West End's Best Mar/Apr 2018

Happy Hour Guide : Events Calendar : Tastebudz News

March / April 2018

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dward D. Barnes

is the Founder and President of Barnes & Diehl, P.C. He has been practicing law for over 46 years. He handles family law cases of all types and levels, including the very highest level of complex equitable distribution, Elder law, and estate planning.

Mr. Barnes is chair and founder of the National Center for Family Law Studies at the University of Richmond School of Law. He is an adjunct instructor, teaching Ethics in Family Law at the University of Richmond School of Law. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section. He is Past President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter. For several years, he has been named a Top 10 and Top 100 Super Lawyer in Virginia by SuperLawyers® as published in Richmond magazine. Mr. Barnes is again listed in Best Lawyers in America® for 2018 and has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for family law in Richmond for several years. He was the inaugural recipient of the “Leader in the Law” award in 2006, which is a recognition sponsored by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. He has been named a Legal Elite® by Virginia Business Magazine every year. In 2006, he was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, for the University of Richmond School of Law, and he has served as President of numerous local bar associations.

Ed frequently speaks throughout the state on behalf of the Virginia State Bar, through their Virginia Continuing Legal Education Program. He has presented continuing education courses for over 20 years. Annually, he gives an update on family law, at four locations in Virginia, for the Virginia State Bar. He has authored chapters in several family law books published by the Virginia State Bar Continuing Legal Education.

Ed is active in his church and in his community.

He is a licensed, instrument rated airplane pilot since 1978. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1966-1969).

Barnes & Diehl would like to welcome back to the firm, as a Shareholder, Brandy M. Poss.

B

randy Poss grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She attended Wake Forest University. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Brandy went on to the University of Richmond School of Law where she graduated cum laude.

While attending the University of Richmond, she was a staff member of The University of Richmond Law Review; a Senior Staff Member of the Richmond Journal of Law and Technology; and she was also a member of the McNeill Law Society.

Brandy has been licensed to practice law since 2003 and began her career with Barnes & Diehl, P.C., in 2002 as a summer law clerk. Since the beginning of her career, she has focused her practice on family law. Brandy handles adoption cases and all issues in divorce matters including complex property distribution, child custody and visitation cases, and spousal and child support issues.

In addition to representing clients in all phases of family law matters in the Circuit Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Brandy has extensive experience in appellate law with a focus on family law issues. Her ability to research legal issues thoroughly and her excellent writing s kills have led to many successful appeals for her clients.

Brandy has written numerous articles for Virginia Continuing Legal Education programs including the Update on Virginia Family Law and What Every Virginia Lawyer Should Know About Divorce. She has authored publications addressing the use of electronic evidence in family law cases, relocation in custody matters, and ethics in family law. Brandy has also taught seminars on family law topics, such as adoption issues and preparing for appeals in family law cases.

Her attention to detail and focus on her clients’ goals have proven successful. Brandy has been selected to Super Lawyers in Virginia, as published in Richmond Magazine, every year since 2013. She was voted a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyer’s Magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Brandy lives in Chesterfield, Virginia with her husband and two sons.

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CONTENTS MARCH / APRIL 2018

18

35

20 10 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

He literally wrote the book on training new surgeons, while pioneering less invasive treatments for aortic aneurysms. And he’s on your

A cardiovascular surgeon with an Ivy League background, Dr. Steven Fiser has authored books studied by the next generation of heart care experts. And each day, his knowledge is shared with Richmond’s best physicians, nurses and support staff— his teammates on the Heart Team at Bon Secours. When it comes to your heart, the team you choose makes all the difference. Shouldn’t you have the best one possible? bonsecours.com/heart-team

FIRST OF ALL

18 Regency

SENIORS

24 I Miss Dr. Hilstrom

HEALTH

30 It’s Superfoods!

32 Dare to Bare Your Legs

FLAVOR

37 In Search Of: Comfort Foods

32

40 Tastebudz 44 Happy Hour Guide

HOME

62 Whose Sod Are You On? 68 Making A Splash

TRAVEL

54 Kilmarnock

48

26 12 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

From the Editor

Contributors

In my last editor’s letter (January/February 2018), I wrote that I don’t really ever read the editors’ letters in most magazines. I speculated that no one else does either. Well, as usual, I was wrong. I heard from quite a number of you who took the time to let me know that you do read them. So, I guess I better give a little thought to what I’m going to write this time. I am still not of the opinion that I need to tell you about what you’ll find in this magazine. I may not make it sound as tantalizing as it is and you may not go any further. I could regale you with tales from my boyhood. But my wife has informed me that that’s become pretty tedious. I could share some of my haiku.

But I hate Haiku Haiku never seems to rhyme That’s not poetry So, I’m going to write about something that we’ve been talking a lot about here in the office. All of us are pretty much in agreement that we are sick and tired of all the negative news stories out there these days.

Now, admittedly, we need to know the news and there are sources for legitimate, honest news, although, it’s getting harder and harder to tell just who is being objective in their reporting.

I used to be a news reporter both on radio and in newspapers. But I’m glad I’m not writing news anymore. The thing that I like about Richmond Navigator Media publications is that we only write about the cool things that the area has to offer, the people, the events, the businesses.

Again, there is a place for negative press, but it’s not in this magazine. We try to position our editorial in a way that comes across as neighbors sharing good things with neighbors.

For instance, let’s talk about our restaurant and dining coverage. I don’t love every restaurant I visit. I don’t love every dish on the menus in even my favorite restaurants. But I’d much rather share a good dining story with you than tell you about a miserable meal I’ve had.

However, even if it’s an advertiser, we’re not going to tell you something is great, if, in our opinion, it ain’t so great. Years ago, we were doing a feature on our favorite desserts. A local restaurant, which I happen to like very much, sent over some samples. Even though I love the restaurant and even though they were advertisers, we weren’t impressed with the samples they sent. So, we simply left any mention of them out of that feature. You know the old saying — If you can’t say something nice, don’t’ say anything. Well, we practice that in our publications. I think there’s a market for feel-good stories. What do you think?

It’s not that we’re all that nice, ourselves. I complain about lots of things. But I don’t use the magazine to do it. Except, of course, about editors’ letters. And for that I truly apologize.

Steve Cook,

Steve@RichmondNavigator.com

Ashley Jefferson

Ashley is a travel and lifestyle writer from Washington, D.C., who loves scripting articles for the not-so-rich Millennial. A welcome addition to the Richmond Navigator Media family of writers, she authored our article “The Secret Society of Manchester” in this issue of West End’s Best/River City. She currently lives in downtown Richmond with her fiancé and their dog, Asha.

John Stoner

John has been drinking craft beer for decades, since before craft beer was called “Craft Beer.” He says he has never had an IPA that was too hoppy for him. John has visited breweries and beer festivals all across the country, and has brewed beers that have won awards in national beer competitions.

He knows a bit about wine as well, calling himself “knowledgeable about wine and passionate about beer.” He’s also a recovering attorney, but, he implores, “Please don’t hold that against me.”

Melanie Rasnic

Melanie Rasnic is a Richmond area native and a big fan of all things RVA. She graduated in 2014 from VCU with her bachelor’s degree in science, and in 2017 from Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia with her master’s in physician assistant studies. She is thrilled to be back home and promises to never leave Richmond for that long again.

Maria Tucciarone

In Our Next Issue:

Where are you going on vacation this year? Don’t make any plans until you read the May/June issue of West End’s Best Magazine. We’ll tell you about a vacation destination that offers history, amazing museums and galleries, exciting music and theatrical venues, amazing dining options and unique accommodations. It’s called Metro Richmond.

Discover this cool area in our next issue.

14 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

Maria is a poet at heart and tends to think in iambic pentameter. She has written two books of sonnets: In Shakespeare’s Shadow and Broken Birds. Her books can be found in Richmond bookstores and online at any major retailer. She is currently working on her third volume of poetry. Maria loves the literary scene in Richmond. She has been published nationally in Tea Time Magazine and locally in magazines and anthologies. When she’s not writing, Maria may be found with her nose in a book or hunting for treasures at antique shops.

Her best friends are her husband, Tom, a musician, and her children, Holden and Felina.

Combining the power of Magazine Media with the impact of Direct Mail, Richmond Navigator has been publishing beautiful four-color lifestyle magazines – presently one of the fastest growing media in the United States – for more than 20 years.

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Introducing the latest member of our family – this helpful, attractive guide to the best of the Richmond region will be popular with visitors and newcomers as well as long time residents.

To support and complement our growing family of print publications, Richmond Navigator expertly utilizes the best of social media to keep our followers and viewers informed and up-to-date. RichmondNavigator. com houses the best of our print in addition to unique interactive digital content. It is an increasingly popular resource for those who turn to electronic media to stay informed.

CAR WASH NOW OPEN IN THE WEST END PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER

William J. Davis, Jr. VICE-PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER

Cheryl T. Davis DIRECTOR OF SALES AND OPERATIONS

Paul Pearlman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Steve Cook ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tammy Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michael Lay GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ryan Hooley DIGITAL MANAGER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Joey Wharton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Jimmy Davis PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jimmy Davis, David Masucci, Jacob Sargent, Joey Wharton, Josh Young ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BigStockPhoto.com CONTRIBUTORS

Zach Brown, Averill P. Byrd, Tom Gresham, Ahsley Jefferson, Whitney Kiatsuranon, Lisa Puster, Melanie Rasnic, John Stoner, Maria Tucciarone, Angela Weight, Constance Whitney, Josh Young INTERN Cosima Pellis ADVERTISING

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ABOUT OUR COVER

The poet Shelly Percy wrote: “O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Here’s hoping that by the time you see our cover, you’ll be experiencing all the glory of spring, and all the fun.

Our Richmond Navigator Springtime Fun Guide has a variety of great ideas to help you enjoy the season. But, just in case there’s still a chill in the air, check out our search for Comfort Foods. It’s all right here in this issue.

16 West End's Best

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West End's Best 17

FIRST OF ALL

REGENCY

Planning for the Future While Embracing its Past

by Tom Gresham

hen Regency Square opened in 1975, it was the first enclosed m a l l in the West End. Julie Hall remembers how exciting that was.

The mall was more than just a place to shop. It was also a social space that felt new and fresh.

Hall envied the kids whose parents let them hang out at the mall on their own. “It was definitely the place to go for independent middle school and high school kids,” she said.

“Moms would drop off station wagons full of kids to wander the mall for hours.”

Hall didn’t have that freedom yet, so for her, the mall was a captivating place she visited with her family. She fondly remembers trips with her grandmother to shop for shoes, grab a slice at Orange Bowl Pizza or a burger from Burger Chef, peruse the clothes at Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers, and then stop by Hickory Farms for cheese — “all without ever moving the car.”

“Sometimes we rode the glass elevator by Sears just for fun,” she said.

“That was a novelty back then.”

Hall also has vivid memories of going to Farrell’s for ice cream treats as part of birthdays and other celebrations and enjoying sandwiches at Mr. Dunderbak’s (a favorite of Hall’s mother, who is half-German). At the Magic Pan, Hall tasted crepes for the first time — and “they were fantastic,” she remembered. Perhaps most fascinating for Hall as a child was Spencer’s Gifts and its rich inventory of gag items, which were always good for a laugh and “sometimes an education since not everything was ageappropriate.”

Perhaps most fascinating for Hall as a child was Spencer’s Gifts and its rich inventory of gag items, which were always good for a laugh and “sometimes an education, since not everything was age-appropriate.”

18 West End's Best

“We were really drawn to Regency,” Hall said. “It was convenient, provided entertainment and you always saw people you knew when you went there.”

More than 40 years after its opening, Regency remains a local institution that

RichmondNavigator.com

aspires to be more than just a place people go to shop. The mall, which is the only indoor shopping center in the West End, is undergoing major changes designed to maintain that mission, said Julie Gordon, marketing director for Regency. That starts with the shopping center’s name, which dropped the “Square” to become just “Regency” — because as Gordon points out, “everyone calls the center Regency anyway.”

Among the changes are a series of road improvements along Quioccasin Road, designed to improve traffic flow and give the mall increased visibility from Parham Road. Regency also has almost 44,000 square feet of new retail development in the works, including new dining options that include Starbucks, Chipotle and MOD Pizza.

Gordon said other ambitious renovation plans include rooftop dining, a new movie theater and a trampoline park. The center will incorporate mixed-use concepts and strive to be more pedestrian-friendly with green space for concerts and kids’ activities.

