Haven't locked down your New Year's Eve plans yet? We're pumped about two bashes just out of town. If you’re keeping it close to home, some dinner reservations are still available at Alewife, Brenner Pass and Longoven.
We also snuck in a tip on a new burger hub for some end-of-year bingeing before we clean it up in the New Year...
Let’s ring it in!
The Grand
Cuckoo
This time next year, the party in Richmond will be at Common House, the social club opening on Broad Street. But we don't want to wait that long, so we've decided to welcome 2019 with their epic New Year’s Eve bash, The Grand Cuckoo, at their Charlottesville location. We booked their four-course dinner to start (lobster and oysters!), before moving on to the party for dancing and bubbly!
We’ve already become members and recommend you do the same. The clubhouse is stunning, the membership intriguing, and the programming always compelling. If you join now as an out-of-town member, Common House will waive your initiation fee. Plus, being a member offers discounts at some of our favorite spots like The Quirk, Ledbury and Shockoe Atelier. And, as soon as Richmond opens, membership will give you access to both Houses. In!
The grand ballroom and pub bar at Dover Hall are the perfect spaces for a New Year’s Eve party. Don your best attire, and enjoy music from The Dickens Band and food from chef Lee Hendrickson.
Worried about driving home from Manakin Sabot? Let the Allen law firm take care of you for up to $50 off your Lyft ride home within a 20-mile radius of Richmond*. The codes will be posted on their Facebook page the day of at 10pm and 12am.
*We did the math. Dover Hall is 19.3 miles away from the Fan. Safe riding!
The Jack Brown’s team has opened a Richmond location of its beloved Billy Jack’s Shack. We’re pumped, to say the least.
The menu offers everything from burgers to salads, and the new space seats 147 people. Be sure to check out the lower level of their two-story place; known as The Hideaway, it offers a more intimate and laid-back dining experience with a select drink and food menu. Be sure to order their sticky nuggs, and consider Billy Jack's for brunch starting in 2019.
This week, we wanted to give you the warm and fuzzies - but without the snow. So, a few ways to warm your heart, your cheeks and your belly.
'Tis the season!
The Giving
Wall
If you're like us, you wish you did more to give back. To help you with this, we try to identify worthy, turnkey opportunities so you can get right to doing good.
Just launched in the last week, The Giving Wall connects the urgent, unique needs of those living in poverty in Richmond to those who want to help. One might need a pair of boots, help fixing a car, or a boost to cover a small debt.
This is where you come in. You can easily browse those needs on The Giving Wall website, then select which you'd like to support. The Giving Wall staff vetts every request and ensures the delivery of your sponsored good or service.
Check the site out, and let's give this young organization some early momentum.
At this point in the month, we are straight market-ed out. So relax when we invite you to another market.
Long under construction, the 17th Street Farmers Market is gracing downtown once again. You won't be buying goods just yet, but why not go ice skating and scope the new scene out? Don't know what to do with the fam over the holidays? Get them out and moving on the ice, then hit a restaurant to fuel back up! We're excited to see this Farmers Market blossom this spring.
Admittedly, we have a sweet tooth. But it's our job to follow all the bakeries in town and tell you when one is onto something, right? Listen up, we've got a good one.
We’ve had our eye on Lark Baking Co. for a while now and have tried all their tasty treats served at Ironclad Coffee.
But then we noticed something intriguing. Their Mechanicsville location - now serving breakfast (read: biscuits) - is repeatedly selling out. And their Christmas orders are fully booked. There's some serious demand for this scratch kitchen, and we are willing to get in line for it. Question is, when do we go? Breakfast? Friday date night for cake by the slice? Solid options...
vol. 64 / here & there 🚀We're going on a road trip... open up to see where!
VOL. 64 / LYNCHBURG
Buckle up; we're going on a road trip! Over the last couple years, we've visited Lynchburg to catch various concerts. Forget what you knew — the city is full of new entities you have to visit.
We're sending you just two hours southwest: Lynchburg is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We've broken down where to stay, what to do and, most importantly, where to eat.
Your adventure awaits…
Where To
Stay
Settle in for your weekend retreat at The Virginian, optimally located downtown at Eighth and Grace streets. Built in 1913 and then closed in 1972, this historic hotel just completed a massive luxury renovation and is now back open and ready for action.
Walking in the front door, you'd never know the hotel had past lives as apartments and dorms. Now you're welcomed with a warm, modern lobby. If you like to explore, see if you can take a peek in the ballroom, and of the 115 rooms, consider requesting the Moore & Giles suite, outfitted and decorated by the Lynchburg-native leather company. You'll see their handiwork throughout the hotel, from the sexy Chesterfield in the lobby to the on-premises restaurant.
Before you go, check the schedule at the historic Academy Center of the Arts, just a half-mile down the road from The Virginian. The historic theater just completed a stunning restoration.
Opened earlier this month, the century-old building boasts a reputation for perfect acoustics and attracts nationally acclaimed performing artists. Enjoy its galleries featuring a variety of paintings from renowned artists or one of its multiple events in the 340-seat Warehouse Theater. Hmm...looks like NO BS! Brass is playing for New Year's Eve!
For other activities, take some time to stroll along Blackwater Creek Trail or visit the Saturday community market open year-round!
No trip is complete without scoping out the best local eats!
First up, obviously you need a caffeine fix. Beeline to the hip yet friendly Golf Park Coffee, serving none other than Richmond's own Blanchard’s Coffee. This coffee shop is the cool local hangout and is the best way to kick start your morning. We are working on coaxing the owner to open a Richmond location...
Next, we need brunch, stat. New to the Lynchburg foodie scene, Grey’s opened last spring and has quickly made its mark, offering a rotating seasonal menu based on local ingredients, which is easier to show than tell. We want to order this or, hello, this. Check their Instagram for weekly updates!
And for dinner, visit the crew at Rivermont Pizza, a local staple. Their wood-fired pizzas are all over the map, in a good way. We’ve got our eyes on The Ricky. Pro tip: try the roasted vegetables as an appetizer (soaked in a super delicious sauce).
Don't worry, we're still obsessed with Richmond. Our talented photog Kate Magee's images are a love letter to our city - and now you can bring them home.
Shop our brand new prints online, and pick them up at our office on either Friday, December 14 or Friday, December 21.
Go
