PREMIER ISSUE!
RiverCity
RichmondNavigator.com
July / August 2018
INTERVIEW WITH
WILL MARSH OF
GOLD
CONNECTIONS
CHURCH HILL
PULSE OF THE CITY:
RICHMOND’S NEW LIVING SPACES: LATE NIGHT DINING BUS SYSTEM AFFORDABLE LUXURY AT ARTISAN HILL AFTER HOURS EATS IN RIVER CITY
M
ยก AuthENtic MExicAN ! FRESH | FAST | DELICIOUS
2617 W. Broad St. Richmond (804) 257-9930 LalosCocina.com
523 E Main St. Richmond (804) 644-0740 chicanoscocina.com
7610 Left Flank Rd., Mechanicsville (804) 559-6745 ThePatronRestaurant.com
Contents
RiverCity JULY / AUGUST 2018 PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
William J. Davis, Jr.
VICE-PRESIDENT // PUBLISHER
Cheryl T. Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Steve Cook
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Ashley Jefferson COPY EDITOR
Tammy Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Michael Lay
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ryan Hooley
DIGITAL MANAGER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Joey Wharton
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dave Masucci, Joey Wharton, Josh Young
04
WILL MARSH
22
13
ROOTS OF RC
TACOS
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BarberStock.com, BigStockPhoto.com CONTRIBUTORS
Zach Brown, Davy Jones, John Stoner EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Cosima Pellis
SALES CONSULTANT
Emily Sanders
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Jimmy Davis
ADVERTISING RiverCity Magazine is published bimonthly by Richmond Navigator Media 6301 Harbourside Drive, Suite 100 Midlothian, VA 23112 P: 804-639-9994 E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com ONLINE // SOCIAL RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Twitter.com/RichmondNav
04 06 08
RiverCity Flow Pulse of the City: Richmond’s New Bus System Central Virginia Connection: Interview with Will Marsh of Gold Connection
11
Tastebudz
13
In Search Of: Tacos
16
Late Night Dining
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18
GENERAL // EDITORIAL INFORMATION E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com
Raising the Bar: A Taste of the Islands
20
Happy Hour Guide
21
Beer Budz
22
The Roots of Richmond
26
Living Spaces: Artisan Hill
July / August 2018
A PUBLICATION OF
A Division of Advertising Concepts, Inc.
Articles and contents of this magazine are not necessarily the opinions or thoughts of RiverCity Magazine, Advertising Concepts, Inc. or the publisher. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. About Our Cover:
The I-64 corridor has been somewhat a “gold connection” for Will Marsh. In this issue’s Backstage column, Davy Jones follows the route that led Marsh from Charlottesville (where he grew up) to Williamsburg (where he attended William and Mary) with important stops in Richmond where he and his group, Gold Connection, have both recorded and performed. Special thanks to Joey Wharton who captured our cover photo.
From the Editor
Staff, Writers & Photogs Gather, Schmooze, Eat Pizza.
Welcome to the “Premier Edition” of River City Magazine. Now, if you’ve ever read Richmond Navigator’s West End Best Magazine, then you might realize that I’m not being 100-percent honest calling this a premier edition. River City has been published as a component of West End’s Best for several years. However, as such, this magazine’s primary distribution was through the mail and largely to West End homeowners. So, this is the premier issue as a standalone publication. We have made this exciting change for several reasons. First, and not foremost, I was afraid that many of our West End readers were getting confused when they had to turn their magazine upside down to read the River City portion, which was produced as the back part of a flip-format magazine (or the front part if you started from the back). We even heard from some readers who complained that they were getting dizzy trying to stand on their heads in an effort to read River City. Of course, we are talking about West Enders. Thankfully, we can say that, henceforth no humans will be harmed in the reading of this magazine. There were other reasons for the change. While this is not a recent discovery, the truth is the River City is becoming such a dynamic and vibrant place to live, work and play. Here at the magazine factory, we have been discussing for some time the importance of giving our readers a magazine that totally and beautifully captured the culture of the city. The art, music and dining scene that Metro Richmond has to offer is nothing short of amazing, not to mention the number of street festivals and other special events. There is so much that needs to be spotlighted and celebrated. I honestly do not believe that any other publication in the area is as devoted to providing this sort of content in a totally positive manner. It’s not our job or our desire to harangue you with complaints about what’s wrong with our city. There’s a place for that. But it’s not here. Our goal is to give you content that we hope will entertain, inform and educate you about all the excitement the city has to offer, as well as the special folks who are responsible for making the River City such a fantastic place. I am confident that for many, if not for most of you, this will be your first introduction to our magazine. Whether you’re a longtime resident, a newcomer or a tourist, welcome. With our new format and primarily public distribution in hotels, breweries, restaurants, retailers, medical offices and more, you’re going to be seeing a lot of River City Magazine around the River City. Of course, the magazine will continue to evolve into something that will give you what you want. In order to do that, we need your input. What would you like to see and read? Do you have story ideas, or suggestions that would make River City Magazine more valuable to you? Tell us what you like and what you don’t like (let’s not get too personal, however, I’m quite sensitive). You can email me at steve@ richmondnavigator.com. I look forward to hearing from you. But enough idle chatter. You’ve got a magazine to read.
Steve Cook,
Steve@RichmondNavigator.com
In early June, the staff of Richmond Navigator Media got together with our contributing writers and photographers for a pizza party at Bottoms Up Pizza at 1700 Dock Street in Shockoe Bottom. First, kudos to the staff at Bottoms Up. The service was only exceeded by their delicious pizzas. I took the opportunity to speak with many of these talented folks and to ask them to share what they felt makes the Metro Richmond area such a great place to live. As the publishers of this magazine, as well as Chesterfield Living, River City and West End’s Best magazines, it is our firm belief that there are many things that make this region exceptionally livable . Several of our writers expressed appreciation for the culture and the architecture of the city. One mentioned the many parks and recreational areas and another told us that she loved the affordability of the region. Ashley Jefferson, who has been a contributing writer for several months and who has now joined our staff as assistant editor (welcome Ashley), has formerly lived in Washington D.C. as well as in many neighborhoods in New York City. She said that the fact that you can navigate the city without spending hours stuck in traffic was attractive to her. Richmond, she said, has so many amenities to offer especially Assistant Editor, Ashley Jefferson as it is a rather small city. Because of Davy Jones’ vast background in music (he writes our regular Backstage Column), I was especially interested in his comments. When asked what he liked best, Davy said, “The quick answer is the music.”
Editor-in-Chief, Steve Cook and writer Davy Jones
He explained that the area is extremely rich in a wide variety of musical talent. “It must be something in the water,” Davy joked. He feels that VCU’s Music Department has played a large role in attracting many tremendously talented musicians to the area especially its jazz students. “They’re making headlines all over the world,” he said. “In years to come,” Davy said, “People will look back on this time and say, ‘I got to live (in Richmond) during that heyday.’”