Gordon has deep ties to Regency. One of her first jobs was working at The Limited during high school and college, and she spent more than eight years as a part-time concierge at the center’s information desk. She understands as well as anyone Regency’s legacy and the role it has played in many Richmonders’ lives. She said that history helps explain the support she has witnessed for its revitalization efforts.

“People are rooting for Regency to succeed,” she said.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 19

FIRST OF ALL

The Richmond Navigator Guide to

Springtime Fun

by Whitney Kiatsuranon

W

ith spring upon us, warmer weather and longer days are just around the corner. That means it’s time to break out of winter hibernation and go enjoy some of the area’s many festivals. So, if you’re in or around the Richmond area, we’ve compiled a small list of events to help you discover what fun is in-store for you.

First on the to-do list is the Symphony Pops 4: Motown’s Greatest Hits at the Carpenter Theater at 8 p.m. March 24. The warm sounds of Motown hits from Conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin, featuring the Motortown All-Stars, are sure to get you ready for those steamy summer nights ahead. You’ll revisit great tunes from classics like The Temptations, The Miracles, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Reach out to them at PatronServices@RichmondSymphony.com.

Next on our spring festival bucket list is the Historic Garden Week, Richmond style, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 26. It will feature tours of the beautiful grounds at the Boxwood Garden Club, the James River Garden Club, Three Chopt Garden Club and Tuckahoe Garden Club at Westhampton. I can’t think of a better way to get inspired for your spring planting ideas.

Admission is $45 per person in advance or $50 per person the day of the tour. For more information please see their website; VaGardenWeek.org.

20 West End's Best

Mud thrashers, climbers, bikers, runners, nature lovers and music fans will want to catch all the amazing athletes and entertainers at the Dominion Energy Riverrock festival May 18 to 20 at Browns Island.

This three-day event, which puts James River and Downtown Richmond on display, features a variety of sporting events, musical entertainment and an interactive village. Get all the details at RiverRockRVA.com.

Nothing ushers in the summer like the 42nd annual Richmond Greek Festival, which will be held June 1 to 4 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave. In addition to indulging your every ‘Opa’ moment, you can take some Greek food home with you at the drive-thru window. For a to-go menu or more information, visit GreekFestival.com.

RichmondNavigator.com

If you care to take a little road trip around the beautiful Commonwealth, you are likely to stumble upon a festival or two that isn’t confined to River City. We’ve rounded up a few that just may pique your interest in easing that winter-time cabin fever.

Once we have finally made it to June, I think it’s time for some wine and fine artistry, along with kidfriendly activities. Welcome to the Spring Jubilee at Rassawek Vineyard. The annual event, held June 2 and 3 at 6276 River Road West, will feature horsedrawn carriage rides, a multitude of fine wines and lots of family-friendly fun. For more information, visit Rassawek.com.

After all that wine at Rassawek, you’re sure to be hungry, and Richmond does food better than most of the bigger metropolises in the country. If you haven’t been to Broad Appetit yet, bring your appetite to Broad Street, between the 100 and 300 blocks, on June 3. You can enjoy reasonably priced small plates from local vendors during one of Richmond’s most eco-friendly festivals of the year. Proceeds will benefit Feed More, a local non-profit that helps provide food to Central Virginia’s most vulnerable residents — children, families and seniors.

For more information on where to nosh and how to get involved visit BroadAppetit.com.

Fans of motor sports will want to make plans for the weekend of March 23 through 25 in Martinsville. It culminates in the STP 500 on Sunday, the 25th at Martinsville Speedway. Thrill seekers and die-hard fans can find special offers, tickets, accommodations and the weekend itinerary at MartinsvilleSpeedway.com.

Should racecars not be your cup of tea but you still love the idea of racing, perhaps you need to put your feet to the street in the Lorton Prison Break Dash on April 15 at the Old Lorton Prison Complex. Picture the scenario: You’ve busted out of the pen. Besides the dogs and the cops, you should probably be afraid of all the escapees running alongside you. Run through three full prison grounds. If you escape to freedom, you’ll be met with wine and a prison buffet. To register, go to PrisonBreakDash.com Once you’re done running from the cops (in Lorton), hop a freight (better yet, drive) to Franklin County, the “Moonshine Capital of the World.” On April 22 from 1 to 5 p.m., take the Moonshine Express in Rocky Mountain. Learn the ins and outs of making moonshine; how to make it, why it was made, and where it could be found. Check out the history museum at 460 S. Main St., Rocky Mount, Virginia.

On May 12th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Deltaville will be hosting its 5th annual Seafood Festival, celebrating life on the waterfront. Get on down to Deltaville and check out the foods, arts, crafts and vendors. Ride the trolley or dare to climb the rock wall. For more information, visit DeltavilleSeafoodFestival.com Don’t worry. Once you have recovered from all these fun events, we will be sure to have more posted at RichmondNavigator.com.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 21

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March / April 2018

2004 Staples Mill Rd westendannquemall.com 804.359.1600

West End's Best 23

SENIORS ADVENTURES IN AGING

I MISS DR. HILLSTROM.

H

by Constance Whitney

e was our family doctor while I was growing up. He was present at my birth and those of my sisters. He gave us our inoculations, set our various broken bones, taped up sprained ankles, and occasionally treated us for infections (most of which he would classify as creeping crud, a catchall phrase for every minor illness that plagued us). He also handled my mom’s hysterectomy, my father’s skin lesion removal and my sister’s appendectomy. When my little sister and I were still prepubescent, we’d ride our bikes up to the doctor’s office in the summer to get her allergy shots (yup, he handled that too!). It didn’t really matter what was wrong with you, the answer was always, “go see Dr. Hillstrom.”

Last month, my current family practitioner changed her field of practice, and I was left to find a new provider. Hoping (naively it seems) that I could locate another “Dr. Hillstrom,” I began shopping around. My requirements were simple: I needed a provider to handle all the normal stuff. My first stop on this quest was to call my insurance company for advice. Big mistake!

Tami, a wonderfully perky millennial who was my service rep, asked me no less than 36 questions — Did I have this? Was I being seen for that? Did I smoke? Did I work out? The barrage of inquires went on and on. Having completed her matrix of qualifiers, she then asked me if I was looking for an internist, a functional medicine doctor, an osteopathic doctor, a nurse practitioner, a hospitalist, a family practice provider or a general practitioner. Did I want a male doctor or a female doctor? Did I want a small practice or a large conglomerate?

24 West End's Best

“I want, you know, a regular doctor!” Apparently, the millennial did not, in fact, know and continued her questioning. The quest was painful.

As this journey of aging continues, I’ve realized the unpleasant fact that aging necessitates more frequent medical interventions, and with that, more highly specialized providers. A few years ago, I had some trouble with my eyes and ended up having 13 surgical procedures, which meant seeing a different specialist for my retina, my cornea and the inside gooky stuff in my eye. Three specialists — for something smaller than a cue ball! That I can still see out of both my baby blues is a testament to their diligence and expertise.

As I work my way up in the age brackets, I suppose I will need to bite the bullet and seek even more specialists to keep me running on all cylinders: an allergist to tackle the pollen; a podiatrist to correct the hammertoe; an endocrinologist to get my thyroid pumping again; an orthoped to tell me the pain in my knee is really in my head; and a dermatologist to investigate the weird skin tag on my back; and someone to handle my yearly physical, get a grip on the frequent hot flashes and keep my Ambien prescription going. All of this in addition to the trio of eyeball specialists. That’s NINE medical professionals who will use their education, experience and enthusiasm to keep me in fine working condition, so I can enjoy all that life has to offer.

While I am exceedingly thankful for all of them, I’m not sure any of them know how to treat the creeping crud.

I really miss Dr. Hillstrom.

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HEALTH

SPONSORED CONTENT

Charcoal for Whitening?

By Nikki Sparks, DDS

There is a constant stream of new health and beauty products that claim to make us look or feel better. Activated charcoal is a trendy “miracle” ingredient featured in skincare products and now making its way into toothpaste. There are several pre-mixed charcoal toothpastes, which instruct the user to apply and allow it to sit three to five minutes and then simply rinse the paste and stain-causing toxins away. When offering my opinion on charcoal for tooth whitening, I address two important questions: Will it work? And, is it safe?

In theory, yes charcoal might help remove certain stains from your teeth. Charcoal is a porous molecule. Think of it like a bath sponge with pockets. These pockets give it the ability to trap toxins, chemicals and nutrients. If the charcoal is applied to the tooth, it may trap whatever is causing a stain on the surface and flush it away when rinsed. It is worth mentioning that not all stains are superficial, and charcoal will not be able to combat internal staining or teeth which are “naturally yellowing.”

The second question: Could it be safe? Charcoal itself is not toxic to the human body. In fact, it is often used as a detoxifying agent if someone accidentally ingests poison. The danger lies in the damage charcoal may have on the enamel. Charcoal is abrasive and can erode the enamel on the surface of your teeth, particularly if applied aggressively. When the enamel is removed, teeth become more sensitive and susceptible to decay. In addition, the dentin layer underneath the enamel has a

darker yellow hue, so efforts to whiten may actually cause the teeth to look darker. Keep in mind that most charcoal products do not contain fluoride, whereas other whitening toothpastes often do. Fluoride is the decay-fighting ingredient recommended by dentists to restore enamel.

Research also shows that charcoal can trap and flush out the beneficial minerals in our saliva. These minerals play a major role in cavity prevention by rebuilding and maintaining enamel health.

In closing, until research proves otherwise, I am not convinced that results will be any better or even consistent with other whitening methods.

So for me, the risks outweigh the benefits.

S. Nikki Sparks, DDS, a Powhatan, VA native, attended James Madison University, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Chemistry and is an alumnus of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She is a member of the Richmond Dental Society, American Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association, and International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Virginia Family Dentistry is a group practice of more than 50 doctors specializing in Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Implants, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Cosmetic and General Dentistry. With 14 convenient locations in the Richmond Metro Area, we can assist you in creating your youthful smile. For a location near you, visit VAdentist.com.

Our four West End locations: Short Pump (804) 364-7010; West End Orthodontic & Pediatric Specialty Center (804) 351-5432; Patterson/Parham (804) 364-7090; Staples Mill (804) 672-4900 — VAdentist.com

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West End's Best 25

PET HEALTH

Picking the

Best Vet for You

Your

Pet

by Zach Brown

26 West End's Best

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So, you and your best friend of the feline or canine variety have settled into a new place.

While one of you dreams of treats, the other needs to start thinking about a proper veterinarian. Best friends don’t just happen after all. Your great aunt Beatrice swears by one vet, but the Google reviews aren’t great.

In this age of information overload, where do you go and what doctor do you choose? Fear not constant reader, your fellow pet lover and magazine writer is here to help.

First, the practical place to start is a recommendation. If your best friend, former housemate, or even the aforementioned Aunt Beatrice is happy with the service they’ve received from their vet, that is a step in the right direction.

Second, you will need to remember four letters: AAHA. An accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association means that the vet you’re thinking about has access to a pool of resources across North America. A wide network of information concerning medical

procedures and diagnosis ensures the best treatment can be offered across all fields.

Now that you’re closing in on that vet that seems to have it all, it’s time to do the “proof of concept.” What do I mean by this?

Simply talk to them. You’ll want to speak to your chosen vet to ensure they are aware and equipped to handle the special needs of your particular breed of cat or dog. A pug will have different health concerns than a greyhound, for example.

So, you’ve made your decision and you’ve got your vet. The safety net is in place if you ever need it, right?

March / April 2018

Nope. Your vet shouldn’t first meet your furry friend when an emergency happens. An ‘intake’ check-up or friendly meet-n-greet (don’t forget the treats) for Ms. Kitty or Sir Barkington of Woofville is not at all unusual for vets.

Finally, everything is all set. The years go by. Your pet is happy and healthy, and you love your vet, but then fortune strikes. You’ve landed your dream job several hundred miles away. Does this mean you need to start the process all over again? You could, but an easier method would be to simply ask your current vet for a recommendation in the area you’re headed. Remember the AAHA? The veterinarians associated tend to talk, and your dream vet might know someone equally as good.

No matter where we might end up, we pet owners know the real value of our furry friends. The perfect vet is an easy investment to ensure they are around for a long (and healthy) time.

