RAISING THE BAR WHAT’S TRENDING
LEGENDS & LEGACIES
FAN MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
RiverCity
PAYING TRIBUTE RICHMOND’S BIG PAYBACK BAND
RICHMOND’S YOUNG ARTISTS ISO GREAT PIZZA TASTEBUDZ
IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN YOU GET HERE, IT’S ALWAYS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF THE DAY
LUNCHORSUPPER.COM 804.353.0111 PATIO NOW OPEN
“Invest in yourself, eat real food!” - R. Lyons
C I T Y O F R I C H M O N D D E PA RT M E N T O F P U B L I C U T I L I T I E S
? DG YOU
Utility Buddy is Richmond’s friendly life-sized natural gas meter.
CALL 8 -1-1
BEFORE
you do. Making You Aware. Keeping You Safe.
Richmond’s Natural Gas Safety Awareness Program
3
NEIGHBORHOODS MANCHESTER
RiverCity JULY/AUGUST 2016
RichmondNavigator.com PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
William J. Davis, Jr. VICE-PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
Cheryl T. Davis EDITOR
Steve Cook CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Taylor Esteves-Pearce GRAPHIC DESIGNER
8
Thinh Nguyen
12
RIVERCITY LIVE PAYING TRIBUTE
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES
Jack Smith
IN SEARCH OF: PIZZA
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Jimmy Davis PHOTOGRAPHERS
Melissa Brugh Temple Hill Carly Shaia CONTRIBUTORS
Meredith Dauksz Davy Jones Whitney Kiatsuranon Jody Rathgeb Carly Shaia Angela Weight
In This Issue
ADVERTISING
LEGENDS & LEGACIES
ONLINE // SOCIAL
06
18
Fan Museum of Architecture
Appetizer and Drink Specials
HAPPY HOUR GUIDE
10
19
Creative Energy
Cocktail Trends
RICHMOND'S YOUNG ARTISTS
22
News from Richmond’s Dining Scene
Food & Fun
GENERAL // EDITORIAL INFORMATION
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.
DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT
About Our Cover: Local investors and developers are changing the face of Old Manchester. When completed, the 7 West town homes, located at the base of the Manchster Bridge at 7th Street and Semmes Avenue, will provide residents with an unparalleled view of the James and the Richmond skyline. Discover Manchester from its humble beginnings to today and take a look at some amazing plans for the future in our cover story beginning on page 3. 2 RiverCity
RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Twitter.com/RichmondNav
RAISING THE BAR
14
TASTEBUDZ
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
RAISING THE BAR WHAT’S TRENDING
LEGENDS & LEGACIES
FAN MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
RiverCity
PAYING TRIBUTE RICHMOND’S BIG PAYBACK BAND
RICHMOND’S YOUNG ARTISTS ISO GREAT PIZZA TASTEBUDZ
All articles and contents of this magazine are not necessarily the opinions or thoughts of RiverCity magazine, Advertising Concepts, Inc or the publisher.
FEATURE
JULY/AUGUST 2016
MANCHESTER –
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
“MANCHESTER IS A SMALL DECAYING TOWN IRREGULARLY BUILT ON IRREGULAR GROUND. NOT A TREE EXISTS TO ENLIVEN THE DEAD APPEARANCE OF ITS WOODEN BUILDINGS.”
Those rather uncomplimentary words, penned by William Henry Latrobe in his diary for April 19, 1796, while somewhat of an exaggeration, epitomize the rather bad press which the town of Manchester, now a part of Richmond’s Southside, has had to endure for centuries. The good news is that the Manchester of today is much more than decaying wooden buildings. In fact, the future of Manchester appears to be brighter than ever.
FROM THE COOK COLLECTION, THE VALENTINE
MANCHESTER’S ROCKY PAST
First, a little background on this often-unappreciated neighborhood. Before the English arrived here in the early 1600s, the Native Americans were calling this piece of land “Manastoh.” It was located at the falls on the south side of Powhatan’s River. Following the Anglo-Powhatan wars of 1644 to 1645, which concluded with the English taking possession of the region, Fort Charles was erected, first on the north side of the river which the British had taken to calling the James. The fort was soon relocated to Manastoh. As the British were wont to do, Manastoh was renamed Rocky Ridge. In 1769, Rocky Ridge was incorporated as a town in Chesterfield County, with the name Manchester. The town became a major seaport and was a port of entry for slave ships. Coal, which was being mined about 13 miles away in Midlothian, was transported overland and shipped out of Manchester, which had also become a center for the burgeoning tobacco trade. In 1874, Manchester became an independent city, no longer a part of Chesterfield County. Docks, warehouses, mills and foundries, along with somewhat rudimentary housing for the workers who flocked there, began to dot the landscape, as this young city came to play a significant role in the economic development of the entire region. However, just as the river created a visible demarcation between Richmond and its Southside neighbor, there was always a noticeable difference in the level of development between the two cities. Manchester was a strong working class community. But to many Richmonders, it was considered to be on the wrong side of the river. In the 1860s, the plight of Manchester became fodder for public discussion as letters written by, apparently, a young female mill worker who called herself “Struggle,” began to appear in the Richmond Dispatch newspaper. In addition to decrying the poor conditions for workers in the local mills, “Struggle referred to the streets of
Manchester as “elongated mud holes with fancy names,” adding that Manchester’s homes looked as if they had been “thrown up helter skelter by Noah’s flood.” William Hatcher was a pastor at one of Manchester’s many churches at the time. When his parishioners would voice their concerns on the matters which “Struggle” was addressing in her letters, the preacher, seemingly, took very little personal interest. However, what Pastor Hatcher never revealed to anyone else is the rest of the story. “Struggle” was not a young woman toiling in the mills, but was none other than William Hatcher, himself. His letters brought light upon conditions that, no doubt, contributed to Manchester’s coming to be known as Dog Town. Some say the moniker was given simply because everyone in town owned a dog. Others say Richmonders coined the term as an expression of derision. In 1910, the state legislature approved a merger of the two cities. Manchester, as an independent city ceased to exist, becoming the “Southside” of Richmond. The entire region began to experience considerable growth. Much of which sprang from the increased shipping business along the river during World War I. Surrounding neighborhoods such as Woodland Heights and Forest Hill sprang up. This expansion continued until the Great Depression. But even up until the 1960s, Manchester’s main thoroughfare, Hull Street, enjoyed a flourishing retail business. However, as retailers began a westward migration into Chesterfield, that once-thriving corridor deteriorated into a boulevard of broken dreams. RichmondNavigator.com 3
FEATURE FROM THE COOK COLLECTION, THE VALENTINE
A NEW DAY DAWNS
Happily, that is not the end of the story. In recent years, Old Manchester has begun to experience quite a revival. True, it’s a work in progress, but it’s also true that there are a number of local investors who believe in the future of Manchester. One of the earliest businesses to foresee the future was Sun Trust Mortgage. Commenting on that firm’s move to Manchester in the mid90s, Dorinda Smith, Sun Trust Mortgage’s president and CEO said, “When we relocated our headquarters to the Manchester area, we saw an area of tremendous opportunity.” Smith cites Manchester’s proximity to the river, its parks system and strong local neighborhoods as incentives for the move. “Today, that vision continues to evolve, realized through mixed use developments and the overall expansion of access to park facilities along the river, and so much more,” she adds. “Manchester is also a great place for our teammates, who can enjoy some of Richmond’s most beautiful views and dynamic spaces just outside our offices.” Interestingly, the working class atmosphere that has long been the hallmark of Manchester is a contributing factor in its recent resurgence. “There is a gritty and authentic feel to this historic district that has made it a hotbed for startups and entrepreneurial endeavors,” says Patrick Sullivan, a Realtor with One South Realty Group. Sullivan and associate Realtor, Rick Jarvis, are handling sales for one of Manchester’s newest and most exciting residential properties, 7 West. Sullivan adds that the industrial nature of the neighborhood means a diversity of architecture, size and scale. He says Manchester is not like any other neighborhood in the city.
