THE SLICE: 'Tis the season for cookies, canoodling, and 'nog
'TIS THE SESSION
Rapp Session has warmly embraced the Christmas spirit, transforming itself into "Christmas Session" through the end of the month. There you'll find lights, ornaments and oysters, plus a shload of holiday cheer. There's 'nog, there's glugg, there's even a cocktail for those of us who did not make Santa's nice list, called "The Naughty Child," a combination of Opihr (Oriental Spice Gin), Chambord, Red wine plum syrup, Rosemary, lemon juice, savory Scarborough bitters, topped with Rosé, served in festive holly glasses & garnished with a brandied cherry & holly leaves.
Stuffin' Muffins and Hot Tamales will be on the menu, and you can get in on the spirit of giving with a donation to FeedMore--Rapp Session will be collecting canned items and holding a raffle with the following prizes:
- Rappahannock Oyster Co. (ROC) Trucker Hat
- ROC Oyster Knife & Gloves
- 1 pint of Barcat Shucked Oysters
- Set of 4 Rappahannock River Oysters Glasses
- ROC or Restaurant T-Shirt
- ROC Sweatshirt Hoodie Jacket
- $50 Rapp Session Gift Card
- $100 Rappahannock Gift Card
- $50 Merroir Gift Card
- 50 Count Bag of Oysters
- ROC Farm Tour (land & boat - location, Topping, VA) and $50 Merroir Gift Card
- Restaurant Gift Card Pack - $50 Gift Cards each to Rappahannock, Rapp Session, Merroir, Rappahannock Oyster Bar, DC and Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Charleston
EAT AT HOME
If you've lost that lovin' feeling, Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of A Taste of Therapy, Allison Carver, has a way to get it back. Carver just launched "Cook In," which equips couples with recipes, relationship-appropriate conversation starters, a playlist and suggested movies to watch once the dishes are done. You just gather your ingredients and follow the prompts. That's it! You'll be canoodling in no time, and then the following month, another Cook In box will arrive in the mail.
In a press release, Carver said, "We are thrilled to offer this new product to couples looking for a delicious way to reconnect. Life is busy and couples are not dating anymore. As a result, only 17% of couples are reported as happy. Cook In is a way for couples to increase their happiness without having to pay for a babysitter or an expensive meal out."
BELLEVUE BIRD
Biscuit business is good for Early Bird Biscuit Co. owner Tim Laxton. Laxton opened his second location of the biscuit shop this week at 1221 Bellevue Ave. This is a return to Northside for the biscuit brand, which first opened a location on Lakeside Avenue in 2014. That location closed the following year when Laxton opened his current Fan location at 119 Q. North Robinson Street.
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
The highly anticipated sixth location of Tazza Kitchen opened in Scott's Addition this week. COOL! (Read more on why it's cool HERE.) Meanwhile, in Carytown, Amici owner Carlo Gaione told the Times-Dispatch the 26-year-old restaurant will serve its last meal on December 16th, saying, "People want new stuff. They don’t care if it’s good or bad. They just want to be where the action is." That's some powerful food for thought coming from a veteran restaurateur, and it makes me think of this piece from Besha Rodell, "The City that Knows How to Eat." Let's see if you agree.
SO ON TREND
It's time for food writers everywhere to ruminate on the potential trends of the coming year, and we're no exception. We took a look at how the trends of 2017 will make way for the future for our friends at PFG. Check back with us in six months to see if we can issue a big "I TOLD YOU SO" when sea greens and savory ice cream are everywhere.
SIP OF THE WEEK: NOG
Social media guru Kira Siddall was nice enough to post an inquiry regarding #RVANOG on her Facebook page, and I've been following the results from a safe distance like a nog-stalking Michael Myers.
According to the post, you'll find premium nogables at Rapp Session (see above), Toast, L'Opossum, Pasture (IT'S VEGAN - WHAT?!), Shagbark (Derek Salerno swears by his nog), Peter Chang in Scott's Addition, and Metzger; plus Flora is offering a rompope, which I learned is an eggnog-like drink of Mexican origin. FELIZ NAVIDAD, INDEED.
BITE OF THE WEEK: COOKIES!
IT'S HOLIDAY COOKIE TIME! Maximize your cookie potential at this Holiday Cookie Swap with RVA Swappers and Slow Food RVA. Need some inspo? The Kitchn has a nice line-up of holiday cookies, and Bon App has gone cookie-crazy (If you don't see that pistachio cookie Instagrammed 20 times between now and Christmas, you clearly are following different accounts than I am. It is to Christmas what the Cranberry Lime pie was to Thanksgiving!)
'GRAM OF THE WEEK: @TASTE
I adore this "online magazine for today's home cook." The writing is reminiscent of Lucky Peach but not so esoteric. The recipes are solid. The perspective is informed and fun.