West End's Best 27

Your Pet’s Purr-fect Vacation at Holiday Barn

by Maria Tucciarone

W

ho let the dogs out? Not Holiday Barn Pet Resorts! At Holiday Barn, the professional staff knows your fourlegged friend isn’t just a pet; he’s your fur baby. Since 1972, their well-trained, animal-loving assistants have been providing Richmond, Glen Allen, Southside and surrounding areas with caring, compassionate and friendly service. “Our mission is to create joy into the lives of pets and their families,” said owner, Michael Hughes. Deluxe accommodations for dog and cat boarding, dog day care, effective dog training and gentle dog grooming are some of the award-winning services that await your furry BFF. Planning your summer vacation? Summer is the busy season for Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, so now is the time to make your reservations. Luxurious lodgings for canines and felines are available. From majestic suites and cozy cottages for dogs to multi-level kitty condos, you’re sure to find the purr-fect home away from home for your pet. Visit Holiday Barn for a tour of the campus and to meet the staff. Soon, they will become not only friends, but family. “Many of our customers tell us that their pets had a better vacation than they did,” Hughes remarked.

One of Holiday Barn’s most popular services is Dog Day Care*. Many pet owners have busy schedules, but they don’t want to leave their pups home all day. Doggie Day Care is the solution. Your dog will play with other dogs based on their size and temperament. Care givers will rotate play and rest periods, so your dog will be happy and satisfied at the end of the day.

Professional dog training is another service offered.

Holiday Barn will design a personal program to suit your dog’s specific needs. Their goal is to enhance the bond between you and your dog, while unleashing your pet’s full potential. Also, ask about their pet grooming and spa packages that will have your dog looking gorgeous and ready for “Best in Show.”

For a tail-wagging experience, contact Holiday Barn Pet Resorts to “shed some light” on further details: Glen Allen 3800 Mountain Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 804-672-2200 South of the James 614 Johnston Willis Drive Richmond, VA 23236 804-794-5400 * Health and safety requirements are listed at www.HolidayBarn.com

28 West End's Best

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Primary Care • Family Medicine & Integrated Holistic Wellness Freeze Away Fat With CoolSculpting

Open Monday-Friday 8am - 6pm • Open SATURDAY 8:30am - 2:30pm

5310 Twin Hickory Road • Glen Allen, VA 23059 • (804).273.1066 Visit us on the web: www.Apex-MD.com • Email: Admin@Apex-MD.com March / April 2018

West End's Best 29

HEALTH

It’ s Superfoods!

Not a Bird.

Not Plain.

by Melanie Rasnic

T

hese days it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice on health, diet and related topics, not to mention the opinions of well-meaning friends and coworkers. And if that weren’t enough, recently some people have

been trying to make our mild-mannered, ordinary foods feel inadequate by coming up with the term “superfoods.” What are superfoods, should I consider adding them to my daily menu, and do any of them involve a child from Krypton? These are two excellent questions and one successful movie franchise, so in this article we will focus on the former. First, let’s examine what that word has come to mean or imply.

30 West End's Best

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The term ‘superfood’ describes foods known to be high in nutrients, which can not only serve as a source of energy but can actually enable our bodies to fight disease and improve overall health and vitality. Some help us regulate our blood pressure, blood sugar and mood, as well as improve brain function. The term is also often used as a marketing strategy to boost sales, so be proactive in doing research on these and any other foods to be sure they are beneficial to your diet and lifestyle. In no particular order and by no means a complete listing, here are some of the foods that fall into the ‘superfood’ category and why:

Almonds and almond butter – a great source of protein, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, fiber, zinc and iron

Wild rice – higher in B vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, protein and magnesium than brown rice; easily digested; flavorful; and affordable

Apples – high in fiber in the form of pectin, which feeds your brain and body; lower cholesterol; improves heart health and mood; and may help lower body weight

Green beans – higher in vitamin C than other beans; high in B vitamins, protein and easily digestible fiber; and low in starch

Carrots – great source of beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and other antioxidants/immune boosters; long fridge life

Avocados – high in vitamin E, protein, fiber, potassium and B vitamins; prevent sugar cravings; lower stress; and reduce inflammation

Dark greens – high in vitamins A,

Raw coconut – high in essential fatty acids (you want these fats, they’re used by your liver for energy production instead of stored as extra weight); boosts hormones and has antimicrobial properties. Opt for whole forms like coconut shreds, butter, flour, or meat to get the fiber, fats and raw enzymes (processed foods won’t offer all of these).

C and K, fiber, magnesium, potassium and iron; rich in chlorophyll, which helps combat acidity in the body

Sweet potatoes – high in vitamins A, B6 and C, easily digestible fiber, magnesium, manganese and antioxidants; naturally filling; and helps satisfy a sweet tooth

Celery – helps combat acidity; lowers blood pressure; aids in digestion; high in vitamin K, which helps blood flow; has a long fridge life

Hemp seeds – high in protein, digestible fiber, vitamin E and Omega

Dried figs – good for libido, hormones, regularity and headache pre-

3 fatty acids; more iron than beef per serving; affordable and versatile additive/substitute

vention; higher in calcium than milk; lower in sugar than other dried fruits; higher in potassium and magnesium than most fresh fruits. Opt for unsulphured figs, and soak 20 min before eating.

Romaine lettuce – high in vitamins A and C, potassium, Omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium and dietary fiber

A full listing, which is impossible due to time and space (of the article, not the galaxy), would include oats, berries, broccoli, oranges, pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash, kabocha, flax and chia seeds, and more. Be sure to consult a trusted medical professional before embarking on any new diet regimen. These foods won’t give you the power to lift a car over your head, but they may help you feel like your best YOU every day.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 31

HEALTH

DARE TO

N

BARE YOUR LEGS

by Melanie Rasnic

ow that the stress of the major holidays is over, it’s time to focus on the most important spring task of all: making friends with someone who has a pool. Waiting until summertime is way too risky, this needs to happen now to avoid suspicion and the appearance of desperation. Many of us do not look forward to revealing the legs we’ve kept safely hidden for many months now, though. Let’s look at the main reasons why, and what we can do about them. As with any medical decision or cosmetic procedure, be sure to consult a trusted health professional first for objective advice to be sure it’s right for you and your body.

Varicose veins – typically from increased pressure in the vessels, which causes a valve to stop working properly. Prolonged standing, pregnancy, weight gain, normal aging processes or genetic factors may cause this common issue, which is often just a cosmetic concern. At times, they indicate more serious health issues, so have them examined by your physician. Treatments include surgery (tying off and stripping), minimally invasive procedures such as radiofrequency ablation, laser treatment, and sclerotherapy, or compression stockings. Another very common condition is spider veins, which are smaller veins close to the skin’s surface and are almost always a purely cosmetic concern. Treatments include sclerotherapy and laser treatment, and weight loss can help.

Cellulite – a fancy word for how fatty deposits appear when close to the skin’s surface. Basically, adipose tissue pushes through connective tissue unevenly, causing dimpling under the skin. Everyone has fat, but cellulite seems to be a dynamic combination of genetic predisposition, diet and lifestyle/exercise choices. We may never be able to rid our bodies of cellulite entirely (even skinny people have it), but by making good dietary choices and staying as active as possible, we can greatly reduce

32 West End's Best

its appearance. Treat yourself to a massage now and then, as this improves circulation and eliminates toxins from the lymph system, which can also help.

Stretch marks – a sudden loss of skin elasticity due to rapid weight gain (both muscle and fat) can lead to visible lines on the skin, known as stretch marks. The propensity to have these is related to skin tone and color, hormones and collagen levels, along with an increase in weight or size. Many have found improvement by using retinoid creams, laser/ light therapy and microdermabrasion, depending on the severity and underlying cause. Many report less visibility over time with no treatment.

Scars and bruises – Bruises generally heal in two to four weeks. If they’re taking longer, tell your physician. Scars fade with time, just be sure to use extra sunscreen and reapply often as new skin is much more sensitive and sunburns increase visibility.

So bare away – and cheers to a fun and healthy summer!

RichmondNavigator.com

We may never be able to rid our bodies of cellulite entirely (even skinny people have it), but by making good dietary choices and staying as active as possible, we can greatly reduce its appearance.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 33

MORE THAN JUST House Calls: A Thing of the Present

by Angela Weight

I

n today’s increasingly bureaucratic healthcare market, finding a doctor who makes house calls and gives out his cell phone number is downright unheard of.

Or is it?

Meet Dr. James Wiley of At Your Door Pediatrics.

He’s pairing modern medicine with old-fashioned personalized care.

“I enjoy going out and seeing patients and their families,” Wiley explains. “I’m a community member partnering with these families, playing a role in their lives. There’s no receptionist to sign in with, no sick waiting rooms. They call my number and they get me, delivering more convenient care.”

While house calls prove more convenient to patients, Wiley says the service helps him get to know families better and can often assist in diagnoses. “There are certain things I pick up on doing home visits,” Wiley says. “For example, you have a kid who is severely asthmatic and the parents can’t figure out why. I walk in their front door and immediately smell mold that they’ve gone nose blind to. That’s something I wouldn’t discover during an office visit.”

Wiley makes house calls for children living within a 15-mile radius of his home base at Grove Avenue and Three Chopt Road. His practice covers areas of Henrico, Chesterfield, Goochland and Hanover Counties, as well as the City of Richmond.

Families pay a very affordable monthly fee that includes all sick and well visits as well as coordination of all medical care.

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.com

804-639-9994

For more information visit wiley.md or email jimmy@wiley.md. You can also call or text Dr. Wiley at (804) 248-0445.

34 West End's Best

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Bringing You the Best of Local Food Dining & Drinks, Recipes & News

ISO: Comfort Foods ................37

tastebudz............................40

Happy Hour Guide........................44 Community Farmers..........48

METRO DINER FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Half a fried chicken alongside a Belgian waffle, topped with powdered sugar and sweet strawberry butter and served with their signature sweet and spicy sauce.

Photo: Josh Young

MAMA CUCINA

DINE IN - TAKE OUT - DELIVERY - CATERING ORDER ONLINE 

WWW. C ARY TOWNBURG ERS .COM

Authentic Italian Cuisine in a Lively Atmoshere

ENJOY YOUR

NEXT MEAL WITH US!

Innsbrook Shopping Center 4028 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 346-3350 • www.mama-cucina.com

CARYTOWN

3500 W. Cary St. Richmond

SHORT PUMP 200 Towne Center W. Blvd.

Henrico

2

“HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY” 36 West End's Best

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LAKESIDE

5404 Lakeside Ave. Henrico

Capital Ale House

13831 Village Place Dr., Midlothian; 804-780-ALES (2537); CapitalAleHouse.com CL 4024 Cox Rod, Glen Allen, (804-780-ALES (2537); CapitalAleHouse.com WEB Take one look at their beer menu and you can quickly see why these folks call themselves “Virginia’s beer authority.”

But beyond the hundreds of selections of brews (on tap or in the bottle), you’ll discover a delightful menu featuring appetizers, salads, sandwiches and delicious entrees. You’ll also discover comfort when you order their Mac-n-Cheese Southern, which tantalizes with creamy cheese sauce, bacon with pulled pork in the center, BBQ sauce and corn pico de gallo.

Photo: Dave Masucci

Latitude Seafood Co.

15532 WC Commons Way, Midlothian; 804-379-8100; LatitudeSeafoodCo.com Latitude Seafood has found a winning combination by pairing a lively bar scene and casual, fun dining room with excellent seafood dishes as well as a variety of entrees for all tastes.

Chefs Kevin Grubbs and Carlos Perez, also part of the fourperson ownership team, have also combined to produce their truly delicous Halibut Scampi. It starts with a fresh halibut caught off the Canadian coast, a firm, sweet fish, paired with a tangy and buttery shrimp scampi. Everything about this dish screams “Comfort!”

Photo: Josh Young

March / April 2018

West End's Best 37

MOSAIC Restaurant

6229 River Road; 804-288-7482; MosaicEdibles.com Located in the River Road Shopping center, Mosaic has long been a favorite with the locals, along River Road and throughout the region. Our photographer Dave Masucci enjoyed all that he sampled but found special comfort in the chef’s special twist on mac and cheese. Mosaic calls it their Sriracha Honey Chicken & Mac. The dish features chicken breasts lightly fried and prepared with sriracha honey, along with their signature mac and cheese. Dave also enjoyed the open kitchen concept, which he described as his own version of dinner theater.