from the Richmond Times-Dispatch Collection, The Valentine 4 RiverCity
Regarding 7West, a high-rise apartment community perched right on the river, Sullivan says, it is “unlike any other housing available in the city. It offers the best possible views of the downtown Richmond skyline, quick access to the James River and Central Business District, multiple outdoor spaces, generously sized rooms and nearly zero-maintenance living.” Real estate developer Tom Papa is a firm believer in Manchester’s potential. The Brooklyn native sees only good things ahead for the neighborhood. Along with business partner Richard Gregory, Papa is a co-founder of Fountainhead Properties, a development firm that has been instrumental in helping to change the face of Manchester. Papa, a native of Brooklyn, New York, likens Manchester to his hometown. He says that Brooklyn’s mixture of factories, warehouses and eclectic living spaces, have combined, in recent years, to make that neighborhood just across the East River from Manhattan, a hot commodity, attracting a diverse group of residents. “That’s really what I see in Manchester, he adds “It’s absolutely the most accessible downtown area in Richmond. It’s right next to the river. It abuts both the entertainment and the financial districts. Walk across the Mayo Bridge and you cross over four rapids. That’s pretty amazing. It’s a beautiful site with great views of downtown.”
FEATURE
JULY/AUGUST 2016
MANCHESTER’S FUTURE
ARTIST RENDERING OF “WHITEWATER TOWER” THE WORKING, ALTHOUGH UNOFFICIAL, NAME OF A SOON-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED WATERFRONT PROJECT. IMAGE COURTESY OF TOM PAPA
Indeed, the future looks bright for that once “decaying town” along the south side of the river. When asked to describe his vision of Manchester’s future, Patrick Sullivan says, “Continued residential, office and retail growth.” For those seeking to call Manchester their home, he says there’ll be a wider variety of available choices, especially more ownership opportunities – from town homes to single-family, duplexes and condos. Regarding retail growth, Sullivan says, “This has already begun and there should be a lot of exciting growth in the next year. Historic Hull St should become the Carytown South of the James.” Tom Papa is reminded of how dramatically Carytown has changed over the past few years and sees the same sort of change for Manchester. He says that already the Manchester of 2016 is better than the Carytown of the 1980s. Papa agreed that the growth has already begun and predicts that the landscape will significantly change within the next three years. “Manchester welcomes everyone with open arms,” Papa says. “It’s like Brooklyn on the James.”
TOM PAPA, ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF MANCHESTER
RichmondNavigator.com 5
LEGENDS & LEGACIES
‘Fanning’ The Flames Of Architecture by Jody Rathgeb
Architect John Russell Pope was not a Richmonder, or even a Virginian; he was born in New York and kept a residence in Newport, Rhode Island. Yet his designs in early-20th-century Richmond had a far-reaching effect on the city, defining the development of the fashionable and affluent Fan District. Pope’s designs for Broad Street Station (now the Science Museum of Virginia) and a home for financier John Kerr Branch, respectively completed in 1917 and 1919, anchored the growing residential area and set a standard for the socially-conscious Richmonders who continued to change what had once been open farmland into a show of wealth and pre-World War II modernism. Today, Pope’s influence is brought to life at Branch House, now the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design at 2501 Monument Ave. PRIVILEGE AND STYLE
Pope, born in 1874, was a man of his time and class. After earning a degree in architecture at Columbia University, he attended the American Academy in Rome for further design study; did the Grand Tour in Europe to soak in Classical, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance traditions; and attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. On his return to New York in 1900, he worked for architect Bruce Price before opening his own offices. He did not want for commissions. He designed private homes for the wealthy and a number of public buildings in Washington, D.C., including the Jefferson Memorial (1943), the West Building of the National Gallery of Art (1941) and the National Archives and Records Administration building (1935). Other sites of Pope’s designs include New York City, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Far Hills, New Jersey. Pope’s Richmond commissions came in quick succession, and the two buildings display his versatility – from the commercial place in a neoclassical style that is comfortable yet grand t o the Tudor Revival Branch House, a private home planned to make a public statement.
A SHOW OF WEALTH
He was especially in his element with Branch House. The Richmond home was one of three owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Kerr Branch, who also lived in Duchess County, New York, and Florence, Italy. The Branches used Richmond as a winter residence, spending only the social holiday season in the city. “The house was designed for entertaining and to show the wealth of his art collection,” explains Dr. Craig Reynolds, director of the museum now housed there. The Branches filled the home, particularly the showy first-floor gallery, with tapestries, furniture, armor and other art acquired in Europe. The entire first floor, in fact, was always public space for social gatherings. “It is very theatrical in presentation,” comments Reynolds. “It was meant to wow. The objects and the architecture were meant to work together.” Each room in this public space is different from the others in shape, ceiling treatments and materials. Reynolds says that Pope, who ran in the same elite circles as the Branches, certainly understood that the home’s purpose was to underline the financier’s wealth and social status. The house’s size alone is impressive; it is about 27,000 square feet, and the property covers a full block. The choice of Tudor Revival style connects the family with English gentry, and details at every turn emphasize lineage and Old World opulence: • Although the house is constructed of reinforced concrete, a very modern material, floors and walls are given more antique coverings to suggest age. Bricks are irregularly cut and placed, leaded windows are used and fine carving and detailing suggests Old World craftsmanship. • Coats-of-arms set into an exterior bay suggest a noble family. • A wooden screen created in the 20th century is made to look centuries older. • An ornate exterior inscription is a “monument to ancestry,” says Reynolds. It places the family in Virginia 300 years prior to the house’s existence. “This is a clear marker of their Virginia identity,” Reynolds adds.
