Longoven lands, Brasa is born, plus cold brew and chilled soups

Brasa at The Veil, photo by Stephanie Ganz

A LONG TIME COMING

After three years of pop-up dinners and special events, Longoven; the pop-up series from chefs Andrew Manning, Megan Phelan and Patrick Phelan; is ready (so ready) to put down roots. The trio will land in a 3000 square foot building in Scott's Addition at 2939 West Clay Street, according to Richmond Bizsense.

Longoven launched a series of monthly pop-ups at Sub Rosa Bakery in September of 2014. Last year, they were recognized as one of Bon Appétit's 50 Best Restaurants, despite not actually having a restaurant to call home. Patrick Phelan tells Bizsense the restaurant will likely open in February, 2018.

BRUNCHER PASS

Brenner Pass announced this week that they will open for brunch, starting this Sunday. Brunch will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. In an email, Brenner Pass chef and co-owner Brittanny Anderson says we can expect, "oysters, charcuterie, fantastic brunch cocktails, and all the Eggs in Pugatory your heart desires. Reservations available by phone or through Opentable."

Want an example of said "fantastic brunch cocktail?" Pucker up for the Snowbunny, a combination of vodka, chartreuse, pineapple lavendar syrup, and sparkling wine. The menu also includes a mortadella schnitzel and a rabbit sausage croissant-wich with gruyere, mayo, and a sunny-side-up egg. YOWZAH.

VIVA LA VEGAN

On Thursday, July 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Ellwood Thompson's will host a family-friendly (including four-legged family members) vegan showcase in the Beet Cafe. In an email, Ellwood's Marketing Coordinator Taylor Richardson said, "We've rallied some of Richmond's most passionate plant-loving non-profits, advocacy groups, local food vendors, fitness consultants, and more for our first Viva la Vegan happy hour! We'll have live music, happy hour beverage specials, vegan-friendly samples galore, educational resources, advocacy groups and more."

Participants include: Porchlight Animal Sanctuary, Vegan Action, Vegetarian Society of Richmond, Food Not Bombs, No Bull Burger, Blue Ridge Bucha, Vegtabowls, Health Warrior, Pasta Valente, PastryBase, Root Force Vegan Muscle & Fitness (plant-based personal training and fitness!). The event is free to attend.

And when you're done with that, mosey over to Ardent Craft Ales for the Go Go Vegan Go food truck. They'll be serving at the brewery from 4:00 to 9:00.

HASTA LA BRASA

Brasa, a new wood-fired pop-up from Longoven chef Andrew Manning and chef Stephen Farr has recently been making appearances at Richmond breweries like The Veil and Ardent Craft Ales, and they're fixin to do just that again this weekend. On Friday, July 21st from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, you'll find wood-grilled seafood and vegetables at The Veil; and on Saturday, July 22nd, they'll pop up from 4:00 to 9:00 at Ardent Craft Ales.

Manning says, the menu includes "very easy-going grilled food, Spanish and mediterranean flavors, lots of fresh fish and vegetables," adding that he and Farr plan to add wings, goat, and lamb eventually. "Brasa in Portuguese means 'ember,'" Manning explains, "and thats the base of what we cook over," specifically, over a wood-fired grill that Farr's brother built specifically for them.

REAP WHAT YOU SOW

Several Richmond businesses are finding success with seedy snacks, including Malokin, a farmers-market-born business selling popped amaranth treats (similar to Rice Krispies Treats) and brittle. I chatted with owner Leo Salinas in this month's Richmond Magazine about how Salinas came up with the concept and what he sees for the future of Malokin.

POINT BREAK

The Break pop-ups, brainchild of chef Bobo Catoe, got picked up for a second season at The Roosevelt. Season Two kicks off with "Taqueria el Tigre" on July 30th and takes us through 2017 ending in a Festivus pop-up on December 3. Other themes include "2 Fast 2 Furious," with ramen and rice bowls, "Brackish," a seafood (inc. oysters) night, and "Tailgate" with delicious gameday eats.

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE...

You are going to want to get tickets to the Camp Saison Beach Party with Stock Provisions at The Lillypad, trust me on this. A whole Autumn Olive Farms hog will be the star of the show, and chef Adam Hall and the Stock Bros will be serving up other bites to go with it. Plus Justin Ayotte's tiki cocktails, live music from The Milkstains, and surf & soul tunes from Steady Sounds' Marty Key will keep the party vibes beachy af. There are two three-hour tours to choose from, and transportation is included in the $99 ticket price.

SIP OF THE WEEK: BLANCHARD'S COLD BREW 12oz CAN

Oh yes they did. Richmond coffee darlings Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co has just released their cold brew in 12 oz cans. Get your hands on those cans at Saison Market, Stock Provisions, Union Market, Ellwood Thompson's, Kohlman's, Stella's Grocery and Proper Pie.

BITE OF THE WEEK: YELLOW UMBRELLA'S COLD SOUPS

Not 24 hours after proclaiming my love of cold soups, I hit the JACKPOT at Yellow Umbrella. The seafood retailer has souped up its prepared food line with a killer selection of slurpables, including gazpacho with crabmeat, a chilled carrot soup, a cold and creamy tomato bisque, cucumber soup, and a sweet corn soup. This has got "Too hot to cook" written all over it.

GRAM OF THE WEEK: @RVAFITFOODIE

I'm embracing some wellness goals, and blogs and IG accounts like Austin Kitchen's RVA Fit Foodie are providing serious inspiration for that grind.