Photo: Dave Masucci

Mama Cucina

4028 Cox Road (Innsbrook Shoppes); 804-346-3350; Mama-Cucina.com If you’ve overlooked this restaurant, thinking it’s run-of-themill strip shopping center Italian, think again. Mama Cucina offers delightfully prepared, authentic Italian fare in a warm, cozy atmosphere – Italian comfort food at its best. May we recommend the Chicken Carbonara Farfalle. The chopped chicken is sautéed in a delicious cream sauce with prosciutto and peas and tossed with farfalle.

38 West End's Best

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The Pickle Barrel

12912 Plaza Dr.; 804-708-0166; Facebook.com/ThePickleBarrelRestaurant There’s nothing but comfort — and fantastic food — at this cozy, little dining spot, located right at the Goochland County line. One bite of just about anything on the menu and you’ll swear grandma is back in the kitchen. You’re going to love their Golden-fried Oysters served with hot, crispy French fries and cole slaw.

Photo: Jimmy Davis

Metro Diner

5625 W. Broad St. (Libbie Place Shopping Center); 804-510-0780 and 11525 W. Broad St. (Short Pump); 804-767-4594; MetroDiner.com With two locations in the West End, Metro Diner is quickly becoming a favorite with Metro area residents, who enjoy the large portions, the delicious fare and the friendly service. There are so many items on their extensive menu, but how could any true Southerner resist the Fried Chicken and Waffles. Just imagine: half a fried chicken alongside a Belgian waffle, topped with powdered sugar and sweet strawberry butter and served with their signature sweet and spicy sauce.

Photo: Dave Masucci

March / April 2018

West End's Best 39

tastebudz with Steve Cook

We’re always on the lookout for the new restaurants, but sometimes it’s kinda nice to step back and appreciate some of our old favorites. Of course, we have some new stuff to tell you about, as well.

Let’s get started. Also, stay tuned. At the end of this column, we have a very semi-important announcement. Don’t peek. You have to read the whole column before you can read the announcement.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE: I stopped in at Satterwhite’s Restaurant at 116 Broad Street Road in Manakin-Sabot a couple of weeks ago and started chatting with the owner, Ryan Snyder. Now, as an old man, I enjoy sitting around reminiscing about Richmond’s restaurant history. Ryan is several decades younger than I but he grew up in the industry and it was fun chatting.

I realized that Satterwhite’s will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. And, while Ryan hasn’t been around that long, his family bought the place about 20 years ago, so he has a fairly lengthy history with Satterwhite’s. I asked him to what he credited the enduring success of the small country restaurant. Of course, it’s not in the country anymore. The “city” has kind of moved on out to Goochland in the last half century.

His answer was a simple one: “Good food at a good price and we treat you like a neighbor.” I think sometimes we get caught up on the next new 40 West End's Best

thing and forget that that’s what most of us really want when we go out to eat.

In the course of the conversation, with Ryan and one of the servers, Susan Underwood, I discovered that Ryan’s grandfather started the Maclean’s Restaurants nearly 40 years ago. In their day, Maclean’s was the place for great breakfasts.

I loved their ham biscuits. His mother ran the one on Staples Mill. That’s the one I used to go to most regularly.

“I grew up in a high chair in the front window, there,” Ryan told me. Even though he’s only owned Satterwhite’s outright for a couple of years, he really has a lifetime’s worth of experience in running simply good family restaurants.

Susan told me that she’s been in and around Ryan’s family businesses for nearly thirty years. “I worked at the MacLeans in Hanover Air Park for over 20 years,” she said.

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Ryan says he’s making a few changes to the menu, bringing in some healthy options. But, Susan piped up, “We’ll be keeping the old favorites.”

I like old favorites and I think it’s cool that as much as life keeps whizzing past us, there are some things that have stayed very much the same.

I’d even be willing to eat a (1.5 pound) Mammoth Burger for old times sake. If they were still around. Ryan, are you listening?

(hickory) notch or two and bringing some of their own personal favorites to the menu, to include fresh seafood, premium steaks, and, of course, homemade desserts. But, don’t worry, they’ll still be serving the same great barbecue, from their very popular hickory-smoked decadent ribs to their hickory-smoked 12-ounce cut of prime rib on Saturdays, which Tamara says “is not to miss.”

Currently, she tells me, the grill offers beer and wine, but that there are plans to expand the bar menu to include your favorite cocktails come spring.

And if you like a little music with your meal, there’s live country music on Tuesday nights and live Bluegrass on Thursdays. Entertainment begins around 6 p.m. “Come join in the fun,” Tamara says, adding that Hickory Notch may be offering more live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights this spring. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday and from noon ‘til 8 on Sundays.

Speaking of spring, Hickory Notch offers a beautiful patio for outdoor dining, “It’s a great spot for rehearsal dinners, weddings or any private function,” Tamara says. The restaurant and its patio can accommodate up to 100 for your catered affair. They also do offsite catering for groups from 50 to 5,000 people.

TAKING IT UP A NOTCH: There’s another great dining spot out in Goochland that I want to tell you about. I’ve always enjoyed the Hickory Notch Grill at 2031 Broad Street Road in Maidens. But I it’s gotten even better. The popular family-style restaurant is now under the ownership of Rebecca Forbes. Recently, I spoke with Rebecca’s sister-in-law Tamara Hyde, who is the new general manager there. Tamara, who has years of experience in the industry, says that the restaurant will continue to offer the same wonderful service and high-quality food for which the grill is famous. However, she adds that they’ll be taking things up a March / April 2018

West End's Best 41

a spell in the restaurant, listen to some cool music and enjoy your true pizza experience.

Jeff says their goal is that you, “Enjoy your day that much more because of the time you’ve spent with us.” I like it.

I also like the fact that the folks at Pie Five Pizza are very involved in the community. Jeff adds, “We love supporting the community and regularly host fundraisers for schools, sports teams, philanthropies, etc. at both locations.”

TAKE FIVE: I love pizza. It’s been somewhat a guilty pleasure ever since I started trying to eliminate wheat from my diet. Well, it looks as if I can have my pizza and eat it too. I’m talking about Pie Five Pizza (PieFivePizza.com), the fast casual pizza chain with two locations in the West End (1601 Willow Lawn Drive, in Willow Lawn Shopping Center and 10921 W. Broad St., in the Colonnades West Shopping Center).

I was speaking with Jeff Percey, franchisee for both locally owned and operated Richmond locations and he was telling me that in addition to having your choice of five traditional crusts, including their classic pan (a deep dish crust), the traditional Italian (a New York-style crust) and the crispy thin crust, Pie Five also offers a gluten-free as well as a cauliflower crust. The cauliflower sounds to be perfect for my diet. Jeff says it has half the sodium of the more traditional crusts and only 40 net carbs.

Bring it on.

Choice is the key word at Pie Five and I’m not talking about just the crusts.

If you’ve never been there, let me explain the set up. You walk in and the first thing you get is a friendly welcome from the folks behind the counter. Jeff says they are anxious to serve each customer and help him or her to put together their own completely customizable personal pizza.

It really is a personalized experience. You choose the crust, then the sauce, which might be a Tuscan marinara (more traditional pizza sauce) or you can kick it up a bit with the spicy version containing 20-percent sriracha. There are also a couple of white sauces (olive oil and minced garlic or Alfredo), plus a barbecue sauce and a Buffalo ranch. Are you getting hungry yet?

Next, you get to pick your toppings. If you’re a meat lover, choose from the pepperoni, the ground beef, Italian or spicy chicken sausage, the grilled chicken, the ham or the bacon. Or choose them all. It’s your choice.

Then add on anything else your heart might desire. There are over 30 toppings. And here’s the cool part. No matter how many toppings you choose, your 11-inch personal pizza is just $7.49 (slightly higher for gluten free and cauliflower crusts). “The only constraint,” Jeff says, “is that your personal creation has to fit in the oven.”

The whole process from building your pizza, to baking it and serving it takes five minutes. Of course, you don’t’ have to eat it in five minutes. Sit 42 West End's Best

MY BIG FAT GREEK CELEBRATION: “Opa!” Isn’t that what they say at Greek weddings and at other times of celebration? Well, there’s a new reason you may be hearing that exclamation throughout the Twin Hickory area as folks discover the recently opened Opa Greek Grill at 11363 Nuckols Road (you know, where Cheeburger Cheeburger used to be). I haven’t had the chance to dine there yet, but from all that I’m hearing, it’s worth a trip to enjoy some really excellent Greek cooking. Those who have eaten there tell me that the pastichio is wonderful. That’s my touchstone in determining the quality of any Greek restaurant. If the pastichio isn’t superb, I just pass on by. So, as soon as I get to my next “blow your diet” day, it’s pastichio for me at Opa. I also hear the gyros are very good, too. I spoke with Maria, the manager and she tells me that they are available with either lamb, beef, chicken or falafel. Maria confirmed what I’ve been hearing from others – everything is delicious. Opa!

A TOUCH OF OLD CUBA IN THE WEST END: The new Havana 59 has opened in the West End. What a welcome addition this place is.

Owners, James and Sue Lee have done an amazing job of creating the feel of the Shockoe Bottom location, but with a West End appeal. Since it’s almost impossible to teach a West Ender to parallel park, this version of the Cuban-themed restaurant, located in the Gold’s Gym Plaza at 8902 W. Broad Street, is perfect.

Jessica Halasz, a manager and events coordinator for the restaurant says that already a lot of regulars at the original location are discovering the new restaurant. I had an opportunity to sample several dishes at a special media dinner recently and I gotta say it was all good. My favorite

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appetizer is the Cuban Nachos, which features beef picadillo or grilled chicken, melted cheese, onions, peppers, black beans, jalapenos, sour cream and cilantro. Instead of corn chips, they serve this tasty dish with plantain chips. Excellent!

Excellent, too, is the bar program at the new Havana, under the direction of Tiffany Williams, the bar manager. Also, my old buddy and mixologist extraordinaire Carlos Gomez is behind the bar at Havana. Carlos is a genius when it comes to his simple syrup concoctions and his smoked cocktails.

GET ACROSS TOWN: We received an email recently from one of our Taste Budz, Gayle Overman. Gayle told us about a place called Sandston Smokehouse at 2 Williamsburg Road, saying, “It is a BBQ restaurant – the food is great and (they have) a friendly atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable.” Only one problem she said. “It’s hard to choose what’s best.”

Gayle, I haven’t gotten out to Sandston but I’m going this week. Let me see if I can help you out with that.

For $7.99, you get the salad bar, a drink and a slice of pie. The restaurant’s motto is: “We’re Not Fancy”, Just Serve Good Food!”

FRUGAL FOODIE: We’re introducing a new feature in this issue of TasteBudz. It’s something that I like to call Frugal Foodie and since I like to call it that, I will. We scour the area looking for great restaurant deals. Here are a couple. The recently opened Terraza Restaurant at 6115 Staples Mill Road impresses me in quite a few ways. The folks are friendly. The Mexican food (mainly Jalisco influenced), with some Salvadoran family favorites (The Benitez family, who own the place, hail from El Salvador) is delicious and the margaritas are among the best in the West. Here’s my Frugal Foodie find, on Tuesdays, soft tacos are just a buck each and tequila shots are $2. Here’s a confession. I never shoot a drink. I’m too cheap. I sip it and savor it, which makes my $2 go even further.

Another cool choice for frugal foodiness is The Grill at Libbie and Patterson (5724 Patterson Ave.) If you’re a raw bar lover, you’re going to have a hard time finding a better deal than what they offer on their raw oysters every day during Happy Hour (3 to 7 p.m.). How about a dozen for $8? A pound of shrimp is just $10. They have some really good drink prices, too.

PUTTING ON THE DOG: Okay, here’s that announcement.

We want you to help us as we go In Search of Great Hot Dogs for our May/June issue. We know you all have your favorite spot around town for a great dog. Let us know your favorite place and you just might win a valuable gift certificate to a local restaurant. All you have to do is go online to RichmondNavigator.com/Contests and provide the info.

Weiners will be announced in the next issue.

We also want you to share your restaurant news and happy restaurant dining experiences. Just drop us a line to TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.

GET OUT OF TOWN: If you’re heading towards Charlottesville or maybe Barboursville, perhaps for a weekend getaway, you might want to try a little detour and check out Gordonsville. It’s a quaint little town. Another one of our favorite Taste Budz, Katie Sweeney wrote and told me about her recent dining experience at The Inwood Restaurant (19095 James Madison Highway). Katie said everything she tried was delicious and that the people are so friendly, too. She had the salad bar for lunch.