COURTESY OF CRAIG REYNOLDS
6 RiverCity
LEGENDS & LEGACIES
JULY/AUGUST 2016
MUSEUM MISSION
COURTESY OF PRAKASH PATEL
THOROUGHLY MODERN
Despite these embellishments, the Branch House was a completely modern home with up-to-date comfortable amenities. Reinforced concrete was the latest news in construction, used for the high-rises and skyscrapers of Manhattan. “This house always had electricity, it always had modern plumbing, it always had an elevator,” Reynolds comments. Every guest room had an en-suite bathroom, the dumbwaiter and elevator run the full height of the house, the formal dining room includes a silver safe, and the house had a central vacuum system. A brick wall surrounding the house includes a hidden gate that could swing open to allow cars in from Monument Avenue. Guests were particularly comfortable. Aside from a wing devoted to the family’s private quarters (his and her bedrooms, formal parlor and dining room), the second floor functioned almost as a hotel. A “living hall” was a quasi-lobby, leading to the five guest rooms with modern bathrooms, all oriented toward the south to capture the best light and warmth of winter, when the house was most in use. Even the servants’ quarters on the third floor were comfortable, although not as ornamented as those downstairs, and the elevator and dumbwaiter extend to this area. One surprise here is the series of closets extending the full length of the hallway, which Reynolds explains was for Mrs. Branch’s wardrobe. “Socially, we’re not far off from ‘Downton Abbey’ here,” he comments, referring to the popular television series set in England during periods in which Branch House was occupied. Because the Branches did not spend seasons other than winter at their Richmond house, its gardens and outdoor areas were not often used. Yet there is a large private space in the back that sets off the house from the city, and a rooftop terrace affords lovely views of the Branch domain.
While the upper floors of Branch House are open to the public only during monthly specialized house tours, the daily operations of the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design focus primarily on exhibitions and educational programs that attempt to reveal the beauty of and ignite a passion for design. The museum’s work comments on how humans have shaped their world, starting with John Russell Pope and moving forward. Branch House has little of its original artwork and furnishings; those were donated primarily to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which the Branch family championed from its beginnings. “We are not a collecting museum, and this house was never intended to operate as a historic house museum,” Reynolds emphasizes. It is instead a design museum that just happens to be located inside a house that demonstrates the role of architectural design in the development of Richmond as a modern capital city. From the second floor formal parlor of Branch House, one can look across Monument Avenue toward the Science Museum of Virginia, with its central rotunda capped with a low saucer dome. That public space seems to be in dialogue with the grand private home of a socially prominent citizen, saying, “This is a great and important city. This is Richmond.” Info: The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design – 2501 Monument Ave.; 804-644-3041; BranchMuseum.org.
COURTESY OF HANNAH LEVY RC
RichmondNavigator.com 7
RIVER CIT Y LIVE
Paying Tribute:
Kelli Strawbridge and Richmond’s Salute to James Brown “The road goes on forever and the party never ends.” -Robert Earl Keen
Art gives us a chance to taste immortality. Artists can die knowing their creations will live on, and even centuries later fans can connect with the genius inherent in those creations. But unlike sculptors or filmmakers, musicians are expected to drive around recreating their art night after night, and as a result, a tremendous void is left behind when they die. James Brown died on Christmas of 2006, but his legacy, even before then, had proven to be an enduring one. As one of the key innovators of funk music, and the widely proclaimed Godfather of Soul, Brown’s influence can be felt anytime a band puts extra emphasis on “the one” -- the first beat of a measure. But if you’ve heard his other nickname, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, or seen videos of Brown doing the splits with sweat pouring from his brow, you know that his death left an especially large absence. His absence is significantly smaller for Richmonders, however, because of The Big Payback, an almost 10-year-old tribute band made up of some of the city’s finest musicians, including frontman Kelli Strawbridge. We talked recently about his experience bringing Brown’s music to life. “It’s helped all of us rediscover what we like about James Brown,” Strawbridge said, “and what we like about music…period.” You might have seen Strawbridge’s name in association with a number of other popular Richmond projects — KINGS, Mikrowaves, and Mekong Xpress & The Get Fresh Horns among them — which could make him an unlikely tribute band candidate. And he admitted to some initial trepidation. “We help people look at [tribute bands] in a different way. Tribute bands to me before — I just didn’t like them. It’s all a certain era, they dress like them… I thought about how we were going to present [ James Brown’s music]. I don’t want to wear a wig. I don’t want to talk like him all night. I just want to celebrate it.” It’s easy to paint tribute bands as campy, especially when style — the perfect imitation of a lead singer’s haircut, or a replica guitar worn around the edges just so — can trump substance, but honoring James Brown means bringing to life a musical tradition too vital and exciting to shortchange. And while Brown may have been known as a strict bandleader, Strawbridge embraces the space created by the Godfather’s tight, funky style. “[It’s] so open,” Strawbridge described. “It’s crazy. I was blown away by how freeing it was. It was a freeing kind of thing I’d never felt, ever. The first James Brown scream I was able to let out, I 8 RiverCity
by Davy Jones
MELISSA BRUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
[thought], ‘Whoa. This is awesome.’ You can express yourself without putting on the wig and wearing hokey [stuff].” That sense of respect comes from an appreciation for Brown’s music that goes all the way back to high school. “James Brown was the music that got me into playing drums more,” “and that’s how I practiced drums,” Strawbridge recalled. “So when we put the band together, I already knew all the words. And I didn’t know that I already knew them. I didn’t even know — they just came out. I just remembered them from the 20 All-Time Greatest Hits! I played that over and over when I was a freshman.” Strawbridge even cites Brown as inspiration for learning how to do the splits. “I learned splits from James and also from Prince… I got obsessed with it as a kid, and I learned how to do it.” Watching him perform, with his soulful scream and natural magnetism, you’d think Strawbridge came out of the womb doing the splits. But The Big Payback has been a profound learning experience for its lead vocalist. “I really didn’t know how to sing,” Strawbridge confessed. “This thing put me through the ropes. The Big Payback school helped me figure out how to use my lungs. The screaming, what to wear, everything. I’ve split pants, I’ve thrown up before shows, I’ve thrown up in the middle of shows… I’ve had all kinds of things happen from these gigs. Payback has taught me how to be a frontman.” It’s also placed Strawbridge in the center of an interconnected web of Richmond’s most accomplished musicians. We spoke just before Mekong Xpress & The Get Fresh Horns were set to play The Answer Brewpub on a Monday night, and the connections were all around us. Strawbridge plays in Mekong Xpress with bassist Todd Herrington, who helped found The Big Payback with Dusty Simmons, who plays in an Allman Brothers tribute band called Skydog. And then there’s Bob Miller, a 20-year member of Latin jazz ensemble Bio Ritmo who plays trumpet in both Mekong Xpress and The Big Payback while also contributing keys to Fear of Music, Richmond’s Talking Heads tribute band. And, oh yeah, Dusty Simmons plays in that, too. After Strawbridge went to set up his drum kit, I chatted with Miller about bridging the tribute-original divide, and what makes playing in such different settings worthwhile. “It’s the people you’re playing with, and the people you’re playing to,” he said. Well put. You can catch Kelli in action with The Big Payback at the Broadberry on August 12.
