Food news: Rappahannock celebrates, Empire gets a new owner, and Devils Backbone is awesome

Even deep into the holiday season, RVA is still stuffed with food news.

December 12, 2013; 8:39 AM • by Ross Catrow

Richmond.com has the tip that The Daily Meal named Devils Backbone Brewing Company the #21 best craft brewery in America—an honor which is well deserved. I swear, it’s getting hard track of all the awards that Virginia beer keeps winning.

DBB, as you probably know, makes the world’s best Vienna Lager and an absolutely killer schwarzbier. Plus they’re just a quick drive away from RVA and totally worth a weekend day trip.

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What’s with these new Richmond Restaurants growing up and suddenly becoming a staple of our dining life? First Saison goes and celebrates it’s one year anniversary and now, on the very same day, Rappahannock will celebrate theirs! It sounds cliche, but they really do grow up so fast.

Celebrate Rappahannock’s one year anniversary today with beer & wine specials and $1 oysters all-day long. One dollar is vastly less than the prices the oysters normally command ($2), so order a couple rounds for the table!

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Deep within the confines of the Short Pump Mall Food Court they’ve sectioned off an area which is destined become Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. The menu looks to have your standard American Chain Restaurant feel to it, but they will be brewing beer on the premises. Beer is always good, I guess.

The RTD has more details.

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In what I hope becomes a super regular video series, Willy Beans from the Southside location of Crossroads introduces us to one of his favorite stouts: the Ommegang Take the Black, which is inspired by Game of Thrones. This beer features gratuitous violence and nudity!

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RVA Mag has the news that Empire is under new ownership. They’ve cleaned the place up, tweaked the menu, and plan to bring the place back to its rock-and-roll history. From the RVA Mag article:

Empire has already been significantly refurbished since LeVesque took the place over–and people have noticed and responded. “Holy shit!” and “It’s so clean and bright!” are some of the positive sentiments he has heard.

Empire is located on the corner of Broad and Laurel.

Photo by: toddwickersty