Read Tastebudz Online each week at RichmondNavigator. com. If you have any restaurant news or recommendations, email us at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 43

AUTHENTIC GREEK COMFORT FOODS ❖ MEZZES ❖ PIZZA FRESH SEAFOOD ❖ PASTA ❖ DESSERT ❖ CATERING 1903 Staples Mill Rd Richmond, VA 23230

804.477.6216

thegreektavernarva.com

HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY - THURSDAY 11AM - 9:30PM ❖ FRIDAY 11AM - 10PM ❖ SATURDAY 11:30AM - 10PM ❖ SUNDAY CLOSED

T O H OG! D

Breakfast Lunch ~ AND ~ Dinner

Served all day.

LIBBIE PLACE

5625 West Broad St.

SHORT PUMP

11525 West Broad St. Let’s be frank. We all have our favorite hot dog. Where do you go for your favorite? We’re searching for the region’s best hot dogs.

Share your favorite restaurant hot dog for a chance to win some great dining gift certificates.

WEINERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE MAY/JUNE ISSUE OF WEST END’S BEST MAGAZINE.

Enter online at RichmondNavigator.com/Contests 44 44 West West End's End's Best Best

RichmondNavigator.com RichmondNavigator.com

Kuba Kuba Dos

Pickel Barrel

403 N. Ridge Road, 804-288-0681; KubaKuba.info

12912 Plaza Dr.; 804-708-0166; Facebook.com/ThePickelBarrelRestaurant

Kasual Kuban in a kool West End kafe.

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wine on tap (glass) – $5 Highballs, rail – $5 Draft beer – 23 oz. at the pint price.

Select appetizers – $5

Down home cooking at its best served in a family friendly atmosphere.

One More Thing: Specially priced appetizers include black bean nachos, lamb, lollipops chips with pico de gallo and a fried appetizer platter

Kabuto Japanese House of Steaks

Monday through Saturday 3 to 5 p.m.

Well Drinks – $3.00 Domestic Drafts, 12-ounce – $2.00 Domestic Bottles – $2.00 Appetizers – $2 off One More Thing: The Pickel Barrel also offers a daily special on Bloody Marys and Mimosa’s, which are just $3 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Sedona Taphouse

5312 Wyndham Forest Dr. Glen Allen; 804-967-3500; SedonaTaphouse.com

8052 W Broad St. (Fountain Square Shopping Center); 804-747-9573; KabutoWestEnd.com

Fine craft beer, high quality, healthy food in a warm, sophisticated environment.

Japanese steakhouse with group teppanyaki tables and a sushi bar.

Sunday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m.

Wine, glass – $4 Well drinks – $4 Draft beer – $2 Beer, domestic bottles – $2.50 Karage (Japanese fried chicken) – $5 Fried calamari – $5 Pork gyoza – $5 California roll – $3.50 Shrimp tempura – $5

“Happier Hours” Monday through Friday 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drafts – ½ off Beer, bottles and cans – ½ off House wines by the glass – ½ off Sangria, red or white – ½ off Select wines – $5 (includes Proseco, Bieler Rosé, Trapiche Malbec & Josh Cabernet)

One More Thing: Kabuto has recently added an Asian sake sangria to its menu for $5.

Select craft cocktails – $5 (includes Prickly Pear Margarita, Ultimate G & T, Moscow Mule) Handcrafted Martinis – $5 (includes Lemon Drop, The Sedona, Dirty Goose, Red Rock) Select small plates & shareables – $5 (includes all flatbreads, edamame, spicy Thai shrimp) Select small plates & shareables – $8 (Prince Edward Island Mussels, Prime Rib Sandwich, Fish Tacos – 3) One More Thing: Go online and enroll in Sedona’s Loyalty Program to earn rewards.

If you are a restaurant or beverage manager, please send your Happy Hour specials to Steve@RichmondNavigator.com. Our Happy Hour Guide is provided as a service to our readers. This is not an advertisement, nor is any compensation involved.

All happy hour listings are subject to change. Please drink responsibly.

For a more extensive guide visit RichmondNavigator.com/flavor/happy-hour-guide March / April 2018

West End's Best 45

RICHMOND’S PREMIER CHOPHOUSE

GREAT FOOD IN A COZY FARMHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

• Serving Sizzling Steaks Nightly from 4:30pm • Serving Lunch Mon - Fri 11am - 2:30pm • Serving Sunday Brunch Buffet 10am-2pm Hondos at Innsbrook

4120 Cox Rd • 804-968-4323 www.HondosPrime.com

Open for Lunch & Dinner: Wednesday through Sunday | Sunday Brunch 10:00 a.m.

804-784-2000 | Facebook@LolasFarmhouseBistro | www.lolasfarmhousebistro.com

1840 Manakin Road, Manakin, Virginia 23103 | Just 4 Miles West of Short Pump Mall DI

Midlothian Innsbook Downtown Richmond

D NN LUN AIL ER CH Y SP & EC IA LS

Carne & Vitello __________________

emium Steaks, Veal Dishes & ill Specialties

Pasta | Pizza | Subs | Seafood | Steak Dine In or Take Out • Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm

CapitalAleHouse.com 46 West End's Best

7500 Jackson Arch Drive, Suite H, Mechanicsville 804.730.0900 | TheGiambancos.com RichmondNavigator.com

r e e B udz B

by John Stoner

The return of spring makes you want to go back outside and discover new places for your beer enjoyment. As we look forward to the Scott’s Addition Collaboration Crawl on March 10, we decided to give you an in-depth look at what the area has to offer fans of local brews.

Ardent Craft Ales 3200 W. Leigh St.

Ardent was one of the first breweries to open in Scott’s Addition – Richmond’s new hotbed of breweries, cideries, meaderies and distilleries. There are always multiple IPAs available on tap, with plenty of other types to pick from if you’re not as enchanted by IPAs as is Beer Budz. Ardent is open seven days a week, and there is usually a food truck onsite. On April 7, the brewery will host the fourth annual Swine & Brine beer and food festival – a ticketed event with pork, oysters, and more from local restaurants.

The Veil Brewing Co. 1301 Roseneath Road

Beer Budz loves The Veil. Coming up on two years in Scott’s Addition, The Veil has made a great reputation for itself nationally with its delightful collection of IPAs, Double IPAs, Goses and sour beers. Beer releases every Tuesday has an excited group of fans coming from all over the East Coast, and the third Thursday of each month is a fundraiser for a local charity (March’s charity is Stay RVA). There will be a big, week-long Second Anniversary event in mid-April, with special releases and bottles every day. Check their social media for more information.

Blue Bee

1320 Summit Ave. Virginia’s first urban cidery, Blue Bee is now located in Scott’s Addition. They make cider from modern and heirloom apples from all parts of Virginia. Try the Charred Ordinary and the Hopsap Shandy (dryhopped to the approval of Beer Budz), or some of their small-batch ciders. Lots of events are coming up as well: classes on growing your own cider apple trees; yoga; and even a cider and bacon pairing.

Black Heath Meadery

De Fles Winkel

Using a variety of honey from all over the state, The Black Heath Meadery creates a number of different honey-based beverages.

Mead is made from honey, water and yeast, while fresh fruits, herbs and spices are added into their different seasonal offerings. Beer Budz likes The Muse (traditional mead) and the Blue Angel (made with apple cider from the nearby Blue Bee cidery). Their three-year anniversary will be in mid-March, so they are updating their tasting room in time for the event and will be releasing special aged and rare meads for the occasion.

“De Fles Winkel” is Dutch for “The Bottle Shop.” More familiarly known as “The Wink” (and more easily pronounced as well), this bottle shop has a large selection of beers and an experienced staff to help you choose among them. There’s also has a large corner devoted to wines, with wine tastings most Fridays. You can order kegs through The Wink, and there is a 12-tap growler fill station, with tap choices changing frequently.

11355 Nuckols Road

1313 Altamont Ave.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 47

FLAVOR

by Averill P. Byrd

The Richmond area is rife with local farms, farmers markets and farm-to-fork restaurants. Many of us are discovering the wonder and joy of knowing exactly where our food comes from. It fosters a strong sense of connection — not just to our food and the whole process of creating it, but also to the men and women who have chosen the farming life and make these meals possible for the rest of us.

EUGENE HUDDERS, Foraged Kingdom

WHAT: mushrooms WHERE: Twigs & Berries store in Kenbridge (approximately 70 southwest of Richmond in Lunenburg County) for mushrooms; The Horseshoe in South Hill (approximately 85 miles SW of Richmond in Mecklenburg County) for his cooking; and the Broken Tulip in Carytown for some dishes crafted out of foraged wonders CONTACT: 434-865-0059 Eugene was always fond of nature and exploring the outdoors, but it was only about 12 years ago that he began hunting mushrooms in earnest. He had gotten his first taste of morel — ­ a sought-after mushroom with a nutty, meaty taste said to rival that of a well-seasoned filet mignon — and just like that, he had found his vocation.

He spent the next several years with his nose in mycology books, learning to identify, 48 West End's Best

forage, and cook them. He holds a certification in mushroom foraging and does most of it in the certified organic and certified biodynamic Crickets Cove Farm, owned by Marianne Cicala in Kenbridge. Biodynamic certification, though less well-known, is similar to organic certification, but with additional requirements such as the creation and management of a closed system minimally dependent on imported materials, instead meeting its needs from the living dynamics of the farm itself.

This means that all mushrooms that Eugene forages and cultivates on Crickets Cove will be certified organic and certified biodynamic as well — a winning combination and perhaps the only one of its kind in the state.

Eugene’s zeal for mushrooms (and food) is infectious. His years of study have shown him the pivotal and indispensable role of mushrooms in sustaining life on earth, and his company is dedicated to all-sustainable practices.

Give him a call and he may even take you on a mushroom-hunting expedition of a lifetime.

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March / April 2018

West End's Best 49

FLAVOR

JOHN & CHRIS ALLEN, Fresh Branch Farm

WHAT: grass-fed beef; free-range eggs; and seasonal fruits and vegetables WHERE: 9900 Woodpecker Road, Chesterfield, Virginia CONTACT: @FreshBranchFarm on Facebook In 2012, John’s mother was having a yard sale on her Chesterfield property, where her son and daughter-in-law happened to grow some pumpkins that were ready for harvest. That was the beginning of John and Chris’s foray into farming, which has now expanded to farming Piedmontese cows for beef, eggs and a variety of produce. Sometimes, their produce lands on the shelves of Ellwood Thompson. Most of the time, they prefer to sell their products on-site to people they know.

“It keeps us honest,” says Chris. The husband-wife team split all the work on the farm between themselves. John serves as the farm’s “tractor man” when he’s home from his full-time environmental protection job.

He does the heavy lifting, coop-building and fence-moving — an important part of the strip-grazing method they practice with their cows.

Chris manages day-to-day operations and marketing, and passes on her knowledge to the community by teaching Chesterfield County School teachers how to hatch eggs, allowing them to give their students a richer and more memorable experience in agriculture and embryology classes. Now if only we had all done that in school!

LISA DEARDEN, RVAg Chiknegg Productions / Hooked on Alpacas WHAT: farmers markets, an incubator kitchen and alpaca textiles WHERE: Goochland County, Virginia CONTACT: RVAgriculture.org / ChickNEgg.com Lisa Dearden is a superwoman with a passion for sustainable agriculture. She draws from 20+ years of experience in sales, marketing, finance and training, which she now lends (and how generously!) to the sustainable agriculture movement in the region. Aside from running two farmers markets through RVAg and serving as treasurer for the Virignia Farmers Market Association, she also owns ChiknEGG Productions, a company that assists up-and-coming food entrepreneurs and organizations by providing training, consulting and an incubator kitchen.

Among her great contributions to sustainable agriculture in the region is initiating a conversation between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health to streamline state regulations governing farmers markets, which, as we can all see, is thriving.

To top it off, she runs an alpaca farm on the side, selling fibers and weaving and designing textile art.

50 West End's Best

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STAN & NICOLE SCHERMERHORN, A Thyme to Plant SHAUN MERCER, Lavender Fields Herb Farm

WHAT: organic herb plants; raw honey; and classes for various interests WHERE: 11300 Winfrey Road, Glen Allen, Virginia CONTACT: @LavenderFieldsHerbFarm on Facebook, LavenderFieldsFarm.com

Photo: Michael Bedwell

Lavender Fields, nestled in a quiet corner of Glen Allen, houses A Thyme to Plant — a direct-to-store herb farm boasting some 250 varieties of USDA certified organic herbs. They sell “starts” — those small pots of herbs you can take home and grow yourself ­— to numerous stores in Virginia, Maryland and DC, including Whole Foods.

