Ed 353: Date Night Spot, Palomas, Richmond Restaurant Week
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Happy midweek!
We kicked things off on Monday at Cirrus Vodka’s new spot for our first member meetup of the year, and let me tell you what: stunning situation they’ve got going on over there. If you didn’t make it out (we missed you *and*) be sure to get a visit on your calendar ASAP (more deets to come). I can’t not see that whole Ballast venue buzzing this summer; I’m already jealous of your first sip of a freshly-served Paloma on the patio. You’re living the life.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Christian Siriano sighting, an Afro-textured hair salon, brisket near The Diamond, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 76°, low of 58°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 78°, low of 52°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 79°, low of 55°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 4 - 8 pm: GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Thursday, 6 - 7 pm: SUNSET COMMUNITY YOGA AT VIRGINIA WAR MEMORIAL
Friday, 7:30 pm - 1 am: LIVE DJ AT RIVER CITY ROLL
CITY GUIDES
2. WHERE TO BUY FLOWERS & PLANTS FOR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION (OR JUST BECAUSE, TBH)
3. ELEVATE YOUR OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCE ON THESE 7 ROOFTOPS
Image Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Kate Ogden: She’s an art education major at VCU, merging her passions for teaching, science, and art through her project What’s Really Real: AI and Photography. Kate — along with VCU Libraries' Oscar Keyes — developed a K-16 curriculum that delves into the relationship between artificial intelligence and photography, aiming to help students navigate the complexities of synthetic media and misinformation.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Nouveau Provisions
Image Source: Jake’s Place Restaurant & Market
Image Source: The Book People
Image Source: The Rinse Retreat
SOCIAL NEWS
You’ve got a busy few days ahead. Richmond Restaurant Week’s spring iteration is upon us again. The biannual event that celebrates the city's vibrant culinary scene, while supporting hunger relief efforts, has locally owned restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe meals for $35.25, with $5.25 from each meal donated to Feed More, a nonprofit that provides meals to those in need across Central Virginia. Since its inception in 2001, RRW has raised over $1.3 mil, contributing to more than 3.2 million meals. Peep this spring’s participating restaurants here, and make dinner plans for now through this Sunday, April 27. (Richmond Restaurant Week)
Here’s some inspo for your next date night: The folks behind Nouveau Farms have officially launched Nouveau Provisions, a wine, coffee, and dessert café in Carytown. Aiming to create the “ultimate date-night spot,” the space features the farm’s wines, desserts from JC Desserts, Fireside Pizza, and more. Stop by during biz hours on Wednesday through Sunday for morning bevs or afternoon-evening treats. (Richmond BizSense, Nouveau Provisions)
Chesterfield County has completed its more inclusive upgrades to Huguenot Park’s A Playground for Katie and Friends, enhancing accessibility for children of all abilities. The renovations include new wheelchair-accessible play structures, sensory-friendly equipment, and improved safety features, honoring the memory of Katie, a young Richmonder who was born with the left side of her brain underdeveloped, and aiming to provide a welcoming environment for families across the community. Local officials and community members celebrated the reopening, emphasizing the importance of inclusive recreational spaces and Chesterfield County’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement. (WRIC)
Looking for a luxurious hair renewal experience? Déja Coley, who founded nonprofit Girls Like Me, is launching a wash-and-blow-dry shop in Henrico this week. Opening today, Wednesday, April 23, The Rinse Retreat is designed for women with Afro-textured hair, offering a $50 flat-rate service, which includes shampoo, detangling, and blow-drying, with no tipping or extra fees based on hair length or type. As far as atmosphere goes, the salon’s 1,000 square feet of space features a retro aesthetic and aims to streamline the often time-consuming wash day experience. Déja plans to expand the concept around town and eventually franchise the business. (Richmond BizSense)
Get your drink order(s) ready: Cirrus Vodka is just about set to open its new cocktail lounge and tasting room in Scott’s Addition as part of the Ballast development filling out Blue Bee Cider’s former digs. The Ballast project, led by Yellow Umbrella Provisions, also features another location for the seafood market and also-soon-to-open restaurant Slack Tide Fish Co., which will have a menu available at Cirrus for folks who want to enjoy something extremely delicious alongside their equally incredible sips. Look for the tasting room’s official opening date in the coming days. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Where to eat before or after a Squirrels game: Jake’s Place Restaurant & Market is expanding its offerings outside of Ashland to its next location, Jake’s Bullpen, fittingly situated in the Diamond District. Set to open in early May, and with a menu made for quick service, the walk-up eatery will serve fan-favorites like brisket, smoked ham, and pulled pork. Diners can also expect an option for catering pickup and occasional live music, and the spot plans to obtain its ABC license, too. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🧑🍳The Relationship Recipe is a fun, interactive workshop that lets couples learn healthy communication skills and apply them while engaging in a cooking lesson together — and its founders (couples therapist Leah Contreras and professional chef Elvys Contreras) let us know their next workshop happens Sunday, May 25 and offered our members a discount. Meet you in the Member Perks section below! (The Relationship Recipe)
📚Indie Bookstore Day is back this Saturday, April 26 — and Richmond is celebrating bigger than ever. (Instagram)
💔Tablespoons Bakery announced its plans to close next month. (Instagram)
👀Christian Siriano def bought his mom a house in Richmond, right? (Instagram)
Image Source: And Dim Sum
Weekly Giveaway
And Dim Sum
If you haven’t been able to pay attention to much beyond our mention of Richmond Restaurant Week up top, we get it. We’ve been perusing the menus, and And Dim Sum’s RRW spread includes Sichaun Beef Tartare, Sticky Spare Ribs, and Black Sesame Rice Krispies Treats. Let this be your sign to definitely get over there at some point.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to And Dim Sum! We’ll just be over here drooling.
To enter, tell us: What’s a new something you recently learned?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Bryce C., for winning the Pinky’s giveaway!
Image Source: The Relationship Recipe
Member Perks
The Relationship Recipe
Like we said a sec ago, The Relationship Recipe is a fun, interactive workshop that lets couples learn healthy communication skills and apply them while engaging in a cooking lesson together.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you and your partner score the May 25 class for $125 — a 50% discount from its original $250 registration fee! Just sign up here.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 11 new members this week: Layla B., Briana S., Abby G., Megan M., Suzanne B., Sarah Y., Ellen H., Ashley W., Sean M., Mark M., and Janie R., we’re so glad you’re here!
It takes a village, so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 353 of The Weekly Insider.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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