RIVER CIT Y LIVE
JULY/AUGUST 2016
As one of those people being played to, I’m in awe of what Richmond’s tribute bands contribute to the music community and of the deep talent pool they draw from. Here are a few of the can’t-miss acts that celebrate legendary acts, past and present. THE BIG PAYBACK
“Splits, hits, turns and segues, it’s all here!” The Big Payback brings James Brown’s soulful sounds to life. facebook.com/jbtributeband FEAR OF MUSIC
A fixture at the Broadberry, Fear of Music pays homage to the jittery art pop of the Talking Heads. facebook.com/Fear-of-Music-248012855336160 FULL MOON FEVER
Prabir Mehta of Goldrush joins members of Long Arms and Horsehead in paying tribute to the music of Tom Petty. facebook.com/Full-Moon-Fever-653096428141650 LIFE ON MARS
Playing hits from the 1960’s forward, Life on Mars celebrates the songs and styles of recently departed icon David Bowie. facebook.com/LifeOnMarsATributeToDavidBowie SKYDOG
Skydog honors Southern rock powerhouse The Allman Brothers. (Original guitarist Duane Allman was nicknamed “Skydog.”) facebook.com/SKYDOG-209430880500 THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND
Drawing from several “yacht rock” artists, Three Sheets to the Wind is one of Richmond’s most popular tribute experiences. yachtrock.biz
ARCpark - A Smart Playground Designed For Everyone
L
ast summer, Richmond became home to a one-of-a-kind playground and park. The ARCpark is uniquely designed to accommodate individuals of varying ages and abilities. Most of its playground features are handicap accessible. In fact, there is a wheel-chair accessible glider as well as a wheel-chair accessible tree house. The 2.4-acre space at 3600 Saunders Ave. near the Diamond, also takes reservations for birthday parties and other group functions. I found myself and my two kids (both under the age of 5) at ARCpark on numerous occasions last summer and have already been several times this year. They love it, I love it, so everyone wins! After all, happy kids do equal a happy mommy. During the lazy days of summer, after the appeal of summer vacation has worn off, you may need to find some activities, and getting your kids outside is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. We usually end up packing a lunch or ordering food from a locally owned restaurant and spending the majority of our day at the park. Don’t worry about the heat though. There are plenty of shaded places to sit and relax while your kids burn off some energy, and if they get too hot, there are misting stations and water tables where they can splash around. In addition to the awesome misting stations (my kids love those), ARCpark also has water bottle filling stations where you can refill your water bottle to ensure you stay hydrated during those hot, humid play dates. So, in addition to being a state of the art facility, ARCpark also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. My kids especially love the sensory wall that plays music and offers various features designed to stimulate touch and hearing. With its multitude of slides and swings and ample space to play, ARCpark is sure to be a family favorite. If you have not yet discovered this
by Whitney Kiatsuranon
Richmond treasure, check it out. Chances are you’ll see the kids and me, eating lunch and bogarting a misting station. To learn more, visit RichmondARC.org
RichmondNavigator.com 9
FEATURE
A CURRENT OF CREATIVE ENERGY Meet Some of River City’s Young Artists
by Angela Weight
One of the things I love most about Richmond is its thriving and eclectic art scene. It’s an influence that isn’t confined to a single district, but can be felt across all neighborhoods. From the quirky, vibrant murals gracing the sides of downtown buildings to nearly a hundred galleries and exhibits featuring every genre you can think of, our fair city is powered by a steady, humming current of creative energy. And the power grid is still growing! Check out these up-and-coming local artists who are adding their own sparks to the wiring of the city’s creative soul.
JESS BROOKS If you’ve ever been to Black Hands Coffee Company in the Museum District, you might’ve enjoyed a warm cup of Joe served in one of potter Jess Brooks’ one-of-a-kind handmade, clay mugs. “I’m making more right now because the store has sold out. I guess that’s a good thing,” laughs Brooks, who exemplifies the concept of doing what you love and loving what you do. Since moving to the River City five years ago, she has garnered quite a following with her splashy, fun and whimsically textured pieces. Brooks, who began her sculpting career at age 16 on a neighbor’s borrowed pottery wheel, refers to herself as a functional potter. “I create items that can be used in everyday life – cups, saucers, vases, mugs, flower pots, teapots and lamp bases. It’s art, but with a practical purpose.” I find this concept to be appealing, since most of us don’t get to venture out to galleries and museums often enough in our nine-to-five lives. For example, eating your morning bagel on a handmade plate adorned with charming patterns that bring a smile. It beats my plain white paper plates any day. To see more of her playful, storybook-inspired creations, follow Claybrook Pottery on Facebook.
DESHIA WILLIAMS In stark contrast to Brooks’ Arcadian body of work, artist Deshia Williams’ boldly colored, megawatt pieces aren’t something you’d eat or drink from, but they do serve up a feast for the senses. Viewing her lightbox creations for the first time, I felt as if I’d been inescapably drawn into a dreamy, soul-stirring kaleidoscope. Equal parts painter, engineer and visionary, Williams’ crafts her designs by applying paint to industrial light boxes and other transparent, Plexiglas surfaces. From there, she adds variable illumination components, which diversify the mood and aura of the colors. The results are awe-inspiring productions that get raves from people of all ages who attend her shows at Richmond’s Art Works, Inc. “The way light changes the surface of an object fascinates me,” notes Williams, whose art career began, oddly enough, during her recovery from a head injury that altered her visual perception. “Transparency is an important part of my work because it’s only through differing approaches that we can fully see an object.” Visit DeshiaWilliamsArt.com to see more of her extraordinary work and learn about her upcoming exhibits.