Nicole and Stan Schermerhorn have run A Thyme to Plant for almost two decades, and the farmland has been in their family for 200 years.

They work full-time, year-round, building their own greenhouses, operating machinery, devising contraptions to minimize problems and maximize space, and even watering herbs by hand.

“We’ve made a family here,” says Nicole, of clients, other farmers and employees, both full-time and seasonal-but-returning (some of them former interns, all of them eventual friends). Her nephew, Shaun Mercer, who, like Nicole, moved to Richmond from Australia, now manages Lavender Fields, hosting tours, classes, seasonal activities for the whole family (butterflies, lavenders, face painting!) and managing the retail store where you and I can get a sampling of herbs and their amazing honey.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 51

Events Calendar compiled by Cosima Pellis

MARCH 15, 22, 29

Dominion Energy Jazz Café Groove to an eclectic mix of jazz ensembles every Thursday, 6 – 9 p.m., at VMFA’s Best Café. Dominion Energy Jazz Café is presented to the public by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in conjunction with the Richmond Jazz Society, free of charge! Light fare and beverages are available for sale. Artists subject to change.

6p.m. to 9p.m. / Free, no registration required / VMFA, 200 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220 / VMFA.Museum.com

MARCH 15

An Evening With James Madison – Historical Dinner Richmond Discoveries and historic Tanglewood Ordinary Restaurant are teaming up to bring “An Evening With James Madison.”

The event will showcase Madison’s life and stories and weave a living image of the role Madison played in shaping our state. Tanglewood’s famous Southern comfort food will be served true family style. The historic setting, will complement the event.

MARCH 17

MARCH 24, MARCH 25

Prokofiev’s timeless tale of boy vs. wolf comes to life in Really Inventive Stuff’s signature performance. This concert is a perfect introduction to music and the instruments of the orchestra. Arrive early for a free pre to concert festival featuring their instrument petting zoo and enjoy interactive activities for the whole family. Pre to concert festivities begin at 10am in Rhythm Hall. LolliPops concerts are ideal for children ages 5 and up, but music lovers of all ages are welcome.

The festival begins on Saturday with the St. Patrick’s Parade and continues with a 4 to block street fair in front of St. Patrick’s Church on North 25th Street between Broad and Franklin Streets on Historic Church Hill.

Traditional Irish musicians, bagpipers and dancers will perform throughout the weekend. In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including children’s games, face painting and Irish themed crafts. Over thirty Irish vendors will be in attendance! Food and refreshments will also be available.

Peter and the Wolf Richmond Symphony LolliPops

11:00am / Tickets $10 for children; $20 for adults, available at the Dominion Energy Center and Altria Theater box offices, by phone at 804-514-3849 and online at etix.com / Carpenter Theater, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219 / DominionEnergyCenter.com

Church Hill Irish Festival

See website for times, music schedule and additional details / ChurchHillIrishFestival.com

5 to 9 p.m. / $50 / Tanglewood Ordinary, 2210 River Road West, Maidens / GoochlandChamber.org

MARCH 23 – 25

Virginia Horse Festival MARCH 16 – 18

Mid-Atlantic RV Expo Virginia’s largest RV Expo. Every kind of recreational vehicle you can imagine. Something for everyone’s budget.

See website for times and ticket prices / The Meadow Event Park, 13048 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, 804-4677038 / VirginiasBestRVExpo.com

52 West End's Best

Three days of everything equestrian: clinics; demonstrations and seminars; great shopping for tack, riding apparel and horse feed and care products; pro rodeo; canine agility shows; and lots more.

See website for hours / $20 – three day pass (advance); $12 – one day ticket (advance) / The Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Boulevard, Doswell / VirginiaHorseFestival.com

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MARCH 24

Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre This amazing troupe of actors performs Dream Logic and A Life with No Limits. They combine strength with humor, curiosity and inventiveness to bring alive their intensely

physical brand of performance, incorporating circus and dance techniques into wellexecuted narratives. Not to be missed!

See website for show times and ticket information / Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., 804-748-5203 / SwiftCreekMill.com

7pm / Tickets $10 / Henrico Theatre, Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23075 / Henrico.US/Rec

APRIL 6 – 8

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery West Creek Grand Opening The new 55,000 square foot brewery features a 4,000 square foot taproom with arcade games, shuffleboard and a built in stage, plus a 2,000 square foot patio with a fire pit and bocce courts.

MARCH 24

Southern Food Festival The first ever Southern Food Festival and Amateur Southern Dish Competition. Five incredible food vendors (Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribs & BBQ, Mean Bird, Jake’s Place, Mama J’s, and Early Bird Biscuit Co.) will each show off their Southern Food Specialty with $3 small plates . Two bands and two special beer releases.

1 to 8 p.m. / Free admission / Center of the Universe Brewing, 11293 Air Park Road, Ashland, 804-3680299 / COTUBrewing.com

APRIL 2-6

Spring Break ArtVenture At the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, kids make real art with the help of some of Richmond’s most prominent professional artists. Spring Break ArtVenture is a one-week art camp timed to coincide with the spring break holiday in area public schools.

Morning classes 9am-noon, Afternoon classes 1-4pm / Prices can be found at Visarts.org / Visual Arts Center, 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220 / Visarts.org

APRIL 3

Downtown Discoveries: Ancients in the Neighborhood Walking Tour Join us for a family weekday history program at the Valentine! These family centered programs are designed to engage parents and children of all ages. Discover something new about Richmond! Take a family walking tour! Stroll through downtown and learn about Richmond architecture influenced by Egypt, Greece and Ancient Rome.

10-11:30am / $14 for a parent child pair or $10 for members, tickets include post program admission to the museum / The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street / TheValentine.org

APRIL 6

An Evening of Country/Honky Tonk Experience MARCH 26 – MAY 4

The Adventures of Pinocchio Swift Creek Mill’s Youth Theatre presents the story of the lonely toy maker, Geppetto who carves a very special puppet named Pinocchio, hoping that it might come to life and keep him company. The puppet does come to life, but quickly runs away to search for a way to become a real boy.

The Honky Tonk Experience is comprised of five of Richmond’s most respected musicians. Each member has forged his own reputation by playing in a variety of other bands over the past 20 years. They have also shared the stage with several national acts including Travis Tritt, Dale Watson, Webb Wilder and Junior Brown.

7 p.m. / $17 in advance; 21 at the door / Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060 / ArtsGlenAllen.com

March / April 2018

Check website for times and additional details / 12580 West Creek Parkway; Hardywood.com

APRIL 7

Kelsea Ballerini Growing up means never apologizing for who you are, and what you’ve been through.

And for Kelsea Bellerini, one of Country’s new voices, growing up also meant having the courage to put it all – the loss, the love, and the highs and lows of life – into song. The result? Unapologetically, Ballerini’s sophomore LP, a collection of songs – all which she wrote or co-wrote, as on her Gold-certified debut The First Time – meant to share her experiences over the past two years like a sonic journal, inviting listeners to open the book of her story and listen along.

Doors 6:30, Show 7:30 / Tickets $30, Day of show $33 / The National, 708 E Broad St, University of Richmond, VA 23219 / TheNationalVA.com

APRIL 9

History Happy Hour- Richmond: Lincoln in Richmond Just one day after the Union Army occupied Richmond - and ten days before he was shot - President Abraham Lincoln arrived to tour the city. Explore what he saw here, the decisions he made, and how his visit offers a unique look into his evolving vision of a post-war future. With Mike Gorman, Richmond National Battlefield Park. Drinks are on you, History is on us.

6:30pm / Free / Bottom’s Up Pizza, 1700 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223 / ACWM.org

APRIL 20 – 21

Race Weekend Racing under the lights with the Toyotacare 250 on Friday night and the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday night.

See website for times and ticket options / Richmond Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., 866-455-RACE (7223) / RichmondRaceway.com

West End's Best 53

TRAVEL

Travel Navigator Your Guide to All Things Travel

Kilmarnock The Hub of the Northern Neck D

by Steve Cook

rive down Kilmarnock’s Main Street, and you’ll get an idea of what Small Town Virginia is all about. Besides a Main Street that looks like it could be a movie set, Kilmarnock offers virtually anything you might hope to find in a 21st-century small town… and much more.

Kilmarnock has long been the hub for shopping in the Northern Neck, says Carroll Lee Ashburn, chairman of the board at the Kilmarnock Museum (76 N. Main St.). When the area was first settled nearly 400 years ago, it was known as “Crossroads.” Two Indian trails intersected at the point where the town now stands. Those two trails take somewhat the same paths of what are today Routes 3 and 200.

In the early 1700s, William Steptoe began to operate a storehouse and ordinary at the crossroads so that the crossroads came to be called “Steptoe’s Ordinary.” And in 54 West End's Best

1764, Robert Gilmour, an agent for a mercantile firm based in Glasgow, Scotland, was instrumental in giving the name “Kilmarnock” to the location. Gilmour, it is believed, owned property in Kilmarnock, Scotland.

Through the years, the town has been the place where locals came to shop. True, big box stores on the outskirts of town have made headway, but for a unique experience, you really need to take a stroll down lovely and lively Main Street. Anne Paparella, executive director for the Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, describes Kilmarnock’s Main Street as offering, “great boutique shopping with fabulous businesses that you just can’t find in other places.”

When asked about her favorite shops, Anne laughs and says, “Every one of my chamber members is my favorite.”

Even though she won’t pick favorites, she does tell me a little about what’s in store when you

RichmondNavigator.com

Photos courtesy: VirginiasRiverRealm.com

and chat. I wanted to meet Fred and his wife Karen as they advertise in this magazine. I was quite impressed with the selection offered in the store, which rivals any jewelry shop you might find in the finest malls. Fred says he started working in his parents’ store when he was 12 years-old. “I started off sweeping the floors and cleaning the bathrooms.”

Both Fred and his parents hail from Kilmarnock. He’s lived here most of his shop Main Street. “There are great little gift and furlife – all but about nine years when he moved to niture stores and cute little women’s boutiques for Richmond and worked in a couple of jewelry stores. every price range,” she says.”

“When I was 20, I couldn’t wait to get out of here,” Susan Cockrell, the deputy town manager, shared Fred says. “When I was 30 I couldn’t wait to get back.” some of her Main Street favorite finds: “Kilmarnock He explains that the thing that drove him away Antique Gallery has an amazing collection of oyster is the thing he most appreciates today…the people. plates. These plates were all the rage in the late 19th “[Back then] I felt like everybody knew my business, and early 20th century and are beautifully decoratthat they were looking over my shoulder.” With age ed. It’s worth a visit for oyster afficianados or history Photo: Jacob Sargent comes wisdom. Fred says that now that he’s older he buffs.

The Watermen’s Way, a public art project is designed realizes how important it is to have neighbors that “A stop at Papaterie brings you to really fun and to honor the men and women who work the region’s look out for one another. He describes the residents creative stationary wares,” she continues. “Writing waterways. Proceeds from sales of the boots to local in the area as “compassionate towards their neighseems to be a lost art but this store will put you back businesses benefit the Virginia Watermen’s Associabors.” tion, Rappahannock Art League and The Steamboat in the mood for correspondence. Alaina, the owner, Era Museum.

Anne agrees in that assessment. She acknowlis wonderful and will help you find the exact item.” edges that when her parents retired and moved to Anne mentions another plus that comes when the Northern Neck, she wasn’t excited about the move. She was a senior in you shop on Kilmarnock’s Main Street, “Almost every shop is operated by high school at the time. “If you moved here from outside the area, you are the owners.”

Photo: courtesy Closet Factory called ‘Come-here’s,’” she says. “I tell people I was dragged here.”

Fred Burke, whose parents opened Burke’s Jewelers in 1969, is a good Today, she has a greater appreciation for the locals, describing them as example of the type of folks you’ll meet — folks who’ll take the time to stop March / April 2018

West End's Best 55

Photos courtesy: VirginiasRiverRealm.com

“kind, loving, forgiving, helpful.” She also brags about the “laid-back pace” you’ll discover when you visit. That’s not to say that there’s nothing to do.

“There are a lot of really cool things to do,” Anne says. “Water is the appeal.

There are beautiful rivers and creeks. If you love the outdoors, this is a wonderful place to come.”

Anne slips and lets me in on a little secret when she says, “One of the best things you can do here is walk on one of the most pristine beaches you’ve ever seen.”