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River City 3
RiverCity Flow
July 15
August 11
JD McPherson
Franz Ferdinand
ONGOING
On the National Scene
They call it a “music-lover’s fantasyland. Check out The National and find out why. Here is a partial lineup of this summer’s performances (see their website for full schedule): July 15 – Rich Homie Quan July 28 – Grunge-A-Palooza July 31 – Beres Hammond August 11 – Franz Ferdinand August 14 – Incubus See website for times and ticket prices / The National, 708 E. Broad St., 804-6121900/ TheNationalVA.com
ONGOING
Here’s a Classic
ONGOING
Summer Sounds at Capital Ale House
The Capital Ale House Music Hall has a summer calendar filled with music. Some of the scheduled performances include: July 15 – JD McPherson July 28 – Alex Cameron August 15 – Roanoke and Muther Goose August 31 – Town Mountain
July 24 – An Evening With Yes. This is their 50th Anniversary North American tour. August 19 – CAKE & Ben Folds
THROUGH JULY 29
Something’s Coming, Something Good
See website for times and ticket prices / Capital Ale House Music Hall, 619 E. Main St., 804-780-2537
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You knew it as the Classic Amphitheater. It’s been renamed Virginia Credit Union LIVE at Richmond Raceway. Coming up this summer:
It’s West Side Story at the November Theatre. This musical tale of starcrossed lovers remains one of the most beloved musicals of all time. See website for times and ticket prices / November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St., 804282-2620 / VA-Rep.org
July / August 2018
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3
AUGUST 11
The Richmond Flying Squirrel Double-A baseball team create plenty of funn throughout the summer. With giveaways, fireworks, concerts and more, there’s always something going on, including great baseball.
Dragon boating - Richmond’s biggest spectacle on water – returns to the James. Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer and one steersperson race 500 meters up the river in 40-foot canoes rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. Get your team together and get ready to roar.
Welcome to Funnville
See their website for schedule, game times and upcoming promotions / $8 - $14 (individual game tickets) / The Diamond, 3001 N. Boulevard, 804-359-3866 / SquirrelsBaseball.com
Roaring on the River
8:30 a.m. – first race / $1,095 - $1,595 to compete; spectators free / Rocketts Landing, 5000 Old Osborne Turnpike / SportsBackers.org
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3
A Napoleon Complex
The VMFA showcasing more than 200 works of art—many of which have never before been exhibited in the United States— in their current exhibit, Napoleon: Power and Splendor. The exhibition of international loans reveals the intricacies of the Emperor’s daily life and the range of works commissioned by and for him. Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday ‘til 9 p.m. / $ / Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, 804-340-1400 / VMFA.museum
AUGUST 16
Gratefully Alive
After nearly 19 years and over 2600 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians. Gates open 5 p.m., Showtime 6 p.m. / $31 / SERVPRO of Richmond Pavilion, 4901 Lake Brook Dr., Glen Allen, 804-423-1779 / InnsbrookAfterHours.com
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3
You Animal You
Embark on an anatomical safari and explore the intricate biology, zoology and physiology of the world’s most spectacular creatures. From goats to giraffes, squids to sharks and octopuses to ostriches, discover the form and function of animals in the touring exhibition “BODY WORLDS: ANIMAL INSIDE OUT.” See website for times and ticket prices / Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., 804-864-1400 / SMV.org
JULY 26
Beam Me to the Altria
William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, is heading to the Altria on July 26 for a live conversation and audience Q&A following a screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” 7:30 p.m. / $41 - $61 / Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., 800-5143849 / AltriaTheater.com
AUGUST 22
Blues in the Night
AUGUST 9 TO 12
And All That Jazz
What a weekend for jazz- and music-lovers of all genres at the Richmond Jazz Festival. Scheduled performers include: Gladys Knight, The O’Jays, Joss Stone, Tony! Toni! Toné!, George Clinton and Maze. See website for full schedule and ticket prices / Maymont, 1700 Hampton St. / JazzAtMaymont.com
ZZ Top, the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact, performs at Innsbrook After Hours. The group, true to its roots, continues to do what it’s always done. Gates open 5 p.m., Showtime 6 p.m. / $26 - $69 / SERVPRO of Richmond Pavillion, 4901 Lake Brook Dr., Glen Allen, 804-423-1779 / InnsbrookAfterHours.com
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River City 5
RIVER CITY LIVE
of the City
Richmond’s New Bus System by Zach Brown
Editor’s Note: As we go to press, GRTC’s Pulse rapid transit system is set to begin service in late June. This article was written on the assumption that the city will execute the inauguration of the system flawlessly.
A
s Richmond continues to expand, residents have more options than ever for trekking across our city. However, in order to see as much of it as you can, you’ll need to do it fast. To help accomplish our need for speedy travel, the GRTC will start running the Pulse rapid transit system on June 24th. The 7.6-mile bus line will begin at Willow Lawn and end at Rocketts Landing. Richmonders will have the option to drop by popular hubs such as the Arts District, Shockoe Bottom and Scott’s Ad-
dition without having to wait any longer than an average of 10 to 15 minutes for a ride. “The Pulse is a premium service designed to give riders more time for life,” says Carrie Rose Pace, director of communications for GRTC. “Riders will spend less time riding and can spend more time working, playing, shopping, exploring or eating.” The rapid transit line — jointly sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond Health System and VCU Health System — is a new take on a system that lay in the very roots of the city, harkening back to the streetcars of the Richmond Union Passenger Railway in the early 20th century. However, Pace officials promise that its ease-of-use will be anything but old fashioned. “The [rapid transit] features include modern improvements like
GRTC Pulse is a modern, high capacity rapid transit system that serves a 7.6-mile route along Broad Street and Main Street, from Rocketts Landing in the City of Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County. A Destination Guide is available at RideGRTC.com to help you plan your Pulse adventure.
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July / August 2018
platforms for level-boarding, off-board fare collection and transit signal priority (TSP).� Furthermore, even after the June 24 kickoff, the TSP will continue to adapt and evolve as data is collected during the Pulse bus runs in order to optimize the service for its riders. During the construction period of the project, many of the city’s businesses and citizens vocalized their concerns over the disrupted traffic and reduced commerce. However initially, citizens will be offered free rides on the Pulse route during an introduction period. As Pace has assured, the system will not be optimized for a few more months as the system grows and evolves to best get passengers to their destinations. Furthermore, it won’t cost an arm and a leg, as the Pulse fares will remain the same as all other local routes. The ease-of-use and quick travel times along the routes will allow local foodies and shoppers easier access than ever before to the restaurants and shops along the bus line. Richmond has more reasons than ever to get out there and explore, and the GRTC Pulse might be the most convenient and affordable way to see it all.
All 14 stations offer off-board fare collection at Ticket Vending Machines ($1.50 fare), benches and lean rails, shelter from the elements, emergency call boxes, bike parking, real-time arrival signage and announcements and platform level boarding to provide greater accessibility for the disabled.
RichmondNavigator.com
River City 7
BACKSTAGE with DAVY JONES
Central Virginia Connection + + + + + +
An Interview with Will Marsh of Charlottesville’s Gold Connections by Davy Jones
ill Marsh has seen his fair share of Virginia’s I-64 corridor. Marsh’s Central Virginian journey started when he was seven years old and his family followed his father’s teaching career from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. It continued in Williamsburg, where he attended the College of William and Mary and found a creative community that included Car Seat Headrest frontman Will Toledo. That collaborative relationship culminated in the first Gold Connections release — a self-titled EP recorded in a moldy basement, set aside for a couple of years, and finally released on Fat Possum Records in 2017 — that merged Marsh’s sharp, varied songwriting with Toledo’s production and mixing, among other contributions. 8 RiverCity
July / August 2018
While the divergent paths of the two musicians may have resulted in separate bands, they’ve shared several stages, including a 2017 Friday Cheers bill that saw Gold Connections open for Car Seat Headrest in Richmond in a memorable display of the talent that, just a few years before, had been taking shape less than an hour’s drive east on I-64. Virginia’s Capital City now takes on new significance in Marsh’s life, as Richmond-based label EggHunt Records recently released the first full-length Gold Connections album, Popular Fiction – a balanced, yet energetic collection that showcases the Charlottesville resident’s expressive singing and clear knack for identifying a song’s essence. We spoke over the phone about the various stages of this journey, how he approached recording Popular Fiction, and where he’s going next.
you only see them once in a while, maybe once every five months or something, and that makes it harder, at least at this point in our career, to have a trusting relationship. I saw EggHunt in that they seemed like a really hardworking label based in my area. We reached out to them, and Adam Henceroth was really friendly and came to our shows. He was kind of the loudest voice, and he seemed to want us the most. That’s what we wanted — someone who would make us a flagship artist, or a priority.
