Food News: Shoryuken Ramen gets a temporary home, cider and craft beer galore, and happy hour for charity

This week: Richmond’s only pop-up ramen operation is one step closer to a brick-and-mortar location with a three-month residence, plenty of cider and craft beer happenings, and details on how you can enjoy an extended happy hour in Carytown for a great cause.

November 13, 2014; 10:51 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Shoryuken Ramen, the popular pop-up series that’s hosted in a different venue each month, is one step closer to having a place of their own. Chef Will Richardson has partnered with Rick Lyons of LUNCH and SUPPER in Scott’s Addition to host a pop-up series for the next three months on Mondays and Tuesdays, when LUNCH is normally closed for business. Richardson plans to use the space as a test kitchen of sorts to build and refine his menu, before hopefully finding a space of his own. The first seating for his Japanese and fusion ramen dishes, sold for $10 each, will be December 1st.

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If you’re into great Asian fusion paired with beer (and who isn’t?), Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen & Bar is the place to be next Tuesday. The Scott’s Addition restaurant is hosting a five-course Heavy Seas beer dinner–each course paired with one of Heavy Seas’ brews, like the Loose Cannon American IPA, Peg Leg Imperial Stout, and the Great’ER Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Ale. Tickets are $50 per person.

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The owner of several popular Carytown restaurants is getting into the spirit of the season by extending his venues’ happy hours this week and next, and it’s all for a great cause. Hamooda Shami, the owner of Don’t Look Back, New York Deli, and Portrait House, is extending happy hour at the aforementioned locations until 9:00 PM through Friday, November 21st. In order to take advantage of the specials, patrons just need to bring in nonperishable goods to help Virginia Supportive Housing stock their food pantry.

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If you’d rather spend your Turkey Day bickering with catching up with relatives instead of slaving over the stove, Richmond.com’s Karri Peifer has a handy roundup of all the great local restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner. Your options are pretty extensive this year, but you’d better reserve your table now–these special holiday dinners typically fill up fast.

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The 17th Street Farmers Market will be a hard cider lover’s delight this Saturday. Nine area cider makers will come together for the Richmond Cider Celebration from 11:00 AM through 4:00 PM. Tickets are $20 and include ten cider tastings, glassware, and a cider bottle carrying tote. Vendors include:

Albemarle CiderWorks
Blue Bee Cider (our local star across the river in Manchester)
Castle Hill Cider
Cobbler Mountain Cellars
Corcoran Vineyards
Foggy Ridge Cider
Old Hill Cider
Potter’s Craft Cider
Winchester CiderWorks

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Speaking of cider, Blue Bee Cider in Manchester is now offering a Cider Club. Members get quarterly shipments of cider, free glasses, tastings, and exclusive events, plus a sneak peek at Blue Bee Cider products before they’re available to the public. Cider Club is available for a $43 quarterly fee when picked up at the cidery; $63 for home delivery. Now that’s the gift that keeps on giving.

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Center of the Universe Brewing Company is celebrating its second anniversary this weekend with three days of special events. On Friday, the festivities kick off with live music from Ashland’s own The Tender and the release of The Richard, COTU’s special Imperial IPA described as “aggressive” and “monster” in nature. On Saturday, a selection of breweries from around the country will be on hand to tap their sometimes hard-to-find brews, including Slyfox, Stone, Left Hand, 21st Amendment, Cigar City, and Perennial Artisan. The fun concludes on Sunday with a Stoutfest and a Beer, Chocolate, and Cheese Pairing. Details are available here.

Photo: Center of the Universe Brewing Company Facebook page