56 West End's Best

I immediately had to know where this beach was. “It’s our best kept secret,” she says, “Hughlett Point on the Chesapeake Bay.” While I’d never heard of Hughlett Point, I did a little research and found out it’s a state Natural Area Preserve, located about 10 miles from downtown Kilmarnock.

The state’s website describes it as offering “exemplary undeveloped beaches, dunes and upland forests.”

Everyone I speak with during my visit raves about the waterrelated activities. Jameson Crandall, who’s in his mid-twenties and works in the jewelry store, adds that there are also a lot of activities for young people. “Summertime here is a lot more fun than wintertime,’’ he says. “There’s boating, fishing, tubing, skiing… lots of public beaches. The water is the biggest attraction.”

There’s another attraction – the newly completed Town Centre Park in Kilmarnock. Susan had told me about the park when I had met her several months previously at the Oyster Academy at Tides Inn resort in Irvington, just five miles from Kilmarnock.

“Our park has an outdoor amphitheater, the Half Shell

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West End's Best 57

Photos courtesy: VirginiasRiverRealm.com

Stage,” she had told me at the time. “Music on the Half Shell Stage is our summer concert series with everything from dance music to country. We have local bands plus a regional headliner every month from May to October. The park is a great place for families, including a children’s playground area called ‘River Play’ that features swings and slides and the region’s only splash pad. Our Farmers Market is there on every fourth Saturday from May to October too. It is a huge hit and right in the center of Kilmarnock.”

Susan describes Kilmarnock as “amazing because it is a small Mayberry-like town, where you do know your friends and neighbors. Even visitors quickly feel like they are a part of the community. Friendliness really does come naturally here.”

She’s right. Kilmarnock is indeed a cool, little town. “It’s a great place for foodies,” Anne says, adding that there seems to be something going on all the time. For instance, on June 30, the Chamber will be sponsoring Rhythm & Brews by the Bay (call 804-435-6092 for more info), and midNovember brings the annual Taste of the Bay (TasteOfTheBay.com) at the Tides Inn. When you come to Kilmarnock, you truly have come to the crossroads of the Northern Neck. It’s time to share the secret: this place has it all.

Mr. Carroll Lee Ashburn, the chairman of the museum’s board of directors.

The 80-something Mr. Ashburn makes the history of the town come alive.

DINING Car Wash Café (481 N. Main St.; 804-435-0405) Famous for their blueberry pancakes, sandwiches and sweet tea.

Chao Phraya (43 S. Main St.; 804-577-4261) Authentic Thai cuisine, Sushi and premier local Seafood off the grill.

Lee’s Restaurant (30 S. Main St.; 804-435-1255) Comfort food. Don’t miss the fried chicken.

NN Burger (62 Irvington Road; 804-577-4400) Gourmet burgers, shakes, craft beers and live music.

SHOPPING Burke’s Fine Jewelers (86 S. Main St.; 804-435-1302) Specializing in custom-made designs inspired by the local rivers and bay.

Cathy’s Unique Pursuits (234 N. Main St.; 804-435-1388)

Hit the Hot Spots

Northern Neck Popcorn Bag (50 Irvington Road; 804-577-4200) Featuring over 50 flavors, all made right in the store.

ACCOMMODATIONS Kilmarnock Inn (34 E. Churh St.; 804435-0034; KilmarnockInn.com) Featuring a main house and seven guest cottages. Just steps from Kilmarnock’s quaint and picturesque Main Street.

The Tides Inn (480 Kings Charter Dr., Irvington; TidesInn.com. Just five miles from Kilmarnock, The Tides Inn is in a league of its own.

Papeterie (24 N. Main St.; 804-435-1125) A paper and gift shop, specializing in weddings and parties.

Weekend’s Fashions (125 S. Main St.; 804-577-4041) Men’s and ladies’ boutique located in a former Sears Roebuck house that was built in 1904. On the cutting edge of fashion with style and distinction.

ATTRACTIONS Kilmarnock Museum (76 N. Main St.; 840-436-9100) The museum is filled with photos and artifacts telling the history of the area. The main attraction is 58 West End's Best

To learn more about all that Kilmarnock and the surrounding area have to offer, visit KilmarnockVA.com or VirginiasRiverRealm.com RichmondNavigator.com

A New Crop of

Active Adults

Chickahominy Falls – Another First for Cornerstone Homes

by Steve Cook

W

hile there are several home builders in the Richmond market who offer age-targeted and age-qualified communities, no one except Cornerstone Homes is building exclusively for this important demographic. As a leader in this arena, Roger Glover, founder and president of Cornerstone Homes, has successfully demonstrated an awareness of what homebuyers seek as they near retirement age.

So, just what are these folks looking for? Downsizing is the term we often hear in regards to this question. Perhaps “rightsizing” is a more accurate way to phrase it. It is true, with the kids having moved out, Boomers don’t need as many rooms as they once did. But, they do want the space to enjoy an active lifestyle in a manner that currently suits their needs.

Many want more time to enjoy their lives, explains Pam Nasworthy, director of sales and marketing at Cornerstone Homes. They seek maintenance-free homes to gain valuable time to enjoy their new resortstyle amenities with their peers, enjoy grandchildren and travel. In other 60 West End's Best

words, start checking off that “bucket list”! What they seek, is exactly what Cornerstone Homes is offering.

There’s one Cornerstone community being planned for Hanover County that is getting a lot of attention these days. It may well be the Richmond-based builder and developer’s most unique property to date.

It’s Chickahominy Falls, a 180-acre planned age-qualified neighborhood located on Cedar Lane near Route 1.

Chickahominy Falls will offer the amenities, which have become the cornerstone of Cornerstone Homes properties. But Chickahominy Falls will also offer so much more.

Kirsten Nease — project manager with the Crescent group, the developer of and a sister company of Cornerstone Homes — explains what makes Chickahominy Falls so special.

“This is Central Virginia’s first and only farm-centered residential community. In fact, it is the first nationally to be geared solely to the 55plus homeowner.”

She describes it as a planned age-qualified community of about 400

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Illustration: David Hamilton

homes to be centered around a working farm, Woodside Farms, and other five-star amentias. There are plans to grow and harvest a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, herbs, cut flowers, mushrooms and honey. This produce will be available to homeowners and will also “feed collaborative efforts with other local markets and farms.

The farm was designed and will be professionally maintained by Agriburbia, a nationally renowned farming developer, with opportunities for the homeowners to volunteer and learn from the experts on staff. So, even if one does not possess the proverbial green thumb, residents will have plenty of opportunities for learning. Woodside Farms will feature an event barn for community use and will offer educational classes, professional chef events, canning operations and produce distribution among other farm-to-table activities.

While Cornerstone Homes will be building the majority of the houses in Chickahominy Falls, they have formed a partnership with another Richmond-based builder, Stylecraft Homes, to be able to meet demand and offer a wider array of products. In the first phase, Cornerstone

Homes will be building single-family detached “Carriage” homes and Stylecraft Homes will be building detached “Cottage” homes that will share a driveway court and be configured in clusters of four homes.

Explaining the impetus for a residential farm-centered neighborhood, Nasworthy says that many of today’s active adults have shown a preference for the garden hoe over the golf clubs. Today, those 55 and older are seeking to live a healthier more active lifestyle. Of course, we’re not talking about an all-work, no-play community. The farm allows residents to have access to healthier food sources, and the other amenities allow residents to enjoy the rural landscape of Hanover County right in their own backyard.

Nease says that site work has begun and that the sales center should be open at the site by late spring. Come fall, Chickahominy Falls should have its first residents.

If you want to know more, you’re not unlike hundreds of other who have already put their name on a VIP list to get up-to-the-minute news on the latest developments. To place your name on that list, go to ChickahominyFalls.com.

March // April April 2017 2018 March

West End's Best 61 61 Chesterfield Living

HOME

Whose Sod Are

You On, Anyway?

Choosing the right planting method for a healthy lawn

By Angela Weight

62 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

I

f the front lawn of my family’s Woodlake home was a head of hair, I’d buy it a baseball cap to cover the 47+ bald spots that are all too noticeable from the street.

Instead of trying to fill in those problem areas, my husband and I are getting ready to rip out our old mangy grass and start over with tall fescue (the most popular grass variety here in RVA).

If a new lawn is on your to-do list, there’s no time like the present to take advantage of spring rainfall.

Know Thy Soil: The first step in any grass-planting project larger than a Chia Pet is to have your soil tested. Find testing kits online, at homeand-garden stores or from your county extension office. The results will show any supplements that your soil may require (such as lime and/or fertilizer) to create optimal growing conditions.

Sod or Seed? Need a great looking lawn by dinner time? Then sod is your answer. At around five times the cost of seed, sod comes in carpet-like rolls of mature grass with roots held together by netting. It’s like outdoor flooring that’s alive. Perfect for healthy soil that gets plenty of sunlight, you can install sod yourself or hire a landscaping company. Just be sure it’s put in properly or your yard will look like patchwork.

Though sod provides instant “greenification,” your lovely new lawn

may not stay that way, especially in the shade. However, with netting that holds soil in place, sod is perfect for covering slopes and erosion prone areas.

Planting grass from seed is significantly less expensive than sod and offers more varieties for differing growing environments. Andrew McAuliffe, grounds manager for Cross Creek Nursery, recommends using a mixture of seeds.

“A blend is generally three to four seeds mixed into one bag. The idea behind this is to cover all the bases for each lawn. Generally, each seed thrives in different conditions (shady, sunny, wet, dry),” McAuliffe explains. “I would stay away from contractor blends or cheap seed, as they have a high content of weed seed that you will have to kill off later.”

Establishing a lawn from seed can be an investment in time, labor and patience. With proper watering (which is absolutely essential for both sod and seed), new growth can sometimes take three months to reach maturity. But if nurtured early on, your grass should remain happy and healthy for years to come.

Sod and seed each have their own pros and cons. Deciding which to plant depends on your lawn specifications, your patience level, and, like most things, your wallet.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 63

HOME

Making a

Splash Pools and Spas for the Home

By Lisa Puster

I

t’s been a long winter, and the thought of cooling off in your own sparkling pool or soaking in your own cozy hot tub probably seems like an unrealistic summer fantasy. But wouldn’t it be dreamy to have a vacation destination in your own backyard? It could be more of a reality than you think!

With several different options available, the most common inground pool styles are vinyl liner, fiberglass and concrete. Here are the advantages, disadvantages and budget needed for all three:

Although custom shapes cost more, it’s still typically less than your average fiberglass or concrete pool.

Choosing Your Pool

Budget Needed: $25,000-$35,000

Vinyl Liner Biggest Advantage: Installation cost. Vinyl liner pools are the most affordable to install, generally costing $10,000 less than fiberglass or concrete pools. While most vinyl liner pools are rectangular, it’s possible to customize the shape, size and depth of the pool.

64 West End's Best

Biggest Disadvantage: Replacing the liner. While the initial cost of installing a vinyl liner pool may be less, the liner does need to be replaced every five to nine years, or sooner if there’s any damage.

This can cost as much as $5,000, offsetting the initial low-cost of the pool within the first 10 years and over its lifetime.

Fiberglass Biggest Advantage: Lower cost of ownership. Even though the initial cost of fiberglass is more than vinyl, you’ll spend less over the life of your fiberglass pool when you figure in the continued cost of

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you the flexibility to customize the shape and design of the pool, which is ideal for those who desire an extremely deep or large pool, or a pool with custom ledges, tilework or other special features. Concrete pools are also extremely durable, meaning no damage to the pool surface from sharp objects, making concrete pools dog-friendly too!

Biggest Disadvantage: Pricier installation and maintenance.

While concrete’s design flexibility is its biggest selling point, it also comes with a bigger price, including higher maintenance, more chemicals, salt water system incompatibility, slow installation time and higher cost of ownership.

Budget Needed: $50,000 and up A Little Bubbly for the Backyard A spa or hot tub can boost the appeal of your backyard, providing year-round, warm, bubbly entertainment. The two main types of spas/hot tubs are portable and in-ground. Most portable spas are made of acrylic (not including inflatable hot tubs), while most inground varieties are concrete.

Portable Biggest Advantage: All-in-one package. Portable spa units often come conveniently equipped with the spa, support equipment and skirting that hides the equipment. These spas are easy to install, ideal for smaller spaces, energy efficient and transportable, if needed.

Biggest Disadvantage: Not customizable. Most portable spas offer limited sizes and shapes since they are manufactured off site in pre-set dimensions. They can also be difficult to disguise and don’t blend easily into the landscaping since they sit above ground.

