is filled with stories? What if those stories involve cultural icons, a one-armed explorer, or impenetrable security? If so, downtown Richmond may be the answer. The Locks at 311 S. 11th St. is a good place to start. The complex of five buildings spans much of Richmond’s recorded history. The most prominent was built in the Italianate style and opened in 1896 as the Old Dominion Tobacco Warehouse and Stemmery, but by 1924, it was part of the Richmond branch of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Built as warehouses, the ornamental style is proof of how prosperous Richmond was at the time. The apartments in the older buildings display a variation of exposed brick and concrete pillars, making every apartment unique. Prior to becoming apartments, the five-building complex was owned by Reynolds Consumer Products, which used them to package and ship Reynolds Wrap until 2009. One of the buildings was dismantled and the only new building in the complex is being built in its place. That new building is expected to open in March of 2015. The company that developed Reynolds Wrap was started in 1919 by R.S. Reynolds. R.S. Reynolds, the nephew of the tobacco baron R.J. Reynolds, founded his company in Kentucky to make foil to line the packages of his uncle’s cigarettes. One of the five buildings, which was built in 1910, has been named Alume in honor of its metallic history. I understand that tobacco history may not seem that impressive. After all, you can’t throw a cigarette in Richmond without hitting some tobacco history. The Locks, however, is surrounded by layers of diverse history. The Locks sits on the Haxall Canal, originally constructed in the 18th century. Also on the canal is the Christopher Newport Cross. The monument commemorates the meeting of one-armed Capt. Christopher Newport and Parahunt, the son of Chief Powhatan. The meeting marked the first English explorers to come to the Richmond area. According to
The First National Bank in 1913. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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HISTORY
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010 research done by The Valentine history center, it seems that the meeting probably took place around 14th Street, a few blocks east of The Locks, but this is where the monument stands for now. Across the water is a brightly colored shell of an old hydroelectric plant that was opened in 1898 by The Virginia Electric and Power Company (aka VEPCO, now Dominion Power) to power streetcars in Richmond. The River City’s urban rails were the first successful streetcar system in the world. The system carried passengers through the streets starting in1888 until it made its final stop in 1949. In 2012, the former hydroelectric plant got a fresh coat of paint as the inaugural site of the RVA Street Art Festival. If old warehouses are not your thing, how about a renovated skyscraper? The First National Apartments at 823 E. Main St. are housed in the first skyscraper in Richmond. When the building opened as the First National Bank in 1913, its 19 stories made it the tallest building in the city until 1930. The developers that renovated the building left the details that speak to the wealth of a bank that builds the tallest building in the city. Intricate woodwork and old safety deposit boxes decorate the common spaces. The security of the building goes beyond its key cards. As you move from machine to machine in their fitness center, sweat drips in what was the bank’s old drive-through. The vault doors remain as a motivator for your workout. That last set of curls won’t seem so hard considering the construction crew had to cut through nine inches of steel and 18 inches of concrete with rebar every four inches just to get that fitness center in the room. Original construction started with the main vault located in the basement. The impressive space is built under the sidewalk on Main Street. It’s currently empty but would make an amazing coffee shop. It’s safe to say, the beautifully decorated, more-than-a-foot-thick, about-six-feettall metal doors are down there for good. If you prefer the glamour of celebrity to finance, The Residences at The John Marshall is only a few blocks away at 101 N. 5th St. The Hotel John Marshall opened in 1929 as the largest hotel in Virginia with its 16 stories. When Hugh Campbell, the owner and operator of the John Marshall Barber Shop, was on History Replays Today, The Richmond History
is the host and producer of History Replays Today, The Richmond History Podcast. Follow History Replays Today on Facebook, Twitter @historyreplays, or on Tumblr. He is also a partner at River City Segs, The Premier Segway Tour Company in Richmond, and a loving father and husband. JEFF MAJER
Podcast, he told me that the barbershop opened in the building on Oct. 29, 1929 – the day the market crashed, causing the Great Depression. Not a great day to open a business. The hotel’s grandeur pushed it through those tough times. The neon sign high above the building, shining the words “Hotel John Marshall,” has become one of the key pieces of Richmond’s skyline over the past 85 years and a reminder of the city’s past. The preserved details inside the building show why folks like Cab Calloway, Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Tyler Moore, and Elvis stayed in the hotel. The floors in many of the common spaces – including the grand foyer, which leads to the two elegant ballrooms – are original. These antique floors allow you to literally walk in the footsteps of history. The building has commercial spaces on the ground level, including the John Marshall Barber Shop, which seems to be
the oldest continuously operating barbershop in the Richmond area, and the new Greenleaf ’s Pool Room. Both skyscrapers are within walking distance of the Virginia State Capitol and Richmond’s Center Stage and offer some of the best views in the city – if you can get an apartment on a high-enough floor. All three buildings offer on-site fitness areas, which seems necessary living within walking distance of the great restaurants and watering holes downtown. But at the Locks, you can visit Casa Del Barco, which is located on site and offers outdoor seating on the canal. If you finish a bottle from their extensive Tequila menu, they will add it to their collection of bottles hanging from the ceiling. That is a symbol of your story being added to the continuing story of these buildings. Visit RichmondNavigator.com for links to more information on these tales of Richmond history. RC
The Locks at 311 S. 11th St. Courtesy of Trevor C. Davis Photography.
