THE DONUTS AND THE BRISKET ARE BACK

Mean Bird catering at The Woodlot, a sign of what's to come

A NEW NEST

In best-possible-neighbor news, we were delighted to see that Mean Bird will soon be occupying the former Sticky To GoGo space, a dangerous few doors down from our office, The Woodlot. This is great news for fried chicken lovers, vegans, and The Apple Cart.

"We've been so surprised and flattered by all the excitement surrounding the new space," says co-owner Sarah Moore. "We've been lucky to have a following of loyal Mean Bird fans, but it's been so amazing to see all the support." Moore says the West Main Street location will serve as a to-go spot and mini market, with possibly a few seats for on-the-spot chicken consumption.

JOHNNY APPLESEED

We are so thrilled to introduce The Appleseed Series, workshops for growing food businesses! We've been working on this idea for quite some time, and we're excited to see it start coming to life!

The workshop topics are Press Relations, with special guest Richmond Magazine Food Editor Stephanie Breijo; Instamedia with styling and photography wizards Fred & Elliott; and Tourism (all about tapping into the tourism economy) with Richmond Region Tourism Community Relations VP Katherine O'Donnell.

Each workshop will be an hour and fifteen minutes long, with a 45 minute hang-out sesh afterwards. After several years of offering workshops, we've learned that this is often where the best conversations take place--over Mother Shrub sparklers and pimento cheese crackers, naturally. I'm happy to say that these tickets are already going fast, and with only 12 seats per workshop, you'd better get on this if you want some.

Oh, and thanks for the shout out, RVA Hub!

RICHMOND BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK SOUNDS AWESOME

Richmond's inaugural Black Restaurant Week starts on Monday, and if you haven't mapped out where you'll go when and with whom, you are several steps behind already. But don't panic! Just head over to Richmond Magazine to learn more about the event, and then visit the Richmond Black Restaurant Week Facebook page to begin planning your path of culinary destruction. You've got a slew of great options to choose from, including Croaker's Spot, Chef Mamusu's Africanne on Main, Spoonbread Bistro, and Mama J's (and over 15 more!), and proceeds of the $15 lunches and/or $25 dinners benefit Renew Richmond.

THEY LIKE US, THEY REALLY LIKE US

Zagat came out with 8 reasons to drive to RVA this week, and they did a pretty excellent job at identifying some of the best and brightest in our midst, including Metzger Bar & Butchery, Mamma 'Zu, Perly's, L'Opossum, and Sub Rosa; the last of which seems to be on a roll* this year, with a write-up in Bon Appetit and a well-deserved addition to Evrim Dogu's James Beard Nomination to include pastry chef Evin Dogu. Congrats, hugs, and thumbs up all around.

CHOPSTICKS

Richmond is getting an Izakaya, and if you don't know what that means, don't worry, you've got until at least May 1st to figure it out. This Richmond Magazine article about Rogue Gentleman owner John Maher's plans for the former Boka Tavern space in Jackson Ward should also help answer some of those charcoal-burning questions.

#RVA #PSA: ZZQ RETURNS!

If you crave incredible Texas-style BBQ and don't mind waiting in line (with beer), mosey over to Ardent Craft Ales this Saturday from noon to four (or until the 'que is no more) for the release of Ardent's Brett Saison draft and 750 mL bottles and the kick-off of ZZQ's 2017 season. According to Facebook, ZZQ's Russell Cook (formerly [like, way formerly] the chef at Millie's and a very awesome dude) will be whipping up kolaches, and drink genius extraordinaire Dererk Salerno of Shagbark will be serving limited supplies of craft sodas for all the girls and boys.

SIP(S) OF THE WEEK: Colombia Finca El Nogal Tati / Castillo Washed AND Colombia Finca El Ocaso Geisha Natural

This weekend, Blanchard's will release a boxed set of Colombian goodness. On Saturday from 10:00 to Noon, try these two brews for yourself, and top it off with some of Nate's Bagels. 

BITE OF THE WEEK: MRS. YODER'S DONUTS

Big ol' ups to Let's Share a Dish for alerting me to the fact that Mrs. Yoder's Donuts will again grace the South of the James farmers market this very weekend. Did you know you can order them unglazed? IDK, if you're diabetic or something.

'GRAM OF THE WEEK: @HUMMINGBIRDGARDENSRVA

Check out this very cool business, owned by my friend (and my daughter's gardening teacher!), Amanda Montgomery. HBG has so many great things going on this Spring and Summer, including a Garden Share program for businesses (the only one of its kind that I know of in RVA), where Montgomery provides locally-grown culinary herbs and both edible and decorative flowers for adventurous locavore chefs at restaurants like East Coast Provisions and The Savory Grain. HBG also offers garden coaching programs and garden shares for individuals and families.

*I'm not sure if this is a bakery pun or not, and either way, I'm leaving it