Budget Needed: $2,000 to $12,000 “Bullfrog Spas are the most customizable and energy efficient spas on the market,” says Jacob Clements from Pla-Mor Pools, central Virginia’s only dealer of Bullfrog Spas. “Their patented jetpack technology reduces spa plumbing by up to 90 percent and provides customers with 16 different massage styles, allowing them to move their favorite massage into their favorite seat.”

replacing the vinyl liners. Other advantages to fiberglass pools include quick installation, low maintenance, durability and compatibility with salt water systems.

Biggest Disadvantage: Not customizable. Fiberglass pools have a higher initial cost than vinyl liner pools and usually lack the ability to customize the shape, size or depth of the pool. If you’re looking for a pool that’s deeper or a special shape, fiberglass isn’t the best option since the pool shells are manufactured off site in limited shapes and sizes.

In-Ground Biggest Advantage: Customizable shape and size. Since in-ground spas are built onsite and not manufactured offsite, your spa can be completely customized to your liking or incorporated into a deck, patio, pool or landscaped area, creating an oasis in your own backyard.

Biggest Disadvantage: Pricier installation. In-ground spas are costlier than portable spas since you are basically constructing a jetted, mini concrete pool that requires a professional builder. Construction costs also increase when adding additional custom features, such as tile or extra jets.

Budget Needed: $15,000 to $20,000

Budget Needed: $35,000 and up Concrete Biggest Advantage: Customizable and durable. Concrete allows

Loving the idea of a pool and/or spa in your backyard? Contact a pool and spa professional for a free consultation and see if your fantasy can be a dream come true!

March / April 2018

West End's Best 65

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HOME

OUTDOOR SPACES

It’s What’s on the Outside that Counts

by Angela Weight

N

ot too long ago, a rectangular patio or deck, complete with barbecue grill and picnic table, was the extent of most homes’ outdoor living spaces. And grilling up a few steaks on the weekends was pretty much all we expected from those areas.

Boy, have times changed! Today, porches, patios and decks are as integral a part of our homes as our kitchens and family rooms. From savoring the sunrise over coffee on a favorite porch rocker to gathering around the fire pit for s’mores and tall tales, our homes’ exteriors are becoming the backdrops for our favorite pastimes.

“A lot of my clients see their outdoor areas as a place to escape that’s still part of the house,” says Anthony Miller, owner of A Miller Renovation. “Another room off the house that’s just a little bit different.”

Looking to upgrade your outdoor living area? Here’s a glimpse of the latest trends and materials to beautify your exterior and increase your resale value.

Patio, Deck or Screened Porch?

With all the poured concrete, pavers and natural stone designs available, patios lend themselves to a wide variety of design options and layouts.

“People like patios because they’re lower down and can offer more privacy, especially with smaller lot sizes,” says Mark McAuliffe, vice president of Cross Creek Nursery and Landscaping. When adding a patio, homeowners often turn to pavers. “Our 68 West End's Best

clients are using multi-dimensional pavers for pool decking and patios,” McAuliffe adds. “They’re more natural looking than ever before and can mirror the look of stone without the cost.” Available in dozens, if not hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors, concrete pavers offer tremendous design variety without potential cracks that can ruin the entire floor surface, as with poured concrete Speaking of the poured stuff, homeowners these days are embracing all sorts of stained and stamped concrete designs that can easily pass for high-end stone. One drawback is that concrete is prone to cracking in cold winter weather and not easily repaired.

While decks are still fairly popular, the way they’re built is changing.

Instead of wood, Miller’s clients are opting for durable composite materials and aluminum railings. “Ninety-five percent of people are going with maintenance free options and getting away from anything that needs to be power washed, stained or sealed.” For example, Trex composite decking resists rot, warp, splintering and termites and is backed by a 25-year limited residential fade and stain warranty.

Screened porches are still the surest way to enjoy the breeze without battling the bugs. Vinyl-coated fiberglass screening is perfect for keeping insects out, but it’s no match for seasonal pollen. To keep the fresh air in and the pollen out, Miller recommends using PollenTec screening.

Though more expensive, it’s an effective way to reduce allergens.

Fire Pits, Always a Hit For those who prefer gathering friends over gathering armfuls of wood, gas Photo: Closetpopularity Factory fire pitscourtesy are gaining and are becoming more and more high tech.

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A lot of my clients see their outdoor areas as a place to escape that’s still part of the house – Anthony Miller, A Miller Renovation

The Boreal Complete Heat gas fire pit table, with soft LED lighting, provides high and low warming vents to keep your toes as toasty as your fingers.

os and decks, keeping those areas up to 20 degrees cooler on hot, sunny days. Available in widths up to 18 feet, they’re relatively simple to install.

The Awning of a New Era Since the weather doesn’t come with a remote control, the next best thing is a retractable awning. Throw some shade and rain protection over your outdoor spaces whenever you and the weather can’t agree. Sunsetter brand motorized awnings provide up to 11 feet of colorful cover for pati-

Gazebo A-Glow If, upon hearing the word gazebo, you picture a round white structure with lots of gingerbread trim, take note that today’s models aren’t your grandma’s gazebos. They can be any shape, color or style you choose. For serious outdoor entertainers, there’s no better investment. Add a grilling station, a bar, a cozy sectional, a wooden swing, a fireplace and big screen TV, or all of the above, and you’ve got the ultimate space to host friends and family, or simply unwind and savor your surroundings.

Whether you’re doing a full-scale outdoor room or a simple back porch update, be true to your lifestyle, taste and budget. Check out design magazines and sites like Pinterest for ideas and have fun creating an at-home sanctuary you’ll look forward to escaping to.

March / April 2018

West End's Best 69

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AFTER AFTER BEFORE BEFORE

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MIRACLE METHOD SURFACE REFINISHING MIRACLE METHOD SURFACE REFINISHING Offering Exceptional Quality, Value and Customer Service Offering Exceptional Quality, Value and Customer Service

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Along with new counters, non porous coating which bonds to the existing surface.

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The Dowdys have many commercial customers ishing company in the country. comes with a five-year adhesion warranty, although David says control their own destiny.

“If we ever found ourselves out and process works well for high-use areas.

For added peace of mind, of work again, it would be because of decisions we had and refinishing thethat process works well for high-use areas. be Forable added peace of20 mind, “The owners were such good, Christian people, with an outstanding prodthrough normal use, a homeowner should to enjoy 15 to years of work again, it would be because of decisions we had your comes with a five-year adhesion warranty, although David made,” he says. yourthat refinishing adhesion warranty, made,” says. uct, ” Elizabeth Dowdy says, searching explaining why chose this of through their newcomes surface.with says normal use,a afive-year homeowner should be ablealthough to enjoy David 15 to So thehe Dowdys began for athey franchise thatparticular they busisays that through normal use, a homeowner should be able toorenjoy 15 isto So the Dowdys began searching for a franchise that they ness.

What about mold and mildew?

If there is an existing mold mildew 20 years of their new surface. could believe in. Their search led them to Miracle Method, 20 years of their new surface. could believe in. and Theirkitchen search led to company Miracle Method, Whatsue, about mold andwill mildew?

If there is anofexisting mold mildew The Dowdys recognized the valuerefinishing thatthem the company brings Miracle Method handle the abatement such. Once theor coating has the largest bath into the theconsumWhat about andhandle mildew? there is an existing mold orgrowth mildew the largest bath and kitchen company in the kitchen issue, Miracle Method will abatement such.and Once the coating er.

Instead of homeowners spendingrefinishing $20,000 or more on a complete bonded tomold the original surface,the theIf likelihood ofofmold mildew is country. issue, Miracle Method will handle thethe abatement of such.

Onceand themildew coating country. has bonded to the original surface, likelihood of mold remodel, they could invest a small fraction of that and have a beautiful “new” eliminated.

“The owners were such good, Christian people, with an has bonded to the original surface, the likelihood of mold and mildew “The owners were such good, Christian people, with an growth is Are eliminated. kitchen. there any other services I might want to know about? Yes. outstanding product,” Elizabeth Dowdy says, explaining growth is eliminated. outstanding product,” Elizabeth Dowdy says, explaining Are there any other services I might to know about?

Yes. As a wife and a mother of three daughters, Elizabeth also recognized the Miracle Method can also make bathing saferwant with their Easy Step®.

“We cut an why they chose this particular business.

Are there any other services I might wanttheir to know about?“We Yes. why they chose this particular business.

Miracle Method can also make bathing safer with Easy Step®. benefit of being able to offer counter top refinishing with much less disruption opening in your existing tub which allows easier entry and exit for seniors and The Dowdys recognized the value that the company Miracle Methodincan make bathing witheasier theirentry Easy and Step®.

The recognized theofvalue that thecan company youralso existing whichsafer allows exit“We for to the family. typical kitchen refinishing, she says, be done in acut dayan opening the mobility impaired, ” Davidtub explains. brings toDowdys theThe consumer.

Instead homeowners spending cut an opening in your existing tub which allows easier entry and exit for brings to the consumer.

Instead of homeowners spending seniors and the mobility impaired,” David explains. and a half.or more on a complete kitchen remodel, they could More even the quality and value, Elizabeth says, is the cus$20,000 seniors and theimportant mobilitythan impaired,” David explains. $20,000 or more on a complete remodel, they could Moretomer important theexceed quality value, expectations Elizabeth says, is the The two most attractive features, askitchen shehave explains, involve the great value in service.than “We even strive to ourand customer’s on a regular invest a small fraction of that and a beautiful “new” More important than even the quality and value, Elizabeth says, is invest small as fraction of that have a time. beautiful “new” are customer service.

“We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations onthe a price anda quality well as the quickand turnaround But, chances you basis. ” kitchen. customer service.

“We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations on a kitchen. regular basis.” may to know Suchofas:three daughters, Elizabeth also But Elizabeth and David Dowdy’s commitment to service goes beyond Aswant a wife and amore. mother regular basis.”

As adoes wifeitthe and a mother three daughters, Elizabeth But Elizabeth andAsDavid Dowdy’s commitment to service beyond recognized benefit of ofbeing able to offer countertop How work?

The Miracle Method process, whether it bealso for counter their careers. residents of Goochland county for past goes 11 years, they But Elizabeth and David Dowdy’s commitment to the service goes beyond recognized the benefit of being able to offer countertop their careers.

As residents of the county for the past 11 years, they are both refinishing much less disruption to the family.ofThe tops, cabinets,with bathtubs or flooring, involves the application a nine-layer are both active in community service as well.

He is a volunteer firefighter and their careers.

As residents county for the past 11firefighter years, they areEMT both refinishing withwhich muchbonds lessshe disruption family.

The active inEMT community serviceof asthe well.

He&isRescue a volunteer and typical kitchen says, cantosurface. bethe done in a day non porous coatingrefinishing, to the existing with Goochland County Fire and she firefighter serves on the Board of active in community service as well.

He is a volunteer and EMT typical kitchen refinishing, she says, can be done in a day with Goochland Fire &Chamber Rescue and she serves on the Board of and a half.

What will my counter top look like? The counters will look like natural Directors forCounty the Goochland Commerce. with Goochland County Fire & Rescueofand she serves on the Board of and a half.

Directors for the Goochland Chamber of Commerce.

Directors for the Goochland Chamber of Commerce.

“My ugly kitchen counters now look like natural stone! These guys are professionals and their "Outstanding job...5 timesreplace better than we imagined, recommend Miracle Method!" work shows it. Don’t call Miracle Method highly for top notch refinishing!”

"Outstanding job...5 times better... than we imagined, highly recommend Miracle Method!"

Dave R, Richmond - Richard McKann, radio host of WRVA’s Home Improvement Show - Dave R, Richmond

2410 Granite Ridge Rd. • Suite 1 • Rockville, VA 23146 2410 Granite Ridge Rd. • Suite 1 • Rockville, VA 23146

Take 1-64 to the Rockville/Manakin exit. Go North on Ashland Road for one mile to Left Take 1-64 to the Rockville/Manakin exit. Go North Ashland Road isforonone to Left on Commerce Center.

First Left is Granite Ridge andon Miracle Method themile Right. on Commerce Center. First Left is Granite Ridge and Miracle Method is on the Right.

Visit the Showroom: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm or by appointment Visit the Showroom: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm or by appointment 804-749-8990 • MiracleMethod.com/richmond 804-749-8990 • MiracleMethod.com/richmond