Are there any songs from Popular Fiction you’re especially excited to play live? “Bad Intentions” was the first single from this album, and hopefully people will connect with it in the live setting. We’ve been playing that song forever live, and it’s kind of a curious song for us. For a while, we were starting our set with “Bad
How did your partnership with EggHunt Records come about?
Photo: Lauren Khalfay
an
After our EP — Fat Possum did the EP — we were looking at different indie labels, and we were in contact with a few. I guess the most appealing thing about EggHunt was that they’re based in Richmond, and there’s that proximity to Charlottesville. It had been kind of difficult working with a label based in Oxford, Mississippi, slash New York, because
Photo: Lauren Khalfay
an
Photo: Jo
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ey W hart
River City 9
on
Davy Jones’ Picks
Photo: Rich Tarbell
Intentions,” which has a blues kind of lick to it, so we’ll start off these shows, like before Car Seat Headrest or something, with a [Rolling] Stones-y kind of thing, and people don’t really know what to do. “Who are these guys?” And then we play our more traditional, weird indie rock after that. That being said, it’s been fun to play a song like that alongside these other songs just to see what the reaction is.
Popular Fiction sounds beautifully balanced — it blends quiet and loud moments and songs so well. We were thinking a lot about dynamics, and I think my producer [Daniel Levi Goans] recognized that all of these songs have dynamics written into the structures of the songs, and we did make an effort to bring that out. When it comes to the album as a whole, I have a sense of how a record should sound from listening to music my whole life... I love records, and I’ve been listening for a long time, and I guess it came through in some way.
What was your listening environment like growing up? The first band that I fell in love with was Everclear. I moved to Charlottesville when I was 7, so that means I grew up in Baltimore in the late 1990s, when Everclear was always on the radio. I think my dad got So Much for the Afterglow. To me, that’s still a perfect album. So that was definitely a big influence as a youngster. My dad is an audiophile, and he was around for the 1970s and 1980s. When I was 14, he gave me his record player, and I could choose 50 records out of his collection... I think that was a huge moment, because it opened me up to Neil Young and R.E.M., and I could get more into the Beatles and this whole tradition of vaguely alternative rock music from the 1970s and 1980s.
July 26: Saw Black at Capital Ale House
623 E. Main St.; 804-780-ALES; CapitalAleHouse.com
In May, Richmond artist Saw Black followed up his successful Azalea Days debut with a sophomore full-length, Water Tower, care of Charlottesville label WarHen Records. The collection of powerfully personal and affecting indie Americana tunes promises to be on a number of year-end best-of lists around town and elsewhere, as Black achieves remarkable levels of sincerity and yearning in his songs, with plenty of complementary pedal steel to pull even harder at heartstrings. He promises to make a splash with a trio of performances slated for the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival in September, but before then, he’ll be appearing as the opening act for Nashville rock outfit Blank Range at Capital Ale House on July 26.
The vocals on Popular Fiction do such a great job of incorporating different techniques and modes of expression. What was the experience of recording them like? It was fun. Obviously my producer really loves music too, and we were both really excited about using the studio and using different techniques that we had come across just from listening to rock music. So it was fun to [say] ‘Do we double this track, or do we want to keep something like “Desert Land” really stripped down?’ We doubled the vocals on that, but on “Icarus,” [in] the verses, the vocals are on their own. It was really fun making those decisions. We didn’t have any hesitation to use all the resources that were there for us. We just wanted the music to come out.
What does the next chapter look like for Gold Connections? The next big step is definitely recording another album. Basically, right after writing Popular Fiction, I started writing new songs. I’ve been making demos for the past three years, and I have a whole bunch of new material that I’m really excited about, so the next step is definitely another album, whenever that’s going to happen.
For more information on Gold Connections, including tour dates and links to buy Popular Fiction, visit www.goldconnectionsmusic.com.
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Photo: Ben Folds
August 19: Ben Folds at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway
600 E Laburnum Ave.; 804-228-7500; VACULive.com
Part of a truly excellent bill that also includes Californian alternative veterans CAKE and folk duo Tall Heights, Ben Folds will be performing at the Virginia Credit Union LIVE! amphitheater at Richmond Raceway on Aug. 19. Since the 1990s, Folds has been making gripping music that achieves an inimitable balance of brightness and frankness. Lately, he’s taken an orchestral turn, with the 2015 release of So There — a collaboration with chamber ensemble yMusic and the Nashville Symphony — and a 2017 vinyl reissue of Live in Perth, which collected songs from a two-night 2005 performance with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Whether he’s performing with the accompaniment of dozens or alone at his piano, Folds is a must-see.
July / August 2018
tastebudz FLAVOR
by Steve Cook
Well, here we are, another exciting episode of TasteBudz, better known as Why Steve Is Once Again Wearing Size 38 Pants. There’s just too much to eat around this town. Here, let me show you what I mean.
WHERE THERE’S SMOHK, THERE’S FARE: The fare I’m talking about is fantastic barbecue, which you can enjoy at Smohk, located at 3112 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition. I stopped by there just a few days ago for a little take-home. The food coming out of the kitchen in this little hideaway never fails to impress me. I love BBQ, but to be honest, there are very few BBQ joints that absolutely blow me away. Smohk does…. blow me away, that is. Maybe it’s partly because I’m partial to the little guys, and Smohk is indeed a tiny spot tucked away in a little parking lot off Leigh Street. Just follow your nose. The aroma of hickory-smoked barbecue will lead the way. My only minor complaint about the place was that there was hardly any room to sit down and enjoy the barbecue after being served and who wants to have to wait when that delicious smell is wafting through the room. Well, when I was there the other day, co-owner Roby Williams showed me what they had done with the place. They’ve taken what used to be a storage area and turned it into a fullfledged restaurant. It’s still small, but there’s plenty of room for 25 to 30 to sit right down and enjoy some of the best BBQ in the state. While I’m partial to the ribs, everything I’ve tried is exceptional, especially when you top it with some of Roby’s own Smoky Apple BBQ sauce. Wow! Delicious. They cater, too.
PUT UP YOUR GILLS: Thanks to Emily Sanders, our lead advertising sales consultant for River City Magazine, I have discovered a cool, relatively new Jackson Ward sushi place that, by the time you receive this magazine, I will definitely have visited. I’m talking about Fighting Fish at 317 N. 2nd Street. I spoke with the restaurant’s manager, Victoria Booher, today and she describes the place, which opened a little over a year ago, as offering a “unique twist on classic Japanese sushi, featuring new flavor influences from different regions.” Some of the more popular items, Victoria says, are the Hawaiian poke bowls and the shrimp ceviche, which features tiger shrimp with a touch of habanero. A couple of new rolls, she tells me, have been added to the menu including the Alligator Roll (eel and avocado) and the Gemini Roll (sweet and spicy mango with plum sauce and spicy wasabi aioli). “We are really known for our sushi burritos,” Victoria adds. “They’re amazing.”