RAISING THE BAR
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COZY SPOTS & HOT DRINKS FOR COLD WINTER NIGHTS by Steve Cook / photos by Miguel Betancourt
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T WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT.
The snow was falling heavily. More than a half-foot was already on the ground. The streets were deserted. Supermarket shelves were laid bare of milk, eggs, and chocolate chip cookie dough. In other words, it was the perfect night to head out, on foot, to a cozy neighborhood restaurant and enjoy some camaraderie along with a hot drink. Of course, the above is fictitious. This is Richmond. But it could happen. And even if it doesn’t, we will have our share of cold winter nights when a hot cocktail would be so welcome. With that in mind, my photographer Miguel Betancourt and I set out on a chilly, dreary, late fall afternoon in search of some of the coziest neighborhood hangouts with hot cocktails. We told the bartenders that we wanted something a tad trendier than the hot toddy, which had its origins more than 200 years ago. The history is a bit hazy, but in all likelihood, the drink is of Scottish origin. One thing for sure, Scotland certainly has the weather for the toddy. Although the hot toddy has been produced with a variety of spirits, frequently rum or brandy, it appears that it was originally a simple drink consisting of single malt Scotch, sugar, and water. But as delightful as that might sound, we were looking for something a bit more creative. And because there’s nothing
like a cold night in a cozy bar to stir up one’s appetite, we also asked our bartenders to come up with a hearty appetizer or entrée pairing. We came up with some winners at each of our four stops. Of course (here comes the obligatory disclaimer), we only took a sip at each stop, and we remind you to drink responsibly. But over the next few weeks, I would encourage you to sample these drinks for yourself. With that said, let’s begin our search for hot cocktails at cozy spots for cold winter nights.
The Blue Goat
O
UR FIRST STOP was The Blue Goat. “Since Phil’s [Conti-
nental Lounge] closed,” says bartender Melanie Rasnic, “we’ve become the neighborhood hangout.” Nestled along the avenues of Libbie and Grove, there’s always lively conversation at The Blue Goat’s bar. “We see a lot of the same people here,” Melanie tells me. “The neighborhood has responded very well to having a bar that’s very social. It’s a beautiful bar, but not intimidating or pretentious.” The beverage Melanie serves up was quite delightful. Called the Winter Coat (because, as Melanie says, “It’ll keep you warm”), it includes warm Virginia cider mixed with Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
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According to The Blue Goat’s general manager, Don Carlstrom, the drink also has citrus zest and juice, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, juniper berries, and bitters. The garnish of candied apple and Vannoy ham wrapped around a smoked date made the drink virtually an appetizer in itself. And the appetizer, short rib pie, was hearty enough to be an entrée: braised short rib with mushrooms, onion, and aoli wrapped in phyllo dough. “It’s a spin-off on a Hot Pocket, but more sophisticated,” Melanie says. 5710 Grove Ave. / 804 -288- 8875 / BlueGoatVA.com
The Franklin Inn
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into the city, our next stop was in the Museum District at one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts, The Franklin Inn. Look up “cozy” in your Funk and Wagnall ’s and chances are you’ll see a picture of The Franklin Inn, which first opened its doors in 1930. “It’s the warm people who make this such a cozy spot,” says general manager Dale Barta. “This is just a delightful little spot in the city.” Four booths and about 10 stools at the bar make this tiny spot the ideal hangout. Picture windows on two sides of the room give you a great view of the snowfall. And because many of the regulars live within walking distance, it’s quite convenient OVING DEEPER
Clockwise from top left The Blue Goat's Winter Coat paired with short rib pie; Fan Noodle Bar's Matchacha; The Franklin Inn's Hot Dickens Cider; L'Opossum's mezcal chai.
RAISING THE BAR
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014 on those nights when blizzard-like conditions may produce up to a half-inch of real snow. Dale has a knack for attracting a talented staff of young ladies, all of whom seem to have a flair for the arts. What a nice way to spend a winter’s evening, in conversation with the staff as well as the regulars. Even newcomers are made to feel a part of the gang. Barta served us a delightful concoction that she calls the Hot Dickens Cider, which features the house-made apple cider blend, containing spices like cinnamon, ginger, clove, and more, along with Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum. Just invoking the name of Charles Dickens conjures up images of winter. The drink is quite warming going down, especially if you ask for it with the pulp. For our appetizer, we enjoyed the zucchini fries. These tasty tidbits look like French fries on steroids. They complemented the hot cider perfectly. I’d also recommend you try the crab cakes and chicken wings. The Franklin Inn has its happy hour every day, 3-7 p.m., with a dollar off drafts and two bucks off all appetizers. Domestic bottles are also $2.75 But every day of the week also offers what I like to call Happy Day specials. The drink special for the day runs from open to close. On Monday, bourbon drinks are discounted, along with special pricing on the steak dinner. Tuesday is Tequila and Trivia (trivia from 9-10 p.m.). Wednesday brings specials on pasta and wine, which is discounted by five bucks a bottle and a dollar a glass. Tropical Thursdays highlight rum drinks, and Fridays feature staff’s favorites.
