Food News: Stone Brewing, Farewell to Phil’s, and Folk Festival grub

This week: Richmond wins big by luring Stone Brewing’s new East Coast facility, Phil’s Continental Lounge closes after 75 years in business, and Graffiato begins serving brunch. Plus Folk Festival food and beer and a make-your-own hard cider workshop. All this and more!

October 9, 2014; 11:53 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Well, we’ll go ahead and get right to the subject on everyone’s minds–Stone Brewing! It looks like Richmond has beat out Columbus and Norfolk as the site for the massive brewer’s new East Coast facility, according to sources close to the deal. Depending on when you read this, Governor Terry McAuliffe may have already announced the major economic win for the city at a Capitol press conference. It’s a major win for the city, both economically and for Stone Brewing beer lovers. The new facility will reportedly be built on a tract of land in the Greater Fulton neighborhood, not far from Rocketts Landing.

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After three-quarters of a century in business, Phil’s Continental Lounge is but a memory of bygone days in Richmond. The Grove Avenue institution, open since 1939, is no more and abruptly closed its doors on Monday. The eatery was forced to move down the block in 2011 after its former landlord refused to renew the lease and was put up for sale by owner Kyle Measell in the spring (with an asking price of $150,000). Farewell, old friend.

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Carytown Burgers and Fries is on track to open its second location in January. Owner Mike Barber signed a five-year lease for a space in the Towne Center West shopping center in Short Pump, adjacent to Short Pump Town Center. Barber says he’ll serve up the same menu customers have grown to love in Carytown. Neighboring Carytown burger joint Burger Bach also opened a Short Pump location, at West Broad Village, one year ago this month.

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Short Pumpers also have a new option for pizza and craft beer in the same shopping center as the forthcoming Carytown Burgers and Fries location. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, a new-to-Richmond chain with more than 150 locations, opened this week. The restaurant features 13 of its own house beers–brewed at another BJ’s location–(and a dozen or so others on tap), plus a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and steaks, in addition to the pizzas for which they’re known.

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The Richmond Folk Festival–one of the largest annual festivals in Virginia–returns to the Richmond riverfront this weekend. Along with dozens of performers from around the world (check out the full festival guide here), there’s also great food from around the globe as well. Local food truck favorites like Boka Truck, Goatocado, and Red Eye Cookie Company will be on hand, as well as tastes from around the world from local vendors such as La Milpa, Africanne on Main, Caribbean Pot, and Ginger Thai Taste, just to name a few. Wild Wolf Brewing Company’s festival collaboration beer, ‘Folktoberfest,’ will also be available for purchase, along with other Virginia craft beers and wines.

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If you’ve come to enjoy Chef Mike Isabella’s cuisine at Graffiato, you’re in for a treat. The restaurant will begin offering brunch this weekend, and the menu looks fantastic. Among the offerings are ‘The Hangover’ pizza with pancetta, soft egg, provolone, matchstick potato, and cherry pepper aioli; steak and eggs; and zeppoli (Italian fried donut balls). Sounds like a delicious way to shake off all that partying from the night before to me!

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It’s baaaack! Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s Gingerbread Stout has become arguably one of the most hyped and talked about beers each fall since its initial release several years ago. The brewery just announced the release date for the 2014 brew. You can get your hands on this holiday favorite at the release party on Saturday, November 8th from 2:00 to 9:00 PM.

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Want to learn how to create and bottle your own hard cider? Then Blue Bee Cider’s upcoming workshop will be right up your alley. The $47 workshop fee includes one gallon of raw juice, carboy with airlock, yeast, yeast nutrient, lab flask, funnel, and a how-to guide book covering the basics of cider making. Workshops are being held October 29th and November 22nd. You can learn more and sign up online here.

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Now a thriving industry, Virginia’s oyster population was once almost completely wiped out. A cool new short film in the ‘Common•wealth’ documentary series spotlights Rappahannock River Oyster Co. and other companies that are employing innovative new practices to ensure sustainable oyster farming and the longevity of a delicious and plentiful species native to the Commonwealth.

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“Gonna eat this delicious meal…but first, let me take a selfie.” The Shops at Willow Lawn is hosting a #FoodSelfieContest (as if people don’t already take enough photos of themselves or their food–but I digress!). To participate, just snap a photo of yourself enjoying a meal at one of Willow Lawn’s restaurants, upload it to the contest page on Facebook, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for gift cards to Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Zoë’s Kitchen, and American Tap Room. Best of all, $1 will be donated to FeedMore for each contest entry, up to $2,500.

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Winter is coming, and there are a lot of kids in our area who may not have a warm coat to get through the cold months. To help on this front, Pasture is hosting a ‘Case for Hope’ coat drive Monday evening, October 13th at the Grace Street restaurant. Bring in a new or gently used coat for a child in Richmond’s foster care system, and you’ll be rewarded with a $5 gift certificate to use towards Pasture’s menu of Southern small plates, entreés, and craft cocktails.

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Finally, with so many new restaurants and breweries coming on the scene each week, it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all. Never fear, though–RVANews’ Ross Catrow has you covered with a comprehensive list of every opening around town to date in 2014. If today were the last day of the year, the city would have added one new restaurant or brewery per week, as the list now tops 52 establishments.

Photo: Luke Witt