The Trendspotter: September 2022
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 and bars!) around RVA.
Afghan-style roasted chicken; fig, ham, and goat cheese mac — we got extremely sidetracked scrolling menus as we pulled together this month’s roundup of must-try places.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
The Mantu Market
What it is: A sister location to Afghan restaurant The Mantu from Chef Hamidullah Noori and Sous Chef Ali Karimi, featuring a market, bakery, and fast-casual café.
Why we love it: In addition to the mouth-watering eats (see, for example: the housemade naan or the bolani served with special sauce and stuffed with potatoes, onions, cilantro, green chile, and Afghan spices), Chef Noori’s motivation behind his work is worth noting. As he told Richmond magazine this summer, “I wish for people to support me in just having lunch or dinner at my restaurant or if they want to try the marketplace. So any penny that I make from these two places, a portion of that, of course, will go towards refugees as I try to support humanity.”
Where to find it: 7510 W Broad St (West End)
BigWife’s Mac n’ Cheese
What it is: A spot in the neighborhood that features a menu inspired by the owner’s pregnancy craving for the ultimate comfort food.
Why we love it: There’s the Little Figgy Mac, the Buffalo Mac, and the seven other delish options on the menu in addition to the Big Ass Cookie and the Big Boy Brownie for dessert(s). (Okay, and yes, they have salads, too, which also look great. We’re just particularly fixated on the cheesier choices.)
Where to find it: 1017 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Unit A (Scott’s Addition)
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co
What it is: A Roanoke-based, artisan, small-batch ice cream company that just opened another location in the West End.
Why we love it: Blue Cow Ice Cream Co offers your classics, but they also scoop some deliciously unique flavors, like their Goat Cheese with Blueberry Swirl — “creamy goat cheese and a fresh blueberry swirl create a balanced flavor with a nod to cheesecake.”
Where to find it: 7017 Three Chopt Rd (West End)
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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