The Trendspotter: January
We’re back again with your monthly dose of must-know news, The Trendspotter! This content series features monthly roundups of the newest and hottest businesses (namely, restaurants, bars, and then some!) around RVA.
There’s nothing ~dry~ about this month’s hot spots to scope out.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
Intermission Beer Company - Brewpub & Arcade
What it is: The second (and bigger!) site of Intermission Beer Company, featuring a fast-casual menu and gaming center.
Why we love it: Intermission announced its expansion last year and started soft openings for its new brewpub and arcade recently. They’re anticipating a hard launch soon with more beers on tap and games to come, but in the meantime, we’ve enjoyed multiple rounds of both cold ones and Skee Ball at the up-and-coming Lakeridge Pwky location. Keep up with their schedj here.
Where to find it: 10180 Lakeridge Pkwy #114 (Ashland)
Shyndigz Market
What it is: A revamped version of the dessert heaven every Richmonder knows and loves.
Why we love it: Shyndigz Market is officially back up and running on Cary St after a year and a half of (re)work. The spot has opened its doors across from the former Shyndigz restaurant and fancies itself a bakery, gift shop, cafe, watering hole, and plant shop. Unlike the former to-go-only version of the market, this new-and-improved shop encourages guests to “sip, shop, stay,” so grab a slice of cake or some deviled eggs and peruse for a while. We recently designated it our remote office for a perfect aft featuring a cappuccino and a (large) slice of cake. Highly recommend.
Where to find it: 1912 W Cary St (Carytown)
Bingo Beer Co
What it is: The headquarters for your next pizza night.
Why we love it: Bingo Beer Co is partnering with chef Brittanny Anderson (of Brenner Pass, Black Lodge, and Metzger Bar & Butchery!) to introduce a pizza-driven venture at the barcade that’s sure to be “fun, easy-going, and delicious AF!” Look for the concept roll-out at the end of this month, offering bar pies, apps, shareables, salads, and sammies.
Where to find it: 2900 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)
GRACE
What it is: One of the newest residents of Hatch Local Food Hall.
Why we love it: Chef Jessica Wilson is bringing her food concept, GRACE, to the Manchester neighborhood, and everything from the menu to the ambiance is giving elegance. Here’s a bit of what the team over there had to say about the innovative and sustainable farmhouse cookery:
“GRACE at Hatch Food Hall promises a unique, conscious dining experience, embodying freshness and heart by blending old farmhouse traditions with innovation. The counter service showcases a vegetable-forward menu, offering patrons insight into Chef Wilson's vision before GRACE's brick-and-mortar opening. The residency presents a variety of offerings, including small bites, tin fish happy hour, Monday roast dinner, natural wine pairings, daily specials, monthly workshops, and Tuesday Supper Events.”
Where to find it: 400/414 Hull St (Manchester)
Session
What it is: One way to put the “dinner” in your upcoming “dinner and a show” date-night plans.
Why we love it: Rappahannock opened a new, low-key spot next door: Session. The late-night bar and cocktail lounge is targeting folks looking for a pre-show or post-show dinner when they’ve got tickets to something at the Dominion Energy Center or The National. The menu is simple and offers affordable drinks (hello, $8 old-fashioned!) to pair with delish snacks (and hello to you, too, blue fish dip!).
Where to find it: 318 E Grace St (Downtown)
Floris at VMFA
What it is: A culturally enriching tearoom experience at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Why we love it: Here’s *just some* of the tea straight from the source:
“Floris at VMFA will offer guests an enjoyable, authentic tea experience. Tearoom staff have been trained in tea culture, inspired in part by classic English and French salon tea service. Menus will change seasonally and with special exhibitions. Each rotation will offer a culturally enriching experience that links the traditions of tea with VMFA’s global art collection.
Nestled in the museum’s Richmond campus, Floris at VMFA is in the parlor of the Stan and Dorothy Pauley Center. Guests will enter the tearoom from the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden. Noted for its architecture based on eighteenth-century plans for the White House, the Pauley Center — a longstanding favorite location for wedding receptions and soirées — houses elegant and inviting reception rooms restored in the Colonial Revival style.
Guests may order local handcrafted teas from Dominion Tea in Purcellville, Virginia; Roots Tea Blends, a holistic, Richmond-based Black and Queer-owned tea and lifestyle brand; and Savory Blends Tea Company, a Black woman-owned business in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood.”
Where to find it: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Sharing new trends each month!
Check back the first week of each month for a new edition of The Trendspotter to find out which businesses you need to know about (and check out!) in RVA.
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