10 RiverCity
FEATURE
PEYTON MILLIKAN Name a favorite Richmond landmark. Whether it’s a popular restaurant, a park or one of our famous monuments, chances are good that artist Peyton Millikan has painted it. Browsing her website, PeytonMillikan.com, is like strolling down a Richmond themed memory lane. “Look! There’s Joe’s Inn in the Fan! We’ve had so many good times at the bar!” “Hey, it’s the Canal Walk! I remember the first time my dad took me there.” “And that’s Millie’s Tavern in Church Hill!” “I love capturing Richmond landmarks because it’s my way of documenting the city as it is at that moment,” explains Millikan. “My work resonates with people because of their strong connections with the subjects.” It’s one thing to see a painting that reaches out to you, but to also feel a warm kinship with its subject matter is special indeed. I experienced this upon first seeing Millikan’s painting of the Byrd Theater, one of my favorite places in Carytown. “Your technique is so interesting! Would you call your pieces drawings with touches of color added?” I ask. “They sort of hover in between drawing and painting. I’d actually call them ‘painterly drawings,’” muses Millikan. However, you choose to describe her work, one thing is for sure, Richmonders love collecting these artistic snapshots of our fair city. Millikan exhibits her “painterly drawings” at Crossroads Art Center on Staples Mill Road. Some of her prints can be purchased at Orange in Carytown. And you’ll also find her at several local outdoor art shows throughout the year.
JULY/AUGUST 2016
DANIELLE STEVENS Metal smith and jewelry designer Danielle Stevens has mastered the art of commingling precious metals with discarded scrap objects to create remarkable finery. In her Scott’s Addition studio, the VCU graduate crafts rings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces and earrings incorporating artisanal touches that you won’t find in the average jewelry store. She has the gift of seeing beauty and possibility in things most people would view as rubbish. “All my work can be worn and has the same elements of your day-to-day jewelry, but it incorporates elements of nature,” Stevens explains. “I’ll be on a walk and happen upon something like an old hinge or a piece of rusted tin. I can repurpose it in a new piece of jewelry and give it a new story.” The aforementioned piece of rusted tin is now part of a gorgeous brooch. Aside from her repurposed pieces, Stevens gets a lot of business from customers commissioning her to craft one-of-akind pieces such as specially designed wedding rings and other treasured keepsakes. “For instance, someone might bring me their grandmother’s rings or gems and want them created into a brand new piece,” says Stevens. “I’ll work on something for them that’s within their price range, an heirloom that represents their family’s story and can be passed down for generations.” With people desiring and appreciating more authentic items that have special meaning and aren’t just mass-produced, Stevens has created quite a niche for herself in the jewelry business. See more of her work at DanielleStevensStudio.com.
RichmondNavigator.com 11
ISO FL AVOR
In Search Of: Pizza
BELMONT PIZZERIA 602 N. Belmont Ave. 804-888-9861 BelmontPizzeria.com Potato Pizza
Homemade Style-style food is what you’ll find in this small Museum District eatery. Enjoy calzoni, fresh pasta, a variety of sandwiches and, of course, pizza. The sliced potato pizza is just one of hundreds of variations from which to choose. Other special toppings include artichoke, sopressata, eggplant, , prosciutto, sundried tomato, chicken, shrimp, zucchini, sautéed spinach, anchovies, Kalamata olives, ricotta and steak. All of your traditional favorite toppings are also available.
MELLOW MUSHROOM 3012 W. Cary St. 804-370-8210 MellowMushroom.com Thai Dye Pizza
Who could have guessed that with pizzas sporting names such as Thai Dye, Kosmic Karma and Magical Mystery Tour, this unique pizza chain was born out of the free-wheelin’ hippy culture of the 70s? Probably just about everyone. The Thai Dye Pizza starts with an olive oil and garlic base, and is then covered with all-natural grilled curry chicken, mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, and onions. It’s topped with fresh basil, cucumbers and a sweet swirl of Thai chili sauce.
MALDINI’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO 4811 Forest Avenue 804-230-9055 MaldinisRestaurant.com
The Maldini Special Pizza
Maldini’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving brick oven pizza to Richmond’s Southside and bringing classic Italian dishes to your door with their delivery service. Need a little wine to go with your meal? Just give them a ring and they can deliverer that as well. The Special Pizza has all of your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions.
12 RiverCity
FL AVOR
ISO JULY/AUGUST 2016
MARY ANGELA’S PIZZERIA 3345 W. Cary St. 804-353-2333 MaryAngelasPizza.com
Sicilian Style Pizza
Featuring authentic New York and Sicilian style pizzas, along with subs, calzones, pastas, Italian classics and amazing desserts, Mary Angela’s is a Carytown favorite. The handtossed Sicilian pizza allows you to choose from a variety of toppings.
BOTTOMS UP PIZZA
watch trains go by!
1700 Dock St. 804-644-4400 BottomsUpPizza.com
The Mexican Pizza
A Richmond staple since 1992, Bottoms Up serves meticulously prepared dough that takes over 12 hours to prepare in order to ensure that you get the very best pizza every time. As you might expect of a Mexican Pizza, this one is filled with taco-seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, onions and cheddar. It’s topped with lettuce, salsa and sour cream. 1700 DOCK ST. RICHMOND, 23223
804.644.4400 BottomsUpPizza.com
dog friendly patio!
• TWO STORIES OF OUTDOOR DINING • • CONVENIENT TO CANAL WALK & CAPITAL TRAIL • RichmondNavigator.com 13
tastebudz
FL AVOR
by Steve Cook and Whitney Kiatsuranon
I want to welcome Whitney Kiatsuranon as our newest Taste Bud. Whitney and I were both on the prowl around the River City recently checking out the comings and goings (mostly comings) on the restaurant scene. Here’s a roundup of our discoveries.
GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY There always seems to be a party going on at Sabai (2727 W. Broad St.) And now they’re taking the party outdoors, too. I’m talking about their new Beer Garden. Drawing on his experiences in Bangkok and expanding on Sabai’s Thai street food theme, co-owner Brandon Pearson has created a private outdoor dining area. It’s a cool spot, fenced off from the cares and worries of the outside world, where one can enjoy the delicious food and drink for which the restaurant has become famous. The beer garden is open the same hours as the restaurant, which is 5 p.m. ‘til 2 a.m. daily. You can order food up to 1:30. However, here’s a late-breaking update. Sabai is now open for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On those days, they open the doors at 11:30 in the morning and keep ‘em open ‘til 2 the next morning. A little more Sabai can only be a good thing. (SC)
IT’S RIGHT TO BE WONG The River City’s cultural culinary scene was taken to the next level when Chris Tsui opened Wong Gonzalez last month. The restaurant, located at 412 E. Grace St., has a sleek, modern feel to it and features ‘Mexinese’ dishes. What will you get out of ‘Mexinese’ cuisine? Put it this way: The Asian Spiced Whole Squid ($8.00), which is grilled and served with a Thai salad and Malay salsa, is found on the menu just below the Sopa Caliente ($4.00), which is a Tex Mex take on traditional hot and sour soup. The vast menu offers salads, fried rice dishes, noodles, tacos and burritos. And if you care to partake in some tasty libations Wong Gonzalez has a full bar featuring ‘Wongtails’ (that’s craft cocktails in Mexinese). (WK) 14 RiverCity
LA GROTTA BE MOVIN’ ON La Grotta is on the move. Richmond’s legendary Northern Italian-style restaurant will be relocating this summer from their iconic location at 1218 East Cary St. to the old Miller and Rhodes building at 6th and Broad streets. While I am sure they will be missed in the Shockoe Slip area, the new space is in a pristine location and I am very excited to see what they will do with the new spot. (WK)
CARYTOWN’S LOSS IS THE FAN’S GAIN While we are talking about restaurants on the move, Carytown has lost one of its most treasured spots, Secco Wine Bar. After 18 years on Cary Street, the bar closed its doors in mid-June. Owner Julia Battaglini hosted a yard sale at the restaurant’s location stating, “Everything must go.” While patrons of the restaurant will have to find something to do with their idle time, they don’t have to worry long. Secco Wine Bar (Secco 2.0) is set to reopen the first week in September at 325 N. Robinson St. (in the Fan). You can track the progress on their Facebook page. (WK)
JULY/AUGUST 2016
LADYwithSINGS THE BREWS Meredith Dauksz
For each clear day that passes, another garage door window opens at a local eatery, another beer garden grows, another outdoor patio fills up. Breweries everywhere are becoming the new “outdoor activity.” Check out my guide to enjoying some great breweries in Richmond while staying physically fit for the season. No matter what your previous fitness regime may be, my “Beer Fit” plan is a winner. So maybe you have taken a walk on a newly paved part of the Virginia Capitol trail maybe you are super fit and in to spandexcovered biking to Williamsburg on the weekends. The ‘Beer Fit’ recommendation would be bike the trail that connects past to the present and then end (or break) at Stone Brewery. Stone isn’t a local Richmond beer, but hold on a minute before you stick your nose up too high. It’s still a delightful space, scenically tucked away in an industrial haven and its pours actually reflect brewery prices! Somehow in the sudden rise in breweries in Richmond someone forgot one of the initial appeals of local breweries - getting your beer at a lower cost than a bar or restaurant. While it doesn’t have Richmond roots, Stone Brewery holds its brewery roots strong - more Monkey Paw for everyone! Just be sure to get an Uber XL to fit your bikes for the ride home. Day two of your ‘Beer Fit’ plan will proceed with a jog along the Canal Walk until you come upon 7 Hills Brewing Company. It’s best you invite some other friends to meet you - 1. So you can brag about being fit and 2. Because even the non-craft beer enthusiast can drink here- it’s a full bar! On any brewery outing there is always that one friend who you discover doesn’t drink beer. You awkwardly offer to go somewhere else but, alas, your friend insists on sipping water and continuing to make everyone else feel uncomfortable. 7 Hills Brewing Company eliminates that situation by featuring their house brews along with liquor, wine and a full menu. Perhaps the most rigorous of the ‘Beer Fit’ routine is found in Scott’s Addition. Check out a fitness class at Crunch and finish with an IPA at The Veil Brewing Co. The hip and fashionable interior is offbeat and minimalistic. Patrons’ conversations echo, “Dude, did you feel the snake print wallpaper in the bathroom?” Design elements aside; let’s talk beer. I generally stray away from IPAs but was thoroughly impressed with the “IdontwanttoBU” IPA. I learned that when IBU is no longer a component (this is touted as a zero IBU beer), you lose the bitter taste generally associated with this style of beer. I left feeling fit, smarter AND cooler. Side note: if you are into the canned beers from The Veil Brewing Co., be sure to arrive early. There is always a line and they almost always sell out with a new release! Whoever said fitness and beer could not mix was lying. Trust the “Beer Fit” plan. You may not lose any weight, but you sure will enjoy your summer!
RichmondNavigator.com 15
tastebudz
FL AVOR
TAKE NOTE OF THIS NAME CHANGE We were over at Nota Bene recently, getting some pictures for the “Raising the Bar feature” on page ?? Have you ever heard of Nota Bene? Probably, by now, you have. But, just in case you haven’t, that’s the new name of a relatively new and popular Shockoe Bottom restaurant – Pizza Tonight. Owner Victoria DeRoche explains that the name change is just another progression of a business that for the first several years had pizza as a main component. Since 2011, Victoria has been creating quite a buzz among pizza lovers with her mobile wood-fired catering business. “Step by step, we’ve finally landed here, “she tells me. “Here” is her “brick and mortar” restaurant, which opened at 2112 E. Main in late 2015. “Our brand has been based on pizza,” Victoria says, “but we’re so much more.” She tells me that the restaurant, under the direction of chef Randall Doetzer, makes its own pasta, sauces and sausages. They even do their own butchering, using locally sourced products as much as possible, and bake their own breads. Much of the food comes from the wood-fired oven, which had been installed when Azizza’s on Main occupied the space. So why the name "Nota Bene"? “It’s a Latin term meaning take note,” Victoria says. “In scholarly works, when there’s something of importance you’ll see an NB next to it, which means this is of particular importance, take note.” In effect, Victoria says she’s telling Richmond diners, “Take note. This is a special way of cooking. You’re not going to see the things we are doing in most places.” (SC)
LIFE AT THE TOP When one of Richmond’s top bartenders/sommeliers, Sean Repoza, was offered the job as G.M. of the recently opened Kabana, he almost turned it down. Kabana is, of course, the cool new rooftop bar and restaurant atop the 700 Building at 700 E. Main St. “I wasn’t really sold on this project,” Sean admits. “But then they brought me up here and I saw the view.” Ah, the view. It’s that million-dollar view (along with great food and drink) that’s drawing throngs of folks to the top of the two Shamin Group hotels that share the building. Except for the beautiful view of the River City from 20 floors up, you’d swear you were in some cool Miami Beach hotspot. That’s kind of the feel that Sean says architect Michael Sweeney was going for – a beachy, resort type atmosphere. Kabana has that and much more. Both Sean and Kunal Shah, co-owner of Kabana , agree that the whole concept of the nightspot is to create a place where everyone feels welcome. It’s all very swanky, but in a non-intimidating, come-as-you-are sort of way. Shah, who is a partner in the Shamin Group, an area leader in the hospitality industry, and Sweeney have succeeded in creating such a space. I hear that since it opened, there are frequently long lines waiting to get on the George Jetson-like elevator and head for the rooftop. (SC) V IS FOR VICTORIA While speaking with Kunal Shah during my visit to Kabana recently (see story above), he let me in on a little scoop. In addition to Kabana on the roof and Belle & James on the ground level of the building that houses both a Hampton Inn & Suites as well as a Homewood Suites by Hilton, the young entrepreneur has a new venue that he’s working on. It’ll be called the Victoria Room. The room will be used for private parties, but, when it’s not booked, Kunal says, it will be used as a waiting room, of sorts. “If you’re waiting to go to Kabana and the line is long, you can have a cocktail in the Victoria Room, relax for 20 or 30 minutes before getting on the elevator,” he explains. Kunal says the room should be opened by September. (SC)
16 RiverCity
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Join us every Sunday for brunch. It all starts at 11AM with a great brunch menu and Bloody Mary, Mimosa & Sangria Bar.
