Food News: Pizza whenever, dubious news, Christmas cheer, and the king of all brews
Just a friendly reminder, if you’re still eating Thanksgiving leftovers, it’s time to stop now. By law.
PIZZA RIGHT NOW
Slide your way down to Shockoe Slip for a slice at the new Pizza Tonight Restaurant & Bar, which opens TODAY for lunch (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM) and VERY SOON for dinner, pending ABC license approval, which, apparently, takes approximately one million years. While we wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn, we can get familiar with Pizza Tonight’s lunch menu, which includes salads, pressed sandwiches, and pasta, plus, you know, pizza. And, yes, there will be a cream puff on the menu. Pizza Tonight pastry chef Shola Walker has created her own version of the beloved profiterole with ricotta, dark chocolate, citrus zest, and pistachios. Here’s a sneak peek at the menu:
COULD THIS BE NEWS?
A good sandwich shop is one of those things that will keep people devoted to a place long after they leave it. For me, it’s the Cheese Shop in Williamsburg–a 44-year-old family-run business with a devoted following of William and Mary graduates (go Tribe!) and colonial history buffs who buy the shop’s signature House Dressing by the quart. I worked there all through college, and I will, to this day, happily make the hour-long drive for my beloved sandwich (tuna salad on foccacia) with little provocation.
Both Style Weekly and the Richmond Times Dispatch reported this week that Taste (formerly Taste Unlimited), a 42-year-old family-run business from Virginia Beach, might possibly, maaaybe one day open a location in Richmond.
My first instinct was to say aloud, “That’s hardly news,” which was awkward because I was in public and looked, as usual, like a crazy person. But once I got over that, I started to reconsider my outburst. If it were the Cheese Shop making this un-announcement, I would be losing my mind. I guess I do get it after all. If Taste is your place, this is big news. Big enough, anyway. So, yeah, Taste Unlimited “is interested” in opening a location in Richmond, but it won’t be until at least 2018, and for all you know you could be gluten-free by then; but whatever, here’s a fist bump of hope to all you house dressing lovers out there.
LOCAL GOES WEST
This week, two Richmond restaurant groups, Richmond Restaurant Group and EAT Restaurant Partners, announced plans for Short Pump locations in the not-too-distant future. Richmond.com reports that GreenGate, a mixed-use development just west of Short Pump Town Center will be the future home of a second iteration of the Daily, the popular herbivore/omnivore-friendly Carytown spot. And Chris Tsui of EAT Restaurant Partners tells the Richmond Times Dispatch that they’ll open a sushi and steakhouse in the very same development in 2017.
SOMETHING FISHY
On the heels of the FDA’s approval of genetically-modified salmon for consumer sale, Ellwood Thompson’s announced that they will not carry the GMO product and that they are in the process of ridding their store of GMO products entirely. In a quote, Ellwoods owner Rick Hood said, “We believe the unknown health risks of consuming genetically modified food are such that it’s our duty as your grocer to be cautious and demand better choices for you.” Good lookin’ out, Ellwoods!
NOEL YORTUSU (JUICE ALERT!)
There’s news from last week’s sip o’ the week folks, Gulp Juicery: From December 15th to December 23rd, the Gulp crew will be juicing it up at Sub Rosa and offering their small-batch cold-press juices and nut mylks, aka Brumal Blends, for purchase at the bakery. When I say “small batch,” I’m talking about a mere dozen of each, so get ’em while you can!
A VERY PERKY CHRISTMAS
Cookbooks, photo booths, and gingerbread cookies! The Perk team is in full-on holiday mode all month long with fun events for the whole family. From Perk owner Christophile Konstas:
Saturday December 5th, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Carrie Walters, who designed Richmond’s cookbook, 804ork, [Volumes 1 and 2] will be at Perk! along with Joe Sparatta and Lee Gregory of Southbound to sign copies of Vol. 2 as well as sample some of their food. Joseph Akers of PaperFreckles, who sells his cards at Perk! will also be there to hand-letter gift tags with any purchase. 804ork Vol. 2 will be available for purchase for $45.
Sunday, December 6th, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Perk! will be holding its first annual holiday photo booth. For $25 you get a 10-minute photo slot time, and a free full-size download of your favorite photo. With fun holiday props collected over the years, photos taken by Perk! co-owner Christophile Konstas make memorable holiday cards. There will also be holiday treats to sample while you wait. Email hello@perkbonair.com to schedule your sitting time.
Monday, December 21st, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Perk! will be hosting a decorate-your-own gingerbread cookie event. For $5, you get a cup of hot cocoa and gingerbread cookie, and we provide all the decorations to make it your own masterpiece. In addition, the Backpack Storyteller will be on hand for a holiday-themed story hour.
From Elsewhere…
Much like Channing Tatum, some cakes are best left naked.
On the one hand, I despise single-use coffee cups; on the other hand…
SIP: BOURBON GINGERBREAD STOUT
While you’re shopping for all the lovingly made goodies at this Saturday’s Handmade Holiday at Hardywood, don’t forget to fill your growler with one of Hardywood’s best brews. The impeccably smooth, dangerously drinkable Bourbon Gingerbread Stout is, according to Hardywood, an “imperial milk stout brewed with vanilla beans, cinnamon, fresh baby ginger, and Bearer Farms wildflower honey,” which is then matured in bourbon barrels, imparting an unmistakably rich bourbon flavor. If you are the gives-beer-for-Christmas type, GIVE THIS BEER. You will be the winner of Christmas, or however that works.
BITE: ZZAAM’S MANDOO
Man, do yourself a favor and try these dumplings! They’re crispy perfection with a simple, moderately spicy dippy, and for $5 a serving, they’re quite possibly the perfect snack. I’ve been in love with Zzaam’s noodle and rice bowls since they opened late last month, and with the discovery of these little fried dumplings, I am officially obsessed with this place.
GRAM: @PASTURERVA
Pasture turns four today! Happy birthday, Pasture!
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Stephanie Ganz
Stephanie Ganz thought there would be pizza.
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