PATIO PLAYTIME: “Folks may call us PBR,” says Chris Staples, director of marketing and hospitality for the EAT Restaurant Group. “But our name,” he continues, “is Pizza and Beer of Richmond.” PBR (I’ll be one who calls it that) opened in late May at 2553 W. Cary St. This is one cool Fan-area restaurant, not just for dining but also for playing on the patio — the largest in the Fan, I’m told — which offers bocce ball and corn hole. But you won’t want to go just for the fun and games. The restaurant “is all about the pizza,” Chris says, adding that their mainly American-style Neapolitan pizzas will be cooked in a Marra Forni oven, an American-made Italian-style pizza oven that can cook (at up to 1000 degrees) a pizza in 90 seconds. As for the beer, PBR features 48 on tap, many of which are brewed right here in Richmond.
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BOOZE NEWS: Well, Virago Spirits has begun production in their new distillery at 1727 Rhoadmiller St. I had the privilege of attending a little media preview (tasting) of their Four-Port Rum a few weeks ago at The Jasper, at 3113 W. Cary St. Virago is owned by brothers, Barry, Brad and Barton Haneberg. Barry told me that the distillery will have its first product on the shelves in the local ABC stores this month and their tasting room at the distillery should be opening shortly thereafter. The tasting room will be operated by Brad’s wife Vicki.
PUT OFF THE WAIT, PUT ON THE WEIGHT: The wait is over. Now I know I’m going to put on a little weight. How can I resist Hot Diggity Donuts. That’s the new donut lounge by day, dessert and cocktail lounge by night at 2313 Hull Street. If you get a hankering for a Scotch and a glazed donut, this is definitely the place for you. The donut/dessert shop is the first of several cool ventures planned by local developers Michael and Laura Hild. Michael says that within a few weeks, their Butterbean Café should be opening just across the street (1204 Hull Street). The Butterbean Café is described as a welcoming spot where one can enjoy hand-pulled espresso, craft beer, and kombucha alongside delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches, all made from scratch.
ROOFTOP PERCH: I finally got up to the rooftop of the new Graduate Hotel (301 W. Franklin St.)a few days ago. They have a cool bar scene up there. They call it the Byrd House. It’s sleek. It’s sophisticated. It offers some very well-made cocktails along with typical bar-type appetizers. There’s more substantial fare if you really do go up there to eat. The view may be one of the best offered in the Downtown area. Who envisioned a day when one would be arguing about which rooftop bar offered the best view in the city? Richmond is getting so cool that by this time next year we may be arguing about who has the best robot bartender.
Great Beer. Great Food. Great Views.
legend.
Join us every Sunday for Brunch starting at 11AM with a great brunch menu. Jazz Brunch 1st Sunday of every month.
restaurant and bar hours:
Mon.–Thu. 11:30 am–11 pm | Fri.–Sat. 11:30 am–Midnight | Sun. 11 am–10 pm
Bluegrass/Americana Music Every Sunday Night! 321 W. 7th Street | (804) 232-3446 | LegendBrewing.com
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July / August 2018
Before I go, let me just say how much we love hearing from our Taste Budz. If you have any great dining experiences, please share them. Also, if you know of any cool restaurant news, share that as well. You can email us at Tastebudz@ RichmondNavigator.com.
Read Tastebudz Online each week at RichmondNavigator.com. If you have any restaurant news or recommendations, email us at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.
The taco has become one of the most ubiquitous foods to be found in both Mexican and non-Mexican eateries around town. Have you ever wondered about its origins? Jeffrey Pilcher, author of Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food (Oxford University Press), suggests that it dates from the 18th century and the silver mines in Mexico, because in those mines the word “taco” referred to the small explosive charges they would use to excavate the ore. “When you think about it,” Pilcher says, “a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really a lot like a stick of dynamite.” Regardless of where it started, here is where many locals end up when in search of a great taco.
CAPITAL ALE HOUSE
623 E. Main St., Richmond; 804-780-2537 CapitalAleHouse.com One of Virginia’s most popular restaurants takes us all the way to Cuba with their Cuban Pork Taco. This juicy taco is stuffed with marinated pulled pork, house slaw, a pickle slice, roasted corn and beans. And if that’s not enough, the taco is also served with your choice of a salad or French fries. Hungry tummies rejoice!
LITTLE MEXICO
1328 W. Cary St., 804-525-4216 LittleMexicoVA.com Rosio Garcia, who owns and operates this popular Fan-area restaurant was born in California. She has lived for much of her life in the Richmond area but her family ties to Mexico have taken her there on many occaions. Often, she’ll visit in an effort to discover new taste treats to bring back and share with her guests in the restaurant. Rosie says, “I absolutely love tacos.” That love shows in every bite. Order the Chipotle Shrimp Tacos and enjoy three soft corn tortillas filled with sautéed shrimp, covered in red cabbage, avocado, queso fresco, and cilantro crema, and served with black beans.
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THE DAILY KITCHEN & BAR 2934 W. Cary St.; 804-342-8990 12201 W. Broad St. (GreenGate); 804-360-3800 TheDailyKitchenAndBar.com
The folks at The Daily strive to serve foods that are not only delicious but also health conscious, environmentally friendly and socially responsible. That goes for their tasty tacos filled with chimichurri chicken (as pictured), red cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, corn, avocado, cilantro lime sauce and house made hot sauce. You can also choose from blackened mahi, carnitas or vegetarian tacos.
LALO’S COCINA BAR & GRILL 2617 W. Broad St., 804-257-9930 LolasCocina.com
Owner, Eduardo “Lalo” Macias remembers enjoying authentic tacos, sold from street vendors, as a boy growing up in Jalisco, Mexico. It’s those authentic soft tacos that you’ll find when you visit Lalo’s Cocina, as well as his new Downtown Mexican eatery, Chicano’s Cocina (523 E. Main St.). With more than 10 different taco’s on the menu, every visit to Lalo’s will warrant a new savory treat. We love the Tacos de Carnitas. The taco is filled with pulled pork and pico de gallo. It’s a simple treat that packs a whole lot of flavor.
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July / August 2018
BAKERS CRUST
3553 W. Cary St., 804-213-0800 BakersCrust.com Get ready for an explosion of flavor at Baker’s Crust. Their Thai Chili Shrimp Taco is good enough to write about. So we will. A heap of Thai chili shrimp, pico de gallo, cilantro, Chipotle aioli and tomato tarragon slaw are stuffed into a flour tortilla and then served with a side of grilled corn on the cob with queso fresco. The presentation itself is almost too beautiful to eat. But we encourage you to eat it, anyway.
DON’T LOOK BACK - TRIPLE 3306 W. Broad St.; 804-655-2770 DontLookBack.co
The best taco experience in town. That’s the express goal of the folks at Don’t Look Back, located in what was once The Triple pool hall. Tacos are definitely their specialty and are made fresh with quality ingredients and loads of flavor. Our favorite is the traditional-style Shrimp Taco. Served on a flour tortilla, this treat is filled with cabbage slaw, sour cream, cilantro, onion and lime. And it’s one taco that you won’t want to miss.
