Richmond Food News: May 2-8, 2024

Stacked high

It’s been a four-year journey filled with pop-ups, cheesesteaks and other meat-and-cheese creations galore, but the moment has finally arrived: sandwich experts and married couple John Martin and Liz Clifford are graduating into full-fledged restaurateurs. Former tenants of the Hatch Local food hall, fans of good old-fashioned sweets and subs, are preparing to open Fat Kid Sandwiches downtown. (Richmond Magazine)

Flavor family

Grapes, nuts, ube and KOE (ketchup in everything) are just a few of the unusual flavors on the menu at Babs & Gracie’s Ice Cream and Cookies. Run by married couple Marsha and Emmanuel Guyot, the Hull Street store offers a taste of the world with homemade paletees, New Zealand-style ice cream and more. (Richmond Magazine)

Best bites

We’ve got some food for thought and a bit of RVADine inspiration in our latest roundup Favorite local dishes. In the lineup: a classic club sandwich from the hangout in Mechanicsville, Peking duck at the Horsepen Road institution, and a Virginia version of hummus. (Richmond Magazine)

Spotlight: Bobo Katwe Junior.

In our latest Spotlight feature, we chat with… Bobo Cato Jr, the chef and co-owner who steers the waters of Mid-Atlantic seafood restaurant hits Odyssey and Alewife. Catoy reveals all kinds of things, from his ever-expanding jam collection to favorite comic books and the singing legend whose music helps keep him calm. (Richmond Magazine)

Mark those calendars

Premium canned fish has become a culinary trend in recent years. Meet the protein-packed swimmers on May 15 during a Canned fish tasting event (And celebrate a second birthday) in The Kitchen Classroom. Fishmongers Tuckahoe Seafood will lead a sampling evening featuring five wines, five prepared dishes, and five curated cans — trust me, this isn’t canned tuna from your mother’s cupboard.

ICYMI

North side restaurant Dots Back Inn It is an old but good restaurant. (Richmond Magazine)

Join her Marcelo Lopez Cortez, a cocktail shooter at the Emerald Lounge. (Richmond Magazine) Note: Union Hill’s island-inspired bar has sparked a Cinco de Mayo takeover that’s been dubbed No Esmeralda. In the place of their brothers, Jasper, TBT El Gallo Plan to serve fresh ceviche, tacos and dips.

Mas Cinco de Mayo: Family owned baby A Cinco de Mayo celebration takes place on May 4th and 5th with food specials and strong drinks on deck. In more than Sincero, look for $8 crunchy tacos and margaritas. Other places to consider on Cinco de Mayo or anytime: El Chido (multiple locations, tacos and tortillas are favorites), Abuelita’s (comforting guasos, aka Mexican stew), La Milpa (up to a salsa bar), Y Tu Mama (masters of quesabirria tacos), Taqueria Panchito (classics prepared right) and La Dona Cocina (a new family-run addition).

The juicy strawberries are a seasonal treat, and I suggest heading outside the city limits to visit Old pub farm (New Kent County). Every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., owner John Bryant and his crew invite people to pick berries straight from the field.

The Farmers Market Department welcomes a new face. The Workshop — a Scott’s Addition event space that opened last month — is about to bring a year-round indoor farmers market to one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods. launch may 8, Farmers Market Add Scott It will take place every Wednesday from 3-7pm, stay tuned for more details.

If you’re looking to scare away the Monday blues, Bookwap And the bivalves are calling.

One of my favorite things is that breakfast for dinner looks completely different. On May 6, Filipino-inspired baker Matamis and breakfast pop-up Bad Cats will be in attendance for a great atmosphere. Mix the first and last meal At Basic City Beer Co. Complete with pancakes, Moses beer and more.

RVA Love

Carbonated water and other types of champagne are becoming as popular as the straight stuff, and non-alcoholic options are growing all the time. With this shift, there’s a new batch of canned drinks gracing coolers — many of them infused with hops. Highlight Water jumped in the marketThe New York Times gives Richmond-based Hike Hopped Seltzer a shout out.

Travel + Leisure called Richmond one of the best places to live in Virginia (agreed!) and recently outlined a plan Perfect trip to the river city. On the food front, Church Hill’s The Roosevelt, Gressett and Alliwave secure a spot on the itinerary, along with Jackson Ward’s VMFA Floris and Mama J’s.

Upcoming events

• butter Boys Box Drop, Vasen Brewing Co. (May 4): Pre-order homemade pretzels including original pretzel, cheddar parmesan, or all flavors.
• Asian American CelebrationGreater Richmond Convention Center (May 4): The 26th annual event represents nearly two dozen Asian communities from around the world with cultural performances, food vendors and more.
• Plant sale, Shine Farms (May 4): Upload seedlings of vegetables, flowers and herbs for the home garden. Bonus: Sub Rosa pastries and coffee from Recluse Roasting Project
• RVA Taco FestivalHardywood West Creek (May 5): Festival benefits Safe Harbor with an abundance of food trucks (1115 Mobile Kitchen, Arroz, El Guapo and more), live music and free admission
• Pasta and Limoncello: Pasta categorySprezza (May 5): Taste limoncello that can be used as a pasta topping
• Spring marketHelen’s (May 6): Grab a piece or two from Horne Dogs and maybe step into the Polaroid Photo Booth.
• Slope party, Jasper (May 8): With a pungent garlic taste and fleeting appearance, ramps are the star of slices from Secret Squares and even a drink or two; More details are coming via Instagram.