Restaurant & Bar Hours: Mon.– Thurs. 11:30AM – 11:00PM
GRILL OF MY DREAMS Let’s finish our TasteBudz off with a heads up to those of you who’ll be cooking out over the summer. You may be the greatest grill chef on earth. You may even have an apron to prove it. But all of your skills go to naught if you don’t put a quality piece of meat on the grill. Do I know meat? I didn’t until I got an education just recently from Hunter Hopcroft who owns JM Stock Provisions, the local whole-animal butcher shop at 1531 W. Main St. in the Fan. They also have a shop in Charlottesville (709 W. Main St.). This whole-animal thing is a big deal. When you buy ground beef from JM Stock Provisions, you can be assured it’s coming from a single animal. And you can be sure that it’s a grass-fed, grass-finished steer. Hunter says that guarantees you a lot richer flavor. One thing I do know is that while you don’t want too much fat (about 70/30 mix is good), fat is what makes the burger taste so good. You want the tastiest fat. “You’re really paying for the fat,” Hunter says. He tells me that his dry age blend has the premium fat. His house blend ground beef is great, but the dry age blend has some of the trimmings from the aged loin mixed in. “The beef is so good, you probably won’t need any toppings,” he says. In addition to the house blend and the dry age blend, JM Stock Provisions also sells a bacon blend ground beef. Now I’ve done it. I’ve made myself hungry. Gotta go.
Fri.– Sat. 11:30AM – Midnight Sun. 11:30AM – 10:00PM
The area’s Award Winning Bar and Restaurant with great beer, great food and captivating views of Richmond
Bluegrass/Americana Music Every Sunday Night!
We’re heading back out to find out what’s going on around town. If you’ve have any great dining finds or discovered a new brewery, share your story with us. You might even win a dining certificate for your efforts. We draw winners, at random, from all contributions. Send them to us at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com RichmondNavigator.com 17
HAPPY HOUR GUIDE
FL AVOR
BUDDY’S PLACE
600 N. Sheppard St.; 804-355-3701; BuddysPlace.net MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 3 TO 7 P.M.
House wine - $4.00 $2.50 Domestic Beers Miller Lite & Yuengling (small) - $1.25 Beer, all drafts - $1.00 Off House high balls - $3.50
Bites - $0.50 Mini appetizers - $2.00
ONE MORE THING
Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday featuring Mimosa Pitchers and a Bloody Mary Bar. Brunch is also served on Holiday Mondays.
XTRA’S CAFÉ
3322 W. Cary St. (Upstairs); 804-355-0446; XtrasCafe.com TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday Tacos - $2.00 Tacos Wednesday Bubbly bottles - $10.00 off Thursday-Friday Pitchers - $3.00 off
Saturday-Sunday Bloody Marys -$4.00 Mimosa pitchers - $15.00
ONE MORE THING
Xtra’s Café offers outdoor balcony seating overlooking Carytown.
T-MILLER’S SPORTS BAR
500 E. Broad St.; 804-643-3400; TMillersSportsBar.com MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 4 TO 7 P.M.
Wine by the glass - $4.50 Rail drinks (one mix) - $4.00 ONE MORE THING
Check out their daily lunch and dinner Specials
THE BOAT HOUSE
4708 Old Main St.; 804-622-2628; BoatHouseRVA.com MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 4:30 TO 7 P.M. FRIDAY-3 TO 6 P.M.
Beers, draft - $1.00 Off Well drinks - $3.50 Wine by The glass - $3.00 Off Raw oysters at the bar - ½ off ONE MORE THING
Check their website for a variety of featured events.
BELLY TIMBER TAVERN
1501 W. Main St.; 804-592-5592; BellyTimberTavern.com MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 3 TO 7 P.M.
Beer - $1.00 off Wine - $.00 off $Rails - $3.00 $Nachos, pizza & shrimp (1/2 pound) - $2.00 off Chicken wings (minimum order - 6) 0 $0.75 each MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 7 P.M. TO CLOSE
$2.00 off all drafts
ONE MORE THING
Enjoy Belly Timber at home! Delivery available 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (limited delivery area). 18 RiverCity
FL AVOR
RAISING THE BAR COCKTAIL TRENDS
NOTA BENE
I’M CONSTANTLY AMAZED at the professionalism of the city’s fantastic bartenders. For this issue, we went in search of some of the cool trends in cocktails. Each of the three bartenders with whom we spoke had her or his unique style. All three came up with different drinks and different trends. I found the visit quite educational and refreshingly delicious.