RichmondNavigator.com
River City 15
FLAVOR
LATE NIGHT DINING
Is there life after dark in Richmond. You bet! The city has plenty of bars that don’t close their doors ‘til the wee hours of the morning. And depending on how much liquid refreshment you’ve consumed, they’re open ‘til the wee wee hours of the morning. Here are some of our favorite spots where you can not only consume an adult beverage, but also enjoy a delicious meal late into the night.
The Jasper
Poe’s Pub
You know that hunger you get when you’re enjoying a refreshing, finely crafted cocktail? You don’t want a full meal, just something to snack on while you savor your drink? Well, that’s what you’ll find at The Jasper, the city’s hottest new bar. The cocktails are the main attraction, but there are plenty of small plates and cool snack foods, including potato chips with French onion dip. You can order off the menu right up ‘til closing time, which is 2 a.m. seven nights a week.
Got a late-night hankering for some delicious corned beef and cabbage or a home-style meatloaf. Then do what many of the locals do. Head for Poe’s. Great burgers, sandwiches and salads are served along with cold beer and your favorite cocktails. Poe’s is open ‘til 2 am every night except Sunday and Monday. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m. weeknights and at midnight on weekends.
3113 W. Cary St.; JasperBarRVA.com
2706 E. Main St.; 804-648-2120; Facebook.com/PoesPub1
Lalo’s Cocina Bar & Grill
2727 W. Broad St.; 804-367-4992; SabaiRVA.com
2617 W. Broad St.; 804-351-8602; LalosCocina.com
Discover all your Mexican favorites, including Lalo’s own homemade chorizo and authentic soft tacos at this popular Boulevard-area restaurant. The wrap-around bar is one of the coolest (and hottest) in town. The Cocina is open ‘til 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. And that includes the cocina (the kitchen), which stays open, serving your favorite dishes right up ‘til closing time.
My Noodle and Bar
1600 Monument Ave.; 804-308-1613; MyNoodleAndBar.com
Authentic Thai dishes and appetizers in a fun “underground” setting. My Noodle is open ‘til 2 a.m. Friday–Sunday nights. The rest of the week they close at midnight. The kitchen is open ‘til midnight every day.
The Pizza Place
Sabai brings authentic Thai street food to the streets of Richmond… Broad Street to be exact. In addition to the food, Sabai offers a lively bar scene. The restaurant is open until 2 a.m. every night and the kitchen doesn’t close until 1:30 a.m.
Station 2
2016 E. Main St.; 804-249-4702; Station2Richmond.com
Enjoy a wide selection of starters, gourmet burgers and an extensive beer list late into the night. This laid-back Shockoe Bottom hot spot is open ‘til 2 a.m. seven days a week. Order anything from the menu up into 1 a.m. On Monday nights, appetizers are half-priced from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Weezie’s Kitchen
3123 W. Cary St.; 804-726-1270; WeeziesKitchen.com
1731 E. Main St., 804-343-1300; RichmondPizzaPlace.com
Looking for authentic, hand-tossed NY-style pizza…after midnight? This is the place to come. The pizzas are served on Tuesday through Sunday ‘til 3 a.m. (They tell me that sometimes they’re open as late as 4 or 4:30 a.m. on the weekends). Order your favorite slice or whole pizza up until closing time. 16 RiverCity
Sabai
Feast on sensational starters, such as seared Ahi tuna and sliders, along with salads and entrees in this cozy Carytown restaurant and bar. Weezie’s is open until 2 a.m. seven nights a week. The kitchen doesn’t close until 1 a.m.
May / June 2018
Dine In • Carry Out • Delivery • Order Online
Enjoy Our Patio! Hours of Operation Mon-Wed: 11 am-10 pm • Thurs: 11 am-11 pm Friday-Sat: 11 am-Midnight • Sunday: 11 am-11 pm
1700 Dock St., Richmond | 804-644-4400 | BottomsUpPizza.com
We’re not just Barbecue.
For nearly 25 years, Poe’s Pub has been a friendly neighborhood hangout for the folks in Church Hill, Shockoe Bottom, and Beyond.
Isn’t it time you made Poe’s Pub your neighborhood hangout? 3112 W. Leigh St. (Scott’s Addition) 804-278-6326 | SmohkRVA.com
1600 Monument Ave. | WE CATER & DELIVER 804-308-1613 | MyNoodleAndBar.com RichmondNavigator.com
2706 E. Main Street
Located at the foot of beautiful Libby Hill Park
648-2120 • Like Us On Facebook River City 17
Photo: Ben Schumin. Taken in 2003
Celebrating the Flavors of Life!
Raising the Bar
A Tast e of th e by Steve Cook
an you think of a better way to spend a lazy, hazy, crazy day of summer than by relaxing on an island and enjoying a refreshing island-style beverage? Well, we can’t provide the islands (unless you’re satisfied with Brown’s or Belle), but we can direct you to some island beverages right here in the River City. For this first issue of the new River City Magazine, I visited some of my favorite local mixologists to get their take on island beverages. Both Mattias Hagglund, co-owner of The Jasper (3113 W. Cary St.), the new and hot Carytown bar well as Jason Lough, who is currently running the bar at Mom’s Siam, just three blocks east, recommended that I meet The Jasper’s beverage director, Brandon Peck. Considering that The Jasper is co-owned by two of the city’s most celebrated bartenders (Mattias and Thomas Leggett), it stands to reason that Brandon must have some pretty good creds. The crowds that flock to the hip little joint on a nightly basis would testify to that. But, the proof is, as they say, in the pudding. However, I wasn’t interested in pudding. I wanted that taste of the islands. Brandon prepared the perfect potent potable, the Caribbean Queen, which he tells me is his take on the Jungle Bird cocktail. The Jungle Bird uses black strap rum. Brandon goes with a black strap tequila, which is a concoction produced in-house using Reposado Tequila. Not only is the Caribbean Queen one of his own signature drinks, it has become one of the more popular cocktails in the bar. The thing I especially like about The Jasper is that it looks and feels like a bar. While there are plenty of tasty items on the (food) menu, this is a true bar with an emphasis on high-quality beverages. “We have found in recent years,” says Brandon, “that younger crowds are willing to spend more money if they believe the product is good and if you give them a good atmosphere to drink it in.” Even the sign out front, that simply says “Bar,” gives you the impression that this place is unique. Don’t look for the bar’s Happy Hour information in our guide (to follow). They don’t have one. “It’s always Happy Hour around here, Mattias says. Indeed, their slogan is “Full Pours & Honest Prices.” After sampling the Caribbean Queen, I headed down Cary to Mom’s Siam (2811 W. Cary St.). This has long been one of my favor-
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July / August 2018
Leslie Hong, GM of My Noodle and Bar with her drink, the Calamansi Crush.