Fan Noodle Bar
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continued into the Fan. How could you not include the Fan District in your search for cozy neighborhood hangouts? It’s always a pleasure visiting with Sonny Kiatsuranon, who runs Fan Noodle Bar along with his wife, Vow. Although the Fan Noodle Bar is indeed a bar, and, with its double-seat stools, perhaps one of the city’s most intimate bars, it’s first and foremost a fantastic restaurant. Sonny is the son of Sue Palaart, the “Mom” in Mom’s Siam. I first met Sonny at Mom’s Siam when he was a teenager. He grew up in the kitchen and he’s learned the art of Asian fusion cooking well. He takes his cuisine very seriously, and it shows in every dish coming out of the kitchen. His noodle dishes are superb. My favorite is the Suki Yaki (Thai hot pot): cellophane noodles with chicken, mixed vegetables, and mushrooms. We also tasted the dumplings (minced pork, crabstick, water chestnut, onion, scallions, and shiitake wrapped in wonton skin) and the Fan spaghetti, stir-fried with sausage, onion, basil, bell pepper, Chinese broccoli, and chili. Sonny and Vow prepared a delicious drink called the Matchacha, which is hot green tea served with coconut rum and Baileys. It pairs well with everything on the menu. UR JOURNEY
2301 West Main St. / 804 -358-2514 / FanNoodleBar.com
L’Opossum
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OR OUR FINAL STOP, we selected one of the city’s newest restaurants. L’Opos-
sum is located in a neighborhood that is quickly being “discovered” by young professionals who, along with students at VCU, are enjoying the appeal of Oregon Hill. From the moment I walked into L’Opossum, I knew I’d found that ideal, perhaps surreal, cozy spot. Owner David Shannon has done wonders with the place.
The walls of the restaurant are covered with his rather eclectic works of art, which he’s been collecting since he was a child. I might not be able to explain why, but this feels like the sort of place where Mary Poppins might dine – the Mary Poppins of P.L. Travers’s novels, not Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins. Check it out and let me know what you think. Regardless of the impression the décor makes on you, you’re going to be wowed by the food and drink. David has crafted a menu, which, while somewhat limited, is as eclectic as his art. This is a place where you can enjoy lingering with friends and neighbors, as the kitchen and bar carefully create works of art. And no, I don’t think I’m gilding the lily. While we waited for our drink and appetizer, I took the opportunity to peruse the art on the walls. Who would have thought that the intriguing portraits and Star Wars collector plates would work so well together? Finally, the pièce de résistance. Let’s start with the appetizer, because it truly was a work of art. David served juniper-encrusted carpaccio of venison, which consists of venison loins rubbed with juniper, rosemary, and black pepper. The venison is then quick seared and shaved thin, and served with rosemary, mustard, lingonberries, and pickled mustard seeds, and finished with baby arugula dressed with roasted shallot vinaigrette. Now that’s what I call an appetizer. Just check out the online menu for other mouthwatering delights. We also enjoyed two hot drink selections. The first was Dreamsicle egg nog, made with warm orange milk, Tito’s Vodka, Bulleit Rye, Appleton Rum, brûléed orange, and nutmeg. Your Dreamsicle pop never tasted so good. We also enjoyed the mezcal chai. This drink, of course, features chai tea, Los Amantes Mezcal, allspice, gram, chocolate bitters, and almond milk. Our visit to L’Opossum made for the perfect dénouement of our enjoyable search. Where you choose to start your search, well, that’s your call. But I’d suggest you check out all four of our cozy neighborhood restaurants regardless of the neighborhood in which you live. Oh yeah, and remember to wrap up real good. It’s cold out there. RC Clockwise from top left Fan Noodle Bar's Matchacha paired with dumplings; L'Opossum's Dreamsicle egg nog paired with juniperencrusted carpaccio of venison; The Blue Goat's Winter Coat paired with short rib pie; The Franklin Inn's Hot Dickens Cider paired with zucchini fries.
626 China St. / 804 -918- 6028 / LOpossum.com
T H E BLU E G OAT H A PPY HOU R Tuesday through Sunday, 4-7 p.m., with a $2 discount on drafts, as well as rail and craft cocktails. Select wines are available at $5 per glass.
FA N NOODL E BA R H A PPY HOU R Every evening, 4-7:30 p.m. Check their website for daily specials on food and drinks.
T H E F R A N K L I N I N N H A PPY HOU R Every day, 3-7 p.m., with a dollar off drafts and two bucks off all appetizers. Domestic bottles are also $2.75.
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