2110 E. Main St. 804-477-3355 • NotaBeneRVA.com When my photographer, Temple Hill, and I paid a visit, Nota Bene had only recently changed its name - from Pizza Tonight. If you want to know more about the rationale behind the name change, check out our TasteBudz column on page ??. Sara Matthews, the G.M. and the lady who heads up the cocktail/bar program at Nota Bene, prepared our cocktail. The Negroni Bianco is a variation on the traditional Negroni. Sara says, “The Negroni is absolutely trendy right now.” It’s not a new drink. The Negroni is said to have been invented in Florence in 1919 after Italian nobleman, Count Negroni, asked the bartender to have his usual Americano amped up by replacing the soda water with gin I have my own theory as to why this old drink is so trendy. The dryness of the Negroni makes it a perfect appetite enhancer. And with the current focus on food and the culinary arts, my guess is that foodies view this
JULY/AUGUST 2016
by Steve Cook TEMPLE HILL
as a great drink to enjoy prior to their meals. When you’re out for an evening of fine dining, you don’t want to start with something that’s going to ruin your appetite. The classic Negroni cocktail calls for equal parts Gin, Vermouth and Campari. Sara’s variation included Plymouth Gin, because of it’s dryness, as well as Cocchi Americano as opposed to the more bitter Campari. She used dry Vermouth, instead of traditional red Vermouth. There might be some truth to the drink’s appetitestimulating properties, because I attacked the charcuterie platter that Victoria DeRoche, the owner of Nota Bene, chose for the pairing. The platter consisted of both a house-made sausage and terrine, as well as prosciutto, Castelvetrano olives, pickled cauliflower and marinated mushroom caps. It was a fabulous appetizer and definitely paired well with the drink.
RichmondNavigator.com 19
FL AVOR
DUTCH & COMPANY
400 N. 27th St. 804-64-DUTCH • DutchAndCompany.com Aaron LeMire, the bar manager at Dutch & Company, takes a very studious approach to his trade. He chose to create a drink that incorporates a trend, which until my visit, I was not familiar with. Perhaps you’ve heard of fat-washing cocktails. The website Drinks.SeriousEats.com explains it this way: “It's actually a clever cocktail technique that adds savory flavor to spirits. To fat wash your alcohol, you just add a liquid like sesame oil or melted butter to a spirit at room temperature. Let it sit for a few hours, then chill everything in the fridge or freezer until the fat solidifies and can easily be skimmed off. The spirit retains the flavors of the fat even after you've done the skimming.” The process allows one to enjoy the flavor without the greasiness. I wish someone could figure out how to do that with bacon. Actually, some do use bacon fat in the fat-washing process. Aaron chose sesame oil for his aptly named cocktail – Open Sesame. He also selected Scotch as his alcohol of choice. He says Scotch works much better than Gin, which is often the alcohol used for fat washing. As regards the inspiration for the drink, he tells me, “It was me wanting to do something that hasn’t been done before.”
He says the flavors of the Scotch and the sesame work well in tandem. “After the fat is skimmed off, leaving nothing but alcohol, the drink is so potent that it is then diluted with more Scotch,” he adds. The Petersburg native, who has been in the business for about seven years, says that he chose to pair the drink with a dish featuring cauliflower that has been prepared four ways – pickled, roasted, dehydrated and pureed, with a raisin puree also included. “I chose the pairing for the earthiness,” he says. “Both the drink and the dish are very earthy. They meld well together.”
In our next issue, we’ll be showcasing some of the city’s most beautiful bars, along with a drink and appetizer at each, of course. Any ideas? Send them to me at Steve@RichmondNavigator.com. 20 RiverCity
FL AVOR
JULY/AUGUST 2016
MY NOODLE AND BAR
Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Ocampo
1600 Monument Ave. 804-308-1613 • MyNoodleAndBar.com My Noodle and Bar is a trendy place in its own laid-back sort of way. Owner Joe Kiatsuranon is always looking for ways to outdo himself, like the time he, virtually on a whim, closed the place down and re-created the entire interior, building “treehouse” private dining areas and installing porch-swing seating. Bar manager Maddy Pere is a perfect complement to the management team. She, like Joe, is always seeking to perfect her craft. One of the trends in the industry, which Maddy uses to full effect is the infused ice cube. “We make a Negroni with Campari in the cubes,” she says. For our visit, Maddy crafted a Spicy Cucumber and Mint Mojito. The drink is made with Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum and Thai chili syrup. The mint and cucumber are frozen in the cube. Not only is this somewhat trendy, but it saves time, says Maddy. She can do her prep work, cutting the garnishes and herbal ingredients, and then rather than having to worry that they may wilt before they’re used, she just freezes them in the ice. Maddy says she makes various versions of the mojito, one of which has smoked grapefruit frozen into the cube. She says that as the ingredients melt into the drink, it makes for an awesome experience for guests. In my opinion, devouring the appetizer was an awesome experience. The spring rolls complemented the drink in a most delightful way. They even kind of looked alike, especially with the drink being served in a bamboo-styled glass. I think that the next time I’m there, I’m going to have that drink and that appetizer and sit on the fantastic patio and enjoy the view. It’s nice to have my life planned out so beautifully.
STOCK PROVISIONS AWARD WINNING WHOLE-ANIMAL BUTCHERY AND SPECIALTY GROCER
Large selection of Artisanal Cheeses!
Local, Pasture-Raised Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Lamb House-Made Sausage, Bacon, and Deli Meats 1531 W. MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, VA 23220 | 804-257-4300 709 W. MAIN STREET, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903 | 434-244-2480 www.stockprovisions.com Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Free Parking Next to Building
RichmondNavigator.com 21
FEATURE
DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT Want a little music with your meal. There are plenty of options in River City. Here are a few of our favorites…
THE TOBACCO COMPANY
1201 E Cary St. 804-782-9555 TheTobaccoCompany.com
The Tobacco Company hosts live music every Thursday through Saturday in the first floor atrium bar. Dine on tasty American cuisine, sip a Mason Cocktail and enjoy rock, jazz and more.
KAMPOT AT BALLICEUX
203 N Lombardy St. 804-355-3008 BalliceauxRVA.com
Enjoy a combination of Thai and French flavors at Balliceux along with live music every Thursday through Sunday (and often Tuesday and Wednesday, as well). They’re also known for their craft cocktails.
22 RiverCity
FEATURE
JULY/AUGUST 2016
BEST CAFÉ at the VMFA
200 North Blvd. 804-340-1400 VMFA.museum
Come into the VMFA’s Best Café on Thursdays for the Dominion Jazz Café. The Richmond Jazz Society brings new and returning bands each week. The VMFA also offers bands during First Fridays, tango on every third Friday, and free tours every fourth Friday. The museum has extended hours during Thursdays and Fridays for these events too.
CAPITAL ALE HOUSE
623 E. Main St. 804-780-2537 CapitalAleHouse.com
Head in to Capital Ale House’s Downtown Richmond Music Hall after a long day in the office and have a drink while listening to great music from such performers as Markey Blue (July 21), Stray Birds (July 29), and Killer Tofu (Aug. 26).
RichmondNavigator.com 23