ite dining spots in all of Richmond. Most folks know Mom’s Siam for its fabulous, authentic Thai cuisine, but did you know that under the direction of front-of-house manager, Ree Kaewmanee and bar manager Jason Lough, Mom’s Siam has a pretty cool bar scene as well. Jason describes the bar as offering “an introduction to the craft cocktail scene.” He tells me that creating craft cocktails is not as complicated as some would like you to think it is. I asked him if he takes the restaurant’s cuisine into consideration when creating the cocktail menu. “Absolutely,” he says. “The cocktails are influenced by the food.” For Mom’s Siam, Jason says the beverage program is rum heavy. “We use a lot of fresh lime juice, ginger, mint, basil ,Thai chilis and tamarind.” Jason says that guests of Mom’s Siam tend to like sweet and tart tastes
“We have found in recent years,” says Brandon, “that younger crowds are willing to spend more money if they believe the product is good and if you give them a good atmosphere to drink it in.” in both their food and drink. “Ree makes a great Old Fashioned,” he says. She also makes a drink that she calls a My Thai. “That’s Ree’s riff on the Mai Tai,” Jason says, adding, “When I make my version, guests will say, ‘I wanted Ree’s version.’” I gave Jason and Ree a challenge: Concoct an island cocktail. Their creation, which is made with Cruzan Black Strap rum, also features tamarind, the basic ingredient in many Thai dishes. The spice has what Jason terms a full-bodied tangy or tart taste. Other ingredients include lime and ginger, as well as a lighter, overproof rum. I cautiously took a couple of sips. This was, remember, my second cocktail of the afternoon. It truly is a drink that would go perfectly with Asian cuisine. “It tastes like summertime,” Jason said after sampling it. It fits the bill for an island drink. “What’s the name?” I ask Jason and Ree. “What’s your favorite place in Thailand?” Jason asks her. Ree, a Thai native replies, “The Similian Islands.” Jason had told me that the drink was similar to a Planter’s Punch, thus the new drink shall be known as Similian Punch. Just as a heads up, in Thai pronunciation, it would sound more like Simiran Punch. That’s how I repeated it back to Ree, who agrees on that pronunciation. The refreshing drink has quite a unique taste. If you were to take an authentic Thai dish, turn it into a drink and mix it with alcohol, this is likely what that dish would taste like. You try it and let me know what you think. Speaking of Thai food (and I do love Thai food), Leslie Hong, GM at Joe Kiatsuranon’s My Noodle and Bar (1600 Monument Ave.), also offers an island-style beverage, which she created for us. For her drink, Leslie uses calamansi as a base flavor. This fruit juice is better known as Filipino lemonade, and since the Philippines comprise more than 7,000 islands, this drink would definitely qualify as an island beverage. Calamansi is a citrus fruit similar to lemon and limes, and besides making a refreshing summertime beverage, the fruit is used extensively in Filipino kitchens for anything from a meat marinade to desserts. Leslie adds Kopper Kettle Dark Chai Spiced Rum, passion fruit, lime and Allspice Dram to create a delightful cocktail, which she calls Calamansi Crush. I like it, both the name and the drink. All in all, my island-hopping adventure was quite refreshing. Perhaps you would enjoy an island getaway? No passport needed. Oh yeah, one more thing: Please drink responsibly.
RichmondNavigator.com
Ree Kaewmanee and bar manager Jason Lough at Mom’s Siam.
Brandon Peck at The Jasper in Carytown.
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Mom’s Siam Restaurant 2188 W. Cary St.; 804-359-7606; MomSiam.com Authentic Thai food and a lively bar scene combine in one of Carytown’s most popular restaurants. In addition to Happy Hour info below, Mom’s Siam offers daily all-day specials such as $5 mojitos on Mondays, $5 off select bottles of wine on Wednesdays and $1 off rail drinks on Thursdays. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 7 P.M.; SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BRUNCH (NOON TO 3 P.M.) Draft beers – $1 off Wine, by the glass – $1 off
Chez Foushee
The Franklin Inn 800 Cleveland St.; 804-717-9493; TheFranklinRVA.com This cozy little neighborhood hangout has been serving up delicious fare for nearly 80 years.
2 E. Grace St.; 804-648-3225; ChezFoushee.com
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 3 TO 7 P.M.
“French food without the fru-fru.” Perhaps that says it best. Although “Tres délicieux, works nicely, too
Appetizers (except soup) – $2 off
THURSDAY – FRIDAY 5 TO 7 P.M.
Rail drinks – $3.50
Select wines, cocktails & appetizers – ½ off
Draft beers (select) – $4 Beer (all domestics) – $2.50 Beer (Narragansett, 16-oz.) – $2.50
My Noodle & Bar
Wine (select, by the glass) – $4
1600 Monument Ave.; 804-308-1613; MyNoodleAndBar.com Enjoy your favorite Thai dishes in cool “underground” digs featuring private treehouse seating.
The Stables at Belmont 201 N. Belmont Ave.; 804-588-9231; TheStablesRVA.com The Stables offers a tantalizing variety of exceptional small plates to be enjoyed along with finely crafted cocktails and some excellent wines. Entrees include boneless ribeye, duck breast and grilled lamb lollipops, as well as vegan options. Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 4 TO 7 P.M.
Beer – $2 off Wine – $2 off Cocktails – $2 off
Craft cocktails – $2 off
Sake – $2 off
Wine – $1 off
Appetizers (Tuesdays only) – $2 off
Beer, draught – $1 off Small plates – $2 off
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MONDAY – FRIDAY 3:30 TO 7 P.M. (AT THE BAR ONLY)
July / August 2018
r e e B udz B by John Stoner
It’s Summertime! Time for beer festivals, and to find new breweries and cold beers to escape Richmond’s sweltering heat! Join me in my exploration.
beer theme will be Wild/Funky/Sour beers, and more than a couple dozen of the best producers of such beers from around the world will be there, including Brasserie Cantillon, Jester King, Cloudwater, and Hill Farmstead. And the Veil, of course. Tickets to the first two Forever Summer festivals sold out quickly, so you don’t want to wait on this.
Camden’s Dogtown Market 201 W 7th Street (Manchester) CDMRVA.com
Brewing Tree Beer Company 9278 Rockfish Valley Highway (Route 151), Afton Brewing Tree just opened in June, and heralds the return to brewing by its owner and brewer, Mark Thompson. Mark was the founder and award-winning head brewer at Starr Hill. He took a three-year sabbatical from brewing to refresh himself and to re-center his energies. He has done so with a different philosophy: “No cans, no kegs, no distribution.” The only way you are able to get his beer is to go to the taproom. You can enjoy it there or fill a growler to take home with you. And you’ll surely enjoy it: they will specialize in clean, classic styles. When Beer Budz visited in June, there were a number of crisp, light beers on tap. We enjoyed the Chapter 2 IPA and the Philinda Vienna Lager the most. Because Brewing Tree has a very small brewing house – they make a half-barrel of beer at a time – there will frequently be new beers on line. As Mark believes in supporting other brewers and breweries, he intends to always have one collaboration beer on tap (a collaboration with Champion, when Beer Budz visited) and one guest tap. Finally, Brewing Tree will give back to the community – for every pint you have there, you will get a $1 wooden token to give to your choice of local charities. You’ll frequently find food trucks and music every Sunday, as well. Welcome back to the world of beer, Mark!
Tabol Brewing 704 Dawn St. TabolBrewing.com Opening in the Battery Park area of Richmond in July or early August, Tabol Brewing is a small-batch brewery specializing in local yeasts and wooden fermentation vessels. They’re looking to do “rustic” beers – wild, sour, and funky – but will have regular beer styles as well. Beer Budz is looking forward to the Saison, which will be just right to beat the summer heat.
The Veil Brewing Co. 1301 Roseneath Road (Scott’s Addition) TheVeilBrewing.com On Saturday, August 25, the Veil will have its third annual Forever Summer beer festival. This year, it’s being held at the Virginia War Memorial. Beer Budz attended the first two Forever Summer festivals, and thinks they are the highlight of the Richmond beer festival scene. This year’s
Over in Manchester – across the river from Downtown Richmond, and a block and a half downstream from Legend Brewing, in the historic Corrugated Box Building, sits Camden’s, a 35-seat restaurant with a gourmet neighborhood market. More to the point, it’s a bottle shop with an excellent wine selection and coolers full of craft beer – and the latter is just right for grabbing a six-pack on the way to the river for the afternoon. Camden’s has wine dinners about every six weeks – the one in late July or early August will feature Greek wines with seafood. There are also weekly winetastings on Friday afternoons, where yours truly usually pours the wine.
