Supper with Mom, Secret Sandwiches, and Small Business Supporters
If you love moms, babies, and/or chefs, the March of Dimes is hosting an event on Sunday, September 18th that is right up your alley. The March of Dimes does incredible work here and all over the country protecting premature babies from death and illness, and this event supports their mission.
"Supper with Mom" kicks off with an artisan cocktail hour, featuring local producers and chefs including Rapp Session, Craft Kolache, Birdie's Pimento Cheese, Mother Shrub, and Oil & Vinegar. After the cocktail hour, chefs from East Coast Provisions, The Daily, The Betty on Davis, Stroops, Ciao Capri, Kabana, and Chef Will Richardson, formerly of Shoryuken Ramen, will prepare dishes with Whisk Bakery and Blanchard's Coffee serving up dessert.
Take a peek at some of the menu items:
Corn kimchi fried rice with soy-marinated egg and Edward’s country ham
Birdie’s and Bowties, black pepper pimento mac-n-cheese
Raw oyster bar with mignonette sauce
Chorizo and sweet potato kolache
The Mother Shrub champagne cocktail and full bar
Tickets are available for $150 per person HERE.
Pssst, we've got a little secret for you: Starting this month, we'll be working with Secret Sandwich Society as they near completion on their new location on Grace Street! Secret Sandwich Society is an independently-owned full-service restaurant and bar with a focus on burgers and sandwiches. With one location in Fayetteville, WV, the team behind SSS already knows the business of making gourmet sandwiches and burgers. They'll be opening their doors toward the end of October, and we'll be helping them spread the word to sandwich lovers everywhere!
RVANews foretold of Secret Sandwiches last November. Check out what Richard Hayes had to say.
GET TO WORK (WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ELLWOOD THOMPSON'S)
Almost every day, we see budding business owners whose wish is to see their very own recipes on store shelves, and for the past few years we've told them all the same thing: Get thee to Ellwood Thompson's. Ellwoods is one of the champions of small food businesses, making entry into the marketplace attainable for local entrepreneurs.
How do they do it? When would-be business owners visit Ellwoods in search of assistance, owner Rick Hood gives his own time to point them in the right direction. Some need assistance with packaging or the legalization process, some need branding and marketing help. We're delighted to partner with Ellwoods to help entrepreneurs like these navigate the early stages of their business, no matter what they need.
This week, Style Weekly reported on the way that Ellwoods helps these small businesses, including Confluence Coffee and Health Warrior, as well as Ellwoods' recent recognition as the best grocery store in Virginia by MSN. Thanks and congrats, Ellwood Thompson's!
First a new website, now a new office!? Guys, we are moving on up over here at the Cart! This month, we moved into The Woodlot, a Main Street office space shared by our friends at Campfire & Co, The Spark Mill, Bella Designs, Nurture, and Content Chop Shop. And after a short time of working in harmony, I'm happy to say that it's very nice to have friends who play Billie Holiday in the morning and brew big pots of Blanchard's coffee for everyone to share. And since our Campfire buddies designed the space, it's both functional AND gorgeous. Come visit us! (By appointment only, tho.)
IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE...
Typically, I'm all food, food, food; but today it's all about smelling good and channeling some posi vibes at Campfire & Co's GOOD VIBES ONLY workshop, Apothecary 101 with Maven Made at our aforementioned charming office space, The Woodlot. You'll get to create a custom facial serum to tackle your own face issues, whatever they may be, plus a room and linen spray, so you can start sniffing your best life. I hear there's also a tote bag involved, soooo...GET YOUR TICKETS NOW.
SIP: BELLE ISLE HONEY HABAÑERO MOONSHINE (It's Virginia Spirits Month!)
It's hot and sweet and dangerous. Sweat it out with the Moonstruck Mule, a refreshing combo of moonshine, ginger beer, and Mother Shrub's lime shrub. Cheers!
BITE: LUCCA CRUDO
Is it just me or does "Lucca Crudo" sound like a great name for a hip hop star? Well it's not, it's better. It's Andrew Manning's delicately prepared raw fish course at Lucca Enoteca, aka the little gem that should in #RVAdine. If you haven't been to Lucca yet, go. Go tonight. Start with the crudo, then a pizza (chorizo and honey, perhaps?), and finish up one of the housemade pastas or the whole branzino, or hell, both. #YOLO.
Lucca's crudo is like the restaurant itself--unexpected, bright, refreshing, and unlike so many restaurants in town--a welcome departure from Richmond, if only for dinner.
GRAM: @LAURALEESRVA
We are in primo restaurant opening season, with the RTD reporting that Laura Lee's is going to open any day now, seemingly every day. Spoonbread Bistro is also on the horizon, as is Goatocado, and from the looks of it, Sen Organic-Small Plate.