Courthouse Creek Cider 1581 Maidens Road, Maidens and 3300 W. Broad St. (Scott’s Addition) CourthouseCreek.com Courthouse Creek Cider opened its second location in early July, in Scott’s Addition. Enjoy their tasting room and cider garden Tuesday through Sunday. The Scott’s Addition location joins their tasting room at their cidery in Maidens (in Goochland County), which is open Friday through Sunday. They use heirloom cider varieties, a rustic style of cider making, and all their ciders touch wood through barrel fermenting or aging. Beer Budz’ favorite is the Black Twig. One of our favorite Beer Budz, Josh Young, had the opportunity to speak with the folks at Legends Brewing. Here’s his report:
Legend Brewing Co 2307 7th St. (Manchester) LegendBrewing.com A good story and a good brew-who could ask for more? Legend Brewing’s ongoing Urban Legend series is spicing up their summer beer lineup with some tasty brews that come with a backstory. As the oldest micro-brewery in Richmond, Legend has established a strong lineup of summer beers, including their flagship brown ale, and let us not forget the immensely refreshing Z-Dam. But the Fairy Cross Raspberry Saison that was just rolled out is an incredibly refreshing addition to your summer choices. It’s light in body with a dry finish, with the perfect amount of raspberry tartness. It’s named in honor of Fairy Stone State Park in Southwestern Virginia, where if you listen, you can hear the giggles of little fae creatures. Fairies or not, it’s a tasty beer.
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River City 21
Roots
of RICHMOND by Ashley Jefferson
Just past the entry way of the historic Valentine Museum, a large map of Richmond lies across the floor. Stretching from wall-towall, the map is surrounded by artifacts, treasures and cherished memories of what Richmond was so long ago. Richmond was definitely a gem. And it still is. New restaurants, retail spaces and apartment buildings pop-up virtually each day. Church Hill, Fulton Hill and Rocketts Landing seem to be the current hot beds of growth. But walking through the museum, I couldn’t help but wonder what Richmond was like in those areas before the late-night hotspots and luxury condos came to exist. 22 RiverCity
July / August 2018
Photo: Barber Stock
Why did people settle in Richmond in the first place? Per the information available at The Valentine, Native Americans “came to the James River fall line for two reasons, transport and food. Later, Europeans stopped at the fall lines when their larger watercraft could sail no further up river. Nature provided a logical place for trade within these groups. Colonial entrepreneurs also recognized the economic potential of harnessing the fall lines power.” Colonell William Byrd II was one of the entrepreneurs excited about the land’s trade potential. And because of his family’s trade relationship with the Native Americans, Byrd became the area’s largest landowner and tobacco trader. In 1733, with a mind for business and entrepreneurship, he projected a plan to establish the town of Richmond, a name which is thought to have been chosen because of the land’s similarity to Richmond-Upon-Thames,
Photo: The Valentine Museum
Steeped in American history and pride, Church Hill the site of Virginia’s second revolutionary convention and home to St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775.
Photo: Barber Stock
RichmondNavigator.com
River City 23
England. Just four years later, Byrd’s plan became a reality when, in April of 1737 atop of Church Hill, Major William Mayo surveyed the area, laying out “32 squares for Richmond, with streets 65 feet wide.” Those “32 squares for Richmond” included land that is now Fulton Hill, Rocketts Landing and Church Hill, the city’s first and oldest neighborhood. Church Hill, steeped in American history and pride, is the site of Virginia’s second revolutionary convention and home to St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775. As rich in history as Church Hill may be, it’s also pleasantly prepared for the future. Businesses and restaurants abound. Salons like Luminary Hair Co. offer great moments of relaxation for men and women alike, while casual dining spots, including Liberty Public House, offer happy hours throughout the week and brunches on the weekends. And in August of this year, the neighborhood will enjoy the opening of Patrick Henry Square, named after the beloved attorney who stood for liberty all those years ago. The new construction will sit along the 300 block of 24th Street and include 17 apartments and 6,500 square feet of commercial space. The real estate market is also booming. In the April 2018 issue of the Church Hill Community newsletter, Amy Tesauro shared the stats. So far this year, the average home sale price is $242,438. However, the property at 2607 E. Grace St. sold for a whopping $815,000 and stayed on the market for only 3 days! A sale like that would definitely make a business man like Byrd proud.
Photos this page: The Valentine Museum
Above: A 1890s view of the Fulton community from Church Hill. In addition to the raised roadways, a close inspection of the middle of the image reveals a baseball game in progress. The teams and the final score are likely lost to the mists of time. At left: Early 20th century Church Hill street scenes showing sidewalks, electrical poles and early automobiles.
Fulton Hill is expecting some major changes as well. Named after James Alexander Fulton — husband of Eliza Mayo, who was a descendant of Major William Mayo — the neighborhood is now looking forward to a social upturn. In recent history, the area was known as a messy, slum of sorts. Ridden with crime, the neighborhood was neglected by even its own residents. But today, hope springs eternal. Artisan Hill, the area’s newest living space, will bring luxury apartments to Fulton Hill. Located adjacent to the Fulton Hill Studios, Artisan
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July / August 2018
Hill will bring granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and more to an area that many often forget. As for Rocketts Landing, the area is alive with Conch Republic Rocketts and The Boathouse — the city’s only waterfront restaurants. Located directly along the banks of the James River, Rocketts Landing was once the meeting place for spectators to come and view the beautiful Eagle and Powhatan steamboats. Such boats were sights to see in the early 1800s, as they could sail upstream at the rate of two miles per hour and also move in reverse. It’s unlikely that a steamboat will make its way to Rocketts Landing anytime soon. However, the marina is still filled with pleasure boats, canoes and other water crafts owned by area residents. Fresh new townhomes and condos align the newly laid streets. And the area’s first apartment building, East 51, is expected to open later this spring. Richmond stands tall in the bedrock of history, and its current residents are just as excited about its development as the early colonists that settled here all those years ago. And though we are generations apart, one thing’s for certain, we’ve all looked forward to Richmond’s future.
A random sampling of
Dining & Shopping in Church Hill
Dining
The Roosevelt
Alamo BBQ
2202 Jefferson Ave.; 804-344-3374 Texas-style BBQ and tacos with a takeout window and patio seating.
623 N. 25th St.; 804-658-1935 One of Church Hill’s most popular eateries featuring New Southern fare and craft cocktails.
Retail & Services
The Boathouse Restaurant
4708 E. Old Main St.; 804-622-BOAT Distinct and unique dining experience with southern roots and cultural influences, complete with a waterfront view.
Conch Republic Rocketts Landing
11 Orleans St.; 804-226-6242 A Key West-inspired waterfront restaurant with island- and Cajun-influenced dishes.
Dutch & Co.
400 North 27th St.; 804-643-8824 Cozy and quaint restaurant utilizing seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, inspired by the cuisines of the world.
Liberty Public House
418A North 25th St.; 804-225-8275 1801 East Broad St.; 804-775-2392 A family-friendly dining experience in the historic Churchill district.
Metzger Bar and Butchery
801 N. 23rd St.; 804-325-3147 German-inspired plates, plus wines by the glass.
2607 East Marshall St.; 804-644-1212 Quaint, neighborhood Barber shop.
BOHO Cycle & BOHO Core
2401 East Marshall St.; 804-728-1824 Fitness center offering indoor cycling, strength training, hip-hop classes, and more.
Roaring Pines
2025 Venable St.; 804-269-5395 Retail shop offering household goods, utilities, and more, as well as a coffee bar and a soda fountain. The place to go for high-quality handmade brooms.
Sub Rosa Bakery
620 N. 25th St.; 804-788-7672 Local grains are house ground and baked in wood ovens to create artisan breads and pastries.
Union Market
Nile
306 N. 29th St.; 804-648-0791 A family-operated restaurant offering authentic Ethiopian cuisine and natural foods since 2006.
Proper Pie Co.
Ben’s Barber Shop
2505 E. Broad St.; 804-343-7437 A Small bakery serving a rotating menu of New Zealand–style pies with sweet and savory fillings.
2306 Jefferson Ave.; 804-716-7233 A neighborhood grocery and café featuring a variety of locally produced goods as well as a good selection of craft beers.
WPA Bakery
2707 E. Marshall St.; 804-716-9797 Hip bakeshop offering pastries, cakes and coffee. Lots of gluten-free and vegan options.
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LIVING SPACES
Affordable Luxury Coming to Fulton Hill by Ashley Jefferson ulton Hill Properties, the company behind some of your favorite Richmond landmarks, will be offering luxury-apartment living in Fulton Hill as soon as this November. The developer — responsible for Bottoms Up Pizza in Shockoe Bottom and the Lady Byrd Hat building of Canal Walk (also home to Carmax) — is currently building its Artisan Hill complex in an area located just above Rocketts Landing, Triple Crossing and Stone Brewing. When completed, Artisan Hill will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments, live-work artist studios, offices and a market cafe. Surrounded by ample greenery, including Pow-
26 RiverCity
hatan Park, the three-building community will share a 75-foot lap pool and a 3,000-squarefoot gym. There also will be a fresh new soccer
“It’s important to us that we’re helping with workforce housing. We’re committed to having support from the neighborhood association and churches for the project.” – Margaret Freund
Fulton Hill Properties President/Owner
field that will be open for public use. Rooftop decks and other indoor/outdoor social areas will allow residents to relax and socialize with neighbors and friends. The development will
July / August 2018
also be equipped with a dog wash and a bike repair station. And all of this comes with the blessing of the community, according to Fulton Hill Properties President and Owner Margaret Freund, who was certain to gather the support and approval of the community before she began construction. “It’s important to us that we’re helping with workforce housing,’’ she says. “We’re committed to having support from the neighborhood association and churches for the project.” This isn’t the first time the company developed in the area. In 1999, they opened Fulton Hill Studios — a 45,000-square-foot mixed-use development that sits on five acres in the Greater Fulton area of Richmond. Previously known
as the Robert Fulton Elementary School, the building was purchased by Fulton Hill Properties in 1997 and was redesigned to include 50 creative spaces, including artist studios and office spaces for photographers, marketing companies and other businesses, including their very own office. The new Artisan Hill property is being built adjacent to the Fulton Hill Studios, which is being renovated again to include artist studio-housing. “We’ve already got a bunch of the artists that were there moving back into the live-work studios once we are finished,” Freund explains. “Now, they will be able to live where they work. Their old studios will have kitchens and bathrooms.” Fulton Hill Properties specializes in urban transformation. However, gentrification is not the goal. Instead, revitalization is the main focus. Because of this, the new luxury development will be affordable to those in the area. Thanks to a few grants and a VHDA loan, 30 percent of the units will be available to those making 80 percent of the area median income. Units will range from $850 to $1,600, which is affordable compared to the market competition. Richmond resident Robert Dewalt, who was initially apprehensive about the new development, is now excited for the project — all thanks to his grandmother. “My grandmother was living in Fulton in the 60s and 70s when the government came in and
bulldozed the place after the flood,’’ he recalls. “They said they were going to build the place back up. But they never did.” Dewalt is making reference to the 1970 urban renewal plan that leveled 800 homes and businesses and displaced thousands of Black Americans.
“One of the things that came out of the Greater Fulton’s Future Initiative was that we wanted certain benefits in the neighborhood, like a school, grocery store and jobs.” – Margaret Freund Fulton Hill Properties President/Owner
“It was a tough time,” says Dewalt. “Folks were given some chump change and then told to leave.” What’s worse, the area remained almost barren until 2014 when Stone Brewing Co.
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opened their 200,000-square-foot East Coast facility. That’s when other private investors began to take notice. “I was starting to get a little worried,” explains Dewalt. “See, gentrification is actually colonization. And I was thinking that people were going to once again take what little bit we have and turn it into something for someone else. But my own grandmother says that these new apartments will help out everyone, so I’m satisfied with that.” Freund is all too familiar with these concerns, which is why she worked with the Neighborhood Resource Center’s community organizing initiative to learn what was really needed in the community. “One of the things that came out of the Greater Fulton’s Future Initiative was that we wanted certain benefits in the neighborhood, like a school, grocery store and jobs,’’ she emphasizes. “But we needed more people living there to get those things, so this project was motivated by that.” Freund made a point to not only keep the community involved but to also offer the community the absolute best that it deserves. Aside from the pool, gym and social areas, each apartment unit will feature hardwood floors, granite countertops, a washer and dryer and a private balcony — all at an affordable price. Artisan Hill will truly bring luxury to Greater Fulton and is a property that everyone in the city can be proud of.
River City 27
French Food without the Fru-Fru 2003
Lunch Tuesday – Friday
A Fresh Mix of Flavor in an Elegant Atmosphere
Dinner Thursday – Saturday Sunday brunch 2 East Grace Street • 804-648-3225 • ChezFoushee.com
420 East Grace Street, Richmond, VA Monday - Saturday 4:30pm-Close • Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm
Book on Yelp or Call 804.377.3968 for reservations | Juleps.net
The Perfect Getaway… is Not so Far Away.
History and romance meet where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay … come stay in one of our historic inns and enjoy days filled with secluded beaches, wine and heritage trails, quaint towns, and pristine nature. Plan YOUR perfect getaway at
www.NorthernNeck.org 28 RiverCity
July / August 2018
Discover the Culinary Artistry of Chef Evan Campbell. 210 N. Belmont | 804-588-9231 | TheStablesRVA.com From 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday | Sunday Brunch, 10 to 3 p.m. Happy Hour: Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Richmond’s Favorite Neighborhood Hangout since 1930!
Good Food! Good Drinks! Good Times!
800 N. Cleveland St. (at Franklin St.) | (804)716-9493 | TheFranklinRVA.com Opens at 11 a.m. Weekdays • 10 a.m. Weekends • Happy Hour 3 to 7 p.m.
NO ONE DOES IT LIKE MOM! For nearly 20 years, Richmonders have discovered that for deliciously authentic Thai cuisine, nobody does it better than Mom’s Siam.
Enjoy Mom’s home-style Asian delights in 3 locations from Shockoe to Short Pump.
Karaoke Friday nights from 10 ’til 2 only at
CARYTOWN
2811 W. Cary St. Richmond (804) 359-7606 MomSiam.com
SHOCKOE SLIP 1309 E. Cary St. Richmond (804) 225-8801 MomSiam2.com
SHORT PUMP
11674 W. Broad St. Henrico (804) 360-8301 YayasCookbookHenrico.com